5 Backpacking Tips for an Unforgettable Euro-Trip

BY  Mashum Feb 18, 2018

Europe is one of the best holiday destinations in the world. There are a number of Europe packages available online, giving you the ultimate in convenience when it comes to planning your trip. Do your research and finalize on a Europe tour that appeals to your travel goals. In this blog, we cover the five top Europe tour packages you need to consider to make your trip to Europe memorable! London and Paris : London and Paris is the perfect Europe tour package to get a wind of the enchanting, mesmerizing, and magnificent country! By starting your Europe tour in London, you get a taste of what Europe has to offer you. Visit the British Museum, ride the London Eye, stroll in the Hyde park, and visit the St. Paul’s Cathedral. Take a tour of London on the famous double-decker bus! Do the research, note down places to visit and spend half of your tour to enjoy the beauty of London. Take the Chunnel and travel to Paris. Relive the romance and dive into their famous cuisine and culture. Paris is a must-have in your places to visit when you book Europe packages. The topmost tourist attractions in Paris are The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Notre Dame, and Musée d’Orsay. England and Scotland : England and Scotland is another popular choice when booking Europe Packages. The obvious place in England to jump-start your Europe tour is London. With amazing cuisine and tourist attractions, London offers you a bag full of fun activities, delicious food, and historical monuments that ensures a perfect and exciting holiday destination. Take the train north to a small Roman city of York. The city walls build in the early 13th century are still intact and houses one of the oldest and famous cathedrals in Europe. Visit the national railway museum, York Castle, and the Jorvik Viking Centre to get a taste of the history! Edinburgh is the best choice as the last destination on your Europe tour. Being the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh accommodates the Museum of Scotland that is famous for its historic exhibition. Visit the Scott Monument, Scottish National Gallery, Arthur’s Seat, and The Edinburgh Castle for a perfect tour end. Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm : Explore the three interesting and beautiful cities of Scandinavia when booking your Europe tour package. Copenhagen is one of the most gorgeous city of Scandinavia, and a great choice if you are traveling with your family. Visit the magnificent Nyhavn harbor, Tivoli Gardens, Dyrehavsbakken, and the Copenhagen Opera House to get a glimpse of this captivating city. The next stop is Stockholm. A gorgeous city, Stockholm is famous for its City Hall, Vasa, Skansen, Gamla Stan, and the Moderna Museet. The great thing about visiting Stockholm is that there is no shortage of Airports in Sweden, with Arlanda and Västerås both popular options for a city break. The final destination in this Europe package is Oslo, Norway. Ski jump, learn all about vikings and their history, and sneak a peek at the Fjords to experience the perfect Europe tour. Rome, Florence, and Venice : Italy is a dream destination. Three weeks is just enough to tour and get a taste of Italy. The top three cities of Italy are Rome, Florence and Venice. When booking your Europe tour, ensure that you give the maximum time to Florence, as this city has a lot to offer! Start with the enchanting Rome, and visit the famous Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and The Vatican Museums! Next stop is Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region. Florence is famous for a number of tourist attractions, such as Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, and The Florence Cathedral. Visit all these places to get a glimpse of the beautiful and captivating city. End this Europe tour with Venice, the capital of Italy’s Veneto region. Include Piazza San Marco, Bridge of Sighs, San Marco Campanile, and St. Mark’s Basilica in your places to visit in Venice. Barcelona And The French Riviera : Barcelona is a great place to include in your Europe tour. The top places that you need to visit in Barcelona include the Gothic Quarter, Sagrada Familia, The Rambla, and Park Güell. It also has a number of incredible day-trip places nearby, such as Girona, Tarragona, Costa Brava, and Montserrat, you need to take to enjoy the best experiences in Europe! In the French Riviera, Nice is the best choice to make your home base. Take a train from Nice to nearby coastal cities, such as Monaco, Cannes, and Antibes to enhance your experience. Bottom Line : There are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to booking Europe tours. Keeping the above list in mind, it is crucial that you do your research and first shortlist a few reputable travel websites that offer Europe packages. Examine each website, and check their ratings and reviews. Finalize on one that has the best ratings and offers the Europe packages to all the popular places that you wish to visit. Always remember to ask for a detailed quote and ask questions to clear all doubts before you book your Europe tour package. Read More : 7 Key points Remember while Planning Your Honeymoon Trip. Travel Tips to Help You Out In Asia

