Enjoying Paris with the Kids

Visiting and exploring a city like Paris, there is nothing better than to share and enjoy the experience with your love ones. Of course, there is nothing wrong enjoying things all by your lonesome.

But going the city with your children works not only having to enjoy the finest achievements of man, but also to have them get their actual lessons in history and art and some science. Some of the greatest museums around the planet are densely packed in just the city of Paris. 

The number of museums in the city, the monuments and other exhibit buildings all add up to more than three times the city’s districts (arrondissements).

Museums

Watching the exhibits of some of these museums cannot be finished in even two days. With the sheer number of choices to go to, or watch in, your child’s innate curiosity and interest will more than make up his day’s enjoyment.

The Paris top crowd-drawers (and a real must-visit for the kids) are the famous l’Ouvre, the Center Pompidou and the d’Orsay Museum. Depending on which part of the city you are staying, you cannot miss the other museums in your district.

Touches of History and Science

At least for children, there are other great places that rival these super-famous ones. The others have some totally different exhibits. The Paris Natural Museum has one of the world’s most extensive collections of dinosaur relics and artifacts, aside from their other surprising displays. 

At the Paris Air and Space Museum, you (and the kids) will marvel at the many historic planes on display since its invention and participation in war and modern transportation. There are other aircrafts on display, too, all the way to the modern rockets that send satellites, and they’re all authentic.

In the meantime, the children can enjoy historical moments, personalities and other aspects of history (mostly French, though) at the Grevin Wax museum. For most of us, each of the museums have their own super attractions that people keep coming back for. At the l’Ouvre, nothing beats de Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” while Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” reigns supreme at d’Orsay.

Visiting days

Of course, Parisians themselves love visiting their museums, perhaps all throughout their days.
They tend to crowd out other visitors on weekends. (Sunday afternoons are simply too crowded.) You would need some strategy to time your visits to your desired museums on weekdays.

There’s a quirk with schedules at these two places. The l’Ouvre gets crowded on Mondays because d’Orsay is closed. (People tend to go to the other place that’s open.) On Tuesdays, the l’Ouvre is closed and the d’Orsay is full – people go there on Tuesdays.

Visiting time

The perfect time to visit museums is early morning, before the crowds (which will trickle in going to noon). By then, you would have enjoyed the quiet as you go through the exhibits and displays.

Also, museums are open till late at night at least once a week. (The l’Ouvre closes at 9:45pm Wednesdays and Fridays. The d’Orsay closes Thursdays 9:45pm.)

Do your other touristy things with the kids – shopping, eating, market-hopping, walking around, etc. – during the day. You know when to go to the museums to enjoy them fully.

Chicago – My Kind of Town

In Chicago, one of the biggest cities in the U.S. (3rd largest, and with a rising population of around 3 million, plus or minus), one might just get dazed and confused what to see and what to do. It sounds like a joke, but the sprawling city occupies more than 10,000 square kilometers in the Midwest, and almost every region has a festival of sorts, specials and other surprises.

For one, this vibrant city is known throughout the US (and even in the world) for their house music, their blues, the kind of jazz, and the kind of comedy shows they have and many other cultural attractions. (They have one of the world’s best orchestras, the world-famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Catch one of their shows.)

Not far behind is the city’s reputation about its dining places, the shopping places, art and sciences institutions, huge parks, and some of America’s finest collection of architecture in the world. And, we haven’t even talked yet about their miles of beaches and famous public art, among others.

Top attractions

Maybe you can start with visiting the ocean depths at the Shedd Aquarium, watch a show at the Chicago Theater, or watch and pray of catching a fly ball at the Wrigley Field, or maybe get a ride of the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.

There’s almost an attraction at every city corner, from high-flying observatories to the Millennium Park where art and music are mixed and there’s plenty of room to play around. At the Navy Pier, you might want to try out the thrilling rides, dining, shopping, museum and whatever season’s festival they have at the moment.

(Chicago is perhaps the only place in America where they have festivals on flowers, sailboats, art, toys and so many others.)
 
The Music Scene

If you’re lucky to visit Chicago between March and September, the city throws around 200 shindigs all over. Blues Fest at Grant Park corrals around half-a-million music fans listening to slide notes of guitars and bass rolls, and it’s all free.

