France Itinerary

France

From Flanders to the Ile de France


Lille-Amiens (4 days)

Endowed with a magnificent architectural heritage, northern France merits more than a detour to experience the warmth and generosity of the local people.

 Lille

This ancient city, ruled at various stages by Flanders, Burgundy and Spain, possesses a superlative architectural heritage. A commercial capital since the Middle Ages, a citadel in the times of Louis XIV, industrialized in the 19th century and ambitious in the 20th, contemporary Lille combines memories of the past with facets of the future.

European Capital of Culture in 2004, Lille has become a benchmark in this regard. Here, art is everywhere you turn. From museums to theaters, ballets to concerts, cultural events are a natural part of everyday life.

Proud of its traditional festivals and food specialities, this regional capital remains a city on a human scale, reflecting the generosity and warmth of its people. It is a year-round destination, where travellers are delighted to immerse themselves in a unique mix of Flemish traditions and French lifestyle.

Don't miss:

•The picturesque architecture of the Grand Place (plaza) and Vieux Lille (old town).
•A minibus tour of the city (50 minutes, 8 languages available).
•The Palais des Beaux-Arts, 22000m² (230,000 square feet) of prestigious art collections.
•Hôtel de Ville (town hall) and its belfry inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
•Flemish dishes, local beers and the mouth-watering "gaufres" (waffles) from the Méert bakery.
•Major annual events, such as the popular "braderie" (flea market) in September, and the lille3000 exhibition (the second show, Europe XXL, which runs from March 14 to July 12, 2009)

Getting there:


By train: TGV or Eurostar high-speed train, Lille is one hour from Paris, 33 minutes from Brussels and one hour 20 minutes from London.
Lille – Amiens: approximately 1½ hours by train (TER non-stop service).
By Road: Lille - Amiens: 140 km (87 miles). Motorway A1, then A29

Amiens


If Amiens were to look at itself in a mirror, two faces would look back at it. One would be that of a quiet, traditional city attached to its fantastic heritage of history and art, and to its soil, whereas the other would reveal a personality that is anything but commonplace: innovative, daring, a maker of bold architectural and cultural choices.

It is this ability to draw on the past while building the future that endows it with such originality.
Whether you are a connoisseur of ancient buildings and history, an indefatigable culture vulture, a sports fan, a nature lover or just a dreamer who likes to stand and stare, Amiens will surprise you with its contrasts and colors.

Let yourself be surprised for a weekend!

DO not miss:

Notre-Dame Cathedral, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list (audio-guided tours available in 6 languages)
A boat tour of the floating market gardens right in the city center
Jules Verne’s house
The Saint-Leu district with its canals and floating market
The Museum of Picardy, from Puvis de Chavannes to Sol Lewitt (renovation work underway in 2009/2010)
 Gourmet specialities: macaroons, chocolate tiles, ‘ficelle picarde’ savory pancakes, gâteau battu (a very rich brioche)
Major events: the April and October réderies (flea markets), the street arts festival in June, the cathedral in color from June to September and, in December, the Christmas market
The Somme Bay and the Battlefields of the Somme close by

Getting there:
1 hour from Paris, 1½ hours from Lille, 3½  hours from London, 40 mins from Paris-Beauvais airport, and 1½ hours  from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.

-iGuide



-Travel Guide

Hongkong 3 Days Itinerary

Visit HongKong

Arrive in Hongkong
Day 1 AM

By Air

The fastest way into the city from Hong Kong International Airport is to take the Airport Express train and connecting free shuttle bus to major hotels.
By Rail  (Intercity through train)
Visitors travelling on MTR's through train services from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong disembark at MTR Hung Hom Station (Kowloon) close to Tsim Sha Tsui.
By Sea
Ferries from Macau and Mainland China berth at either the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan (Hong Kong Island) or the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon)..
Day 1 PM


Enjoy the incredible skyline and magnificent harbour sights aboard the "Shining Star"- a beautiful re-creation of a Star Ferry circa 1920.
Single circuit of the harbour takes one hour
Bookings: Star Ferry's Harbour Tour +852 2118 6201
Be sure to get off the ferry in Tsim Sha Tsui to continue with your itinerary.
A Kaleidoscopic Experience - Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui is a tourist mecca offering great shopping, dining and entertainment.
Located along the waterfront are attractions like the Cultural Centre, Space Museum , Museum of Art, and the Avenue of Stars
For colonial reminders, check out the Clock Tower , and The Peninsula Hotel.


