Halloween in France?

Can you believe it? Halloween is celebrated throughout the world, but never was it considered a French holiday. That being said, it has become increasingly popular there, gaining its roots in the UK and US.


First, it is claimed that the Celts who lived in Northern France used to celebrate and Halloween someone how trickled through time to become more popular today. The real reason for its surge in popularity, however, seems to be US corporations shoving the holiday down the throat of the French. Starting as mostly a reason to dress in costume and have a party, the Holiday has evolved to much more like our own. Kids used to have to go from door to door to the businesses of the large cities to go Trick-or-Treating, but the residential neighborhoods have begun to do so as well as surrounding towns in the country.







There has been much backlash, however, as many French despise the fact that US corporations are forcing the Holiday upon the French people. Also, the French have November 1st (All Saints Day or Toussaint Day) which they celebrate as a day to remember the dead by doing things such as cleaning the graves of their loved ones.


We will see if Halloween truly ever does catch on in France. Thank you to Laura Lawless for some of the information today. If you want to learn to speak French, follow her blog!

Click here if you want to go to France, and here if you're looking specifically at Paris!

Because We're Sad Oktoberfest is Over for 2009

I had to put this movie in for all of us who missed Oktoberfest this year. The bad news, we missed the biggest beer festival in the world. The good news, you can visit Munich all year round and the "tents" are up. This is a nice walkthrough of what Oktoberfest is all about:



Tell us about YOUR Oktoberfest and your experiences there! Is the myth true that there are no hangovers with German beer?

Click here for a trip that will get you to Munich or search all of our trips to find the your next trip to Europe!

Top 5 Sights in Paris

Below are our favorite Parisian Sights. They are in order, but understand that everyone will have their own Paris and their own order. Just have fun finding yours!

1. Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel): Paris’ most famous landmark, it needs no explanation. Take the elevator to find the best views in town and enjoy the beautiful lawns surrounding the tower.

2. The Louvre Museum: Another famous Parisian landmark, this world-renown museum holds many great masterpieces including The Mona Lisa.

3. Notre-Dame: Flying Buttresses make this Cathedral one of the most beautiful in the world. It was a marvel when it was built throughout the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries and still is today.



4. Sacre-Coeur: Another bastion of Christianity, it can be seen in most parts of Paris as it sits on a hill in Montmartre.

5. Arc de Triomphe: Commemorating French victories in battle, this arch holds a museum, a viewing platform and the tomb of the unknown soldier.


Let us know if we missed anything. Unfortunately, we could only list ten over the last two days, but we all know there's so much more to this grand city!

Want to go to Paris? Let us take you there! Just one of our trips to The City of Lights or take a look at all of them!

Paris' Top Sights: Six Through Ten

Starting with the bottom of the list, here are five of our favorite sights in Paris. Don't forget, we will round out this list tomorrow!

6. Centre Georges Pompidou: This museum features itself. You can see the building’s guts from the outside. It also features works of art from the 18th century forward and is celebrated throughout the world.

7. Hotel des Invalides: The burial place of the great emperor, Napoleon, this is actually not a hotel at all!

8. Orsay Museum: A very interesting museum that was once a railway station and now feature art from the 1800’s to World War I.

9. Rodin and Picasso Museums: Two separate museums featuring their respective artists. If you are a fan of either, these are a must for you!

10. Squares and Parks: There are numerous of both, but make sure you go to the Place de la Concorde and the Tuileries Gardens.

To see these sights for yourself, take a look at the package below or search Paris, France on our page at http://www.jetsetpilot.com/.

This trip will get you here: http://www.jetsetpilot.com/trips/1/

Maybe your favorite will make tomorrow's list. There's only one way to find out! Please leave comments about these or any other sights.

Wow, Paris has a lot of Arrondissements!

When trying to find out what neighborhood you might want to stay in Paris, you will find the city broken down by Arrondissements (districts by number) and neighborhood names. Below is a list of the attributes of these neighborhoods as well as a couple of attractions within them.

