10 hours in Paris, France

What should you do if you’re stuck in an airport for half a day? Well, firstly, let’s dispel the myth about whether you can or can’t leave an airport during a layover. The rules are that unless you’re jumping from one plane straight onto another, all airports will allow you to leave their premises between flights.

With this in mind, so long as you’ve got enough time to play with, there’s nothing to stop you heading out and enjoying some sights and sounds that don’t involve duty free shops and ‘last calls’.

Visitors with a long layover in Paris (the city has two international airports – Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris Orly Airport) have an added incentive to get out of the terminal and explore. On your doorstep is one of the world’s most visually stunning and culturally captivating urban metropolises.

Of course, with such a limited amount of time, you’re going be on a tight schedule. So here’s my hour-by-hour suggestion for how to make the most of a long layover in Paris:

If you’re arriving into Garde du Nord, you will be in a plum spot to begin your whistle-stop tour of Paris, being within walking distance of many of the city’s main sites and attractions.

Hour 1
From Gare du Nord, take a stroll west down Rue la Fayette. This exclusive avenue is the perfect introduction to Parisian street life and its juxtaposition of traditional and modern architecture. Drop into Galeries Lafayette, a 10-storey department store, for a browse of the latest fashion fads in one of the word’s sartorial meccas.

Hour 2
Once you reach the end of La Fayette, head south and you will eventually arrive at a vast area of greenery called Jardens des Tuileries. This is one of Paris’s most important landmarks, with the world-famous Louvre Museum to the east, the River Seine to the south, and the Place de la Concorde to the west. Spend 45 minutes here, taking in the panoramic views and enjoying refreshments in one of the riverside cafes.

Hour 3 & 4
After that well-earned rest, you’ll be ready to enter one of the world’s most important cultural institutions: The Louvre Museum. Home to nearly 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 19th century, the museum could keep you captivated for hours, but with time of the essence, you’ll have to restrict yourself for just a couple on this occasion.

Hour 5
Walking west out of the Louvre and across the Jardens des Tuileries will land you at the start of the Champs Elysees. This wide and exclusive avenue, lined with fashion boutiques and the cafes that epitomise Parisian street life, is one of the most famous thoroughfares in the world. Here you can stop for food, though you will pay a price owing to the prestigious location. A relaxing amble will lead you to another famous Parisian landmark – the Arc de Triomphe, an imposing concrete arc that looms large over the Place de l'Étoil.

Hour 6
Walk south from the Arch de Tromphe down Avenue Kleber and you will get to Palais de Chailot, located in the Trocadero district. This is the famous back-drop to the Eiffel Tower, which you will now be able to view in all its majesty across the river. Take in the views and enjoy the wonder of the landscape before heading across the river (via the Pont d'Iéna bridge) for the main event.

Hour 7
No trip to Paris would be complete without a trip up the Eiffel Tower. The iconic structure is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, allowing visitors to take elevators to near the top for panoramic views of the city.

Hour 8 & 9
Now it’s time to experience Paris’ famous metro system. But not just for the experience. You should head north and get off at one of the following stops: Place de Clichy, La Fourche or Abbesses. This should give you plenty of time to explore the bohemian Montmarte district and the nearby Basillica Sacre Coeur.

Hour 10
And that will just about bring to an end your mini Paris adventure. From here you can catch a metro or RER high-speed service back to Charles de Gaulle.

Author Bio
Paul Joseph writes for AirportHotels.com, where you can search, compare prices and book Charles de Gaulle Airport hotels, and 3,700 other airports hotels across Europe and Australia.

This is a Guest post on the Best Travel Deals Blog by Paul Joseph.

Lanzarote – The Hot Holiday Destination

Lanzarote has a history that is every bit as hot and fiery as the mojo sauces served in the local restaurants. Thanks to the fact that the island is home to over 300 volcanoes – fortunately all now dormant. And is located off the coast of West Africa – close to the outer fringes of the Sahara Desert.

The island has been a Spanish possession since the early 1400´s and during the days of empire was used a naval base for galleons. Which travelled across the Atlantic between the New World and the Old. A trade that attracted the attentions of marauding pirates and buccaneers. Keen to secure a slice of the riches onboard for themselves.

Today, Lanzarote is a peaceful yet popular holiday destination. Around 1.5 million tourists visited the island last year – the bulk staying in one of the three main resorts of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise (home to one of the best hotels in Lanzarote, the five star Gran Melia Salinas).

Things To Do
Visiting Lanzarote without taking a tour of the Timanfaya Volcano Park would be like going to Paris and ignoring the Eiffel Tower. More so even, as exploring the volcanic past is they key to understanding Lanzarote today. As the eruptions have had a big influence on many aspects of island life. For example the textures and colours of the scenery are a key theme in the work of the island born artist, Cesar Manrique.

Manrique designed and built many of Lanzarote´s leading tourist attractions. Most of which also integrate the volcanic terrain – such as his own house in Tahiche. Which was created from five bubbles in the surrounding lava flow.

As well as other worldly volcanic vistas Lanzarote boasts over ninety great beaches. Some of which – such as Famara in the north and Papagayo in the south – are regarded as amongst best in the Canaries. And is also an island of contrasts – as the valleys in the north of the island are as green as verdant as the south is dry and arid.

Getting Around
Lanzarote is one of the smaller Canary Islands – measuring just 58km by 40 km. Which means it’s really easy to tour the island. The best way to do this is by car – as the local bus services don’t service the interior of the island or many of the main tourist sites. Car hire is relatively good value, starting from around €20 per day.

Places To Stay
The best hotels and villas in Lanzarote are located in Playa Blanca – the newest resort in the south of the island. Whilst those searching for apartments should focus on the resort of Puerto del Carmen. Which boasts a wide selection of good quality holiday complexes.

This is the First Guest post on this 'Best Travel Deals Blog' by Nick Ball.