Travel Articles

A Melting Pot of Ideas to Try out in Paris – Act I Scene II

February 29, 2008 – 11:17 am

Everyone will memorize something personal about Paris. I thought it would be a rich idea to start writing a brand new series of articles in which I would offer each time a motley of ideas: obscure sites to see, off-the-wall museums to visit, quaint shops to shop at, and other things to do (for free or for money) in Paris. Starting now!

Here is another article in this series.

Organ Music Anyone?

Notre Dame Cathedral is not just an awesome medieval work of art. Every Sunday at 4:30 PM the official organ player of the Cathedral sits at his keyboard, and fills the enormous structure with sounds from outer space. Anyone who attended these concerts will tell you that religious music takes a whole new meaning in this sanctified place. Goosebumps guaranteed. Notre Dame Cathedral is located on the Cite Island, at the Cite metro station. There is more about it on my Paris guide paris-eiffel-tower-news.com.

Get Me a Couscous for Free

At the “Les Fontaines” bar, the owner opens his kitchen and serves free couscous to all on Fridays and Saturdays. You are only required to order one drink per person, which is anyway desirable when you stuff yourself with semolina. “Les Fontaines” sits at 153 rue Saint-Maur, in the 11th district. The closest metro stations are “Belleville” and “Rue Saint-Maur”.

British and Celt Rock in Paris

In 30 years from now, people will talk about the Guinness Rock Tavern as this mythic British bar where to listen to live rock music while downing a Guinness Stout. A new band every night will entertain you from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am. I am still so thankful I didn’t live right above the place! Take the subway to the “Chatelet” station, and walk northwards to 31 bis rue des Lombards. That’s the place where it’s loud.

The Green Miles

That’s something so peculiar you won’t want to miss it. On top of the remnants of what used to be an inner railroad line, the City authorities have developed a 3-mile walkway which links the Bastille square to the Vincennes Woods, along the Daumesnil Avenue. Halfway between Bastille and Vincennes, the Reuilly Gardens offer a nice halt. There is no such walkway in any city I have ever visited. Access it from the “Bastille” subway station. You can see a few views of it at paris-eiffel-tower-news.com

Where Queen Marie-Antoinette Spent her Last Night

Queen Marie-Antoinette was beheaded during the French revolution in 1793. It is said her hair turned entirely white during the night before her execution. She was held captive at the Conciergerie Museum, a royal palace built on the Cite Island in the early 13th century. The medieval atmosphere penetrates your very soul along a visit which will lead you through the castle and its infamous cells. Free admission, and you keep your head on your shoulders. The address is 2 boulevard du Palais, on the Cite Island. The nearest metro station is “Cite”.

Each of these Parisian spots will spice up your trip to Paris. I often recommend the subscribers of Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com to get out of their comfort zone to soak in uncommon sights and bring them back home. Paris is best visited in a free-spirited way, outside the ‘channels’ built by travel guides. Not that the circuits they offer are uninteresting. But having lived some 25+ years in the French capital, I personally believe (and my friend photographer Angel Sanguinetti is of the same opinion) that there is a lot more to Paris than just the regular course served by reference guides. I urge you to try and dare new things. It will be more rewarding, and you will be in a position to recommend your own friends new best ways to discover Paris!

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Authentic Parisian Experiences

February 29, 2008 – 11:16 am

In this issue I have yet more Parisian shopping bargains and discoveries in store for the readers of paris-eiffel-tower-news.com: fine crystal and some wine-tasting sessions from one of the most reputed Parisian wine cellars, and more!

Wine tasting at Galerie Vivienne

If you like your wine, you won’t want to miss this French 1950s-style period wine shop. With its wood paneling and charming window displays, it opens up onto the Galerie Vivienne, one of the most stunning indoor arcades in Paris. There lie the wine cellars of ‘Legrand filles et fils’ (Legrand daughters & sons), some of the most highly reputed in Paris.

These cellars have been lovingly and expertly stocked by three generations of the Legrand family ever since the end of the World War I. Sadly enough, these cellars are not open to the general public. The shop offers however a warm family atmosphere.

