Welcome to Bordeaux

Bordeaux Health & Safety
Although most of France, and the Bordeaux region in particular, are considered to be fairly safe for tourists, all people traveling abroad in any country need to take some precautions in order to avoid becoming a victim of the tourist-aimed crime that seems to affect more and more travelers all the time in European cities. In order to do this in a place such as Bordeaux, where many tourists visit, try to avoid carrying more cash than you need, especially if you are out shopping or visiting attractions where there is little or no security. Do not wear expensive jewelry, and if staying in a hotel be sure to make use of your hotel's safe for your valuable items. Men should not carry wallets in their back pockets and women need to pay close attention to their bags while shopping and dining. Backpackers should keep their packs locked, especially while they are wearing them. Also, be especially alert in train stations, markets, and other places where large numbers of travelers congregate.
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Bordeaux Weather
Bordeaux is in a temperate zone, far enough north to experiences all four seasons. During the winter months, the region's days can be quite short, with the average number of sunlight hours hovering between two and three in December and January. Bordeaux can also get quite cold during the winter, the temperature often plummeting below the freezing mark.
The region has pleasant and warm spring weather and sometimes hot summers; the average temperature during July and August being around 85 degrees F. Daylight in the summer, between June and August, averages between eight and nine hours. Fall in Bordeaux is also pleasant, with warm daytime temperatures and cool evenings.
Bordeaux gets most of its precipitation during the winter months, its summers being relatively dry in comparison. It can, and does, however rain in the region at all times of year.
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Bordeaux Tourist Board
Discover Bordeaux, the official tourism website of the Bordeaux region of France, is a great place for those who are thinking of visiting the area to begin gathering information. This website is available to read in French or in English and offers an extensive amount of information--more that what is normally offered by tourist board websites--for free.
At Discover Bordeaux potential visitors can read about the region's rich history and learn about its centuries old wine-making traditions. The area's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Saint-André Cathedral, the Saint-Seurin Basilica, and the Saint Michel Basilica, are all profiled on the website, complete with beautiful photos. In addition, the Discover Bordeaux website provides news headlines from area publications, especially about those things which would concern and interest tourists.
Along with these extras, the Bordeaux website also provides more traditional tourism information such as places to stay, things to do, shopping and dining listings, weather reports, and transportation listings.
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Paris Health and Safety

Paris: Health & Safety
Paris is considered as a quite safe city. You can wander in almost every district with a very low risk of mugging. However, some areas are safer than others.
The centre and most touristy area of Paris (Le Marais, the Latin quarter, the Louvre area….) is very safe, as it’s a vibrant area either at day or night.
Les Halles can be a bit scary at night though, as it’s known to be a spot for drug dealers, but, it’s now permanently controlled by the police so it’s becoming safer.
The western part of the city (17th, 8th and 16th arrondissements) is quite wealthy, but mostly residential, so it can get pretty empty when the night comes and become a bit scary. Not that they are dangerous districts, but if anything happens, you could feel quite lonely, mostly at night.
The Champs-Elysées are very lively and not too risky, at least during the day. Most of the offices are located there so you will mainly meet business men at their lunch break. But you should still be careful on this large avenue, above all at night, because it’s so crowded that it is the perfect place for pickpockets.
Montmarte is a safe neighborhood, and if you go down the hill to Pigalle, which is the Red Light district, you will not need to worry too much, as it’s very lively and touristy, even late at night.
The North of Paris is not the safest. Around both Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est, you should always keep an eye on your wallet. If you want to explore La goutte d’Or, which is a quite poor district, you should go there only during the day-time and don’t hang out there too long, otherwise you may be offered some illegal substances.
Belleville and Menilmontant, both African and North-African areas, have become safer places these last 5 years. They are popular among young “bourgeois-bohèmes” (also know as “bobos”) who have settled here to escaped the high rents of other funky areas like Bastille.
Eastern Paris is also all right.
Bastille is so vibrant with its many cafés and bars that you may encounter drunk people at night with extravagant behaviours, but nothing really bad could happen to you here.
On the other side of the Seine, the 13th arrondissment, a part of it being the Chinese district, is not dangerous either, just like the Montparnasse area and the South of Paris.
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Paris Weather
January is the coldest month with minimum temperature falling to 3ºC and plenty of snowfall. The temperature rises fairly and continuously and July has a pleasant climate with temperature averaging 26ºC.
Rain is a common phenomenon though it falls less in winter than any other season. Snowfalls are an integral feature of local climate but modern transportation system makes sure that there are no disruptions in the city life.
Spring & Fall
Paris is at its best during the temperate spring months (March to May), with autumn coming in a close second.
Summer
This is peak tourist season. Points of interest see their largest crowds.
August is usually hot and sticky, and it's also when many Parisians take their yearly vacations, so businesses are likely to be closed. Opera and orchestra venues are mostly on break during the summer months.
Few budget hotels have air conditioned rooms so this may be a consideration for travel during the warmer months.
Winter
Winter months are generally cold and wet. Freezing temperatures and ice have been rare since the 1800's. The moist cold air, however, can be bone chilling.
In winter, there are all sorts of cultural events to tempt the visitor, but school holidays can clog the streets.
Attractions like the fountains at Versailles are shut down during the winter months.
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Welcome to Portugal

