Destination: France
World’s Worst Tourists?
by Julia Ross | 07.07.08 | 1:55 PM ET
Once again, it’s the French, Indians and Chinese, according to an annual survey of hoteliers by the French version of Expedia. The latest poll of 4,000 hotel employees in Europe and North America calls the French out for being impolite and unwilling to communicate in foreign languages, deems the Japanese most liked and declares the Italians best dressed.
Email to friend
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Furl
Ma.gnolia
Mixx
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Yahoo! BuzzManslaughter Charges Filed in 2000 Concorde Crash
by Jim Benning | 07.03.08 | 11:01 AM ET
Five people and Continental Airlines face involuntary manslaughter charges in France stemming from the 2000 Air France Concorde crash in Paris that killed 113 people. According to Reuters, investigators believe a “narrow strip of metal had fallen onto the runway from a previous Continental flight,” which led to a ruptured tire on the Concorde and the ensuing crash. Not surprisingly, Continental denies responsibility for the accident.
Photo by alex-s via Flickr, (Creative Commons).
How to Break Bread and Brie in France
by Terry Ward | 06.20.08 | 9:21 AM ET
Great cheese abounds in the land of Gaul, but dig in and you risk committing any number of faux pas. Terry Ward explains how to partake of the nation's famed fromage with savoir faire.
Is China Boycotting Travel to France?
by Michael Yessis | 06.18.08 | 12:27 PM ET
The AP reports a plunge in Chinese travelers to France, apparently in retaliation for, among other things, support for Tibet among the French and demonstrations against the Olympic torch relay in Paris. The French Foreign Ministry said Chinese officials have told travel agents to stop selling trips to France. China’s Tourism Bureau apparently wouldn’t comment, but several travel agents reportedly told AP they “had heard about—if not received—the verbal order” to not sell trips to France.
Related on World Hum:
* Travel to China Down in 2008
* China Blocks Travel to Ethnic Tibetan Regions
Shakespeare & Company’s Paris Literary Festival
by Jim Benning | 06.11.08 | 12:22 PM ET
Who among us would not like to be in Paris for this? The third annual festival organized by the famed left bank bookstore takes place June 12-15 and will feature Paul Auster, Jeannette Winterson, June Chang and Alain de Botton, among others. This year’s theme: “Exploring Memoir and Biography.” (Via TEV and IHT)
Photo by ktylerconk via Flickr, (Createive Commons).
Foodie Alert: ‘Clotilde’s Edible Adventures in Paris’
by Joanna Kakissis | 05.29.08 | 10:01 AM ET
Clotilde Dusoulier, the popular food blogger from France, has written a new guidebook that features her favorite restaurants, markets and shops in Paris. The 28-year-old former software engineer’s book gives tips not only on where to find the best Tarte-Gateau Poire Chocolat (pear and chocolate cake-tart) but on how to mind your manners when it comes to dining and food-shopping with the French. (Hint: Don’t dis the food.)
Photo by grahamandsheila via Flickr (Creative Commons).
France Mulls Breathalyzers at Late-Night Bars
by Joanna Kakissis | 05.16.08 | 3:30 AM ET
Interesting move in France. The government may require thousands of clubs, cafes and bars open after 2 a.m. to install Breathalyzers by Jan. 1. Taking the Breathalyzer test would not be mandatory, but politicians are hoping patrons who may have had one too many drinks will voluntarily check their alcohol levels before driving home. The proposal was floated after a rash of drunk-driving accidents. Not everyone is cheering: Some are still reeling from a new smoking ban, and others in the hospitality industry complain Breathalyzers are too expensive.
Related on World Hum:
* France’s Smoking Ban Chokes its Hookah Bars
Paris Is ‘Still Paris’
by Eva Holland | 05.09.08 | 9:24 AM ET
We noted recently that, given the weak dollar, American travelers are looking beyond the usual Western Europe destinations. That’s fine, but it’s nice to hear about one traveler who’s holding firm. In a letter from Paris posted on the South Florida Sun-Sentinel travel blog, sports writer Charles Bricker writes: “Damn the exchange rate ... It’s still Paris. The parks and the sidewalks are free, the weather is in the 80s and where else would you rather be?” Good point.
Photo by pedrosimoes7 via Flickr (Creative Commons).
The ‘Cuisses de Grenouille’ on that French Guy’s Plate Might be From Indonesia
by Joanna Kakissis | 05.02.08 | 11:29 AM ET
France’s Smoking Ban Chokes its Hookah Bars
by Joanna Kakissis | 05.01.08 | 12:08 PM ET
The president of the Hookah Professionals’ Union—yes, there is such a thing—told the International Herald Tribune that about a third of France’s 800 hookah bars have closed since a ban on indoor smoking took effect Jan. 2.
Why I CouchSurf
by Kristin Luna | 04.29.08 | 4:00 PM ET
The first time she crashed at a stranger's home, Kristin Luna feared she'd wind up an Agence France-Presse headline. Now she looks forward to sleeping on others' furniture -- and not just to save money.
How To Dine Solo in Paris
by Eva Holland | 03.25.08 | 10:37 AM ET
Renzo Piano, Museum Maker Extraordinaire
by Jim Benning | 03.11.08 | 3:52 PM ET
Travelers who love architecture and museums are well aware of Renzo Piano’s work. He has 12 museums or additions under his architectural belt—including Paris’ must-see Pompidou Centre, pictured—and several more in the works.
2007 Travel Movie Awards: Entirely Arbitrary and Non-Comprehensive Picks
by Eva Holland | 02.22.08 | 12:00 PM ET
Paris: ‘A Delicate Pale Blue’ No Longer?
by Eva Holland | 02.12.08 | 11:11 AM ET
Photo by kla4067 via Flickr, (Creative Commons).
Plenty of cities have imposed smoking bans in bars and restaurants by now, but it’s rare that they chip away at a world-renowned image in the process. In Paris, on the other hand, where the city’s identity seems more intimately connected with smoking, the ban that came into force Jan. 1 has the potential to alter more than just the air quality.