BY  Sibashree Apr 28, 2025

This time, I was on a 2-day Paris travel and was working on how the best hotels in Paris have been supporting the thriving tourism scene in the city. I did my case study on the hotels near Opera Paris France, to get the entire picture.  I also had the opportunity to meet the leaders of Citadines Apart'hotel Opéra Paris, which The Ascott Limited operates. They shared their insights and observations with me. Paris had a footfall of 11.2 million during the Summer Olympics of 2024. The success story with great numbers continued as Paris consolidated the Olympics’ success for the rest of the year.  This boost in the number of tourists has further facilitated growth in the hospitality sector. The French hospitality sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.34% from 2023 to 2028.  However, these two booming industries are also bearing the wrath of overtourism in the city.  So, there could not be a better time to delve deeper into how the best hotels in Paris have been supporting tourism so far. Also, we need to talk about how they respond to minimize the impact of overtourism with sustainable practices.  Best Hotels In Paris: Working And Growing With The Tourism Industry Of The City The best hotels in Paris are beyond tourist accommodations. With luxury in mind and an upscale shift, these hotels are influencing the spending patterns of tourists.  France was the most-visited country in the world in 2024, with an unbelievable footfall of around 100 million.  Now, a large number of these tourists look for accommodations in luxury hotels. With their hotel expenses and overall luxury spending increasing, the city gains revenue.  This approach aligns with what Nathalie Delattre, the French Minister of Tourism, stated in response to the anticipated tourism boom in France for 2024.  “We need to work to increase the average each visitor spends and get our visitors to stay longer.” The impact of hotels in Paris on tourist spending patterns extends beyond the standalone tourism and hospitality industry. It’s about the overall GDP and economy of the city.  But the “luxury experience” here is not to scare you if you are a tourist. It does not mean that you cannot visit Paris within a budget. It’s true that Paris, as a travel destination, is somewhat expensive, and accommodations are pricier than those in similar setups in other countries. However, the city offers a diverse range of hotel tariffs. A Shared Market Space Creating Discord Between The Hotel And Tourism Sectors? A shared market space!  This has been one of the biggest challenges for the top hotels in Paris, as they collaborate with the tourism industry to boost the city’s economy.  Now, services like AirBnb are offering more flexibility in booking and better pricing options. So, of course, there is the “price sensitivity” factor. Additionally, Airbnb is eager to seize opportunities, as it did during the Summer Olympics in Paris last time.   Airbnb was the official sponsor of the Paris Olympics, and it played a significant role in the 44% surge in short-term rental bookings in 2024 from the summer of 2023.  Also, Airbnb was direct when it approached the visitors of the Paris Olympics to avoid the “touristy side of Paris" and book short-term rentals on the “Paris-y side of Paris.” Moreover, Airbnb, through the “Airbnb500 Travel Grant,” offered discounts to tourists visiting Paris during the 2024 Summer Olympics.  Now, with discounted pricing and Parisians willing to give up their accommodation on rent through Airbnb, many hotels in Paris have suffered.  "The rate discounting that's happened, the occupancy levels, they're definitely being suppressed and compressed by the short-term rental market, without question.”Blake Reiter, Director of Research, Lighthouse Having said that, the best hotels in Paris have been able to keep their presence strong as they cater to the group of tourists seeking a high-end experience.  Additionally, city officials have introduced restrictions on short-term rentals to prevent Airbnb and similar businesses from causing significant harm to the hospitality industry.  Moreover, in November 2024, France approved an “Anti-Airbnb Bill” to control the increase in vacation rentals.  So, the threats of a shared market space have become less for the best hotels in Paris and other parts of France.  Overtourism In Paris: How The Best Hotels In Paris Respond To It? The best hotels in Paris had a slow start in summer 2024. However, with the Summer Olympics inching closer, occupancy rates in these hotels increased despite challenges from Airbnb and other short-term rental services.  During the summer Olympics, the hotel occupancy rate in this area reached 84%. Of course, there was revenue growth with a higher occupancy rate, discounts, and non-refundable rooms for tourists.  Still, the housing industry could not avoid an accommodation crunch, hygiene issues, safety threats, and other impacts of overtourism.  A sustainable collaboration between the best hotels in Paris and tourists is crucial. It will minimize the environmental impact and enhance the overall quality of life in the city.   For example, The Ascott Limited's sustainability program has helped me understand how the best hotels in Paris are doing it right. They are trying to minimize the impact of overtourism on the city’s environment and natural resources. Showing Commitment To Sustainability The Ascott Limited is sincere about taking care of the environment. Also, it has earned the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Committed status.  Moreover, Ascott Limited aims to achieve GSTC-Accredited Body certification for its global portfolio by 2028.  The sustainability program, known as “Ascott CARES,” is based on five fundamental pillars, and those are: Respect Alliance Community Environment  Supply Chain Also, Ms. Beh Siew Kim from Ascott has mentioned that sustainability has always been a key priority for the business. “The Ascott Limited aiming to have all their properties certified by GSTC-accredited Certification Bodies by 2028 where applicable* is a testament to how serious they are committed as an organization to environmental and social responsibility. We applaud Ascott’s leadership and vision in prioritizing sustainability, and I am confident that their efforts will set a benchmark for others in the sector to follow.”Randy Durband, CEO, The Global Sustainable Tourism Council With Ascott Limited as an example, the best hotels in Paris are also redefining the tourism landscape. They are also trying to fight overtourism by building a sustainable future. 