If you want to check out the Portuguese Tourist Office before booking your trip, the main U.S. branch is in New York City: 590 Fifth Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10036-4704. In Canada, it’s at 600 Bloor Street West, Suite 1005, Toronto, ON M4W 3B8. In the UK, check 22-25A Sackville Street, Second Floor, London W1X 1DE.

There are also several good online resources. The Portugal government agency Investments, Trade, and Tourism of Portugal offers general information on tourism and attractions, plus an extensive list of helpful links. The Portugal Official Tourism website offers information on each region of the country, complete with maps and advice on what to do and see, as well as an accommodation section with pictures of hotels and manor houses. At Portugal Virtual get inside tips on where to visit, what to eat, and what festivals to plan for. There is also detailed information on sightseeing, golf, and accommodation packages. At Order Portugal potential U.S. and Canadian visitors can order brochures by specific subject.

Portugal Weather
As a whole, Portugal is one of the warmest European countries, though the southern region is warmer and drier than the northern areas, which are a bit more cool and rainy. Yearly averages are about 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the south and 55 degrees Fahrenheit to the north. In the summer, the temperatures average more like 95 degrees. During the winter, temperatures rarely dip below 35 degrees, though snow is seen in the northern mountains.

The official tourism season is between spring and fall If you choose to travel during the winter, you will likely find mild but possibly rainy days—with reduced rates for accommodations. As summer temperatures heat up, hotels, restaurants and attractions get more crowded and often, more expensive. Lisbon’s santos populares (popular saints) festival is in June, which attracts large crowds. Other holidays to keep in mind are Carnaval (the day before Ash Wednesday), Liberty Day (April 25), Labor Day (May 1), Corpo de Deus (May 30), Portugal Day (June 10), Feast of the Assumption (August 15), Republic Day (October 5), All Saint’s day (November 1), Independence Day (December 1), and Immaculate Conception (December 8).
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Malaga Weather

