Paris is known for its famous buildings and works of art, its chic fashion scene and its modern literary, artistic, and intellectual ideals, and is a must for anyone wishing to experience the best of both contemporary and age old European culture. If you have limited time, make sure to go to the area north of the river, the Rive Droite, to see the tree-lined Avenue des Champs Elysees, running west from the Arc de Triomphe. East of the avenue is the Musee du Louvre, the Centre Georges Pompidou and a lively district of museums, shops, markets and restaurants. Immediately south of the Pompidou Centre on the Ile de la Cite is Notre Dame Cathedral. If you still have time, head west along the river and you will find the city’s trademark, the Eiffel Tower. If you are intrigued by Paris’ famous academic, artistic and intellectual enclave, the Saint Germain de Pres and Montparnasse districts are located just to the east.

Key Paris Facts and Figures:
Population: Approximately 2.2 million people (3.6% of total French population)

Average yearly high temperature: 16 degrees C (60.8 degrees F)

Average yearly low temperature: 9 degrees C (48.2 degrees F)

Average visitors per year: Over 25 million

High tourist season: July and August

Time zone: Paris is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.

Currency: Euros (Universal Currency Converter)

Paris Geography and Orientation:
Paris is the political, cultural, and intellectual capital of France.

Elevation: 27 meters (90 feet above sea level)

Surface Area: 105 square km. (41 square miles)

Geographical Situation: Paris is located in Central Northern France, at the heart of a region (departement) called Ile de France. The city does not border any major body of water and is relatively flat.

The Seine river cuts through the city center East to West. The Marne river flows through suburbs east of Paris.
Orientation Tours

Paris boat or bus tours can help you get oriented.
Companies such as Paris Trip offer orientation tours (Buy direct)
Paris Layout:
Paris is divided into sections North and South of the Seine, more commonly known as the Rive Droite (Right Bank) and Rive Gauche (Left Bank), respectively.

The city, often described as being shaped like a snail shell, is broken into 20 districts or arrondissements. The first arrondissement is at the center of the city, near the Seine river. Subsequent arrondissements spiral out clockwise. You can easily find out what arrondissement you’re in by looking for street plaques on corner buildings.

The Boulevard Périphérique, Paris’ beltway, generally marks the boundary between Paris and its near suburbs.

Tourist Welcome Centers in Paris:
The Paris Tourist Office has welcome centers around the city, providing free documentation and advice to visitors. You can find maps and pocket-sized guides to Paris sights and attractions at one of the welcome centers. See a list of Paris tourist offices here.

Accessibility Issues:
On average, Paris rates poorly for accessibility. While major efforts are underway to improve accessibility in the city, travelers with limited mobility may find the city difficult to get around in.

The Paris tourist office website offers a list of popular Parisian sights and attractions that are accessible.

In addition, the following Metro and bus lines are accessible to people with limited mobility or disabilities:

Metro line 14, RER Line A
Bus lines 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31, 38, 39, 43, 53, 60, 62, 63, 80, 81, 88, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96.
Taxis are required by law to accept passengers with wheelchairs.

Right now…

No doubt, you’re planning on purchasing a few items between now and your wedding day; so, whenever possible, charge expenses on a credit card that awards you with “frequent flyer” points. These “miles” can be a big help later, when you purchase tickets or want upgrades.

Now is also the time to start talking about your dream honeymoon. Do a little research via travel brochures and some online research (we will have a few suggestions too!), and ask your married friends about their honeymoon trips, and what things they liked or didn’t like.

If you haven’t finalized your honeymoon travel plans yet, our preferred travel experts can help.

6 months to go…

You’ve dreamed, you’ve compared, you’ve discussed-now choose your destination:

Now is also the time to decide what you’d like to do on your honeymoon, so it’s time to create your Honeymoon Registry with TheBigDay.com.

Take the time to add some personal touches to your honeymoon registry. Give your wedding guests an exciting, unique description.  Your wedding guests want you to have a great time, so let them know just how splendid their gifts will be!

3 to 4 months to go…

2 to 6 months to go…

If you’re stumped on what to give your sweetie as a wedding gift, you might consider buying an activity for the two of you to do together, particularly if it’s something he (or she) would love but you’ve been reluctant to try.

1 month to go…

If you’re taking a long honeymoon (lucky you!), consider arranging for a reputable housesitter–either a trusted friend or relative or someone who’s been recommended by friends. They can get your mail, feed the dog, water the plants, and so on.

And don’t forget to carry enough domestic money to get you to your local airport (for tips, Sky Caps, cab fare, etc.).

And please, please, if you want your honeymoon glow to last awhile: don’t forget to clean out your fridge and empty the garbage!

Yikes! So much to do! But be sure to take a few minutes to reconfirm any domestic flights. Also:

You’re almost there!

Congratulations; it’s party time!

Bon voyage; there’s only one thing left to do: have a great time!

Best wishes from your friends at TheBigDay Honeymoon Registry!

My recent stay at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora was everything I had imagined. We arrived at Bora Bora airport and were welcomed with a fresh lei greeting by the staff. After our bags got tagged, we were escorted on board the Four Seasons navigator catamaran. Check in was done in less than 10 minutes. Our Bungalow was 419 on East Pontoon with magnificent views of Mt Otemanu. The staff was at a ratio of 5 per guest and there was always one person asking you if you need anything and always greeting you with La Orana.

Here’s aerial view of the islands of Bora Bora, French Polynesia. Definitely one of Polynesia’s most beautiful lagoons.  The barrier reef is entirely closed and is drawn in thousands of shapes.

Post, courtesy of Aruna Halpin

We have recently made some very exciting changes around here at TheBigDay.  Not only are we still offering a honeymoon registry and the same low cost vacation packages with custom advice from one of our romantic travel experts, we have put a little twist on our services, offering something brand new!

What’s new?

• TheBigDayCelebrations.com – Now any special event in your life can be captured and shared using our registry.  Graduations, milestone birthdays, senior trips, welcoming a newborn… you name it.  Literally anything you can think to celebrate, TheBigDay will get you there!
• Sleeker look and feel to the new site – Easy navigation allows for smooth sailing to your destination.
• Updated travel packages – We are constantly updating our travel packages to bring you low cost, high quality trips that you will remember for a lifetime!  Call and speak to one of our agents at 1.866.867.6759.
• Online booking features –  Check out some of the destinations using the new online booking engine.  You will find that booking your dream vacation, for any occasion, is quick and painless with this new feature.

The new and improved site is one of our many steps to get closer to you, the customer, to really see how we can help you celebrate TheBigDays in your life.  Go ahead and drop us a line, tell us what you think of the new site.  We would love to hear from you.

Yours from TheBigDay

What is there to do on a cruise? Fun video by Royal Caribbean…