The 3-day Lollapalooza music mega-party features thrashing rock bands while the audience dances to the beat in arm-flailing frenzy. There are other smaller, barbecue-scented street fests in other parts of the neighborhood every weekend.

Sports

The city is a maniac when it comes to being a sports town, with a pro team at every season. (Baseball has two teams!) The fans treat their games like some local rites of passage. (Sample: Fans slather blue-and-orange body paint while watching every Bear’s football game.)

The bleacher crowd at Wrigley Field during games is as raucous as any full-bloodied baseball fanatics. The ones watching on TV at neighborhood taverns are just as spirited. But it’s the easiest places where you get to meet and have new friends. If the enthusiasm rubs off on you, you can let all hang out at any of the 26 beaches and 580 parks around the city.

The city had many names attributed to it throughout its long history of prominence in the whole country. It’s been called the White City, the Second City (after a fire) and Windy City. (The last one is more about their politicians.)

However, there’s always some happening in the city, even right next to you.

Moscow – The Heart and Soul of Russia

Moscow was Russia’s capital before Peter the Great moved it to St. Petersburg. Even then, it never lost its spirit, its zest, and its intensity. This particular attitude was the guiding light of some of Russia’s greatest writers and poets. When the capital went back to Moscow, the mystique continues.

Even with the major historic upheavals to the country (1918 Communist Revolution, the dissolution of the union of the Republics, and the new power of Russia now, Moscow had always kept its spirit going amidst all the changes.

Statistics

As the capital city of Russia, Moscow is home to over 10 million residents and countless non-residents living in the city proper alone. It is, in fact, the most populous city in Russia and all throughout Europe, and some people already baptizing it as a megacity.

In fact, some things stand out fro the city. It has the largest trolleybus system in the world, a major city with most forest around its borders, and has the busiest subway system in Europe (3rd, world wide).

Magnificent sites 

At any season and any hour of the day, Moscow has some sites that can thrill visitors with its majesty, artistry and some history. The most visible would be the founding site of the city: the Kremlin and the Red Square.

Of course, the most magnificent of all is the one and only St. Basil’s Cathedral. Officially, it is known as the “Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat”. St. Basil, a Muscovite, was buried here at Trinity Cathedral before the present structure was erected.

It was constructed under orders by Ivan the Terrible in 1552 (finished in 1560) to celebrate the capture of Kazan from the Mongols. An urban legend had it that Ivan had the builders blinded so they cannot create anything to compare.

It is now a museum and the only service during the year is the Day of the Intercession held every October.

Arts

Classical performing arts in Moscow are still strong and still among the world’s best. Watch how a beautiful ballerina defies gravity and float as she leaps and spins across the stage at a performance of the splendid Bolshoi Ballet.

Or, perhaps shudder at the force of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture just some few blocks away from where it had premiered to world-wide acclaim more than a century ago. For the mundane, perhaps you cannot help yourself being mesmerized by the soaring movements of circus performers under a traditional circus tent.

Young action

Among Moscow’s shopping places, the busiest is the famous Tveskaya Street. At Kitai-gorod, the up-market boutique stores of Bulgari, Tiffany and Co., Armani, Prada and Bentley are lined up here.

At night, it becomes a glittering meeting place for the young. Moscow, as a matter of fact, is being flooded with clubs, bars, creative spaces, galleries, cafés and restaurants-turned-into-dance-floors with new openings every year. 

In Moscow, you need not be as glamorous or high-heeled or deep-pocketed to enjoy the capital at night. The city has something for everyone – nostalgia-rich, retro, rocked out or contemporary, you can have all the let-loose dance clubs you want.

Yet Moscow has all its history and mystique all its own for everyone to be inspired about. It’s everywhere and yet the city is as modern as it can be. One cautionary sign you need to know, too – it is one of the more expensive cities in the world.

Las Vegas – Entertainment in Capital Letters

It’s been called a lot of names – Sin City, America's Playground, the Entertainment Capital of the World, and each one is just as apt as the others and just as worthy. Yet, Las Vegas, (“the meadows” in Spanish) for all its size (largest in Nevada), could be regarded as one big theme park rather than a city.

It can overwhelm, it can awe, it can open the senses and more – all of which are part of its appeal that no other city has.

