5 good reasons to go shopping in Rome

While comfortably set up in a charming rental apartment in Rome, you may think you have completed the historical-cultural route of a lifetime. Then take your mark and get ready… for here are 5 good reasons to go shopping in Rome!

Though less famous than Milan for shopping, Rome also boasts excellent inexpensive stores, second hand shops and designer stores. The shops are typically open from 9h to 13h, after 16h to 19h30, and they generally close Sunday and Monday in the morning.

1. The best district is located between the Via del Corso and the Via del Babuino, near the Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Plaza). Here you will find the famous commercial street, Via Condotti that competes with the Parisian avenue of Champs Elysées. It is one of most prestigious, elegant, luxurious and famous commercial streets in Rome, and in the world - dedicated to boutiques of luxury, prêt-à-porter fashion and haute couture, jewellery and Italian art like Gucci, Valentino, Versace, Bulgari, Ferragamo, Armani, Battistoni, Ferré, Fendi, Laura Biagiotti, La Perla… and international Hermès, Cartier, Dior, Yves Saint-Lauret… Also take a look at the streets perpendicular to the Via Condotti, such as via della Croce and Via Frattina.

2. Between the main station Termini and Piazza Vittorio, at 11 Via dello Statuo you will find Mas Allo Statuo. The equivalent to “Bon marché,” which is well-known in Rome for their competitive prices, especially for clothes and shoes, and they are open on Sunday.

3. If you are looking for shoes, take a stroll through the morning market in the Testaccio district, near the pyramid. It is an outdoor fruit and vegetable market in Piazza del l' Emporio where several stands are reserved for inexpensive woman’s shoes.

4. Don’t miss the flea market of Porta Portese on Sunday mornings. This is a well-known market where you will find a bit of everything, even if the majority of items are displayed as bazaar objects. This place is not for people who dislike proximity, but rather for true shopping addicts who seek out all the best sales. The most important thing to remember is to go light – no objects of value, passports or credit cards. Take only the necessary amount of cash hidden at the bottom of your bag or in your shoes.

5. The districts with inexpensive boutiques of prêt-à-porter are numerous, especially near the Vatican on Via Cola di Rienzo or on Via Ottaviano. There are many multifaceted shops, ideal for the purchase of jeans, shoes, children’s clothes, as well as other small varied stores.

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About the Author: Josh Thorpe has many hobbies, but one of his favourites is writing articles on Rome. His articles are used by established websites such as Oh-Holidays to provide information for clients renting Rome Apartments and other types ofRome Accommodation.

Paris travel guide: Paris on a shoestring

Although normally associated with visions of grandeur and high society, at times of tightly stretched credit cards a trip to Paris doesn’t have to cost the earth. Accommodation Paris is often the biggest stumbling block and choosing an economical yet comfortable option can be really tricky. Paris apartments not only give you the opportunity to ‘live like a Parisian’ but also often work out much more economically than a hotel or guesthouse.

Sights and attractions on a shoestring: For a spectacular view of the city climb up the stairs of the northern tower of Notre Dame cathedral, ogle at the lurid yet strangely appealing gargoyles then take in the spectacular Parisian vista from above. What’s more the cathedral is one of the few major attractions of the city which is free to enter.
Les Tuileries is Catherine de Medici’s magnificent park and most centrally located green space in Paris. This expansive collection of formal gardens, sweeping paths and even one or two galleries connects the Louvre with Place de la Concorde, bordering the Seine. There are various sculptures located sporadically around the gardens and L’Orangerie museum, housing works by Cézanne, Matisse, Renoir, is well worth a visit especially if you are fortunate enough to time your visit with the first Sunday of the month when entry is free.

Eating out every day in Paris can be an expensive affair but a baguette in the park can be equally enjoyable on a fine sunny day. Why not pick up a sublime poulet baguette from the Brioche Dorée boulangerie chain, found all over the city, and take it to the Jardin du Luxembourg (Le Luco). This “people’s park” is frequented by great numbers of students, families and boules-playing retired locals alike, and provides a delightful lunchtime spectacle. Paris’ largest park is also the ideal place for children with an enclosed play area, marionette shows and other attractions to keep them out of trouble.

On a Sunday morning, there is no better pleasure than a meander down the Rue du Mouffetard in the 5th arrondissement to the home of Paris’ most famous pedestrianised street and street market. Indulge your senses in the divine flavours and appetizing of stall after stall of cheeses, meat and fresh fruit and vegetables. I challenge you to resist! Depending on the time of the day, this is a great district to treat yourself to a very reasonably priced brunch or lunch in a range of bistros and restaurants from all corners of the globe. Just take your pick!

To save on transport costs, if you are staying in Paris for a week or more it is worth investing in a Carte Orange, a photographic metro pass which allows you unlimited access to city transport for around 16 euros for zones one and two, depending on the location of your Paris apartments. Alternatively one day tickets work out economically if you intend to use the transport system frequently.

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About the Author: Joshua is an experienced writer, specialising in European tourism and culture. For more information about Paris apartments go to Joshua's page http://www.all-paris-apartments.com/

Go International and Stay in the States

No passport, no 18 to 24 hours in the air, less jetlag to contend with and still all the International flair of going abroad. Where is this place that sounds to good to be true, you guessed it New York.

The city that never sleeps, it is always busy, some times of the day it is just busier than others. This is not a weekend getaway place, because you would miss so much, unless of course you are part of jet set and are jetting in just for the opening of a play and that is your only function. But if you are making a vacation of it, plan on at least a week and even then you will have to really fine tune your time so you will be able to see everything you want to see.

Of course it goes with saying there is the Statue of Liberty, then the Manhattan Skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, Central Park and this list could go on and on. You decide what is important for you to see, make your list, make your reservation and head out everyday to see what makes this city an International theme park of its own.

Music, museums, entertainment, plays, theatre; New York has it all and all day and all night. You can follow the glitz of the rich and famous or the bohemian depending the district you visit. Get a map and follow the districts and neighborhoods, use public transportation and the subway and the real feel for New York.

Rent a car and go "up state" see all the natural beauty that is up there, stay in a bed and breakfast and get the feel for laid back living that the New Yorkers crave to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Up state is a world apart from the city, and it is a great place to visit, there are mountains, rivers, and gorgeous scenery. Then back to the city to finish your vacation on the high energy and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ground Zero and all the history there.

To help you organized and make your reservations contact a Personal Travel Website where you get an actual person to assist you and to have contact with.

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About the Author: Dale and Bernice have enjoyed extensive travel and on one of their trips said to each other, we should do this for a living. With that said, they are now operating a travel website where you can plan a wedding on the beach in Tahiti including a Bridal Registry; a Golf Vacation including reserving tee times; Spa Vacations; Outdoor Adventure Vacations. They offer full personalized service online 24/7 at b.montz@comcast.net Let them be your Vacation Specialist Dale and Bernice Travel YTB Dale and Bernice Montz