The Paris wine bar scene is being reinvented. Here comes the beautiful bottles of wine and great food. We line up some of the new wine bars that you must not miss if you are in Paris and some of the old ones that are a must.

Le Gard Robe

This is a little wine shop proximate to the Louvre. Have some sardines, pork terrine, or andouille sausage and ask for their wines from Domaine dela Grange des Peres.

Alfred

Back in 2004, William Abitbol lost his bid to seek a seat at the European Parliament so he focused his attention on business. Just across the lovely gardens of the Palais Royal, he established Alfred. He serves wines made by his friends who are also deviating from their usual careers. For example, you can get a good bottle of Provencal rose L’apostrophe which is a sweet blend of Carignane, Grenache, and Cinsault.

Abitbol personally oversees the operations and makes sure that excellent French cuisines are served without pretentions. Imagine getting a plate of lentil salad tossed with hazelnut oil and sherry vinegar. Or maybe enjoy a warm broth of baby artichokes. The white linen upstairs bears witness to heavenly servings of beef served earthy potatoes and celery.

Les Fines Gueules

The name of the game at this wine bar is using the freshest of the freshest ingredients. They are also obsessed with great bottles of wine coming from hundreds of cellars in France. You will find Les Fines Gueules close to the Place des Victoires. Ask them for a good sparkling wine to start your dining experience, some cod with veggies, and a good blend to cap it off.

La Cloche des Halles

Franck Lesage cuts some jambon from the bone and serves Macon, Chinon, and Chiroubles in the neighborhood of Les Halles.

Cavesteve

If you are passing by the Place du Trocadero, make sure you drop by at the Cavesteve. It is a place of great food and wine. You can choose from around three hundred labels of wine which come from France, California, New Zealand, and Chile. They have a biased of going for wines from small producers. Ask for their Spanish sausages and their pound cakes.

Au Vin des Rues

Sit down for a sandwich and a glass of new Lyonnais wine.

Au Sauvignon

Au Sauvignon offers bottles of Sauvignon Blanc coming from the Loire Valley. Order some tartines to complete your day.

Racines

The owner of this wine bar, Pierre Jancou, is hands on when it comes to preparing food and pouring a good wine into the diner’s glass. Racines offers bottles from several wine producers in the region. You will find this exciting place amid the shopping arcade. They prepare some wonderful dishes using extraordinary local ingredients.

Many people planning their vacation these days are facing having a tighter budget when choosing destination, accommodation etc. Limiting vacation costs though does not necessarily mean limiting the fun! This article will give you a few helpful tips regarding how to save on accommodation, food, entertainment etc. but still have a fun and exciting Barcelona holiday.

Budget Accommodation in Barcelona

Finding accommodation in Barcelona on a limited budget is not too difficult and will leave you with two alternatives: hostels and self catering apartments. If you travel solo, hostels is a good option. Quality vary greatly in Barcelona, but it is perfectly possible to find clean, comfortable rooms for less than 40€ a night. When traveling in a group a holiday apartment rental is your best deal. This allows you to save on accommodation and save on food while still enjoying the fruits of the land!

Food in Barcelona

When planning your food intake on a limited budget in Barcelona the “menu del dia” (lunch deal) will be your “cue”. For 10€ you can get a tasty three course meal at lunch time in any area in Barcelona. The price often includes wine or beer. Therefore taking your main meal of the day at lunch-time (2 pm – 4 pm) is a good idea and later go snacking in tapas bars at night.

Going Out in Barcelona

Avoid the most expensive clubs (15€ + cover charge) and choose the smaller bars and clubs where you can experience DJs, jam-sessions and lesser known bands for free. Gracia, El Raval and Barri Gotic are good neighborhoods to go in search of these entertainment alternatives. Harlem Jazz Club in Barri Gotic is a good alternative for a less expensive, informal jazz night. The Jamboree at Plaza Reial (also in Barri Gotic) is another. This is not a typical jazz club, but they do have weekly jam-sessions. During the summer months outdoor cinema is a very good alternative for an inexpensive, fun night out. The best setting is probably on the hill of Montjuic by the old fort. Visiting the city during a “fiesta” (like “La Merce” in September) is another guarantee of free fun – outdoor concerts, parades, fireworks and lots more fill the streets.

Sightseeing in Barcelona

Parks are always a great refuge for those on a budget vacation. The two main ones are the Ciutadella Park in el Born and the world-famous Park Guell above the Gracia district. The first is home of the museum of modern art, otherwise it is a nice spot to seek shade under the trees. The second is, naturally, one of Barcelona’s greatest tourist attractions due to its fantastic design (by Antoni Gaudi) and wonderful views. Furthermore, we suggest enjoying the views from the top of the Montjuic hill and the Tibidabo hill – both accessible through cheap public transport.

Barcelona Transportation

Transportation in Barcelona won’t take a big bite out of your budget. The Barcelona Metro runs every three minutes in the middle of the day, and services the whole metropolitan area (including l’Hospitalet and Badalona) and a ticket of ten trips costs around 8€. There is also an extensive bus network and a less extensive one of trams, with the same tickets and cards valid.

Despite Barcelona’s standing as one of the world’s top three city break destinations, a weekend, or a vacation in Barcelona does not have to be out of reach on a limited budget. With a number of low cost airlines competing on rates, planning accommodation and holiday activities beforehand will help you save without compromising on fun and sightseeing!

