I'm Back.....

Yes, it has been quite awhile since I have last blogged. Work has been busy with getting a new project off the ground and I have done much testing on the new website. Keeping our fingers crossed that it takes off and does well.
My travels of late have been low key. I did travel over to the west coast of Florida and visited Naples. Quaint, nice beaches, but kind of dull in the off season. Most of the shops downtown are on limited hours, usually opening around 4pm and catering to the dinner crowd. There were some great end of season sales for up to 75% off, but when the shirt was originally $375, it is still kind of pricey for my budget.
This past weekend was the Miami Metro Zoo. I was quite impressed, it is ranked in the top 10 zoos in the country. The zoo is located in southwest Miami/Dade county and is about an hour from Ft. Lauderdale. The pathway guests follow meanders around the various enclosure for the animals. The only cages were for a few birds and small species that would be hard to see otherwise. Most of the walk is shaded except in the newer stretch near the Amazon are that recently opened. I highly recommend a counterclockwise path, that way the sunny part is in the beginning while you are still nice and fresh.
The complete walk took approximately 3 hours to complete. There are many vendor carts set up along the way selling snacks, cold drinks along with frozen lemonade and ice cream. Facilities are also provided along the route.
Besides being busy at work my home laptop has passed on to that big CPU in the sky and no pictures for now. I need to download some programs on my new one so I can get my pictures off the camera. A coworker is going to try and get my old pictures off the dead laptop.
So if you are looking for a local get away, maybe a long weekend to a nearby city you have never visited? Damron Vacations can assist in just a hotel, an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean or maybe a multi-city European vacation. Let one of our experienced agents help

Looking to travel?

As the years have passed the world has become much smaller. I remember the days when people dressed to go on an airliner, and it had propellers on the engines. To fly over the ocean was incredible, that was the domain of he liners, the United States, the France, the QE II. Remnants of a long forgotten age. The France became the Norway and is currently being cut up into scrap on a beach in the Indian Ocean. The United States is rusting in Philadelphia, I once saw her berthed in Tidewater. The QE II, the last remaining liner is about to become a hotel in Dubai.
There are two successors to this lineage, both Cunard Liners, the Queen Mary II and the Queen Victoria. Both of these have purpose built hulls to cross the North Atlantic, even in rough weather. This is in contrast to cruise ships that are built to ply gentle seas. These cities at sea can carry 1,000s of passengers to exotic ports around the world.
Unlike residents of other countries, United State residents usually do not have a valid passport. Crossing the border to Canada, Mexico or flying to the Caribbean until recently did not require one. Over the past few years, since September 11th, the rules have gradually changed, starting with air passengers requiring passports and slowly adding remaining with all people traveling will need a passport starting this summer. I have actually had a passport for aver 30 years.
With the economy in upheaval as the result of the housing bubble and credit crunch, there are a lot of empty airline seats and vacant hotel rooms. Air carriers are offering discounts to fill seats and hotels are slashing rates. The dollar has gained against the euro since a low from last summer. Maybe now is the time to hit the airport and see the land of your ancestors?
I have been to Italy three times where my maternal relations hail, and would move there if I could. la dulce vita. WOOF! to all those humpy Italian men. I have only been to England once which is the closest to my paternal family, they are from England, Ireland, and Scotland. Hopefully soon I will find out what they really wear under those kilts.
Damron Vacations can help with your travel plans. Whether a cruise close to home, or a European vacation, the agents can assist in making memories to last a lifetime. So, if you do not have a passport, now is the time to get one, and start the process before the summer rush.

In Springtime thoughts turn to....