Wine prices range from 5 to 10,000 euros a bottle, with a wide selection in the 5-15 euros price bracket. You won’t go hungry either, as the shop also carries a range of delicacies to bring out the flavor of the wine.

Worthy of note, the shop offers wine tasting and lessons! For 60 euros you can attend an introductory wine tasting session every Monday from 8 to 10 pm. Seating is limited, so book beforehand by phone or by e-mail.

The shop also features a wine tasting corner, open from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm, where you can choose a wine and get a plate of accompanying delicacies specially selected to bring out the taste of your wine. The cost is 5.25 euros a glass and 15-30 euros a plate. You can also order desserts.

The shop has two entrances: No. 1 Rue de la Banque, and No. 12 Galerie Vivienne, 75002 Paris. For wine tasting reservations, call: 33 (0)1 4260 0712 or email: info[at]caves-legrand.com.

Monastica – craftsmanship steeped in tradition

This is a fantastic place where you can get your hands on authentic French handmade products, crafts and souvenirs steeped in tradition –- and do a good deed at the same time. If you wander at the tip of the St Louis Island, you’ll discover on Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe a boutique called Monastica, owned and run by the nuns of “Les Fraternités de Jérusalem” (The Brotherhoods of Jerusalem), a religious order originally founded in 1975 at the Church Saint Gervais in Paris, which has now spread out internationally.

Most products sold by the shop are made by the Order, the rest by lay craftsmen, but all profits go to the Order. Their products are typically French: stoneware crockery, jams, biscuits, chocolate, marzipan, Provence honey, perfumes, hygiene and beauty products, fine Catalan house linen, statues, decorations, etc. Their Catalan linen is particularly valued, and they have an incredibly wide array of soaps.

You can lay your hands on country jams for around € 5, essential oils from € 4 to € 8, post cards for € 0.80, soaps for € 2.75. Prices are very moderate.

Should you want to buy gifts, your purchases can be beautifully gift-wrapped. The nuns speak English too.

Once again, the address is 11, rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 75004 Paris. You can reach them at: 33 (0)1 4887 8513 and 33 (0)8 7455 6685.

Rue de Paradis – A crystal paradise?

Another thing that will strike you as you visit Rue de Paradis will be the number of shops offering world-renowned Limoges porcelain, plates, and dinner sets, as well as fine crystal products, from glasses and wine decanters to chandeliers.

Crystal is a type of glass which contains a small percentage of lead to lend it more clarity and sparkle than ordinary glass. Crystal is usually cut to enhance its reflective qualities, making it a very pretty, highly valued (and more costly) type of glassware.

Most shops on Paradis street sell “Cristal de Baccarat”, an expensive and prestigious brand of crystal with a long and distinguished history dating back to the early 1800s, and known for supplying royalty with its production.

Those of you who don’t want to fork out a load of money, there is a shop at No. 52 named ‘Décor et Cristal’ which carries a different type of crystal. Their source is from a factory in Eastern France, the ‘Cristallerie des Vosges du Nord’. Although not Baccarat crystal, theirs is still high-quality, and–I was told by the sales assistant–even dishwasher safe!

Prices are great too: some models of crystal glasses retail at 6 euros a piece instead of the usual 30 euros. Products are offered at 20 to 60% discounts.

Décor et Cristal is located at No. 52 rue de Paradis, 75010 Paris. Their phone number is: 33 (0)1 4824 5733.

Don’t miss my next issue of Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News newsletter, with yet more discoveries of hot spots, shopping gems and the best in authentic Parisian eateries.

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Parisian Retail Therapy

February 29, 2008 – 11:16 am

Good news! I have more great Parisian hot spots yet for the readers of Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com. Read on, I believe you won’t be disappointed.

Loose yourself at Le Grand Comptoir

If you find yourself in the 7th district, take some time to stop by 116 Rue du Bac and check out the Grand Comptoir (the Big Counter), a luminous and refined shopping place filled with a motley of weird and wonderful Parisian items.

