Getting there

If you are coming by train, you would be getting down in one of these stations based on which part of Europe you come from.

• Gare de Lyon: Trains from Swiss, Italy
• Gare du Nord: Trains from UK, Northern Europe
• Gare de l’Est: Trains from Germany, central Eastern Europe
• Gare d’Austerlitz: Trains from Spain

Most visited paid monument in the world! – Eiffel Tower

What would Paris be without the Eiffel Tower? Taking a ride on an elevator to one of the viewing platforms at the top of the tower is a must do for anyone visiting Paris. This iron icon was built in 1889 for a World’s Fair that marked the 100 year celebration of the French Revolution. It was named after its builder, Gustave Eiffel.

Louvre Museum

The Louvre needs no introduction, being the most visited museum in the world. The visit to the museum could be daunting, by the sheer size of the palace, spanning eight thematic departments and over 35000 peices of artwork.
Even if you are on a hurry, dont miss to visit the highlights such as the Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, the wedding at Cana and ofcourse the MonaLisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

Tuileries & Concorde

The Tuileries garden is at the back of Louvre. Its a great place to relax, after an exhaustive day of sightseeing. Just strolling along the garden, we reached the other end – Place de la Concorde.

Then we took the metro for the first time, M12 from Concorde to our hotel. We also bought RER tickets to Versailles, our destination for day two. (If you have 6 zoneParis Visite pass, its valid for travel to Versailles too. But we had a 3 zone pass)

Sunset River Cruise on the Seine

Figure out what time the sun sets when you are visiting Paris. During my last visit, I was there in May and the sun was setting around 9:25. We took the 9 PM cruise so we could see the sunset and as an added bonus, the hour long cruise returned to the Eiffel Tower departure point around 10 PM so we could see the sparkling light display (10 minutes long) which happens on the hour. Timing is everything when it comes to the sunset cruise so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get from the hotel to the departure point to buy tickets before they sell out. The other advantage of early arrival is that you can get seats at the back of the boat which is open (not enclosed by glass). It is the best spot for taking great photos of the illuminated buildings and the sunset.

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backpacking mountain tour

A backpacking vacation offers fresh air, exceptional scenery, great photography opportunities, friendly guides, great food, and usually camping under the stars at a very reasonable price. Get out and enjoy a backpacking vacation. Have fun and learn about ecology and history of an area, its art, architecture, customs, folklore, and natural history. Enjoy the company of other backpackers like yourself as you travel an average of 5 to 10 miles a day on your backpacking vacation in the backcountry.

Backpacking trips don’t mean that you’re setting out from your own home to explore the trails in the local park. These days, more people are demanding fantastic backpacking vacations and tour companies have responded very well indeed. Now, your choice of what type of backpacking trip you’d like to have is only limited by your imagination. Did you want to hike across the glaciers of Alaska or sleep under the stars in the Australian outback? You could try an Ireland backpacker expedition and roam Celtic lands. Here are some more great backpacking vacations available:

Go to backpacking in Mexico and experience the rush of life by getting close to the locals, meeting great people in hostels and using the best forms of transportation available in Mexico. There are pyramids and ruins in Mexico with backpacking tours that let you explore Aztec temples to your satisfaction. I just did a solo backpacking trip this spring starting in Monterrey, and from there in order Mexico City, Acapulco, Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca City, San Cristobal de las Casas, Veracruz and then home. Time was roughly 6 weeks. I met some really great people along the way, most from Europe, Australia, and Canada.

A European backpack vacation can be another wonderful experience full of culture. The size of the countries in Europe means that in two weeks and at budget-conscious expenses, you can tour the trails of several vacation destinations and see different people and places. Recommendations for European backpack holidays suggest careful planning, as those who hike their way through places in Europe on their own might find different countries and unfamiliar languages confusing.

Backpacking through Europe is every young adult’s dream. Taking the time to explore the world can be one of the greatest experiences ever. A very important tip for backpacking across Europe is to look ahead and book your train rides. Depending on where you are traveling from and what your destination is, you may need to book ahead. There would be nothing worse than planning a trip to see something only to find out you cannot get on the train. This could throw your whole trip off.

There is nothing more enriching than a backpacking trip. However, when you plan one it is very important that you be well prepared. Ensure that you have a good travel guide with you at all times so you would be able to navigate safely in new places. Keep yourself informed about the local dos and don’t's, as these could generate much embarrassment for you. A great way to feel and be safe is to have someone know where you are and what your immediate plans are on a daily basis. In this way, in case of any mishap, someone would know if something was amiss and raise the alarm.

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It’s true that the rail system is a great way to see Europe. The train is the best way to get around Europe. Trains are spacious, go everywhere, and leave on the hour to most European destinations. When you take into account the time it takes to get out to many European airports, you’ll often find the train quicker than flying.

The Only way to Travel in Europe

Although the train is an easy way to travel, there are some things you need to know:

Many trains require a supplement, above the regular ticket price. Be aware that some express trains in some countries may require a seat reservation. Fast trains usually are more expensive–you’ll be charged a supplement. Italian trains are notorious for charging supplements whenever they feel like it. I was once charged a €5.20 supplement on a €1.50 half-hour trip from Padua to Venice.

Many European trains split in two parts half-way through the journey with the two halves ending up in different destinations. Each carriage should carry a sign indicating the stops en-route with the destination station clearly marked. Make sure you get on the right carriage and be careful when you go for a walk.

Consider taking longer trips on an overnight train. You can often buy a couchette or bunk on a train from the conductor (check when you purchase your ticket). You’ll save a hotel and a day of travel.

It’s worth paying the extra money to make a reservation on Italian trains, which are often booked full. It’s not unusual to have to stand for three hours or so on the busier routes.

n general, trains in the southern part of Europe are cheaper than trains in the north. Slower trains are also cheaper than those slick, fast ones. Also, ask about special passes that might be available in the country in which you’re traveling.

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