1. First Arrondissement: Also called “Louvre”, this area is mostly taken up by The Louvre Museum and Tuileries Gardens as well as commercial interests. Centrally located, this neighborhood is a tourist hot-spot and hotels tend to be expensive here.
2. Second Arrondissement: Also called “Bourse”, is a mainly commercial area that also has some interesting neighborhoods and old markets. Take strolls on Grands Boulevards and Rue Montorqueil and don’t forget to visit Jean-Sans-Peur, the only other standing tower in Paris. It has a good choice of hotels.
3. Third Arrondissement: Also called “Temple”, contains part of the famous Marais neighborhood. This is the less vibrant part, though, and contains many old residences and museums like the Picasso Museum. This is a safe and quiet place to stay.
4. Fourth Arrondissement: Also “Beaubourg”, contains the trendy shops, bars and restaurants of the Marais and is has the oldest part of Paris. This district is many things including the Gay area of Paris. Also, Beaubourg is the Jewish center of Paris and shares the Place de la Bastille. This is a great place to stay for young people.
5. Fifth Arrondissement: The “Latin Quarter”, mixes young University students with businessmen and women. A great place to people watch and home to many churches as well The Great Mosque of Paris. Great stay for the “café scene”.
6. Sixth Arrondissement: “Saint Germain” and “Luxembourg”, while once bohemian in style, this area is now one of the most chic areas of Paris. It is a great center for shopping and another place to stay for the café scene.
7. Seventh Arrondissement: “Palais-Bourbon” contains the Eiffel Tower and Hotel des Invalides (Napoleon’s place of rest) is another hot-spot for tourists. The district contains high-wealth residences as well as government offices. A nice place for a quiet stay.



8. Eighth Arrondissement: “Elysees” contains Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe. Home of the President of France, this district is home to elite shopping and is a main tourist area. This is a great place to stay for anyone but can tend to be expensive.
9. Ninth Arrondissement: “Opera” contains the Paris Opera and is similar to “Bourse” in that it is both commercial and residential and has many good places to stay in.
10. Tenth Arrondissement: “Enclos-Saint Laurent”, is home to two main rail stations, Gare du Nord and Gare de Iest. This is a bohemian district and is a trendy place to stay.
11. Eleventh Arrondissement: “Popincourt”, a mainly residential neighborhood, is home to the Place de Bastille. It has a cozy feel that is a reflection of the boutiques and upscale residences throughout the district. This is a nice neighborhood to stay in for anyone and the restaurants are very good.
12. Twelfth Arrondissement: “Reuilly”, is both residential and is a pleasant place to stay. Though not centrally located, the neighborhood is complimented by the large park, Bois de Vincennes. Also, the Bercy area will give you a village feel.
13. Thirteenth Arrondissement: “Gobelins”, contains Paris’ Chinatown and is mainly residential. Not the best place to stay or visit for strangers.
14. Fourteenth Arrondissement: “Observatoire” contains Montparnasse and its rail station: Gare Montparnasse. It is mostly residential and is a nice stay for anyone.
15. Fifteenth Arrondissement: ”Vaugirard”, has a range of residential makeup from the elite to the more affordable (yet still safe).
16. Sixteenth Arrondissement: “Passy”, is one of Paris’ elite districts. It has many beautiful avenues and is a nice place to stay
17. Seventeenth Arrondissement: “Batignolles-Monceau”, is much like 15 where there is a wide range of areas to stay. It’s a great choice if you do not being outside the city center.
18. Eighteenth Arrondissement: “Butte-Monmartre”, has more of a village feel and is a tourist haven. Sacre Coeur is located here. This has become a less attractive area, though, so there are better places to stay.
19. Nineteenth Arrondissement: “Buttes-Chaumont”, an area with many ethnic restaurants and shops.
20. Twentieth Arrondissement: “Ménilmontant”, is an up and coming residential area that is now leaning towards elite.

We hope this walk through of the neighborhoods help you in choosing where you would like to stay. Don't forget, more detailed descriptions are in the books we recommend in our Pilot's Bookstore.

To view are featured trips to Paris click here!

European Festivals in November

Throughout Europe, there are many festivals and celebrations of every sort all year 'round. Here are some of the more interesting ones in November:

On November 1st will be the Veteran Car Run in the UK (specifically London to Brighton). All the cars involved were made before 1905! While we could make this trip in minutes with no traffic, these cars take hours to do so. It's a long route, so plan where you can watch the show in advance! Click here for more:
http://www.vccofgb.co.uk/lontobri/



Le Feste de Tartufo is the Italian Festival for Truffles! It is celebrated every weekend in November starting the 14th in San Miniato. Click here for more: http://www.sanminiatotartufo.it/inglese/homeing.htm

The Santa Claus World Championships? Yes, it's true! On November 27-28th, go to Samnuan, Switzerland and watch the best Santas in the world compete in events such as skiing! Click here for more: http://www.clauwau.com/index_en.php

Crossing Borders is a giant tribute to all things artistic. "Crossing Borders is the festival where literature, music, film and the visual arts combine to take central stage. 18 - 21 November 2009, writers, poets, musicians, filmmakers and artists will reign over The Hague's cultural centre." This is one of Europe's giant festivals. Click here for more: http://www.crossingborder.nl/index.php?ID=1&lang=uk

There's so much more to sample so look around for a festival that appeals to you! Also, share with us your stories about festivals throughout Europe, November or not.

