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Paris fulfils every expectation when you get there. It really is the city of light and strolling down the Champs Elysees, crossing Pont Neuf, gazing up at Notre Dame and seeing the wonders tucked away in the Louvre will confirm everything you thought.
Taking a trip to Paris should be memorable and we can offer accommodation in Paris for cheap prices.
There’s plenty to do in Paris and Number One is the Louvre. You must see the Mona Lisa, even if you’re a little underwhelmed after the event (it is rather small). But the Titians, Raphaels, Chagalls, Rembrandts and other masters will perk you up. There’s sculpture and tons of interactive exhibits to excite you as well.

A climb up the hill to Montmartre may be a cliché, but it’s still a wonderful thing to do. The quirky boutiques, the artists, performers, street activity and the sheer amount of people watching is bewitching and the Cathedral itself is delightful. There are plenty of restaurants of dubious value in Montmartre – but many good ones too. Le Relais Gascon on Rue des Abbesses serves wonderful salads that are the talk of the locals.

If you want something a little different to do in Paris take one of the Underground At The Eiffel tours. See the machinery room and the military complex in Champs de Mars. It’s tremendous fun and something very different to tell the friends about back home.

Wandering around the inner city suburbs is a pleasure in Paris. Le Marais is the centre of hipster-dom for Paris and is a great way to spend a day. Cruise the bars, wander the back streets, dine on a baguette and soak up the atmosphere. There are plenty of little boutiques and cafes to keep you occupied for hours.

Do you want to see the best looking church in Paris? It’s not Notre Dame, it’s Sainte Chapelle. Check it out on a sunny day and go inside to see the sun streaming through the stained glass windows. The effect – and impact – is stunning.

Toledo may have been named after the Spanish city of the same name, but its early influences were French – traders and trappers who used the area at the confluence of Lake Erie and the Maumee River. As a river town it boomed with the opening of the Miami and Erie Canal. It’s possibly the only town to conduct a war with another state. The ‘Toledo War’ pitched Ohio against Michigan in a battle for a narrow strip of land on the Indiana border. The only casualties were two horses and a number of chickens.

Today it’s a city rich in arts and cultural life and a thoroughly enjoyable town to spend quality time in. The Zoo (possibly as a result of Toledo’s war history) is world class and the parks and open spaces are excellent.

The Zoo is the only one in the world where you’ll get to see hippos in a hippoquarium. This underwater viewing area gets you up close and personal with the daily activities of the incumbent hippo family. There are about 5000 animals in total including snow leopards, orang-utans, gray wolves, gorillas and more.

The Toledo Museum of Art houses a quite incredible collection including works by Cézanne, Degas, Van Gogh, Matisse, Monet, Picasso and Rembrandt. It’s a beautiful building which houses more than just art; there’s a concert hall, the Glass Pavilion (wow) and a sculpture garden.

For a touch of important US history visit the Fort Meigs State Memorial on the south side of the river. It’s the largest walled fortification in the United States and is well worth a self-guided tour.

Travelling with kids? Make sure you get them to the Toledo Science Center. It’s a marvellously hands-on complex with attractive, fun and exciting exhibits bound to enthuse the most reluctant of students!

Oh Toledo, you ring my bell!

For more than 100 years Mobile was home to the French, the English and the Spanish before joining the United States as part of Alabama. The influences in the architecture, food and traditions can still be felt today and in many ways, the unique Mobilian outlook on life is due to this cross-pollination of ideas.

There are many firsts associated with Mobile, including the birthplace of Mardi Gras on mainland USA. It started in the French period in the early 18th century and the event today is a ‘must see’ if you’re in town over the pre-Easter period. The event runs for three weeks with parades, parties and a carnival atmosphere with the last parade on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Locals use the term ‘mardi gras’ as shorthand for all the carnival events, even though the parade season can begin in January some years. It’s a family-friendly event with Krews taking months to plan and construct their floats. They’re big, musical, funny, artistic and awe-inspiring!

Mobile is a historic city which builds on its cross-cultural roots. To move around the languid architecture, beautiful parks and French-inspired Creole food is very different to most parts of the States. A visit here is almost a stopover in another country.

The USS Alabama Battleship memorial Park is a fitting tribute and rates high among visitors. Mobile has a stack of museums to enjoy and the visitor can also take in a little bit of culture courtesy of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra. There’s a professional opera company and a professional ballet company and the arts, through the Carnival, live large in Mobilian life.

Being on the gulf provides some cool breeze relief from the summer heat, but your best time to visit is Spring and Fall.