Traveling Info

This old upcountry cow town on the northern road between the coasts is set in lovely country: rolling green pastures, wide-open spaces dotted by puu (hills), and real cowpokes who ride mammoth Parker Ranch, Hawaii’s largest working ranch. Waimea Map View Larger Map The town is also headquarters for the Keck Telescope, the largest and most powerful in the world. Waimea is home to several affordable B&Bs, and Merriman’s restaurant is a popular foodie outpost at Opelo Plaza. source: Frommers

is homes to the area's premier golf courses and seaside resorts. Kohala Coast divide into South and North Kohala. The natural habitats in Kohala range across a wide rainfall gradient in a very short distance - from less than 5 inches a year on the coast near Kawaihae to more than 150 inches a year near the summit of Kohala Mountain, a distance of just 11 miles. Near the coast are remnants of dry forests, and near the summit is a montane cloud forest, a type of rain forest so called because it obtains some of its moisture from "cloud drip" in addition to precipitation.

Kona is synonymous with great coffee and big fish—both of which are found in abundance along this 70-mile-long stretch of blacklava-covered coast. The Kona Coast has an amazingly diverse geography and climate for such a compact area. The oceanfront town of Kailua-Kona, a quaint fishing village that now caters more to tourists than boat captains, is its commercial center. The lands of Kona range from stark, black, dry coastal desert to cool, cloudy upcountry where glossy green coffee, macadamia nuts, tropical fruit, and a riotous profusion of flowers cover the jagged steep slopes. Among the coffee fields, you’ll find the funky, artsy village of Holualoa. Higher yet in elevation are native forests of giant trees filled with tiny, colorful birds, some perilously close to extinction. About 7 miles south of Kailua-Kona, bordering the ocean, is the resort area of Keauhou, a suburban-like series of upscale condominiums, a shopping center, and million-dollar homes. Kona means “leeward side” in...

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS All non-French nationals need a valid passport to enter France (check its expiration date). The French government no longer requires visas for U.S. citizens, provided they’re staying less than 90 days. For longer stays, they must apply for a long-term visa, residence card, or temporary-stay visa. Each requires proof of income or a viable means of support in France and a legitimate purpose for remaining in the country. Where to find the applications Consulate Section of the French Embassy 4101 Reservoir Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20007 Ph: 202/944-6000 Visa Section of the French Consulate, 934 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10021 Ph: 212/606-3680 Visas are required for students planning to study in France even if the stay is less than 90 days. Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Japan, and European Union countries do not need visas. If your passport is lost or stolen, go to your consulate as soon as possible for a replacement. For information on how to get...

The main headquarters 25-27 rue des Pyramides, 1er (Métro: Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre). Open Apr to Oct daily 9am to 8pm; off season daily 11am to 6pm. Branch offices Opéra-Grands Magasins, 11 rue Scribe, 9e (Métro: Opéra) Open Mon to Sat 9am to 6:30pm Gare de Lyon, 20 bd. Diderot, 12e (Métro: Gare de Lyon) Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm Gare du Nord, 10e 2 (Métro: Gare du Nord) Open daily 12:30 to 8pm Montmartre Tourist Office, 18 rue de Dunkerque, 10e (Métro: Abbesses), daily 10am to 7pm. For information over the phone, call & 08-92-68-30-00, which costs .35€ (40¢) per minute. The website can be accessed at www.paris-touristoffice.com The branches will make hotel reservations. The service charge is free for hostels; 2€ ($2.30) for one-star hotels; 4€ ($4.60) for two-star hotels; and 6€ ($6.90) for three-star hotels. Stars refer to government ratings, rather than those used in this guide. Offices are very busy in summer, so you’ll have to wait in line.

View Larger Map Click here for Hotel de Ville Info

In English mean "City Hall", is the building housing the City of Paris's administration. Standing on the place de l'Hôtel de Ville (formerly the place de Grève) in the city's IVe arrondissement, it has been the location of the municipality of Paris since 1357. It serves multiple functions, housing the local administration, the Mayor of Paris (since 1977), and also being a venue for large receptions. History In July 1357, Étienne Marcel, provost of the merchants (i.e. mayor) of Paris, bought the so-called maison aux piliers ("House of Pillars") in the name of the municipality on the gently sloping shingle beach which served as a river port for unloading wheat and wood and later merged into a square, the Place de Grève (French for "Square of the Strand"), a place where Parisians often gathered, particularly for public executions. Ever since 1357, the City of Paris's administration has been located on the same location where the Hôtel de Ville...

View Larger Map Click here for Conciergerie Info

The Conciergerie (French: La Conciergerie) is a former royal palace and prison in Paris, located on the west of the Île de la Cité, near the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. It is part of the larger complex known as the Palais de Justice, which is still used for judicial purposes. Hundreds of prisoners during the French Revolution were executed on the guillotines at La Conciergerie. The Middle Ages: Le Palais de la Cité The Île de la Cité was occupied by the Romans during late antiquity. Later, the west part of the island was the site of a Merovingian palace; and from the 10th to the 14th centuries was the seat of the medieval Kings of France. Under Louis IX (Saint Louis) (1226-1270) and Philippe IV (Philippe the Fair) (1284–1314) the Merovingian palace was extended and more heavily fortified. Louis IX added the remarkable Sainte-Chapelle and associated galleries, while Philippe IV created the towered facade on the river side and a large hall. Both are excellent examples of French religious an...