For one, this is one city where inhibitions must be kept at home, they’re not welcome here. Like moths to a flame, pleasure seekers are drawn every night to the city. Every one wants to have a piece of that much-sought-after “Viva Las Vegas” spirit. And as they always say, whatever happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas.

Popular places

It’s only natural that the places you are most likely to revolve in are around the Strip. This iconic place is where the neon lights are. Together with the famous sights, however loud and cheesy some of them can be, they are crowd-drawers.

You have your chance in dalliance with Lady Luck where she might make or break your bank account with the table games and slot machines found all throughout along Las Vegas Boulevard South. Some of these places have diversions linked to the casinos – gondola rides (imitations of Venice), the Eiffel Tower or some incredible fountain show at the Bellagio.

The Strip has all the best nightclubs to stage your parties, or you can take part in the glitz and glam of Las Vegas Boulevard or check out other things worthwhile out of town (the Mob Museum, or the Neon Museum). Or perhaps check out the Red Rock Canyon or a quick trip to nearby Hoover Dam.

Entertainment center

It was only in 1931 that Nevada legalized gambling, and Las Vegas became an entertainment center to dam workers (Hoover Dam) with casinos and speakeasies. In 10 short years, it surpassed Reno as the gambling capital of the world.

Los Angeles also rose at that time to become a rapidly growing center of entertainment (movies) and manufacturing. Since gambling was prohibited in California at that time, workers started their trek to Las Vegas for vacation, recreation and entertainment.

Today, there are around a hundred extremely entertaining shows all over the city, depending on your fancy, temperament, attitude, adventure, and whatnot. These shows include concerts by internationally-famous singers, circus (the world-famous Cirque du Soleil has 7 ongoing shows in different hotels), magic shows, indoor skydiving, strippers and adult shows of all kinds for all audiences, musicals, comedies, full-length revues and so many more.

Dining

When it comes to food, there’s never a shortage of places and choices where to eat in Las Vegas. Whatever you want – from fancy French fares (world-famous Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse have places in the city) – to budget-friendly burgers and those other choices in between, you can always find them in the city.

The city would like to think it has some of the best dining in all of the U.S. Some of them are even served while you enjoy an eye-riveting show. Entertainment rules here.

Prague – Culture, History & some Magic in-Between

Among the cities of the old world (Europe), Prague ranks highest when it comes to its bohemian allure and fairy-like features of an old city. A beach-weary traveler can devote an entire day in exploring Prazka Hrad (Prague Castle), have a hearty meal at some classic Czech tavern, spend some time marveling the sights at the Old Town Square before heading off to some cellars in historic pubs to finish off the night.

One of the largest cities in Central Europe, Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and had also been the capital of the historic region of Bohemia for centuries. With its unique medieval architecture, the historical center of the city is included in the World Heritage List.

History and the modern swing

Among the Central European cities, Prague is regarded by many as one of Europe’s most charming and beautiful cities. Today, it is one of the most popular travel destinations along with Vienna and Krakow with its more than 6.4 million tourists a year (5^th most visited city in Europe).

The city is still filled with age-old magical images of bridges and gold tipped towers and church domes reflected in the swan-filled waters of Vitava River for more than ten centuries. Barely touched by the violence of WWII, the city’s medieval castles remain with the cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and church spires.

But these outside images are just part of the city’s magic charms. It has the modern vibrations of an energetic city full of energy, music, culture, art, fine dining and some special events that mark the city’s façade of adventure, most especially for tourists.

Most popular sites

Prague Castle, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is the biggest ancient castle in the world. It rises majestically like a dream bringing the visitor an all-around panorama of the while city itself. And then, there is the St. Vitus Cathedral and its lookout tower.

Worth visiting too are the Castle Picture Gallery, the many palaces and museums and the mesmerizing Royal Garden, among many other worthwhile things.  For the curious, you can watch the changing of the Presidential guards on duty every hour.

The Charles Bridge is one of Prague’s most beautiful structures. It connects the Old Town to the Lesser Town. During daytime, the whole bridge is bustling with tourists, musicians, and artists selling their paintings and handmade jewelries.

The Old Town

This is Prague’s historic center that includes historic buildings and monuments, and the famous Astronomical Clock. There is also the Gothic Tyn Church, the Storch Building all covered in murals, and the Jan Hus monument.

