LOVELY   HOLIDAYS

Recently we went to Paris and Lille for a long week-end. We stayed in Paris and took the SNCF train to Lille for a day trip.  That was a lovely sunny day not like today. You  could take a car from Paris to Lille if you like driving. There are no National Coaches like in Spain or UK. Unions will not allow But Drivers to drive beyond local distances. Unions in France got more power than in other countries.

This was our second or third visit to Paris. We would not mind visiting Paris again. It was such an interesting city. This time we had enough time and manage to wait in long queues and go up the Notre-Dame and Eiffel Tower. You get beautiful views of the city. They say it is better at night when everything is glowing by light. But we are afraid of nights and did not want to take a chance.

We took the Euro Star for this journey so our carbon foot prints were low. It is better than flying. By taking a cheap flight you could save some money. Then again it will not be as interesting as taking the train. Now Euro Star starts from London St-Pancras which is a plus point and train goes to Paris Nord and you take a taxi, metro or bus to your hotel.

I like their croissants and yoghurts. Find them better than what you get here. There Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Thai Restaurants. We love Thai food and manage to find a Thai restaurant nearer to our hotel. Most interesting thing in holidays is you do not need to cook, shopping and work. Only important thing is to relax and find interesting things to fill your days.

Most of the people in France do not speak English. But you could manage with a Map and few words of French. People there are very nice and helpful. Once we lost our way in Metro but manage to find our way with the help of two English girls. It was an interesting adventure.

I did not realise how popular Lonely Planet Travel Books. Near Eiffel Tower I saw this book in French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese. Who ever started this book has helped lot of travellers. You see this book in people’s hands where ever you go in the world. Inventers of this book should be proud.