The entrance courtyard is lined with a variety of cow pictures in tribute to “Vach’art”, the French version of CowParade, a movement that started in Zurich in 1998 and now spans the entire globe (and for cow fans, you’ll find some miniatures for sale inside).

The top level of the Grand Comptoir offers a full array of ready-to-wear clothes for men and women. Beauty products and foodstuffs are on the ground floor, along with many shops selling indoor and outdoor house accessories and a host of other things: old style photos albums with pictures of Paris, pillows with your own black and white photo printed on them, dinner sets, wine bottle boxes, lights, linens, art, etc. You can also shop for gorgeous rustic pieces of heavy wooden furniture and wrought-iron (and typically Parisian) benches. These items are of course unlikely to fit into your suitcase, but they are rather nice to look at anyways.

Prices are all over the place, but there’s plenty of affordable stuff for bargain hunters.

Le Grand Comptoir is located at 116 rue du Bac, 75007 Paris, and can be accessed from the ‘Sevres-Babylone’ metro station. Their phone number is: 33 (0)1 4049 0095.

Free concerts in an awesome setting!

Free music anyone? While in Paris you can attend free concerts twice a week at Saint-Merri Church in downtown rue Saint-Martin. This church dates back to 1550. Its architecture has been inspired by Notre-Dame’s, and in fact it is known as ‘Notre-Dame la petite’ (the little Notre-Dame). It is chock-a-block with impressive stained-glass windows, frescos, bas-reliefs, sculptures, tapestries and paintings, not to mention its beautiful musical center-piece, an awesome organ with a long and distinguished history.

Concerts last around an hour and start on Saturdays at 9:00 pm and on Sundays at 4:00 pm. Although the musical genre is predominately classical, they do play jazz from time to time, and even rarer kinds of music: classical Indian, Chinese, Armenian, and medieval music. Donations are appreciated but entirely at your discretion.

On the first and third Sundays of every month the Church offers a guided visit of the building after the concert.

The Saint-Merri Church is situated at 78 rue Saint-Martin, 75004 Paris. The phone number is: 33 (0)1 4271 9393. The two closest metro stations are: Hotel de Ville (take exit Rue du Renard); and Chatelet (take exit Place Sainte Opportune).

Parisian designer leather & fur - direct from the manufacturers!

I couldn’t believe my luck when, wandering through the Rue de Paradis on the lookout for yet more shopping bargains for the readers of paris-eiffel-tower-news.com, I spotted the workshop exhibition of Jekel. Since 1947, Jekel has been bringing French fashion know-how to designer leather and fur.

I know fur isn’t the most popular item in the United States, and it is much less worn in Europe than in the 1920-50s. The art of designing fur coats and accessories is quickly disappearing, a less than a hundred craftsmen remain in activity in Paris. Finding fur clothing may soon be as difficult as finding a genuine Rembrandt in an attic.

I met with the owner of Jekel, Sylvain Jekel himself who explained that his workshop creates and sells exclusive designer leather models, and fur clothing and accessories.

Jekel distribute their goods internationally to ready-to-wear names and quality retailers such as Galeries Lafayette, Sonya Rykiel, Darel, Apostrophe, etc. The workshop is situated at No. 22 Rue de Paradis.

The ready-to-wear clothing available off the rack is not tailor-made, but Sabrina, the lovely assistant I met, confirmed that Jekel could adjust items on the spot for you (and indeed, she was busily adding a button for a customer as we were speaking).

Prices start at 300 euros, and they can even ship your purchases oversees so you don’t have to overload your suitcases.

Once again, the address of the Jekel workshop is 22 Rue de Paradis, 75010 Paris. Their phone number is 33 (O)1 4770 7390, and you can get there from the following stations: ‘Gare de l’Est’, ‘Poissonniere’, and ‘Chateau d’Eau’.

Discover your very own Paris: don’t miss the next issue of paris-eiffel-tower-news.com newsletter by Phil Chavanne, Paris veteran and author. Each issue brings you tips on everything Paris, from great spots for a stroll to off-the-beaten-track attractions, to the best in real Parisian eateries.

