Posts tagged: Paris

Paris Plage: Summer in Paris

Since 2002, every summer in Paris has exploded like never before, transforming it into a completely different city. Parisian summer is that we live in the “Paris Plage” event covering of sand along the river Seine and offers from July 19 to Aug. 19 Paris walk among palm trees, beach chairs, swimming pools and sun umbrellas. Stop by one of the hottest events of the city of lights.

For the fifth consecutive year in Paris is transformed into a tropical capital, even for a few days. While palm trees are in transportable containers and giant pool assembly and disassembly in a short time, all Paris is preparing to enjoy their own and extravagant beach on the shores of the river Seine.

When the sun hits the French capital, Parisians can take a break and enjoy the artificial beaches and a gigantic pool that the city government makes available to everyone.

From seven o’clock you’ll see thousands of people walking to Paris Plage, in search of a comfortable space to enjoy the warmth and cultural and sporting activities of the artificial beach four miles, which overwhelmingly amended the heart of Paris during the hottest time of year.

Thus, while touring the city you see women in bikinis running time to reach some of the hundreds of chairs that are available during the days-long event. The same show of any tropical beach is transported to the streets, even with children and shovels, ready to build sand castles in the middle of town.

Between Marie and Sully bridges you can also find one of the major attractions: a pool of over 200 square feet to cool off and have fun. Two thousand tons of sand, more than fifty palm trees, outdoor showers, hundreds of sun beds and parasols, ice cream vendors and lifeguards help this holiday event, complete the landscape in the midst of the great city of light.

That is to say that all cultural activities are free and transport developed specifically for this event provides access to those who live far from the center of Paris.

The main idea why this event takes place is to provide a relief for the Parisians who can not go on holiday and that they can relax and cool off in the same city. Admission is also free for passengers. This will organize play areas, with beach-volley tennis and beach soccer. For the little kids find special recreation areas with industry to build sand castles and games with the guidance of a specially trained staff.

As the pool fills up very early, in some sections of the beach you will find walkways with a water spray and several portable showers that allow for continuous cool. Once you’re on the beach you will see lots of people sunbathing, reading or playing in the sand. There are also a few who dare to paddle through the waters of the Seine. Many are tempted to take a dip, but the river is contaminated and any attempt only sees the water.

Activities
The beach stretches to the foot of the City of Paris, so you’ll see many people in suits watching the volleyball and soccer games are organized in the sand. Other favorite activities are the bike riding and jogging. In several parts of the beach there are shops where you can rent equipment for these activities.

If you love the sport not much you can take a dance class like salsa. One of the main attractions is the spontaneous concerts that brighten the afternoon between tropical rhythms. Nor need someone offers you a rich and refreshing fruit juice that you can take in one of the tables and chairs ready for relaxation.

And if yours is reading, you can rent hammocks stretched between the trees especially. As a plus there is a loan service of books, because not for nothing Paris is considered the capital of culture.

In the evening concerts are programmed lighting effects and music during the night. Fun is guaranteed throughout the day.

Venice, Gondolas and Squares

Venice is an Italian city, famous for its elegant canals, gondolas and romance older; it can even rival that of Paris. The city is filled with numerous attractions, squares, churches, bridges and extraordinary views.

The city of Venice was originally a port city, a city where commercialism was able to unite the East and West. Even the first tourists came here over 1000 years ago, and like almost everyone, were puzzled by this advanced city.

The Gallerie dell’Accademia is undoubtedly one of the greatest museums, important and famous of Venice today. The Accademia contains a fascinating collection of Venetian artists dating from the thirteenth century until the eighteenth century, and pictures of amazing artists like Titian, Tintoretto, and Giorgione.

Another site that stands out in this beautiful city is the Church of Frari; the XIII century church stands above all other churches in the city, especially by the fact that it has some impressive works, such as the Assumption of Titian, or the wall San Juan Batista de Donatello. Another church that stands out is the church of San Giovanni e Paolo, a thirteenth-century Gothic church which houses several tombs, works of great painters and frescoes of the New Testament.

The Basilica of San Marco is probably one of the most famous sites throughout the city. The monument is located on the Piazza San Marco, where the body was originally buried in San Marcos brought from Alexandria. The Basilica of San Marco was rebuilt three times, and this version XI century. Its Byzantine style, which was unusual for a Roman Catholic Church, is filled with replicas of Quadriga, the four horses that were brought from Constantinople in 1204 and now in the Museum of San Marco.

The Palazzo Ducale, the Doges Palace is located between the Basilica of San Marco and one of the main canals, and was built to rule the Serenissima and part of the Mediterranean for about 1000 years. The Palace is an impressive building full of masterpieces of the great Venetian artists as Veronese and Tintoretto, and the soils are the best pink and white marble, made to impress the leaders of other regions for hundreds of years. Here you can view the Duke’s private rooms, the conference room of the Assembly of Ten and the Bridge of Sighs, a palace with the impressive Palazzo delle Prigioni. The Palazzo Ducale is a fascinating place where one could see how the ancient maritime empire reigned.

The Grand Canal is Venice’s main street, the street that is known all over the world. The canal is lined with hundreds of old houses Byzantine, Gothic and plazas full of life. It is recommended to take the vaporetto water bus on which will take you to one of the Canalazzo while one can feel the 1000 years of history and see the iconic gondolas and water street posts.

The Piazza San Marco, Venice’s iconic square, is the true heart and lungs of the city. Here one can stroll through one of the world’s most beautiful places, full of cafes, shops, restaurants and the famous Campanile, the tallest structure in town.