Given Malaga's location on the Mediterranean, it has a comfortable climate year-round that is conducive to travel all the time. During May through October, you'll encounter less rain and beautiful 70-80 degree days.
As with most European beach-destinations, the high season is during the summer when tourists from countries all over the world join local Europeans taking their annual summer vacation, making it a very, very busy place. If you'd rather avoid the tourist crowds, the shoulder seasons just before and after are a safe bet for great weather, more availablity and slightly better prices for accommodations.
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Malaga Arriving
Málaga is the largest city on the Spanish south coast and for many people is the main gateway to the Costa del Sol. With Andalucia’s largest airport, good rail and bus networks, and very accessible roads, arriving to or departing from Málaga is very easy.
Airport
The Pablo Picasso Ruiz Airport lies on the outskirts of Málaga and is well connected to the city and other parts of the Costa del Sol.
From just outside Arrivals, the No.19 bus runs into the city centre (and from the city centre to the airport) every 30 min around the clock (24h) and a single ticket costs 1€. More information.
There is also a fairly regular scheduled bus service Marbella-Airport-Marbella which leaves from just outside the Arrivals building. It costs around 4€ for a sinlge ticket. Click more information for details on this route.
ResortHoppa is a private transfer service which also operates coaches from the Airport to various destinations along the Costa del Sol.
A taxi to the city centre should normally cost around 12€ - 15€
The Airport is also served by a train on the Málaga-Centro to Fuengirola line along the Costa del Sol. The station is reached by following the "Renfe" signs which will lead to a foot bridge to the train station. You must purchase your ticket from the machine before boarding the train, therefore it would be wise to have some loose change available as ticket machines only accept coins and 5€ notes. Trains arrive and depart every 30 minutes between 05:00 and 00:00. For services toward Málaga city centre, you need to cross under the track via the subway to the other side and for services onto the Costa del Sol ( Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola) stay on the same side at the ticket machine. More information. Alternatively, bus 19 departs every 30 minutes from just outside the arrivals terminal and goes directly to the city centre’s El Paseo del Parque (1,30€ single) and this services runs thoughout the day and night. Try the Malaga Transport Company website for more bus information.
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Welcome to Andalusia

Andalusia Culture :

The culture of the Andalusia region of Spain was most highly influenced by the Muslim Moors who governed the region for almost 800 years until the late 1400's. During the time of the Moors' reign, the region flourished culturally with new music, art, and theatre. Technological advances were made, and a tradition of intellectual growth and nurture was founded. Many of these cultural advances laid the groundwork for Andalusia's culture today which is known for its art, dance and music in particular. In 1790 the guitar was invented in Andalusia when innovative musicians added an extra string to a Moorish lute. Less than 100 years later Flamenco music and ballet was born, showcasing the new instrument. Andalusia has also been home to many famous artists including Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
The Moors also introduced several new ideas to Europe through their universities in Seville, Granada, and Cordoba including the mathematical concept of zero and several other concepts in physics and medicine that were so influential that they eventually led to the founding of Europe's first universities.

Andalusia Health & Safety :

Many people visit Andalusia each year and return home safely without incident, but most recently the region has experienced an increase in the number of crimes reported there, especially those which are aimed towards tourists. This tourist crime seems to be most prevalent in tourist-friendly cities, like Seville and Malaga, and at attractions such as museums as well as at beaches, resorts, and train stations--all of which attract large numbers of travelers. Most of the crimes reported are petty thievery and pick-pocketing, though some assaults have been reported as well. According to Frommer's, many of these crimes seem to be aimed at elderly travelers and Asians, who are perceived by thieves as having greater amounts of money than other travelers.

To protect yourself from tourist crimes while visiting Andalusia be sure to carry as little cash as possible and avoid wearing expensive jewelry and watches. Leave all valuables in your hotel's safe, including your passport. Carry a photocopy of it on your person instead of the real thing.

Thefts from cars are also common so be sure your doors are always locked and that you do not leave items in view where thieves will see them and be temped to break in.

Andalusia Weather :
Andalusia, Spain's southernmost region, has a relatively mild Mediterranean climate that attracts visitors throughout the entire year. Its southern coast, or La Costa del Sol, also known at the The Sun Coast, is somewhat warmer in the winter than Andalusia's Atlantic coast and attracts winter visitors from northern Europe and North America. During the spring, summer and fall months Andalusia is full of tourists visiting its many beaches and historic attractions.

As Andalusia is a large area, its average temperatures can vary from region to region, with the coldest areas during the winter and the coolest in the summer being in the mountains. Many of Andalusia's coastal areas can reach temperatures of over 100 degrees F during July and August. The region as a whole gets more rain during the winter than in the summers, which are generally rain-free, with the rainiest months being December through March.

Andalusia Tourist Board :
Andalusia's official government tourism office has a web page, Andalusia, which provides travelers and would-be travelers to the region with a variety of helpful tourism and travel information and advice. The site provides a nice map of Andalusia's provinces as well as a searchable map and direction feature that allows travelers to choose their destination by street address. Travel brochures can also be ordered via the site as can Andalusia Magazine, the official tourism magazine of the region. Weather reports, travel planners, and transportation information are also available, as well as dining listings and and hotel information.
Another of the site's useful features is its routes planner, featuring several travel routes through the region for driving, hiking, and biking as well as through rural and flamenco territories.