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Villa Rentals In The South Of France: An Introduction

February 29, 2008 – 11:16 am

Every August the South of France fills up as the rest of France arrives. Motorways can be horrible and the traffic near the beaches even worse. But the reputation, while sometimes deserved, is overdone. With a little homework, even in August it is still possible to find your own place in a villa with a pool in the sun far from the crowds.

A quick geographical tour of some of the areas of interest:

The Cote d’Azur: is the area stretching West as far as Menton. The scenery is beautiful. It is here that the foothills of the Alps fall off at the coast. This dramatic combination of scenery and sea views is one of the things that makes the area so famous. Villas that are a little way inland are generally the best value for money in the area: you will find some very comfortable holiday villas for about half of what one pays closer to the coast. For most people, this area has the ideal combination of pretty villages and easy driving distance to the sea when one is so inclined. Villas in the area are in the areas around Valbonne, Opio and Tourrettes-sur-Loup. A little further West, in the areas around Grasse are the villas with the most spectacular views in the South of France.

The stretch to the East of Nice that includes Monaco, Cap Ferrat and going as far as the Italian border is the home of serious money. One of the reasons for this is of course the beauty of the scenery and the quality of the building. Rents for villa holidays are similarly breathtaking, either impressive or wasteful depending on how you see the world.

The Var is a very popular spot for vacations in the area around the Gulf of St Tropez. St Tropez proper is a stylish suntrap which came to prominence in the 50s when Brigitte Bardot and others graced the then undeveloped sands. The development of the town has come on some way since then and it is packed in the summer, but it retains a certain exclusivity: celebrity spotting is not hard in St Tropez.

Villa holidays in St Tropez proper are not cheap, but as you get further inland so the scenery improves with spectacular views over the Gulf of St Tropez, and the villa rents go down. Around the Gulf at Beauvallon are a number of charming villas for about one third of what one pays a few kilometres closer to the so-called ‘action’. There are also a some attractive and realistically priced villas near the charming village of Grimaud. The style of villas in the St Tropez area is dictated by local government, and must be in a Provencal style. Further West, towards Grasse, a more modern style of villa can be found alongside the traditional Mas Provencal.

Some practical considerations: Tradition in France dictates that some villa owners insist on minimum two-week bookings in villas during peak periods. The airports for the areas mentioned are at Nice and Toulon.

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130 Acre Amusement Park In France

February 29, 2008 – 11:15 am

The unique visual theme park, aptly named Parc du Futuroscope, spans over 130 acres of land devoted to entertaining, and inadvertently educating, the millions of tourists that visit each year. Built five miles north to the city of Poitiers, in France, Futuroscope was opened to public in 1987 and the park is celebrating 20 years of its existence in 2007. With new exciting attractions added to the park’s already impressive range of visual themes, tourists are bound to have an enjoyable day when they visit.

Being a French theme park, most of the attractions are in French but those unable to understand the language are catered through infrared translation headsets which are provided for free if you leave your ID at the desk as a guarantee. There are, however, some attractions that can only be enjoyed in French; one is The Forest of Dreams, which, in fact, is a laser show so being in French only is not a problem, as dreams are understandable in all languages alike.

The attractions use visual and audio affects to make you a part of the scene; the powerful hydraulic jacks used in The Race for Atlantis take you through the lost city at a high speed and you are sucked into the experience with the dome shaped screen around you, producing a 3D world that is made even more believable with the use of liquid crystal glasses that give the feel of an enchanting underwater setting.

That is just one attraction though, Futuroscope holds at least 20 mind boggling, yet glorious shows that give you the sensation of movement while you experience different worlds, whether it is your Peril on Akryls or the story of the Dance with Robots, you will leave the ride feeling you’ve lived the sensations without having left your seat. The educational side of Futuroscope not only aims at entertaining but also gives us a greater insight into lives we have not experienced and creates empathy as well; A Journey into the Dark is one such attraction that lets you briefly live the life of the visually impaired who concentrate more on the other senses than visual, to gather a sense of direction.

