Traveling With Bill Travel Blog

Mont Saint Michel 1,300th Birthday

Last Fall I visited the magnificent Gothic abbey--Mont Saint Michel. This is truly one of France's greatest treasures. You must be prepared to walk and climb alot of stone steps to really enjoy the abbey and island. Don't forget your camera--the sights are fantastic on a clear day. On a wet or misty day, you should be very careful, because the steps are very slick and there are very few railings. The are several great seafood restaurants on the island.

Mont Saint Michel is perched on a rocky tidal island off the coast of Normandy and Brittany. It's celebrating its 1,300th birthday this year with an 18-month party that will last until September 2009. The first church was started in 708 and finished in 709. The abbey was built between the 11th and 16th centuries. Festivities will include concerts, conferences and exhibits throughout the 18-month party. If you are traveling to France or Paris, you must take time to visit this abbey. It is a short distance by car or train from Paris.

10 Reasons to Travel on Tour Buses

Traveling by bus has many advantages. The number of people traveling with you isn't limited; gas prices don't effect you because the price is fixed; and you don't have to read maps or posssibly become lost. The following 10 benefits illustrate why you should choose to travel by tour bus on your next vacation.

1. Work: When you travel by tour bus, you have the option of working via your laptop computer and you can make calls on your cellphone. If you catch up on your work, you'll have more time for your vacation.

2. Socialize: A tour bus allows you to travel alone or with 60 or more of your family and friends. This means that you can start your vacation early because you will be conversing and socializing with your family and friends.

3. Sleep: Since long trips are frequently tiring, you can easily sleep and rest up for your final destination on a tour bus.

4. Economical: Traveling by tour bus is significantly more affordable than any other type of transportation.

5. Driving: Since the bus is driven by a professional driver, you can sit back and relax.

6. Sightseeing: Sightseeing becomes your first priority because you are not driving.

7. Watch a Movie: Watching a movie on the bus is a great way to pass the evening hours or take a break from working, talking or sleeping.

8. Evironmentally Good Choice: When peiple travel by bus, they are carpooling which lessens he amount of pollution in the air.

9. Safety: Traveling by bus is more than 1000 times safer than traveling in your personal car.

10. Pick Up and Drop Off: Touring by bus is the ultimate in convenience, because it picks you up at your location or hotel and drops you off at the same locations.
NOTE:This article was based on an article in associated content.com by Hykra.

Sharing a Bike in Paris--Velib

When I was in Paris in January, everywhere I turned they were installing docking stations for te new bike rental system--Velib. Some stations were operational and Parisians were using the bikes daily. Today, there are 10,600 inexpensive, easy-to-use rental bikes and 750 docking stations in Paris. That number is going to double by the year's end. Whether you are a Parisian, spending the summer in Paris or on a short work trip, the Velib service may be the cheapest, fastests and most fun way of getting around the city. Docking stations have been installed in the city center in intervals of about 300 meters. Maps of their locations are available on www.velib.paris.fr. All you need is a credit card to use the system. It's cheap--a day pass costs 1 euro, a weekly pass is 5 euros and a yearly subscription is 29 euros. No additional charges are added as long as each bike ride doesn't exceed 30 minutes. If your ride does exceeds the limit, there is a surcharge of 1 euro for the first additional half hour, 2 euros for the second additional half hour and 4 euros for each half hour after that. It's fast. All Paris's main museums are within a short cycle ride of each other. Without question, it's fun. There's no better way to see Paris then to pedal its streets.

Although the bikes weigh 22 kilograms (48.5 pounds) and only have 3 gears, the bikes run surprisely smoothly. The have a metal basket at the front and the seats are comfortable and easily adjusted.

For an authentic Parisian experience, rent a bike on a Friday night at 10 pm and join the weekly bike parade that departs from Avenue Victoria for a roaring ride around the city. If you want to rent a bike for longer periods such as a half a day or whole day, there are many bike rental shops throughout the city.

Carry-On Bag Buyer's Guide

Today, the most important bag you may buy is your carry-on. It may save you the cost of checking a bag. In the past, airlines have been very flexible with what you could carry onboard the airplane. Since they are now charging for checked-in luggage, they are vey strict. If you are going to buy a carry-on, you should follow these simple rules.

1. Look at the size--the bag should weigh 8 pounds or less empty.

2. Consider the quality of construction. Check the zippers and wheels because they are the first to go.

3. Consider how much you are willing to pay for the carry-on. If you don't travel often, then a bag from a discount store will be fine. If you travel alot, then you would want to buy a bag that will last for years.