Day 1 Evening


Harbourfront Show 

Watch the spectacular A Symphony of Lights, the world's largest permanent light-and-sound show, held nightly at 8pm.
The Best of Chinese Cuisine
To enjoy Cantonese cuisine at its most succulent, visit one of the winners of the annual Best of the Best Culinary Awards or QTS-accredited restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui.
A Shopper's Paradise

Explore Harbour City, Hong Kong's largest shopping mall with hundreds of local and international stores, most open until 9pm 

Head to Nathan Road's famous Golden Mile that bustles with shoppers day and night. It's renowned for its colourful neon-lit shops, restaurants and nightspots. Most shops stay open until 10pm 

Take in the factory outlets along Granville Road, a must for bargain shoppers.
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Day 2 AM



Hong Kong Wetland Park  
The northern part of Hong Kong's New Territories contains protected wetlands, an important ecosystem providing habitats for a variety of plants, animals and particularly waterfowl. 
The Wetland Park enables visitors to explore a 60-hectare wetland reserve without disturbing the environment. 
A visitor centre features three major exhibition galleries on biodiversity, civilisation and conservation, as well as hands-on experiences to enthral young and old alike.
Traditional Hong Kong Delicacies
Try a Hong Kong-style teahouse and savour favourite local dishes.
Head to a Hong Kong-style teahouse to savour favourite local dishes such as won ton noodles, fried beef slices with noodles, cakes and desserts. 
Try bor law yau, a steaming-hot sweet bun stuffed with melted butter, and daan tart, a tasty baked egg custard tart. 


Day 2 PM


Open Air Markets

Visit the Yau Ma Tei / Mongkok, the heart of Kowloon and discover the bustling excitement of urban Chinese lifestyle.
The neighbourhoods of Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok are ideal for finding great value on souvenirs and electronic goods 
Find bargain-priced trendy fashion and casual wear on Fa Yuen Street. Stores are open 11am-9:30pm daily. 
Be spoilt for choice at Ladies' Market(Mobile Host:#16), open noon-11:30pm daily. 
For a guide to the area, pick up a free copy of Hong Kong Walks at the hotel or a HKTB Visitor Centre.

Day 2 Evening

Market Magic

Temple Street Night Market
Hong Kong's most famous open-air market, a bustling array of stalls selling everything from watches and leatherwear to clothing and souvenirs 
Apart from great bargains, other attractions include fortune-tellers and occasionally, Cantonese opera singers, as well as alfresco dining. 
Opens at 2pm but really comes to life at dusk, closing at midnight
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Day 3 AM


Golden Bauhinia Square, Wanchai
The HK Convention and Exhibition Centre, an impressive architectural landmark, is the historic site of the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty on 30 June 1997. 
Located on the centre's waterfront promontory is Golden Bauhinia Square, where a flag-raising ceremony is held every morning at 7:50am. On the 1st of every month, the Police Pipe Band and special escort perform an enhanced ceremony starting at 7:45am. Nearby is the Reunification Monument.
Head over to Johnston Road and the neighbouring back streets for great 'local' shopping, particularly casual wear.
Queen's Road East has excellent rattan and Chinese furniture shops that will ship items around the world.

Day 3 PM


Last minute shopping

The unrivalled variety of goods on offer and competitive prices thanks to no sales tax or VAT, make shopping irresistible!
Shopping malls, department stores, boutiques and street markets are within walking distance of most hotels and conveniently located along the MTR line.