The New Town was an extension to the Old Town in the 14^th century. Wenceslas Square is the main attraction here, with its many stalls, shops and restaurants. The National Museum is well worth looking into at the top of the square.

You cannot miss the beautiful churches (St. Nicholas Church is the most well-known) and streets at the Lesser Town. The Infant of Prague, the famous statue of Christ as a child is the most widespread among religious images in the world. The original is at the Church of Our Lady of Victorious in Lesser Town.

Indeed, to get away from the same humdrum of your life, you can always visit Prague and see for yourself why this world has some magic left with it.

Paris – The Most Passionate Place in the World

Paris is the one place on Earth where passion reigns supreme in everything in the people’s daily lives. It is said that the city has music in its soul and an unshakeable spring in its step. This is one place where its people live their lives to the fullest.  

The city may not have the status of Paris, or the inspiring history of Rome. It does not have its equivalent of Eiffel Tower or the magnificent Colosseum of Rome.

But there is nothing to be envious about anything. Paris had enough broad sweep of architectural history. It has the best backdrop to its enviable city life – the medieval mansions, the royal palaces, and the surrounding contemporary architecture.

And Paris nights are stuff of legend that goes hand in hand with its sedate charms of fine dining and fine arts. For one, the city may have more bars than any other city in the world. The best news is their non-stop action which goes on until early dawn.

It is one of the most open cities in the world.

The city

Paris is both the capital (and the largest city) of Spain and the autonomous community of Paris. It is regarded as the 10^th most livable city in the world, the fourth most-visited one in the whole of Europe and is well-known for its many cultural attractions among its historic streets and neighborhoods.

Being the state capital, Paris is where the government headquarters are located, including the Parliament, government ministries, and large organizations. It also houses the official residence of the kings of Spain. The city is considered the major financial center in southern Spain because of its economy and high standard of living.

Must-see places

Among tourists, the most attractive places to visit include the Royal Palace of Paris, the Royal Theater, the Buen Retiro park, the National Library building and the Golden triangle of Art, the cluster of three major art museums along Paseo del Prado.

Museo del Prado (free entry Monday to Saturday 6pm to 8pm, Sundays 5pm to 7pm) has one of the finest art collections in the world. It houses works by El Greco, Velazquez, Rubens, Brueghel, Botticelli, Tintoretto, Titian, Caravaggio, among many famous others.

The Thyssen-Bornemizsa has masterpieces of Monet, Goya, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso and Bacon, among others. (Free entry Mondays, 12noon to 4pm).

Reina Sofia National Museum and Art Center has Paris’s best collection of modern art – the famous Guernica of Picasso, masterpieces by Dali, Miro and Bacon and many more.

It may be distasteful for some, although others have Las Ventas Bullring as a must-see during bullfighting season. Tickets may be hard to get and expensive during important corridas.

Eating and the night life

Calle Manuel Malasaña is one great place to eat, including Calle del Pez which has mostly bars. Plaza Dos de Mayo is the heart of the district.

Conde Duque has cafés and restaurants like Malasaña. The Plaza de Guardia de Corps and that of de las Comendadoras have places for drinks, tapas, or cafés. Of course, the Gran Vía is the place that never sleeps with its clubs open till 7am. Actually, Paris does not sleep.

Tokyo – Exotic, Surprising, Extraordinary

For a civilization that’s older than that of America and most other countries, Japan strikes one as a very exotic place, somewhat out of the ordinary and sometimes, short of strange itself. This culture is best personified by its premier city, Tokyo.

Tokyo has most of the things found in Japan and maybe more. The oriental mysticism, the religiosity, the dedication of the people towards what they revere the most – all these are intact and even reflects more of the Japanese culture among others.

For the people of the West who are visiting, the best way to imbibe all these is to simply accept them, and do as most Japanese do. Even the food is an adventure, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll surely hunker for more.

Like a good visitor, one needs to go with the flow in Tokyo – in customs, food, sight-seeing, leisure and many other things in their culture. Also, from a practical point of view, Tokyo is also one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Harajuku / festivals / other places

Begin your escape by strolling around the Ginko tree lined Omote-Sando, a glamorous boulevard of high-end boutiques. You can check out an explosion of art at Design Festa gallery or maybe pose (or dance along) the young people at Yoyogi Park.