The most important remains from the Gallo-Roman era in Paris (formerly known as Lutèce in French or Lutetia in Latin), together with the Thermes de Cluny. Lying in what is now the Quartier Latin, this amphitheater could once seat 15,000 people, and was used to present gladiatorial combats. Constructed in the 1st century AD, this amphitheater is considered the longest of its kind constructed by the Romans. The sunken arena of the amphitheater was surrounded by the wall of a podium 8.2 feet (2.5m) high, surmounted by a parapet. The presence of a 135-foot (41.2m) long stage allowed scenes to alternate between theatrical productions and combat. A series of nine niches aided in improving the acoustics. Five cubbyholes were situated beneath the lower bleachers, of which three appear to have been animal cages that opened directly into the arena. Historians believe that the bleachers, which surrounded more than half of the arena's circumference, could accommodate as many as 17,000 spectato...

View Larger Map Click here Saint Eustache Info

L'église Saint-Eustache is a church in the Ier arrondissement of Paris, built between 1532 and 1632. Situated at the entrance to Paris’ ancient markets (Les Halles) and the beginning of the famous rue Montorgueuil, the Église de Saint-Eustache is another Parisian gothic gem. The church’s reputation was strong enough of the time for it to be chosen as the location for a young Louis XIV to receive communion. Mozart also chose the sanctuary as the location for his mother’s funeral. Among those baptised here as children were Richelieu, Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, future Madame de Pompadour and Molière, who was also married here two decades later. The last rites for Anne of Austria, Turenne and Mirabeau were pronounced within its walls. Marie de Gournay is buried there. History Situated in Les Halles, an area of Paris renowned for fresh produce of all kinds, the church became a parish in 1223, thanks to a man named Alais who achieved this by taxing the baskets of fish sold nearby. To tha...

View Larger Map Click here for St. Etienne du-Mont Info

Saint-Étienne-du-Mont is a church in Paris, located on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève in the Ve arrondissement, near the Panthéon. It contains the shrine of St. Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. The church also contains the tombs of Blaise Pascal and Jean Racine. Renowned organist, composer, and improviser Maurice Duruflé held the post of Titular Organist at Saint-Étienne-du-Mont from 1929 until his death in 1986. History 6th century - first chapel was formed from the crypt of St. Geneviève Abbey 13th century - separate church built on the north side of chapel 1491 - bell tower was built 1537 - chancel was built 1545 - gallery was built (see image of church interior) 1580 - vaults of the nave and the transept were built 1624 - bell tower was raised 1807 - demolition of the Abbey church Hours Mon noon-7:30pm Tue-Fri 8:45am-7:30pm Sat 8:45am-noon and 2-7:45pm Sun 8:45am-12:15pm and 2:30-7:45pm Admission Free How to get ther e Address 1 place Ste-Geneviève, 5e Phone 01-43-54-11-79 Tr...

View Larger Map Click here for Basilique Saint-Denis Info

In English The Basilica of Saint Denis, is the burial site of almost all the French monarchs since Clovis I (465-511). Saved and restored by the architect Viollet le Duc, the basilica is located in Saint-Denis, now a northern suburb of Paris. It was not used for the coronations of kings, this role being designated to the Cathedral of Reims; however, queens were commonly crowned there. Saint Denis is a patron saint of France and, according to legend, was the first bishop of Paris. A shrine was erected at his burial place. There Dagobert I, king of the Franks, who reigned from 628 to 637, founded the Abbey of Saint Denis, a Benedictine monastery. The shrine itself was created by Eligius, a goldsmith by training. It was described in the early vita of Saint Eligius: Above all, Eligius fabricated a mausoleum for the holy martyr Denis in the city of Paris with a wonderful marble ciborium over it marvelously decorated with gold and gems. He composed a crest [at the top of a tomb] and a magnif...

View Larger Map Click here for Musee Rodin Info

The Musée Rodin in Paris, France, is a museum that was opened in 1919 in the Hôtel Biron and surrounding grounds. It displays works by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Rodin used the Hôtel Biron as his residence from 1908, and subsequently donated his entire collection of sculptures (along with paintings by Vincent van Gogh and Pierre-Auguste Renoir that he had acquired) to the French State on the condition that they turn the building into a museum dedicated to his works. The Musée Rodin contains most of Rodin's significant creations, including The Thinker and The Kiss. Many of his sculptures are displayed in the museum's extensive garden. The museum is one of the most accessible museums in Paris. It is located near a Metro stop, Varenne, in a central neighborhood and the entrance fee is very reasonable. The gardens around the museum building contain many of the famous sculptures in natural settings. Behind the museum building is a small lake and casual restaurant. Additional...

View Larger Map Click here for Musee Picasso Info

Is an art gallery located in the Hôtel Salé in rue de Thorigny, in the Marais district of Paris. The hôtel particulier that houses the collection was built between 1656 and 1659 for Pierre Aubert, seigneur de Fontenay, a tax farmer who became rich collecting the gabelle or salt tax (the name of the building means "salted"). The architect was Jean Boullier from Bourges, also known as Boullier de Bourges; sculpture was carried out by the brothers Gaspard and Balthazard Marsy and by Martin Desjardins. It is considered to be one of the finest historic houses in the Marais. The mansion has changed hands several times through both sales and inheritances. The occupants have included the Embassy of the Republic of Venice (1671), then François de Neufville, duc de Villeroi; it was expropriated by the State during the Revolution; in 1815 it became a school, in which Balzac studied; it also housed the municipal Ecole des Métiers d'Art. It was acquired by the City of Paris in 1964, a...