I Was Thinking About This All Day While I Worked.....

What about you?



One of the many tools I am using to grade all the neighborhoods of cities throughout Europe! It didn't hurt I was concentrating on Irish trips today plus it has a great little story towards the end.

Flashback: Samantha Brown Passport to EUROPE!

Remember Samantha Brown? I mean the good ‘ol Samantha Brown from Passport to Europe? What happened to her? Sure she is still around the Travel Channel with her Passport to great weekends, but is it me or is it just not the same? Maybe I favor Passport to Europe because of my love for Europe, and would rather watch 30min on any European country over a random US city worthy of only a weekend stop.

In the clip I've chosen below Samantha visits Rome, Italy and gives us a tour of her hotel. In this episode I was surprised the show decided to feature such a contemporary hotel. Personally, I’d much rather choose a classic, three star boutique hotel like the one we stayed in during our first visit to Rome.

Sure, Samantha’s room was HUGE compared to what we stayed in, and she even makes note that the ability to move around the room without bumping into furniture was a definite plus compared to most of Europe. But don't forget square footage = big $$$!

Final thought…you’re not in Rome to hang out in the hotel. As long as you have a clean bed to sleep in and a shower with hot water, you’re set.


Enjoy a little blast from the past with a short clip from Samantha Brown: Passport to Rome

Packing Pointers from our Friends at Frommers

If you plan on going on a city vacation, whether it be Rome or Paris, below are a few items that are sometimes overlooked which you will want to bring:

1. Sandals are great for walking the boardwalk or meandering from beach-house to local eatery, but remember that city trips often require much more walking on hard pavements and cobblestone in Europe. As such, remember your pair of sturdy, comfortable flat-heeled shoes. Loafers wonderfully double as casual and formal shoe wear.

2. Don't forget your local etiquette concerning dress. While in most cities and countries you're fine wearing shorts, etc, don't forget some Churches and cities as a whole are more formal. You may stick out as little or as much as you want, though!

3. LAYER! If you are out all day, you can certainly expect the weather to change at some point. Even if it's beautiful outside all day, some museums, etc can be down-right cold!

4. Don't forget that nice outfit for the opera or high-end dinner. I know this takes up a lot of room in your luggage, but it is a must for those elegant occasions. One outfit will be enough as long as you're not attending these events with the same people!

5. Umbrella, need I say more? Don't expect perfect weather every day!

6. While most crime isn't malicious in Europe, there are pickpockets, etc. Please consider wearing a money belt/pouch under your shirt in the cities and keep fine jewelry to a minimum. Also, keep your money/credit cards divided between you and your travel companions.

We will have many more tips in the future, but these are necessary items that travelers frequently forget. Leave your suggestions as comments for everyone to learn from!

Why Chicago Lost the Olympic Battle

With today's decision, many in the U.S. are wondering why Chicago was passed up for the 2016 Olympic Games. We sent a full-proof plan to Copenhagen: President and Michelle Obama. How did it not work? Well, let's start with Chicago's problems first.

In the last few weeks, Chicago has been the victim of its own people. There have been multiple murders of children/young adults throughout the neighborhoods of the city by their own peers. This drew bad attention to the city. If they can't handle their own problems, how could Chicago possibly host the Games and the international issues that come along with it like terrorism? Also, a recent poll by The Chicago Tribune found that 45% of the city's inhabitants didn't even want the Olympics held there. Why? For exactly the same reason mentioned previously: these people mostly wanted the money spent on Chicago's own problems, not new stadiums!

But there were three other amazing cities involved in this process and they each had great arguments as to why the Games should be held in their locales. Let's start with the second loser behind Chicago: Tokyo. Both the U.S. and Japan have held games in the last 13 years (In fact, the U.S. has held two). Tokyo, too, had luke-warm feelings about the games and ultimately fell even after putting aside $4 Billion in infrastructure money for the games. Madrid was the final city to fall (its second loss after losing the 2012 bid to London). The problem with Madrid's bid seems to be that the Olympic committee hasn't awarded two consecutive summer games to a single continent so it may have a chance on its third bid for 2020. Not a steadfast rule, but an unspoken guideline.

Finally, there was Rio. Maybe the last of the four cities expected to win. Rio de Janeiro has had its problems (to say the least) with crime which was the major argument against the city. There is another type of crime that the committee doesn't have to worry about when choosing Rio as the host: terrorism. When asked about this, President Silva stated,"We don't have attacks, we don't have bombs." Also, the momentum for "breakthroughs" following the Beijing games was unstoppable. This will be the first Olympic games held in South America.