TRAVEL!!! Yes the weather is getting nice in the northern tier of states and spring is starting to show. Dogwoods and azaleas are blooming across the south along with daffodils and tulips. The warm weather is creeping slowly north and lingering.
The warming of the air typically leads to thoughts of vacation. A get of of town trip. With the slight improvement of the economy, maybe it is time to head to the Continent? The effects of last years spike in oil prices were air carriers reduced capacity on trans-Atlantic flights. Even with this reduction there is still an abundance of empty seats and airfare bargains are plentiful.
The European economy is not better than here and decreased travel has left hotel rooms empty in all countries and price categories. Offers of price reductions or free nights make Europe a bargain right now. With high hotel vacancy rates and discounted airfare, this might be the best time to head to Europe.
Spring in Europe is a riot of color, from the tulip fields in Holland, to lavender in Provence. Paris is abloom also. The weather has warmed and the Parisians have shed winter wear for more lively fashions. The Tuileries is full of strollers, lover and children with sailboats in one of the many fountains. Sidewalk cafes have returned their tables to the open air and people watching is back in vogue after a winter vacation. And pop into the restroom, it might surprise you.
One of the must sees in Paris is the Opera Garnier, the old opera house. It is the setting for the Phantom of the Opera from Broadway and cinema fame. Built in the Beaux Arts design, the imposing building is lavishly decorated both inside and out. The grand staircase is constructed of various colors of marble. The Grand Salon looks like Louis the XVI could hold court there. The chandelier hangs beneath a Marc Chagall mural painted inside the original dome.
One of the most recognizable structures in the world is to the south across the Seine, the Eiffel Tower. Built as a temporary structure for the World's Exposition in 1889, it is the most visited structure in the world The view is breathtaking both night and day. Take your postcards and mail form the post office on the second level and they will have a post mark from there. Also pay for the elevator ride, the stairs are a LONG walk.
If springtime in Paris has always been an item on your bucket list, why not make it happen? Damron Vacations can make your dream a reality. If getting away on short notice is a problem, maybe a fall visit with the sycamore trees putting on a dazzling display of leaves. Summer is usually very crowded and I would recommend not visiting then.

The 'Good Old Days' of Travel

I remember traveling as a child. Back in the 1960s middle America would load up the station wagon and drive off to vacation. Ours was a green 1963 Chevrolet Belair with green interior, luggage rack, AM radio, and NO seat belts. Living in New Jersey, summer vacations were spent in a rented apartment or house in Seaside Heights, NJ.
My parents would go shopping for supplies, mom would make tomato sauce and a lasagna, 'Grandma' Poplopski across the street would make us stuffed cabbage to take, and off we would go. I think mom traded another lasagna for the cabbage. The next week or two would be spent going to the beach during the day and the boardwalk at night. Amazing how much fun a child could have with $2 in those days.
I had never been to and airport until August 1968. My father had a business trip to Los Angeles and my mother could go too. We dropped her off a few days before hand so she could spend some time with her brother who lived there. I remember mom got dressed up to fly, heels, hose, and dress. At the end of the gateway, we were mesmerized as we watched her and similarly attired individuals boarding the flight. WOW!!
My first flight was in 1973 from San Francisco to Charlotte. It was at the end of a cross country trip when the family explored the West. Mom, my little brother and I flew home while dad and two older brothers drove home. We got dressed with ironed shirts and khakis, since we were on vacation, we had no ties to wear. We obeyed mom's directions and sat quietly in our seats. Even though it was a VERY long flight we never acted up, we knew the consequences.
Flash forward 30 years. Air travel is no longer for only the wealthy. With discount prices, more people have taken to the skies. Though with the discounting also comes a cheapening of the experience. People no longer look at a plane flight as anything special. No more getting dressed up, I've seen people in outfits I wouldn't sit around the house in. Children are not controlled by parents, guess the figure the flight attendants are baby sitters. Last year a family was removed off a flight because the children were too unruly and the mother was not controlling them.
Of course many groups chimed in that it was unfair. But then, what about the other passengers on the plane? Should they be subjected to loud children playing in the aisles? Besides being annoying, they are a safety hazard. A responsible parent would bring enough things to keep their children occupied during a flight.
Maybe this is why I have taken to cruises. I usually sail on Celebrity, which is mostly an older crowd. On the last cruise there were less than 20 children on a ship of 2,000, not bad odds. And on most cruise lines, dressing for dinner is the norm. Whether khakis and a nice shirt, or a tuxedo, it hearkens back to an era when travel was a special treat, not a routine event.
If the return to glamorous vacations interests you, Damron Vacations can book First or Business Class airfare, and many high end hotels. Maybe a room overlooking the Eiffel Tower to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or just because. Life is too short to fly coach!

