A big advantage of working at onsite is visiting countries. You will be more fortunate if you get an opportunity to work in Europe as you can travel to multiple countries, multiple times (no offence / defence on this).
We (my family and our cognizant colleuges) to visit Paris during last Christmas Eve (2006). Well, of course definitely need some amount of planning if you are visiting with your family no question of planning.
As we visited in the peak winter the temperature was less than 3 degrees for our entire trip of 3 nights and 4 days.
We started on 24th Dec from London waterloo to Paris Garu-du-Nord, thought Eurostar. Travelling through Euro star is really a good experience as it travels through a tunnel under the sea connecting UK and Europe. You can visit http://www.eurostar.com for more information.
We started at 8am from London. It took 2Hrs and 40Min to reach Paris, local time 12:30pm.
Fortunately we booked our hotel with in 100meters of the station and hence saved lot of time in getting our self ready to visit the city.
The very important places that you should visit in Paris are the following:
Arc de Triomph:
Commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon, shortly after his victory at Austerlitz. There are four huge sculptures at the bases of the four pillars. These commemorate The Triumph of 1810 (Cortot); Resistance , and Peace (both by Etex); and The Departure of the Volunteers, more commonly known by the name La Marseillaise (Rude).
Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, are to found on the inside walls. Generals whose names are underlined died in action.
Beneath the Arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and eternal flame commemorating the dead of the two world wars.
Musée du Louvre
Not sure if this has got popular after the Da-vinci-code movie.
The Musée du Louvre, the former home of the kings of France, is for two centuries one now of the largest museums in the world. its collections are distributed into 7 departments. The world famous painting of Monalisa is here behind a bullet proof glass.
Photography is not allowed inside the museum. If you are art loving, it would definitely a day is not sufficient.
Notre Dame de
Its a gothic masterpiece. Notre Dame, conceived by Maurice de Sully, was built between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries (1163-1345). Road distances in France are calculated on the basis of the "0 km" marked on the square in front of the cathedral.
Eiffel Tower
The most famous monument in the world (317 metres, 10,100 tonnes). Built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 for the Universal Exhibition of which it was the star. Information, historical and technical facts on all floors, show-window/office of Gustave Eiffel on the third floor.
The tower has three levels. There is a lift till the third level. You can see entire Paris from the top of tower. It’s really a wonderful experience.
You should visit the tower during the evening times to see the light effects. The light effects will last for 15min and will happen for every one hour.
Versailles Palace
Take the plunge into the world of Louis XIV at the heart of the Castle of Versailles. The palace hasGrand Apartments, Hall of Mirrors and the Queen's Apartment. Most of the ceilings are painted and if you love art you will love to stay in Versailles. The other side of the palace has formal gardens "a la Francaise". You can wander around the groves and pools where the magnificent display of fountains reveals the skill and artistry of three centuries of French Garden design and engineering.
River Cruise
If you are in a very short trip to visit Paris, I recommend you to take River cruise. Even otherwise, you can take this tour on Seine as it gives you the unique opportunity to discover Paris, its history and its major landmarks including: Place de l'Opera, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triumph, Place du Trocadero, Eiffel Tower, Invalides, Pont Neuf, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, Luxembourg Gardens and Saint-Germain des Pres and much more!
Disney Land
A trip to Paris is not complete without visiting Disney Land. This will require at least one full dedicated day to visit all the attractions in Disney Land. It has rides for both children’s and adults and of course grownup's can watch us all the time.
This theme park has the theme park and Walt Disney studios. I have not been to studios but I can say it will be equally good.
Invalides
The most significant event in the history of Les Invalides however, is unquestionably the return of the body of Napoléon in 1840. After seven years of negotiation with the British government, Louis-Philippe, King of France, obtained permission to repatriate the Emperor's remains from St. Helena.
After arriving at Le Havre, it was brought up the Seine and landed at Paris at Courbevoie. On 15 December 1840 a state funeral was held, and despite a winter snowstorm, the hearse proceeded from the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs-Elysées, across the Place de la Concorde to the Esplanade and finally to the cupola in St Jerome's Chapel until the tomb - designed by Visconti - was completed. On 3 April 1861 Napoléon I came to his final rest in the crypt under de dome.
Three nights and 4 days just went like that and had to return back... but my experience still lives in my memory which I can cherish for long.
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