The airline limits the size of your carry-on bag to approximately 45 linear inches--the largest bag you can carry onboard is 22x14x9 inches. The maximun wieight limit is 40 pounds. If you are traveling overseas, such as in Europe. the limit is 16 pounds. These requirements are being strictly enforced.

Tour de France--July 5-July 27, 2008

2008 Tour de France begins on Saturday, July 5 in Brest and end on July 27 in Paris. The tour will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometres (2175 miles) There will be 10 flat stages, 5 mountains stages, 4 medium mountain stages and 2 individual time-trial stages. the adrenalin-fuelled last sprint in Paris provides a spectacular setting. If you are a cyclist, you will love this race. All the top cyclist from around the world will participate. If you are not a cyclist, you should watch the race on your television. This is the best view of
France on a non-tourist trip. You will see villages and scenery that are breath-taking and beautiful. I know several people who watch the race just to see the views. Don't miss the opportunity to see the best of France!!

New York Wine And Food Festival

This festival brings together both legendary culinary icons from around the globe and America's most beloved television chefs. 100 percent of all money raised over the course of the
weekend will go to directly community based initiatives. Taking place primarily in the Meatpacking District and other selected landmark settings, the event will integrate the pace and lifestyle of the city. This year's talents include Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, Giada De Lauentiis, Tyler Florence, Alton Brown, Masaharu Morimoto, Guy Fien, Bobby Flay, Ferran Adria, Alain Ducasse, Gordon Ramsey and Nigella Lawson to name a few. Tickets are on sale now. For tickets or infomation, call 1-866-969-2933 or www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze (Florence, Italy)--A Luxury Hotel

Renowned for its artistic and cultural heritage, Florence has been the home to some of Europe's most important artists. Few cities in the world boast such a vast collection of monuments and masterpieces. Four Seasons Hotel is presenting an architectural masterpiece begun in the 15th century by a Medici ruler. This charming palazzo sits serenely in one of Florence's largest private gardens. Rooms are adored with frescoes, hand-painted wallpaper, carved ceilings and Renaissance architectural details. Room rates for 2 adults begin with the Royal Suite at 12,500 euros (about $20,000) a night and end with the Superior Room at 500 euros ($775) a night. A Bed and Breakfast Package (Summer With Four Seasons) with an American breakfast is offer at 555 euros ($860). To check rates, availability and reserve by phone, call 39 (055) 2626 1. To view all the photos and read additional info, go to www.fourseasons.com/Florence

Visa Requirement for Beijing Olympic Games

Basic requirements for a vias for China: First, a passport and a visa is required to enter China. Travelers may be required to undergo a personal interview. A transit visa is required for any stop even if you do not exit a plane or train. Business travelers are required to obtain a formal invitation from their Chinese business contact. Tourist visas are issued only after receipt of a confirmation letter from a Chinese tour agency or letter of invitation from a relative in China. With only two months to go until the Olympic Games start in Beiling, some Chinese embassies and consulates are adding red tape, like requiring proof of round-trip tickets, detailed land itineraries with hotel confirmations and sometimes a bank statement. The government is also discouraging multiple-entry visas. You will be required to surrender your passport with the visa application. Since getting a visa could take several weeks, some travelers turn to expediters to do the work for them. Using an expediter can be expensive, often costing between $150 to $400. If you are planning to go to the games and do not have a visa, you need to act fast. For additional information, call the Chinese Embassy at 202-328-2500 or www.china-embassy.org.

Olafur Eliasson's Waterfalls, New York, NY

The waterfalls are New York's summer main event. You can start the waterfall tour by cataching the Circle Line Ferry from South Street Seaport. The Danish artist Eliasson is pumping the East River up 90-and 120-foot-high metal scaffolds to produce 4 waterfalls. One waterfall juts out from beneath the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. A second one is located below the Brooklyn Bridge. The third one is at Pier 35 on the Manhattan side. The fourth one is on Governor's Island. The water is turned on every day from 7 am to 10 pm and illuminated after sunset. The waterfalls will be up until October 13. If you are traveling to New York or live near New York, don't miss this summer attraction.

VIA Rail Canada's Senior Companion Fare Program

VIA Rail Canada's Senior Companion Fare Program allows passengers over 60 to receive a senior discount (10 percent off an adult fare) on any VIA Rail Canada train ride and to bring along a companion of any age for free when traveling in the comfort class. When traveling in sleeper or VIA 1 class, the companion gets 75 percent off. Airfare is not included. WHEN VIA 1 class until August 31, 2008; comfort and sleeper until December 14, 2008. For more information, call 1-888-842-7245 or www.viarail.ca