Minications

Hey, if a Madison Avenue advertising company can create staycation, I can create minication. To me a minication is a short trip away from home. It can be for just a day, a weekend, or maybe a three day weekend.
Many people have no idea what attractions are in their area. Just last night I was watching the Travel Channel' Ghost Adventures, and they went to a house in Palm Beach, a 45 minute drive from my place. It was about a house that was formerly the caretaker's house at a cemetery, and has been moved to a village of historic structures. While still at the cemetery, a man hung himself in the attic and reputedly haunts the structure. There was unknown voices, boards being moved and items being knocked over. So will add the house to one of my weekend trips. Plus, if you have not watched the show, you should, one word - WOOF!! Zac the main guy is quite tasty, and the two other team members are nice too. Lots of the hosts on the Travel Channel are similar, the Mark & Olly series.
There are many more interesting sites in the area. There is the Bonnet House, the Stranahan House here in Ft Lauderdale. Also in Palm Beach County there is Whitehall, the Breakers Hotel and others. In Miami there is Vizcaya(home of the White Party), the Deering Estate, The Art Deco District to name a few.
While doing research for work, I found the Oheka Castle. It is about 20 blocks from where my family used to live on Long Island. It is the second largest home in the country, only to Biltmore in Asheville, NC. Built to resemble a French chateau, it has extensive gardens and is currently used as a hotel. Tours are still offered of the estate.
So if you want to get away even for a day, check out the local Convention & Visitor's Bureau, they will have a list of nearby attractions. Many are very reasonable, and some offer free admission days once a month. If you want to travel farther afield, log-on to Damron Vacations website and check out the deals. If you have any questions, contact one of the knowledgeable agents to help plan your vacation.

Cool blondes, spies, thieves and a casino

Where do all of these occur? In a Hollywood movie? A best selling novel? The coast of France? The answer is all three, with Monaco being the actual location. There have been a few spy novels and movies set in this Mediterranean country, Bond, James Bond. To Catch a Thief with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly was filmed here. And Grace Kelly was the epitome of a cool blond is there ever was one.
During the filming of the movie is when Miss Kelly met Prince Rainier of Monaco. Their subsequent marriage was covered in the popular press. A princess from Hollywood becoming a true Princess. They led a storybook life until tragedy took Grace's life after an accident on the hill behind the city. Princess Stephanie, sister of the current ruler, resides not to far from the Royal Palace, where the changing of the guards occurs every afternoon. Though not as impressive as the English version, still a spectacle to observe.
The small country is nestled on the Mediterranean coast of France not far from the Italian border. Originally settled on a rock promontory jutting out into the sea, it now encompasses the surrounding countryside. Though the average person would take less than an hour to walk its width. The main source of income is tourism, since there is no income tax on personal income.
The main draw is the Grand Casino in the Monte Carlo district. Built to attract wealthy tourists it has succeeded quite well. Built in the Beaux Arts style is it quite an impressive building. With its purpose to attract tourism, it is off limits to local residents.
Along with the casino there is the Jacques Cousteau Center. It features a large aquarium and many displays from the famed diver's life and explorations. With a marina area formed with the reclaimed seabed, it boast a large collection of yachts, from the small up to the mega yachts. Life in Monaco is not for those of the small bank account. It has officially been deemed a tax haven by many watchdog agencies.
If rubbing elbows with the rich and famous(lots of race car drivers) sounds like a nice way to spend a vacation, consider Monaco. With its polished atmosphere, Grand Casino, wealthy people and mega-yachts, what more could a gay man want? Try Damron Vacations' expert agents to help plan your trip, and say good bye to middle America, and hello to Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

Memories......