Andalusia Arriving & Departing :
Andalusia is a large area in southern Spain, encompassing many cities. Traveling to the Andalusia region can be accomplished in a variety of ways due to the region's size and the number of major airports, seaports, and roadways found there. Depending upon where one wants to go in Andalusia, one can fly into airports in Seville, Málaga, Almería, Córdoba, Granada or La Parra. Major sea ports are located in Algeciras and Cadiz. Good highways are available to drive to any of these Andalucian cities, or other areas of the province, from any other point in Spain.
The Adalucia tourism website has an excellent transportation page where travelers can go to to search for the best transportation options for them. One simply puts in their destination and preferred mode of travel and the search engine provides information on the nearest airports, seaports, and roadways.

Welcome to Madrid

Welcome to Madrid, the capital of Spain. The city is famous for its Museums, for its classical architecture and for its night life. The best Museums in Madrid are the "Museo del Prado", with Spanish and foreign masterpieces from 1400 to 1700; the "Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia", with a vast a collection of 20th century works; and the "Museo Thyssen-Bornemizsa", with 18th to 20th centuries masterpieces from the Thyssen private collection. But Madrid has many other interesting things to offer. If you come with me, I will take you on a Photographic Tour of this wonderful city.


Madrid Culture :
In Madrid, the art and cultural scene is not limited to museums. Art galleries, cultural centers, public spaces of exhibition and foundations also house incredible shows and exhibits with the latest works of contemporary art.
- At Castello, 77 (Metro Station Nuñez de Balboa), Fundación Juan March is one of the oldest institutions in Madrid that funds exhibitions of Modern and Non-West ern Art including Chinese and Japanese. It was the first to house exhibits of international art.
- Fundación "La Caixa" (Serrano, 60, Metro Serrano) has the best calendar of temporary exhibitions in Madrid.
- Casa de América (Paseo de Recoletos, 2; Metro Banco de España) is a space for the study, research, and exhibition of the Iberoamerican culture. Latin American artists and writers make art and book presentations.
- Círculo de Bellas Artes ( Marqués de la Casa Riera, 2; Metro Banco de España) houses temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and feature music concerts and theater presentations. There is a nice cafe that you can visit at any time of the day.
- Fundacion Arte y Tecnologia ( Fuencarral,1, Metro Gran Via) is a space for new and multimedia exhibitions. It is one of the few in the city and it is part of the Museo Telefonica. source: tripadvisor.com

Madrid Weather :
Spring and Autumns are perhaps the best times of the year to visit Madrid. The weather is mild and the air is crisp. But the two seasons present some differences that you may want to consider when you are planning your trip to the city.

During Spring, that goes from March through May, the days are warm, and the nights, cool. Unlike Winter, people swarm into the streets for the popular "marcha" (the walking across the city, stepping in bars, chatting on the streets, having fun outdoors). A good time to visit Madrid is Holy Week when madrilenos leave the city on vacation. There is some rain and some wind, but it is generally OK.

Autumn (September through November) marks the beginning of the school year and people return to work after the August holidays and there are lots of cultural activities. The days are very enjoyable compared to August high temperatures (although being a dry city with little rain, condition that makes the heat no that oppressive, it can be really, really hot).

In Winter (December to March), there are not so many tourists and it can be a good time to visit if you don't mind some snow and some cold (temperature can go below 0). It is low tourist season and you will find great bargains at hotels and trips outbound Madrid.

And the feared Summer (June through August) is not so bad as publicized. It has a kind momentum in June, and a harsh one in July and specially August. June is the best! Nights are warm and long and you can really enjoy the party atmosphere on the streets. But, July brings temperatures that hit the 40's (over 100 Fahrenheit) and it doesn't cool down very much at night. One good thing is that madrilenos leave the city for their yearly long vacation and there is less traffic, although some restaurants close, the open are less busy and you can appropriate the city in a more leisurely way.