Exploring Paris
Ah, Europe. Paris, the city of lights and love; Rome, the city of passion and pizza; Berlin, an exciting hub of culture, politics, media, and science – or even more succinctly, city of beer and bugs.
As a worldwide travel destination, it’s no wonder that Europe is the most traveled-to continent. For many, Europe is a chance for many Americans to seek out their ancestry and get that much closer to the trunk of their family tree; for others, Europe represents a cultural opportunity too good to pass up.
Here is a glimpse into one of the Europe’s most beautiful city.
PARIS
Paris is teeming with life. This dazzling city is sectioned off into 20 distinct arrondissements – each with its own look and feel. Here are just some arrondissement highlights:
* The first arrondissment is the geographical center of Paris, and is home for some of Paris’ most famous spots, such as the Palais du Louvre, the Tuileries Gardens, and Place Vendome. For shopaholics and gormands, Les Halles is the place to go to.
* The fourth arrondissment is noted for its free-thinking diversity and feel. At its center, its cosmopolitan soul is largely made up of Jewish, artist and gay communities.
* I absolutely LOVE the fifth arrondissement, for its sheer diversity and artistic / intellectual feel. The Latin Quarter is home to the Sorbonne University, and this section positively buzzes with a mix of students, professionals, commerce and tourists. You’ll find hundreds of bars, restaurants and bookshops here.
* The sixth arrondissement is an extension of the fifth, albeit a more chic, artistic and dare I say even more intellectual one, especially around Saint Germain des Pres, which is home to many art galleries, cinemas, bookshops, interior design shops, restaurants and bars.
* The ninth arrondissement is literally a hub and crossroads of many different sections of the city. One word best describes it: diversity. On one hand, you have a tourist-saturated mix of commerce and business near Opéra and Galaries Lafayette…
Whereas on the other side of the spectrum, the red light district of Pigalle and Place de Clichy (home of the infamous Moulin Rouge) offers visitors a slightly more “adult” take on bustling nightlife.
* For something a little different, the thirteenth arrondissement is home to Paris’ China Town and has a very strong Vietnamese populace. If you’re looking for authentic Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine, this is the place to go to.
* An honorable mention goes out to the nineteenth arrondissement. Often overlooked, recent developments of La Villette and the Buttes Chaumont park has renewed interest in the area. Parc de la Villette offers a large recreation area with many promenades, cafes and cinemas, and leads up to a technology / human development science park.
Buttes Chamount is perfect for families, with its many lakes, waterfalls, and large green landscapes.
In Europe, poker is a huge phenomenon – and the online poker community just gets larger and larger. US players can get a taste of the exotic by playing at online casinos that accept US players.
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