One of the few things that can never be taken away from us by another person. Time my dim them, some diseases will make you live in them, but they are always yours. There are things from my early childhood I remember as if they happened yesterday. Memories of my mother are circa 1966 and a birthday party where she decorated cupcakes with colored coconut, ice cream was in individual cups with wooden paddles for spoons, and we played games like pin the tail on the donkey.
There were the trips into New York City to visit my maternal grandparents and the Museum of Natural History. The enormous blue whale is still vivid in my mind. The smell of Italian food cooking at my grandparent's apartment. My grandmother in her wheelchair, a harbinger of my own mom's fate. Summers were spent at Seaside Heights in a rented apartment or house, the nights spent on the boardwalk.
After the move to North Carolina, the vacations to Daytona Beach, my parent's favorite place to visit, the Blue Ridge Mountains. 1973, we were the Griswalds years before Chevy Chase and Company. Mom's Country Squire, yellow with wood siding, Charlotte to San Francisco, Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Death Valley(with broken A/C), Bristlecone pine trees, Yosemite. Then the loop through Tahoe, Grand Teton, Yellwstone and the Pacific Coast Highway. My first plane flight.
Senior year in high school was my first taste of international travel. Madrid and Seville with Mrs Cassale. College spring breaks at the beach and Bermuda for my senior year. Tips to Europe after graduation and cruises. Yes, I love to travel.
Along the way I have owned cars, a condo, watches, etc. Most of which are gone, lost or just worn out. But the memories of all those trips and many more will always be with me and are mine to keep. They include the sights and sounds of the destinations, but also the people I with who I traveled. Some are still good friends, some lost to the years. In a way they will always be with me, whether as a high school senior or as they are today.
There was a conference recently where Ryan Howell of San Francisco State University announced the findings of his latest research. Experiences provided more happiness than possessions. The glamor of a purchase might last for three months, but experiences provided happiness long after the actual event. The experiences provided more of a feeling of being alive, and involved social interaction and bonding. By the way, I have no idea what I got at that birthday party.
Let Damron Vacations help you create some memories to keep forever. Maybe a trip to Europe or teh Caribbean, or maybe a trip home to attend a reunion, remember living well is the best revenge. The knowledgeable agents can help make a trip you will remember for a long long time.

When in France.....

Before leaving the French country side, let's head east to Provence. Yes, there is that book about the area and a movie, but this is more of the whiz-bang tour. Our ship was docked in Marseilles, there is a movie about there too, the French Connection, but it is a bit more violent than the other. The city of Marseilles is a very large busy port city, think French version of Newark, hence the bus took us quickly outside the city limits.
Once past the coastal hills, the countryside was vast and flat, we were traveling in the Rhone River valley. Farmers fields stretched to the surrounding hills, farmhouses were nestled in groves of trees. Since it was late in the year the fields were fallow, the trees leafless, and very few people were seen about. It was also the season of the Mistral, a strong wind from the north, that provided a clear blue sky.
This was the land of Van Gogh. He lived in Arles for a time starting in 1888. He painted over 200 canvases in his period there. The streets and countryside wee very inspirational to him. His favorite haunt was a small cafe near the remnants of the original city wall built by the Romans. Where they EVERYWHERE in Europe? A short walk away is the coliseum for the city and additional ruins.
The city is a mixture of old and new as is the norm in Europe. The main boulevard next to the Rhone with its canopy of sycamores and lined with cafes, connected with narrower streets that climbed up into the city. Shops and additional cafes, mixed with houses lined the lesser streets. Being ever practical, some stores offered vending machines for NEEDED items.
After Arles the tour continued farther inland and to a higher elevation to Le Beaux. The small town surrounds the ruins of a chateau on a high hilltop. The valley below and adjacent area is renowned for its limestone quarries. One vacant quarry is used for a theater during the summer season with laser show on the exposed walls as concerts are held. The view of the river valley is spectacular. The winding streets prevent access by automobiles, so there is a parking lot just outside the town gate for vehicles.
So if Provence sounds like an intriguing place to visit, contact Damron Vacations and get the wheels turning on a tour of the south of France. When combined with a barge or river cruise, relaxation, good food and wine will not be hard to find.

Live from the Jackie Gleason Theater in beautiful.....