Set right beside the Futuroscope is The Quality Alteora Hotel which, incidentally, is a great place for those visiting the park to stay at during their visit. At about 15 minutes drive from the Poitiers Airport, and a short walk from the Futuroscope TGV train station, communing to the hotel as well as the theme park is easy and convenient. The 100 rooms are spacious and offer all modern amenities with the added pleasure of a swimming pool. Your food will be served besides the pool as well, by the La Piscine Resturant. You can also enjoy a game of golf at The Saint Cyr Golf Course which is not far either.

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Top Ten Things To Visit In France

February 29, 2008 – 11:15 am

When you’re in the magnificent country of France, the question is not what you should do, the question is what is there that’s not to do? It seems that the liberated air of Parisians is contagious, and all you want to do when you’re in Paris is to be as free and artistic and relaxed as any regular Parisian you meet on the street. Coffee in one hand and crepe in the other, what else is better than eating it al fresco in the cool Parisian morning breeze?

1.) The Louvre

First stop is almost always the most famous art museum in the history of France and probably the world, The Louvre. It houses some great artistic talents including the famously infamous Leonardo da Vinci. His Mona Lisa is still the top attraction, and that secretive, knowing smile of hers is always a must-see.

2.) The Eiffel Tower

Next on the list is, of course, the Eiffel Tower. It was once ridiculed by ancient artists as a monstrosity but is now regarded as one of Paris, France’s best works of art. Inside, you can get souvenirs, have your postcards stamped with the Eiffel Tower insignia and dine in their restaurants.

3.) French Riviera

Within its borders, you will find the famous tourist destinations Nice, Cannes and St. Tropez. Its beaches are so breathtaking and magnificent, and they are perfect for a romantic rendezvous. The scene also becomes a little wilder once the parties get rolling in the evenings.

4.) The Cathedral of Notre Dame

Victor Hugo’s famous book has this as the backdrop of his entire story where we all learned to love the brave and endearing hunchback. Famous for its stone architecture complete with towering religious icons, gothic design capturing different faces of gargoyles, the Notre Dame Cathedral shouldn’t be missed. As such, this place should always be in the itinerary of anyone visiting France.

5.) Napoleon’s Arc de Triomphe

This was built in honor of the French military who fought alongside Napoleon, and this is one of France’s famous historic landmarks. Some say that if you don’t know your way around Paris, you could end up going around in circles in the Arc de Triomphe and never get out. They also say that you could get so confused which way to go because traffic is going around the arc.

6.) Disneyland

Paris, too, has a Disneyland of its own. It has the trademark rides, parades, fireworks display, and attractions all Disneyland theme parks are famous for. But, of course, there is still something that is uniquely France’s alone.

7.) Historic Normandy

Perhaps the most famous place in France when it comes to history is Normandy. Normandy has seen too many wars and fought too many battles for France. The most famous event here is the burning of Joan of Arc in 1431.

8.) Lourdes

The apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary during the 19th century to Bernadette Soubirous have made this place a popular destination for pilgrims and devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As such, this place has also become a tourist destination. If you are a devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary, then this place is for you.

9.) Musee d’Orsay

This magnificent museum of art found inside a railway station is a testimony of how much the French love and revere art. Because of this, they will impart this love to anyone and everyone who is interested. So, if you are an art lover, then head on to Musee d’Orsay.

10.) Vineyards

France is famous for its wine tours. You can take your pick from Alsace to Rhone Valley on which vineyards to visit where you can do a little wine tasting or perhaps even jump in and join grape harvesting. Truly a uniquely French experience!

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Eiffel Tower

February 29, 2008 – 11:10 am

The Eiffel Tower was built in 1887 as the entrance arch to the Exposition Universelle, the World’s Fair. The engineer, Gustave Eiffel, prepared its unique design to enable it to take the high wind velocity at the height of 324 meters even if it allows for a sway of 2-3 inches in high wind. The ‘eyesore’ for the Parisians at the time of its construction is now a monument linked to many historical events and structure that represents France, and more particularly Paris, all over the world.

