Paris: A Personal Discovery

When it comes to the most romantic city in the world, never mind which tourist guide or which tourist package you take, finally, Paris is something each one savors in his own special way. Taking a tour will be a good way to start because you get taken around to everyplace that you should see and you wouldn't want to miss out on that, would you? There are tours that show you Paris by day and others that take you round Paris by night. There are so many to choose from – just make sure you get the picking up and dropping off details right as well as all the sites the tour will cover.

You have a choice. If you want a quickie, there are two hour tours that zip you through all that you have to see. Then, there are the slightly longer three and a half hour ones. Most of them are in minibuses with a guide to tell you the significance of each place you go to. You might just think that such a quick runaround might not benefit you at all but for people who do not have too much time, this is great. What is amazing is how much information is crammed into such a short trip. You could also do a two hour combined trip of the city landmarks as well as a Seine cruise. Quick, but extremely enjoyable.

The best way that you can see Paris is of course if you have considerably more time than that. You can go to all the main sights that you have to see and make the last port of call the Eiffel Tower. Most tourist buses pick you up and the tour ends here so after this you are on your own. The guide will take you through the history of all the famous landmarks that you are taken to. Here too, at the Tower, guided tours are allowed to go in without waiting in the long line that is usually present here. You get taken to the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower and the great thing is there you will find that a table has been booked.

If you have the whole day stretching before you, a city tour as well as lunch and a cruise is the ideal way to spend it. The usual itinerary is that the bus comes and picks you up, does a two hour city tour with you then you go on the Seine cruise. This is done in a glassed-in boat so you have a perfect view of all Paris's wonderful buildings. Your meal is accompanied by soothing, stirring French music. Then it's off to the Eiffel Tower.

You could just vary that a bit. There are tours that take you to the Tower first and this is followed by a Seine cruise. You go straight up to the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the view while you have your lunch. When you're through, all you have to do is cross the street and it's off on that cruise. As the boat sails slowly down the river with the wonderful music wafting over you and the gentle breezes blowing, you will feel like you're in Paradise.

Of course, make sure that you fit in the Louvre into your schedule, never mind how tight it is. You could take a package tour through this repository of incredible art that spans hundreds of years. If you've been to Paris and haven't seen even a bit of the Louvre – at least the famous works of art, it would be a shame. For those who have all the time in the world, this museum could give you days of pleasure as you explored all the wonderful art that it stores. All said and done, if you've done a lot or you've just done a little, there's no city in the world quite like Paris.