Day 3 Evening
Depart Honkong



By Air 
The fastest way to Hong Kong International Airport is to take the Airport Express train.
Airport Express passengers can enjoy the free Airport Express Shuttle Bus service, which transports passengers from all major hotels to MTR Hong Kong Station or MTR Kowloon Station.
Most airline passengers also enjoy free in-town check-in service at the stations from one day before up to 90 minutes prior to take-off.
By Rail (Intercity through train)
MTR Corporation operates three intercity train services between Hong Kong and Mainland China - to Guangdong, Beijing and Shanghai, from MTR Hung Hom Station.
By Sea 
Ferries depart from either the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan or the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Ferries to/from Macau.
Ferries to/from Guangdong in China.

-iGuide


-Travel Guide

France History

France is an independent nation in Western Europe and the center of a large overseas administration. It is the third-largest European nation (after Russia and Ukraine).


In ancient times France was part of the Celtic territory known as Gaul or Gallia. Its present name is derived from the Latin Francia, meaning "country of the Franks," a Germanic people who conquered the area during the 5th century, at the time of the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It became a separate country in the 9th century.


Since the 17th century, France has played a major role in European and world events. In the 20th century, it has experienced numerous crises, including the devastation of two world wars, political and social upheavals, and the loss of a large empire in Indochina, Algeria, and West and Equatorial Africa. It has, however, survived and emerged from the ruins of World War II to become an important world supplier of agricultural and industrial products and a major partner in the EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (EC, or Common Market).

Today, the term metropolitan France refers to the mainland departments and CORSICA, a large island located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Italy that has been a part of France since 1768. France has six overseas departments: FRENCH GUIANA in South America; GUADELOUPE and MARTINIQUE in the West Indies; MAYOTTE, an island formerly part of the Comoros, located in the Indian Ocean; REUNION, an island in the Indian Ocean; and SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON, islands off the east coast of Canada. In addition, France has numerous small possessions called overseas territories. These include a group of widely scattered islands in the South Pacific, which are administered from Tahiti and are known collectively as FRENCH POLYNESIA; FRENCH SOUTHERN AND ANTARCTIC TERRITORIES; NEW CALEDONIA and WALLIS AND FUTUNA ISLANDS; and many small islands in the southern oceans, including the Kerguelen and Crozet archipelagos and the islands of St. Paul and Amsterdam (Indian Ocean). The overseas departments and territories are represented in the French National Assembly.


-Travel Guide

Hongkong History

The bustling city of Hong Kong was just a collection of fishing villages when claimed by Britain in 1842 following the First Opium War with China. This failed attempt by the Ching Dynasty to stop the British trading in opium led to Hong Kong being ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Nanking that year. The Kowloon Peninsula was handed over in 1860 and a 99-year lease on the New Territories, comprising the area north of Kowloon up to the Shenzhen River plus 235 outlying islands, was granted in 1898.

Under the unique principle of 'One Country, Two Systems', Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty on 1 July 1997 as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. This arrangement allows Hong Kong to enjoy a high degree of autonomy, retaining its capitalist system, independent judiciary and rule of law, free trade and freedom of speech.

Hong Kong's magnificent harbour has been the key to its development as a trading port and entrepôt for China, progressing through an industrial era to become a leading financial and services centre in Asia. The unique blend of eastern and western influences, matched by diverse attractions and stunning countryside, has also made Hong Kong Asia's prime tourist destination.

-Travel Guide

Vietnams Ho Hoan Kiem

This historic lake is the site of a foundational legend for Vienam: Ho Hoan Kiem means "Lake of the Returned Sword", alluding to the legend that a future emperor received a sword from a magic turtle at the lake's edge.  The emepror later used the sword to drive the Chinese out of Vietnam.

-Travel Guide

Venetian Macao

The Venetian Macao is a hotel and casino resort in Macau owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.  The Venetian is a 40 story 2.4 billion anchor for the 7 hotels on the Cotai Strip in Macau.
Venecian Macao is the largest single structure hotel building in Asia, the sixth largest building in the world by the arena and largest casino in the world.

-Travel Guide

Singapore Esplanade Theatre

Theatre on the Bay is a waterside building located on six hectares of waterfront land alongside Marina Bay near the mout of the Singapore RIver, purpose - built to be the centre for Performing arts for the island of Singapore. Taking its name from the nearby Esplanade, it contains a Concert Hall and a Theatre for the performing arts.

-Travel Guide