When the euro was first introduced about 15 years ago, it cost about 95 cents to buy one. It was a true bargain to go to Europe. I remember staying in 5-star hotels in Paris for under $200 per night. The same hotel is four times the price now. I can remember purchasing a R/T flight to Paris for $351 on American Airlines. In the last few years, the euro has gone as high as about $1.50. Now that the dollar is strong and oil is under $60 a barrel, what can we expect in prices on your next tour to Paris or Italy?
The Traveling Professor has been taking people to Europe since 2009. About 2 years ago we introduced "Ladies Only" tours to Paris and they became a big hit. In 2015 we will be running our first Traveling Professor tour to Italy for women only. Why are tours for women so popular? We'll talk about in today's Traveling Professor blog post. I will also mention two websites that cover women's travel.
Of course anyone who goes on a tour to Paris is going to want to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame and the Orsay. All of that "hard work" leads up to a hearty appetite. Through my extensive tours to Paris I have found the best places to have lunch. Check out today's Paris blog and see The Traveling Professor's picks for the best lunch in Paris.
Why go on a group tour? How to select the best group tour? What makes a good group tour? The Traveling Professor has been taking small groups of travelers to Paris, Italy, Peru, and Spain since 2009. There are a lot of reasons why people travel in a group and what makes up a good group tour. Read today's blog post to see if a group tour is for you and what factors make the best group tour.
On most of The Traveling Professor tours to Italy, we try to make a stop in at least one Tuscan hill town. My choice for the best spot to visit would be Siena. It is close to Florence and makes for an easy day trip. There is plenty to see and do in Siena. The food is good and one of the best piazzas in Italy, Il Campo, is a terrific way to enjoy your meal. Read the blog post to find out more about a visit to Siena.
Train travel in Italy is easy, relatively cheap, and fast. On The Traveling Professor tours to Italy we often use train travel to go from one city to another. It beats those big motorcoach tours and makes a tour to Italy more authentic. In today's blog post I will give a couple of tips on how to make your train travel experience in Italy easier and less expensive.
When on tour in Rome, one of the top attractions is the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Therefore, one of the most crowded attractions in Rome (and just about anywhere else The Traveling Professor tours), is the Vatican. It is not unusual to see lines stretching for hundreds of yards that will take visitors hours to wait on. Take a look at my blog post to see how to visit the Vatican while minimizing the crowds and maximizing your enjoyment while on tour in Rome.
All Paris hotels are graded by a "star" system, from no stars to 5 stars. Some travelers like to select a hotel based solely on the star system. What they don't know is that the star system does not take into consideration the size or location of a room. So, for instance, you can get a 3 or 4 star hotel that is practically outside of town with a teeny, tiny room and you can get a 2-star located in the heart of the city center with a big room. But let's talk about the start system in today's Paris blog post.
Let's face it, whether we are on a small group tour of Paris, a trip to Italy, or on a Traveling Professor adventure to Peru, everyone is on vacation and likes to enjoy a local cocktail (or two). In this edition of The Traveling Professor's blog, I will tell you about three of my favorite cocktails when traveling to Paris, Italy, and Peru. I will also give you the details on how to make them. Santé, Salud, and Salute!
Just about any tour to Paris includes the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame and Montmartre. And frankly, they should. However on The Traveling Professor's tours we try to do give the traveler a bit more than the usual experience. Check out today's blog post and I will tell you about some of the more obscure places worth visiting on a trip to Paris.
Running a Small Group Tour as a Fundraising Activity
The Traveling Professor runs small group tours for adults to Paris, Italy, Norway, Ireland, and Peru. Most of the time, travelers come together from different parts of North America for a week or so to enjoy a culturally enriching and fun adventure. However, I have run tours for charitable or non-profit organizations where one of the objectives is to raise money for the group or a particular cause. In this blog post I will describe the benefits of running a tour for as a fundraiser.
Black Friday Travel Deals
The Traveling Professor jumps on the bandwagon and is offering his special "Black Friday" travel deals to everyone on his mailing list. This is your opportunity to get a discount on The Traveling Professor's already affordable small group tours. Check out the blog post to see what the special deals are.
Holiday Travel Gifts
The Traveling Professor logs about 75,000 miles in the air each year. Internationally, I have traveled to Italy four times in 2014, I have gone to Paris twice, have visited Norway, and have been to Peru. Domestically, I have visited Savannah, Charleston, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Tucson, Dallas (four times), and Austin (twice). Actually, it was a light year for me. But through my traveling, I have come across some great items that I can recommend to you whether you are taking a small group tour to Paris for a week or a weekend trip to Chicago.
The Cheapest Way To Get To Europe This Summer
What to Do If Passport is Lost or Stolen
Everyone thinks it will not happen to them - but it does. On my small group tours to Paris, Spain, Peru, and Italy we have had a total of 3 people lose passports in the past 5 years. Because travelers were well-prepared, they got the documents back quickly and they were able tor resume their trip. If they were not prepared - the tour would have been ruined. Take a look at the steps to follow in case of a lost or stolen passport.
Hidden Gems in Paris
Favorite Cocktails When Traveling Abroad