Miami Beach. I remember the Jackie Gleason show when I was growing up. Little did I realize I would end up living 45 minutes away. One never knows the turns life will take.
Going to Miami Beach is a regular outing for my roommate and I. We drive down on a Saturday to have lunch on Lincoln Road and wander around. Years ago the City of Miami Beach created a pedestrian mall of approximately 9 blocks of Lincoln Road. Great idea. The various cycles of the economy and the surrounding neighborhood had led to ups and downs on the mall. Right now it is still doing well despite the economy.
Parking is easy at the city owned convention center lot, which is only 1/2 block away. Just remember to take your ticket and not leave it in the car. Drivers without a ticket have to produce a drivers license and the information gets recorded. This has cut down on car thefts. And the city lot is the least expensive in the area.
The variety of restaurants is only rivaled by the various nationalities of the visitors. All the restaurants have menus posted which makes selecting easier. Nexxt is our favorite, lots of food for the price. They have the largest outside eating area by far. And with the network of umbrellas and plastic channels, downpours, while numerous in the summer, are under control. After lunch a leisurely stroll past the shops is a good way to burn off the calories. One usual stop is the Ghiredlli shop, free samples, yum. There is a William Sonoma, a Pottery Barn and a long list of clothing stores.
Right about in the middle is Score, the only gay bar on Lincoln Road. I was in it years ago when it was the Kremlin in the mid 90s. That was when it was a slow time in the area. I remember walking down a fairly deserted Lincoln Road to get there. Now it always has a group of guys having a few adult beverages and watching the parade of people.
As you eat, drink or stroll, there is a varied assortment of languages heard. The predominant is Spanish, though Italian, French and German are also common. And lately, Eastern European languages are started to be heard. This is due to Miami International is a non-stop from most European and South American capital cities.
With the varied languages, the beautiful people and the abundance of sidewalk cafes, Lincoln Road is very cosmopolitan and more European than American. Easiest way to leave the country with out a passport, and it is LEGAL!!
At the eastern end of Lincoln Road is the sand of South Beach. Known the world over for young beautiful tanned bodies. The old Art Deco hotels that line Ocean Drive are as vibrant as in their heyday. Gloria Estafan owns the Cardoza, maybe a celebrity sighting? The movie The Birdcage was filmed nearby.
Though South Beach is not as gay as it used to be, it is still a great place to escape winter's hold. I think it is in the minus degrees in Chicago today. With the Winter Party right around the corner and the South Beach Food & Wine Festival, now is the time to contact Damron Vacations to plan your tropical escape. Great food, good drinks, tan lines, and warm tropical waters are just a few of the attractions in Miami beach. Do not forget your Damron Guide to find the perfect bar to make your own memories.

Your next port of call is......

Traveling on the high seas. This was the only way to cross the ocean in ease until the arrival of jet airliners around 1960. In their heyday, the ocean liners ruled the oceans. Each country had its own line and battled for the fastest crossing. Famed ships include the Normandie, United States, both Queen Elizabeths, Norway(formerly the France), and the Andrea Doria, to name a few. These were built with reinforced hulls to tackle the rough North Atlantic. There were various classes and one did not mingle with those of a higher rank. The only remaining true liners are the Cunard Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria. The Queen Elizabeth 2 is on her way to become a floating hotel in Dubai, much like her predecessor the Queen Mary. The United States is rusting away at a Philadelphia dock, the rest have met their fate with disaster or the scrap yard.
Today's ocean travel is accomplished mostly by cruise ships, which ply more tranquil waters such as the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or the South Pacific. These ships are geared more for fun, relaxation, and sightseeing. They come complete with rock walls, bowling alleys, lawns, theaters, and casinos to name a few amenities.
There are a few companies that charter the complete liner for a gay cruise experience. All the shows and activities cater to the tastes of those passengers. Most will cruise the popular routes, Northern Europe, ancient wonders of the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or Rio de Janeiro for Carnival to name a few.
Truthfully, I have never been on such a cruise. I have sailed on Celebrity three times, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Western Mediterranean and the last was the Caribbean. I like to describe the Celebrity line as going to sea in a country club. Very tasteful and subdued decor. The clientele tends to be older and the number of children is usually very low. Makes for a quiet time around the pool.
On a cruise there is a list of daily activities that is published, well daily. On the Celebrity Cruise Line, at 7:30 there is a meeting listed as Friends of Dorothy, it is usually near the meeting of Friends of Bill W. Is this coincidence? Friends of Dorothy refers to the Wizard of Oz, Somewhere over the Rainbow, get the connection? on the Constellation this past December and the Galaxy the year before, the meeting was in the new Martini Lounge on each ship. What a combination, gay men and martinis, is there ever a better match?
A section has chairs pulled together and a small Reserved sign is there to hold the seats. The group varies from cruise to cruise, but usually at least a dozen or so. On the Galaxy, I think we numbered over 30. You get to meet people from around the country or even the world. Some friends continue after the cruise, some do not. But it is nice to have people to do excursions with.
So if a cruise is one of your favorite types of vacation, or perhaps you have always thought about one, contact Damron Vacations, and get connected to our cruise desk. The agents there can arrange your cruise on any of the major lines, along with flights and extra hotel nights if needed. Don't forget your Damron Guide, to find stores, bars, or sights that might not be listed in most guide books.