With well over 67 hundred thousand tourists in the year 2006, Eiffel Tower is a must visit for anyone going to Paris. The tower has three stories, with the first two accessible by stairs and lifts while the top floor is only accessible by lifts. With the popularity of the monument, you can expect to face queues but the end view from the top of the tower is a worthwhile experience.

The view is not all the Eiffel Tower offers though, there is a skating rink on the first floor during winters and the facility is free to use. Apart from the rink, there is the Altitude 95 on the first floor, a restaurant able to cater to up to 200 people. The second floor has a reservations only restaurant, with a private lift, for people looking for the perfect candle lit dinner. In addition, a post office, a photo studio and souvenir shops are all scattered over the first two floors of the tower. The view from the top, as expected, is phenomenal but the one from the grounds around the tower is no less intimidating, yet splendid. The highlights of the display are the lights that sparkle to mark the Eiffel Tower in the skyline for a few minutes every hour during the night.

For those planning a tour of the Eiffel Tower, Le Marquis Hotel Paris is a very convenient and luxurious option to stay at. The hotel is walking distance from the Tower and Champs De Mars, with access to other tourist attractions in the city through the metro. For restaurant dining, the guests have the option to dine indoor or on the sheltered patio as they please. The rooms are well equipped with modern luxury facilities, making Le Marquis Hotel Paris instrumental for your memorable tour to Paris.

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Cheap Weekend Break

February 29, 2008 – 10:57 am

One of the most significant aspects of vacation travel in Europe has been the recent explosion of interest in the short break vacation market. No-frills airlines have led the way to opening up cheap routes from London and regional airports to destinations all over Europe. A short weekend break in some thrilling city has now become a viable alternative to sitting home in front of the television set.

A UK survey of Britain’s vacation habits recently shows that this weekend escape plan is now worth a phenomenal £34 billion a year. People are spending an average amount of £760 a year on these short breaks, flying off to European cities, cultural festivals and sporting events.

The three-day break is most popular, with 21% of respondents taking Friday off work to fly out and 34% arriving back late Sunday evening, giving them some 55 hours away.

Edinburgh and Glasgow were some of the most popular weekend break locations in UK, while Paris, Amsterdam, Palma, Dublin, Brussels, Venice, Nice and Madrid were their most popular European weekend destinations. Other airlines have reported strong interest in Prague, Rome and Barcelona.

The key ingredients to a successful weekend break away were spending quality time with a partner, sampling local food and drink, cultural sightseeing, weather and, (for the ladies), shopping. Nightlife, perhaps unsurprisingly, was more important to the younger travelers than the more elderly.

Psychologist Dr. Aric Sigman said, “The results indicate that the British have now developed proper escape plans to counterbalance the fact that they work the longest hours in Europe. The low cost and accessibility of short haul travel now enables people to act out the growing need to be physically and geographically removed from their everyday surroundings in order to truly get away psychologically and emotionally. In fact it has been found that when it comes to dealing with stress, frequent short breaks are more effective than infrequent long holidays. What is interesting is that most people spend their weekend breaks in a low-key way involving time alone with their partner, dining and R&R as opposed to the frenetic activity and nightlife sought by previous generations.”

Whatever the reason, many UK residents are now taking advantage of rock bottom no-frills prices to spend four or more short breaks in the thrilling cities of Ireland, Scandinavia, Europe and the Mediterranean during the summer months, the German Christmas Markets and Alpine or Spanish ski slopes in winter. Visitors to the UK from North America are also taking advantage of these no-frills flight options, spicing up their vacation in England with short breaks in cities as far afield as Copenhagen, Berlin, Prague in the Czech Republic, Spain’s Barcelona and Athens in Greece.