BY  Abdul Aziz Mar 14, 2023

If you are a high net-worth person searching for the best country to live, study, and invest in the European Union, the solution is to acquire the France Golden Visa. In 2016, France witnessed a venture capital investment of 2.6 billion USD. By offering such visas, France intends to entice the new generation into world-leading companies, generate jobs, and promote innovation in the French economy. One of the reputed organizations that offer France Golden Visa services is Pearl Lemon Visa. It assures you of a hassle-free and speedy application process. 3 Types Of Golden Visas In France Based on its economic activities, France renders three varieties of Golden Visas: Economic Residence Permitting:  This had a minimum investment of 10 million euros. In 2016, these visas were closed and replaced by Talent Passports. Economic Residence Permitting is a program implemented by the French government to allow non-European Union citizens who invest in or start a business in France to obtain a long-term residence permit. This program is designed to encourage foreign investment and stimulate economic growth in France. To be eligible for an Economic Residence Permit, an individual must invest in a French business, create a business in France, or acquire an existing business. The investment must meet certain criteria, such as creating jobs, contributing to the French economy, and being a viable business plan. Read Also: What You Need To Know Before Going On A Trip To Las Vegas Advantages Of Having This Visa Economic residence permits allow investors and entrepreneurs to start or expand their businesses in the host country. This can create new job opportunities and contribute to the economic growth of the country. Economic residence permits provide foreign investors and entrepreneurs with access to a large market, which can help them grow their businesses more quickly than they would be able to in their home countries. Economic residence permits often allow for a long-term stay in the host country, which provides investors and entrepreneurs with stability and allows them to fully immerse themselves in the local business environment. Even the applicant’s families can get the benefits of these visas. The French Tech Visa This is for entrepreneurs and startups. The French Tech Visa is a program designed by the French government to attract talented foreign entrepreneurs, investors, and startup employees to France. It is a fast-track program that aims to facilitate the arrival and residence of these individuals in France to help them build their businesses and develop their skills. In 2017, the nation launched this visa type. The main intention was to entice investors, employees, entrepreneurs, and another technical talent. It facilitated the advent and integration of such individuals. When Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, declared the commencement of this visa, he revealed that the goal of this visa was to make France the center of entrepreneurship and innovation. He commented that France must be a leader in these domains, specifically regarding issues such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and the convergence of clean technology, digital technology, and all Green technologies. Advantages Of Having This Visa The applicant has to apply to the Ministry of Finance (the French Tech team). Then, this team provides a letter of approval indicating eligibility for a priority procedure. The applicant has to fulfill the following conditions while applying for the visa. You should have financial resources that are the minimum as the French annual minimum wage of 18,000 euros on January 1, 2018. You need to have an economically innovative startup project that could be implemented in France. Your application had to be approved by a French public organization named ‘Direccte.’ The French Tech Visa application process is streamlined and simplified, making it easier for foreign tech talent to apply for and obtain a visa to live and work in France. Once you have submitted your French Tech Visa application, it will be processed within four weeks, which is much faster than other types of visas. The Talent Passport Scheme This has a minimum investment of 0.3 million euros. The Talent Passport Scheme is a program initiated by the French government to attract highly skilled workers from non-European countries to work and live in France. The scheme aims to address skills shortages in certain sectors by facilitating the entry and residence of these workers in France. The Talent Passport Scheme is open to applicants with skills in one of 10 targeted sectors, including engineering, science, technology, and culture. Applicants must also have a job offer or work contract from a French company, and their annual salary must meet a certain threshold. Advantages Of Having This Scheme This scheme was pertinent to 10 categories, including investors of projects, leaders of innovations, company creators, recent graduates, highly skilled workers, and employees of novel, innovative organizations. When these schemes were being designed, the investment limit was reduced from 10 million Euros to 0.3 million Euros. Another change was that the limit of generating or maintaining a minimum of 50 jobs was substituted by a general requirement of creating, retaining, and committing to retain jobs during the four years after you invest in France. The investor and family members are provided a 4-year residency card. This scheme is different from another multi-annual residence, which is permitted in that it permits nationals of third-country countries with a long-stay visa to come to France. After their advent in France, they can request the Talent Passport residence permit. After this permit process, the third-country citizen can work in the investment project’s framework that justifies the grant of the Talent Passport. Now, the person can perform some activity in the business and must generate and retain jobs while the Talent Passport is valid. Wrapping Up All of these visas are convenient for entrepreneurs. Often the government terms and conditions keep changing. Before applying for the visa, ensure the present terms and conditions of the visa process. Are you thinking of applying for visas to France? Then comment back to us and let us know about your experiences. Read Also : The Business Trip Tips And Diet 7 Key points Remember while Planning Your Honeymoon Trip Planning A Hunting Trip To Africa – Here’s what you should Know