The Conch Republic

At the far southern end of US 1 is the small town of Key West. First discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513, Key West has had a varied and colorful history. It was fairly deserted until just after the Revolutionary War, when Spain gave it to Juan Pablo Salas, who in turn sold it to American business man John Simonton. After promoting the island to the Navy as a possible base, it became a point of entry to the United States.
With a small population of 'wrecker's', kind of a local pirate, a bit of lawlessness prevailed. These people would lure ships onto the reefs, then claim the cargo. With the legal salvaging of wrecks, the population was one of the wealthiest per capita in the country. Other industries that grew included: sponging, turtle harvesting, and cigar rolling.
In the 1920s, Prohibition gripped the country and more illegal activity helped Key West Thrive, bootlegging. Rum and beer from Cuba and other spirits from the Bahamas. In the 60's it was marijuana. Seem like many people made money in not so legal ways there.
But now for the present. Key West is an easy, if not speedy, way drive from the mainland. The roadway, trestles and bridges make a scenic drive, especially the southern half. Though once there, a car is basically not needed. If driving is not for you, the major lines offer flights directly to the island.
Once in Key West, your options are numerous, from large resorts with spa facilities, to B&Bs in restored cottages. There are plenty of male/female only and clothing optional is quite common. Most of which provide a nice continental breakfast, and some have afternoon Happy Hour. What more can you want, no searching for breakfast, and free drinks? Prices can accommodate a vast array of budgets. As I have gotten older, I prefer the larger resort hotels, favorite being the Hyatt on Front Street. It is convenient to Duval and the waterfront, but secluded at the end of the street.
With the arrival of cruise ships, commercialization has taken over the north end of Duval. While watching the sunset from Mallory Square is still popular, it has a more 'Disneyesque' feel to it than in the past. So head south to experience more of why you headed there.
There are still many of the old favorites drawing in the boys and girls. La te da still has shows and serves food. The patio is a great place to watch people pass. Bourbon Street and the 801 are busy from open til close. One of the more interesting bars is the Green Parrot. Is it gay? straight? whatever? What ever it is, it is still a great place to enjoy Key West as it used to be, laid back and relaxed.
There are the tourist favorites like Hog's Breath and Sloppy Joe's, but they are usually full of people off the cruise ships and can be kind of on the loud side.
Key West has great places to eat. I tend to stay away from the large chains at the north end. A Planet Hollywood is a Planet Hollywood, no matter what town it is in. 7 Fish on the corner of Elizabeth and Olivia is my favorite. The food is great, service superb, feeling is eclectic chic, and dinner will not send you to the poor house. Try the Yellowtail Snapper in Yellow Curry, to die for!! Other favorites are Blue Heaven(named after a type of chicken), Pepe's(oldest restaurant in the Keys) and the Raw Bar at the Turtle Kraals.
If a beach is your destination, hate to tell you, but Key West is not really the place for you. Most of the island is coral and the largest, Smather's is sand from the Bahamas. So if beaching it is what you want, choose Miami or Ft Lauderdale with their miles of powdery sand. If quaint, fairly gay, and lots of fun, Key West is a great place to relax, unwind, and get an all over tan at the pool at your gay guest house. So if this sounds like an experience you would enjoy, call Damron Vacations and speak to one of the experienced agents, and plan you escape to the Conch Republic.