Given the astronomical prices charged by West End restaurants where dinner for two can set you back £250 or more, it makes sense to take off for a paella to the sound of Spanish guitar in Barcelona, a spaghetti and a bottle of Bardolino under the stars at a pavement restaurant in the Piazza Santa Maria in Rome’s Trastevere, or a more expensive romantic dinner for two on a Seine bateau mouche in Paris. Before only the jeuness dore and the jet setting glitterati could afford such extravagances. But things have changed and many prefer to take a number of such fun jaunts through the year rather than undergo the hassles concomitant with organizing a long vacation.

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Traveller’s Tales From The English Coast

February 29, 2008 – 10:57 am

A placid air had swept through town and once again the bay was a picture of calm. Children played upon the shore as the gentle waves lapped about the beach. Gulls swooped overhead, their merry chatter a sure sign that spring was in the air and warmer times here for all.

Across the bay a narrow strip of sand had defied the tide and stood as dry land. Hundreds of seabirds took refuge, safe from predators. A whole community chatted amongst themselves, discussing the options for lunch. The clouds that had earlier looked so threatening had now subsided; the bay was soaked in sunshine.

Burnham-On-Sea is a quiet little coastal town in south-west England inside the county of Somerset. Within easy reach of the M5 motorway, Burnham-On-Sea is a very popular resort with owners of caravans and motor homes.

A quick glance along the shore revealed Burnham-On-Sea’s most recognisable landmark, the beach lighthouse. It’s unusual in that it’s actually built on the sand itself. Originally found to be too low down to emit its light effectively, they decided to raise the lighthouse on stilts. It’s still in use today, helping keep ships safe in the Bristol Channel.

Burnham-On-Sea has grown from a tiny residential village with a couple of sand tracks to a popular seaside resort. The completion of the Haven caravan park confirmed its place on the map and resulted in a tourism boom.

In the early days sea defences were non-existent, leaving the village open and vulnerable to flooding. Though rare, flooding would cause devastation, the worst of which hit the town in the early part of the 17th century resulting in severe damage and heavy casualties.

At a cost of £7.5 million, the sea wall now provides Burnham-On-Sea with a safe and stable environment for both her residents and visitors. I left the seafront and headed inland towards the high street. I was greeted by the usual mishmash of shops. Hidden amongst the tacky seaside souvenir stores were some genuinely interesting shops.

I entered a cosy little bookshop and quickly scanned the shelves for anything of interest. My eye was drawn to the travel section. Unfortunately the rather chubby shop assistant provided something of an obstacle stood directly in front of the shelves.

In the greatest of British traditions I decided not to inconvenience him and so feigned interest in the cookery books whilst waiting for him to move. Mind you, I did find a cracking recipe for a curry.

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Middlesbrough City Guide, Including Middlesbrough Hotels

February 29, 2008 – 10:57 am

Introduction:

Middlesbrough is situated on the south bank of the River Tees. It has a long industrial heritage with the coal and iron industries using the river to transport materials, and the shipyards based on the River Tees. The factories and processing plants are still there today. It also has four shopping centres and all the facilities you would expect with a population of about 200,000.

Places of interest:

Middlesbrough is famous for being the birth place of Captain Cook and celebrates this with an award winning museum. Other museums relating to Middlesbrough’s history sit comfortably alongside art galleries and the unique Nature’s World to give visitors a wide selection of places to visit. There is also the Middlesbrough Theatre, an Art Gallery, and a multiplex cinema at Teeside Park.

Nature’s World is a unique visitor attraction, extending to over 25 acres, provides a model for a balanced and sustainable future. Attractions include a traditional composting and organic gardens, a 400m long working River Tees model and a futuristic eco-structure and hydroponicum.

Captain Cook’s Birthplace Museum is close to where he was born in 1728. It is an award winning museum showing the life of Captain James Cook and his voyages of discovery. It also houses interactive displays and exciting audio-visual presentations, hands-on experiences, exhibition area, café and gift shop.

Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre shows Middlesbrough’s Industrial Heritage and the history of this unique bridge. The bridge, opened in 1911, has a middle that acts as a ferry across the Tees.