Escape to the wooded grounds that encircle Tokyo’s premier Shinto Shrine, Meiji-jingū. On festival days, marvel at the men and women wearing all those gorgeous kimonos for the festivities.

Festivals

Not a week passes by when there is a matsuri (festival) of some kind somewhere in the city. They can range from the exotic viewing parties of cherry blossom-watching to some hot experiences as fire-walking (Hiwatarisai fire festival, Yakuo-in temple).

There are grand parades where costumed participants carrying aloft mikoshi (portable shrines). In Asakusa, along Nakamise-dori, follow the procession of countless pilgrims by approaching Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s most famous Buddhist temple.

Along the way, you may exercise your touristy habit of visiting colorful stalls that sell many type of souvenirs ranging from giant rice crackers to exquisite battledores.

Contemporary art

In 3331 Arts Chiyoda, there’s a score of free contemporary art galleries featuring a mix of exhibitions and some interactive installations.

Check out, too, the galleries of the Bakuchoro area. These are all housed in the Agata-Takezawa Building, including the well-known Taro Nasu Gallery.

Cheap places

Getting away from Tokyo is a great spot where one can escape for some relaxation for free – The Imperial East Garden (Higashi-Gyōen).

Some antique fairs and flea markets are usually on temple grounds. Here are some of the good ones: Azabu-jūban Antique Market, Nogi-jinja Flea Market and Roppongi Antique Fair.

Mount Fuji

This ancient volcano is one of the more beautiful ones in the world and tourists, local and foreign, still flock to it. It is the tallest mountain in Japan (12,389 feet). From Tokyo, it still can be seen on a clear.
Today, it takes on as a symbol of the country after the capital moved to Tokyo. Of course, there is more to Tokyo than Fuji and the places described here. You have to discover them yourself.

San Francisco Can Steal Your Heart

San Francisco is one of the most visited places on earth, and yet its understated elegance belies the many beautiful places throughout. After seeing some of them, it won’t a surprise to see those giddy images in your brain again and again.

On top, you might have the magnificent Golden Gate bridge or the noisy cable cars, the sights of the city at Marina Beach or Pacific Heights, Castro Street, or the sea lions at Fisherman’ Wharf and so much more.
The city is way on top with the others with things to see and do, and yet it is small enough (49 square miles) that one can accomplish a lot of things in a shorter time. The number of the city’s museums rivals that of New York and it has more places to eat, more parks to enjoy and other places of interest unique to the city.

Golden Gate Bridge

If there’s a structure most associated with San Francisco, it’s the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the most famous bridge in the world. Spanning just 1.7 miles, the bridge is said to be one of the most photographed man-made structure in the planet.

There’s a pedestrian walkway that allows crossing on foot (and bikes are allowed on the other side. Around 120,000 cars pass through it. While other suspension bridges have more impressive engineering makeup, the Golden Gate Bridge is far and away the most impressive for showmanship.

When late afternoon rolls in, head for the Marin County end of the bridge. When the fog comes in, the magic show comes in, too: now you see the Golden Gate Bridge, now you don’t. The fog plays some real-time illusion on the picturesque bridge.

Cable cars

Another icon most associated with the city on a hill is the cable car. Cable cars had been ferrying people across the city for well over a century (since 1873). Their familiar bells can be heard ringing even blocks away signaling their passing. They run on tracks moved by underground cables on three routes. Tickets ($7) can be had at the end of each route.

It can travel to San Francisco’s Nob Hill at 338 feet and is signaled by a bell. The interesting downhill drive is exciting since the brakes are still hand-operated. Each ride either way gives you spectacular views of the city’s hills as well as the cityscape itself.

Shopping / Eating / the Arts

On the other end of the spectrum, Union Square is truly for serious tourist shoppers. It has the city’s major department stores and the most exclusive boutiques line up the streets. The largest Bloomingdale’s outside of New York is here

At Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 is a festive waterfront market and one of the city’s attractions. It’s also a short walk to San Francisco Dungeon, Madame Tussaud’s, and Ripley’s Believe or Not.

For dining, the city is a dream dining destination with more restaurants than any other city in America.
Broadway, jazz, opera, classical, ballet – whichever way you call them, you’ll be shouting encore within a block or two of City Hall, the city’s cultural center. You can’t miss anything at San Francisco.