No matter where the Olympics are held, they will be amazing as they always are. Here's to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver!

Excursions from London....Other Than Stonehenge

Many people go to London and think Stonehenge is the only place one needs to visit outside the city lines. If you believe that, you are missing some wonderfully unique British trips that many Americans and other tourists don’t know about. Shhhhhhh! Don’t tell them we told you……

First are the Cotswold Villages. This is a truly wonderful trip that can take days if you let it. If you do it as a single-day excursion, don’t worry, you will see a lot! The Cotswolds are simply this: amazingly picturesque villages and towns dotted along a gorgeous stretch of the English countryside. When you go to visit this place (these places) is take in the landscape as you walk from village to village. Check out the name of some of these towns! There’s Wotton-under-Edge, Stumblewold, Moreslaughter and Burton-on-the-Water. Two good home-bases for trips to the area are Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold. There are tourist centers with pamphlets suggesting which routes to take and we suggest you use these as guides if you don’t have one already.

For you Roman-lovers, don’t worry. They made it to Britain, too! In fact, a short excursion to Corinium might just be what the doctor ordered for you. Corinium was the second largest Roman city behind Londinium on the island and had everything you could ask for of a Roman city: aqueducts, and amphitheatre, palaces, forts and basilica. Unfortunately, the Dark Ages occurred and most of the city went to ruins. Don’t fret, though! There is a great museum featuring the site’s artifacts and the amphitheatre is still there in Earthly form (a giant grass bowl!). Check out this photo blog concerning the museum’s artifacts: http://photodelusions.wordpress.com/category/archaeology/corinium-museum/

Finally, there’s Stratford-upon-Avon. If you were listening in high school history class, you might remember this to be the home to Shakespeare himself. This is another unique experience that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. This town is in similarly picturesque countryside as the Cotswolds and has an extreme amount of culture attributed to it by William S. Here, you can view five different houses that were a part of Shakespeare’s life and even see a theatre production by the Royal Shakespeare Company which are one of the two most prestigious companies in the UK and specialize in William’s plays.


Expand your horizons and check out these wonderful places while in London and don’t forget, we didn’t tell you about the Cotswolds!

The Neighborhoods of London…. So Much to Choose From!

There are many areas in which to stay in London and most of the following I would recommend to anyone when it comes to safety and the general “niceness” of the area. However, these are very different neighborhoods that would be enjoyed more by different types of people so I’ve broken them down to two major areas of central London divided by many smaller districts.

First, there’s the West End. Most of this area is within walking distance of most sights and easily accessible by the tube. On the West (duh) side of the river, this area has many different personalities that are all entertaining in different ways:

1. Soho, the ever-popular district, has many bars, pubs, nightclubs and includes Chinatown. This area is also gay-friendly.
2. Picadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Charing Cross make up a large area that includes Theatreland (the Broadway of London) and Trafalgar Square. This area is highly-loved and very “touristy”.
3. Mayfair is a very rich and exclusive neighborhood with great shopping and luxurious hotels.
4. Bloomsbury is a district with many colleges and universities and also holds the British Museum right next to……
5. Maryleborne (pronounced Mar-le-bon by locals and a million other ways) is home to Madam Tussaud’s and the great investigator, Sherlock Holmes.
6. St. James and Westminster contain great parks, Westminster Abbey and Parliament and is about as central as you can get.
7. Belgravia, Victoria and Pimlico is a nice area with many embassies and aristocrats.




Next, Central London is a more developed, commercial area but just as convenient as far as distances to all the sights:

1. Knight’s Bridge and Chelsea are fashionable residential and shopping areas. Home to Harrod’s, these neighborhoods are artsy and trendy.
2. Kensington and South Kensington are residential but do have some hotels and restaurants. They also boast Hyde’s Park and multiple museums.
3. Earl’s Court is a great place to stay if you are a traveler on a budget. Also, this area is gay-friendly.
4. Bayswater and Paddington also have some budget hotels but are very commercialized.
5. Southbank has many sights like the London Eye, Globe Theatre and Tower Bridge, but no places to stay.
6. Shoreditch is an up-and-coming trendy zone. An interesting place to stay if you are adventurous.
7. “The City” doesn’t have accommodation either, but does have the Tower of London, the “Wall Street” of Europe and St. Paul’s Cathedral.


I know this sounds like there’s a lot of places to stay. That’s because THERE IS. What’s great about London is you can stay in one of these districts that suits your wants and needs and they’re all within a relatively small area. All are within a couple tube stops of everything else so don’t worry! Have fun in London and remember the Olympics are here in 2012!