Dorman Museum is a refurbished museum displaying the history of Middlesbrough from the 19th century, a collection of Middlesbrough and Linthorpe pottery, exhibitions, discovery centre, and cafe.

Middlesbrough Art Gallery combines an art gallery with exhibitions by local artists.

Things to do:

Middlesbrough offers an exciting choice of activities for visitors on day trips or short breaks. Fast gaining a reputation for innovation - it is witnessing a retail explosion with a myriad of designer shopping and fashionable boutiques, as well as retaining the traditional English high street names. In 2005 the town hosted numerous major exciting events - from the multi cultural Mela to the world renowned Tall Ships race.

During the day, Middlesbrough is alive with activity. From the wide open walkways of our four shopping malls to the more traditional shop fronts of Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough blends familiar high street names with the excitement of designer labels and the tradition of covered markets.

The Captain Cook country tour takes in the magnificent scenery of the North Yorkshire moors and coastline, Middlesbrough being the first port of call in this 70 mile tour.

Premiership Middlesbrough Football Club offers regular action at the Riverside stadium to lovers of the beautiful game. Die hard fans can get a glimpse behind the scenes on a stadium tour.

Newham Grange Leisure Farm visitor centre tells the story of the farm from the 17th century to the present day. The farm also has a 19th century veterinary surgery which gives the visitor an opportunity to see some of the medicines and equipment used in the 1890s.

Food & Drink:

Middlesbrough’s restaurants feel passionate about quality food and service. Equipped with most of the essential cuisines to titillate any taste bud, the area continues to evolve in culinary terms thus developing into a real multicultural centre for food. A host of pubs in and around the town centre do a great line in food and drink, and many now put on their own entertainment as well.

Etsuko Japanese and Oriental Restaurant is unique to Middlesbrough, serving a vast choice of freshly cooked oriental dishes. It has a semi open kitchen that adds to the overall contemporary feel of the restaurant, where the layout lends itself to a very sociable and distinctly oriental dining experience and atmosphere.

La Terrasse restaurant has a Parisian theme, with an emphasis on quality seafood dishes. The restaurant has an award for the quality and standard of cuisine and service. The cosmopolitan style brasserie serves tempting traditional food with a local perspective alongside the ever-popular carvery.

The White Room exudes a calming and relaxing atmosphere – the perfect conditions for an enjoyable meal for two or for a special group occasion. The spacious and unusually designed room is the ideal place to enjoy a glass of wine and fine food.

Hardwick’s is open for Sunday lunch and the weekly menu changes every three weeks, giving diners a wide variety of choice. Dedicated to Gentleman George Hardwick, ex-Middlesbrough FC player, this restaurant is adorned with photographs of George in his playing days.

Nando’s prides itself on excellent value for money and traditional Portuguese hospitality. The speciality is the succulent, Portuguese flame grilled, Peri- Peri chicken served in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

Hotels & Accommodation:

Middlesbrough offers a range of visitor accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. Available accommodation ranges from three and four star hotels to cosy guest houses and bed & breakfasts.

Hotel Baltimore
Wainstones Hotel
Highfield Hotel
Thistle Middlesbrough

Entertainment

The town has a range of entertainment venues and attractions to suit all tastes and interests. In Middlesbrough you can choose from more than 20 cinema screens, a leading provincial theatre and sophisticated restaurants offering a mouth-watering variety of cuisine. There’s plenty of other activities to choose from - bowling to bingo, classical concerts to disco.

Middlesbrough Theatre, formerly called Middlesbrough Little Theatre, puts on shows of all genres for all generations performed by local and touring casts.

The Purple Onion is the top venue in the Tees Valley, combining superb food in the restaurant with Jazz, Blues and Disco in The Cellar for people of all ages.

Sassari Continental Cafe Restaurant is open all day specialising in authentic Italian food using only the best fresh ingredients and in the evening the upstairs function room hosts theme nights, DJ nights & live bands.

A multiplex cinema at Teeside Park offers a selection of the latest films.

With a huge selection of places to stay, things to do and excellent restaurants and bistros - Middlesbrough is a great choice for a short break!

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