Road Trip in France

Joel Achenbach, one of my favorite writers at the Washington Post, went to France and decided to embark upon an American-style road trip (i.e. with no much planning involved). We find out why in his amusing article. Apparently his family did not appreciate his impromptu visit to the Loire Valley. He should have instead planned a train trip to either Blois, Orleans, or Tours.

Paris - Blois (Loire Valley)

Paris and Blois with the TER regional train.

Paris - Orleans (Loire Valley)

Paris and Orleans with the TER (regional) train.

Paris - Tours

Paris and Tours with the TGV train.

Had he known these train packages, he would have probably gone there by train, which we all know (and he admits) everyone at times is a much better way to travel to Europe.

Honeymoons in Paris and beyond

Honeymoons in Europe must include Paris, not only because it's my favorite city, but also because it's deemed to be one of the most romantic and romanticized cities in the world. One cannot go wrong with proposing in Paris, suggesting a Paris honeymoon, or even planning a romantic vacation to Paris.

While one could easily daydream about spending endless days in Paris, strolling along the Champs Elysees and eating croissants in a luxuriour parisian hotel, the truth is 10-14 days in Paris alone can prove a little too much (maybe). Then why not try an ultimate romantic trip to Europe, by combining Paris, a luxurious train ride, and another charming European capital or city.

Here are a few suggestions/ideas for romantic vacations in Europe:

Paris - Amsterdam
Paris - Venice
Paris - Rome
Paris - Barcelona
London - Paris
Paris - Geneva
Paris - Milan

As you can see, you could probably find a city combination for every couple out there, be it fashion lovers, ultimate romantics, museum goers, shoppers, spenders, on a budget, beach lovers, and so on. And remember that you will always have Paris (and the best part: you will be able to actually say it without having to lie or be too cheesy about it).

Culture Shock and Spain trains

While Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - Spain (published October 2005, although the original edition dates 1993) is clearly a book for those willing to spend more than a week in Spain, but it does not hurt to browse through, especially if this is your first time outside the United States or the first time in Europe.

Since Spain is a Western-type country, the customs are not that different. But there are "the little differences" such as kissing your friend's cheeks when meeting (opposite sex only), dressing to the latest fashion, keeping your hands above the table while dining. The book if full of advice on everything from how to exchange greetings to what you need to know to start your own business. While customs take longer to change, I must question many of the specific references to the laws and bureaucracy of Spain. Since this book has been likely only updated from its previous issue, chances are that some of the laws have dramatically changed, as Spain became a more prosperous member of the European Union.

Case in point: I opened the book to the chapter on trains. The first statement is: In general, RENFE, the government-run railroad, is below par by European standards. The first high-speed train between Madrid and Seville made its debut just in time for the 1992 expo. I can see clearly that this section has not been properly amended. While traveling between Barcelona and Madrid will probably still require a night train ride (in a comfortable setting), the network of high-speed trains has bloomed in the rest of the country, brining Spain's network up to par.

For a better look at Spain's modern railroads, check out RENFE on the web (Spanish only).
Here is an impressive list of Alta Velocidad (high-speed train) and Larga Distancia (long-distance trains - or train hotels) from their website (I took the liberty to include some train packages that you can book for your traveling pleasure):

Alaris
Packages with Alaris:

• Madrid - Valencia - Barcelona

Altaria
Packages with Altaria:

• Madrid - Barcelona
• Barcelona - Madrid - Lisbon
• Lisbon - Madrid - Barcelona
• Barcelona - San Sebastian - Zaragoza - Madrid

Alvia
Packages with Alvia coming soon

Arco
Packages with Arco coming soon

AVE
Packages with AVE:

• Timeless Andalucian Journey
• Madrid - Cordoba
• Madrid - Seville
• Madrid - Cordoba - Seville
• Madrid - Seville - Granada
• Madrid - Cordoba - Seville - Granada
• Spanish Sepharad
• Madrid - Cordoba - Seville - Granada - Barcelona

Diurno
Packages with Diurno coming soon

Estrella
Packages with Estrella:

• Barcelona - Bilbao - Zaragoza and Pamplona
• Barcelona - San Sebastian - Zaragoza - Madrid

Euromed
Packages with Euromed coming soon

Intercity
Packages with Intercity coming soon

Talgo
Packages with Talgo:

• Madrid - Granada
• Madrid - Bilbao
• Paris - Madrid
• Paris - Barcelona
• Barcelona - Milan
• Madrid - Granada - Barcelona
• Spanish Sepharad
• Barcelona - San Sebastian - Zaragoza - Madrid
• Paris - Barcelona - Milan

Talgo 200
Packages with Talgo coming soon

Trenhotel
Packages with Trenhotel:

• Madrid - Granada - Barcelona

Enjoy!