Oo la la in Gay Paris!!!

Springtime in Paris, what a wonderful time to be in such a lovely city. With its wide boulevards lined with sycamores, quaint side streets with hidden gardens, and large parks, the city is alive with greenery and flowers. The city itself is arranged in districts, spiraling out from the center of town, with the higher numbers on the outskirts and along walk or Metro ride back to the center of things.
The sites to visit are vast in number and diverse to, from the Crypts of Notre Dame, to the French Impressionists at the Musee d'Orsay, to the incomparable Mona Lisa(is it really Leonardo in drag) and other masterpieces in the Louvre, to the indescribable view from the Eiffel Tower. Plus there is a myriad of smaller museums, galleries and monuments scattered around the city.
One thing to keep in mind is not to hurry from one place to another. Parisians to not run, but stroll, and enjoy the architecture from the Beaux Arts and Art Nouveau periods of Paris's building heyday. If going a long distance, the Metro is well laid out and easy to use. Metro passes are a good investment, they provide a specific number of consecutive days of Metro travel. Also available in the Metro Stations are visite passes. These also are for a specific number of days and provide access to the major sites. The best benefit is line jumping, with the pass you head to a separate line to enter which is usually 1/10 the length of normal admission line. Thre important exclusions from the visite pass are the Opera Garnier, Notre Dame's Towers and the Eiffel Tower, more on them later.
Starting with the Ile de la Cite, Notre Dame's imposing Gothic architecture is amazing. Begun in the 12th Century, building took almost 170 years to complete. One of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture with soaring arches and flying buttresses, it endures today. The climb up the north tower is made easier with an elevator( the reason for no line jumping) and the view is breathtaking. A farther climb up the south tower is accomplished through a narrow stair, so if claustrophobic, skip this part. The famous gargoyles are visible from the first gallery.
What card carrying gay man does not know at least one song from Phantom of the Opera? The Opera Garnier is the location for this production, and it is actually built over a small lake. The large chandelier is still suspended under a dome that was redone by Marc Chagall. The grand staircase with its various colors of marble hearken back to a bygone age of regally dressed men and women attending the performance.
The most noticeable landmark is the Eiffel Tower. Rising up along the left bank of the Seine, it was originally supposed to be dismantled after the World Exposition. Even with protests from many of Paris's more enlightened populace, the tower was allowed to stay. The ride to the top is accomplished by two elevator rides. At the first level is a post office so, drop you postcards there for an Eiffel Tower postmark. The view is spectacular during the day or after sunset with the city ablaze in lights below.
For a gay old time in Paris, head to the Marais. The former Jewish ghetto just east of the Louvre. The area is full of restaurants, cafes and bars. One aspect of Parisian bars, you can buy a bottle of liquor that they will serve you on subsequent visits, much better buy then nightly drinks. Check out the Damron Guide for the latest listings.
For souvenirs the selection is vast. There are quint local shops or the major stores like Printemps or Galleries Lafayette, along with teh major Paris fashiopn houses. Just remember some food products are NOT importable. Wine is allowed, but meats and cheeses are strictly forbidden. I recommend bringing a packing tube with you. Between the Seine and the Louvre, street vendors set up stand and you can purchase a watercolor of Paris actually painted by a Parisian, the packing tube ensures it will get home safe.
So if Springtime in Paris is the vacation you and you partner have always desired, now is a good time to go. With travel down and the dollar gaining strength against the euro, bargains are plentiful. Check out Damron Vacations to the best advice and experience in planning your trip. The knowledgeable staff will help with all the details.