Hotel rated as 3 stars in Paris usually are usually well-appointed. Good ones are tastefully decorated and have amenities like wi-fi, modern facilities, and quality services. However, on your tour to Paris, don't be surprised if the room size is small, regardless of star rating. Also, location has very little or nothing to do with the star rating. Most 3 star hotels in Paris I have stayed in do not have restaurants. See my blog post for my recommendations for the best 3 star hotels in Paris.
Since 2009 I have been offering small group tours to Paris, Italy, Spain and Peru. In 2015 we have our first preview tour to Norway and Iceland. Norway is spectacular in culture, art and of course in natural beauty. The Traveling Professor's small group tour to Norway features 4-star hotels and 10-star scenery. Check out my blog post to find out our planned itinerary for The Traveling Professor's preview tour to Norway and Iceland.
Peru is a wonderful journey. Lima is like Southern California and old Europe mixed together. Cuzco is a cultural experience that all travelers should experience. The train ride from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu is one of the most dramatic in the world. It is difficult to describe in words the beauty and thrill of Machu Picchu. The Sacred Valley is a spiritual journey. The Amazon Jungle is one of the great outdoor experiences in this world today, right up there with the Galapagos Islands. Peru is safe. The hotels we stay in are better than anything we stay in Europe. The food is world-class. So, why are we not going to Peru in 2015?
I am frequently asked if The Traveling Professor's tours to Paris are like Rick Steves tours to Paris. Frankly, I didn't know if they were or were not. So, since I am asked the question with some frequency, I decided to go to the Rick Steves Paris tours website to see what he offered compared to The Traveling Professor. I found a comparable Paris tour. Using the information I had from Rick Steves' Paris tours website, I compared the two. See the results in today's blog post.
The great attractions of Paris like the Louvre, Orsay, Orangerie are all on everyone's list when taking a tour to Paris. But admission to these attractions can be expensive. The lines to get in can be overwhelming. In this blog post I am going to tell how to get into these Paris attractions inexpensively and without waiting in line. On The Traveling Professor's tours to Paris we never wait in line and neither should you. Check out today's Paris blog post to find out more about the Paris Museum Pass.
I travel to Italy several times a year. On my trip to Italy last April I paid $630 for a R/T ticket between JFK and Milan (MXP). I went again in May and paid under $1,000. I just booked a ticket on American Airlines/British Airways departing on October 19 from JFK and returning a week or so later for $679. What's my secret? Read my blog post for getting cheap airline tickets for your next tour to Italy.
On your next tour to Paris after you have had enough of the museums, the walking, the crepes and cafes, try having a little bit of fun. In today's blog post I have listed 5 fun things to do in Paris. I would love to hear back from you too. Please list some of the fun things you like to do on your trips to Paris.
Traveling to Europe can be expensive. I would rather spend my money on a nicer hotel and better meals when on a tour to Paris for instance rather than throwing money away on exchange fees. Who wouldn't want to tour Italy for an extra day from the savings on exchange fees? In this blog post I will show you some of the best ways to exchange dollars into euros. I will also advise on strategies to avoid when attempting to exchange dollars to euros.
When I originally started traveling to Paris, I would tour on my own with maybe the assistance of a guide book or an audio guide. Then, for my small group tours to Paris we started using professional licensed guides. By the way, all guides in Paris (and many other cities) must be registered and licensed. I found that these professionals were not only able to explain the history and culture of Paris, they were available to answer many different questions, which of course cannot be had from a guidebook, audio guide, or phone app. Read my blog post to find the best Paris guides.http://www.travelingprofessor.com/
The Traveling Professor goes to Italy about 4 times a year with his small groups of about 12 travelers and The Professor travels there an additional one or two times a year, strictly for research of course, LOL! The Professor is constantly searching for the best places to eat. In this blog post, take a look at his picks for the best places to eat in Florence Italy.