This is a guest post submitted by Jaume Primero. You can find out more about visiting Barcelona on a budget from his website – http://www.acomodis.com

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This post was submitted by Jaume Primero.

Temple of Saturn - Rome

Italy is one of the most popular European countries known for its history, art and culture, architecture, fashion and cuisine. A visit to Italy is a one of a kind experience as it has some of the most beautiful cities in the world and the top ten cities are:

Rome is the capital of Italy. It offers history and architectural treasure in almost every corner of the city. Piazza Di Spagna and The Vatican, a walled city within the city, are not to be missed. It has many medieval churches, ancient monuments and museums. It boasts of some of the country's finest restaurants and night life.

Venice is known to be among one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world; situated on water in the middle of lagoon. Piazza San Marco is known to be the heart of Venice with a marvelous church. It has some great seafood restaurants. Streets are narrow traffic free and an ultimate canal ride through the interconnected water ways is recommended.

Florence is world famous for its art. It has sculptures, buildings, paintings and frescoes by artists like Da Vinci and Titian. Its Duomo, Baptistery, Medici palaces and botanical gardens are a must visit.

Milan is one of the most uptown cities of Italy and is one of the fashion centers of the world. The city is known for fast paced fashion sense and style; it has famous designer shops, galleries and restaurants. It is the home of famous football clubs A.C Milan and Inter. La Scala is the most popular opera house in the world.

Naples is most famous for being the home of the world famous dish Pizza and had recently undergone a renovation; it is now said to be at its vibrant best restoring its historic architectural treasures to its former glory. It is the country's most beautiful port.

Turin is famous for elegant chic shops, restaurants and historic café's. It also boasts of some extravagant architecture and history. Via Po (walkway) and Il Quadrilatero (medieval centre) make it ideal to explore it on foot.

Bologna has some ancient architecture with beautiful churches and monuments. It is known for its liberal politics and academic influence with an age old famous university and fine cuisine; pasta, tortellini and Bolognese sauce originated here.

Verona is mostly known for Romeo and Juliet story setting and a world famous opera festival. It has a great medieval centre and a fascinating castle complex.

Perugia is a youthful place with universities and foreign language schools. Piazza Italia, Piazza Partigiani and Fontana Maggiore are the main attracting spots. Music and food (especially chocolate) are an important part of the city.

Genoa is Italy's principal seaport with a large medieval centre. It has a number of renaissance palaces, museums, galleries and a fascinating aquarium. The city introduced Pesto to the world cuisine.

After exchanging vows, you might want to treat your partner to a nice overnight or maybe weeklong stay in one of the best honeymoon hotels. It is the time to be sexy and spend some intimate times so you get to celebrate the lifetime you have ahead of you.

There are honeymoon hotels which will make a burn mark on your bank account but there are also honeymoon hotels which will just be right for your budget. It is really up to you and how you want to spend this special moment of your married life.

Luxury Honeymoon Hotels

Cap Maison Resort and Spa

During the World Travel Awards, Saint Lucia is hailed as the best destination for honeymooners. The Cap Maison is near the Smugglers Cove in the Cap Estate of St. Lucia. This place is a former plantation of sugar. You will have more than a thousand acres of lush hills with the prestine waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea as your boundaries. The resort offers a choice from isolated guest rooms, suites, and villas following the lines of Spanish Caribbean architecture.

If you want the best for your honeymoon, ask for a villa with an ocean view, a roof terrace, and a private pool. You will have 3,000 sq. ft. of sexiness by yourselves complete with a kitchen, dining room, minibar, and luxurious bath. You can also arrange for spa treatments in your villa, terrace, or under the shade of a garden gazebo.

Planning a honeymoon at Cap Maison will set you back at least $850 per night for a room. Romance comes with such a price.

Alto Atacama

The desert region of Atacama in Chile provides a magical and romantic retreat for honeymooners. The luxury Alto Atacama lodges is a great home base which offers 32 rooms surrounded by the Salt Mountain range or what is locally called Cordillera dela Sal. The place has its own observatory where couples can spend a night gazing at the open skies.

The rates at Alto Atacama includes food, drinks, and excursions around the area. You can use their mountain bikes to explore Atacama or trek around Llaretas, Tatio Geysers, or Valley of the Moon. If you just want to relax, you can go for spa treatments or just use their sauna, whirlpool bath, steam room, or pools.

Prepare around $4700 if you want to avail of their 4-night package or around $2,400 for a 2N3D stay for you and your partner.

Kona Village in Big Island, Hawaii

If you want the big resort kind of getaway for your honeymoon, one of the best destinations will be the Kona Village in Hawaii. You can book one of their bungalows just right in front of the ocean with access to a private lanai with whirlpool. Kona Village dates back to 1965 but it is still one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world. By the way, there will be no flat screen TV, telephone, internet, or radio in your room. That means, quiet sexy time in the Big Island.

Couples can arrange for some nature trip activities like snorkeling or kayaking. The hotel also has a barbecue night on Tuesdays and a luau twice a week. Do not forget to have a picture with the sunset as your backdrop to preserve the memories, or just so you can brag how you were treated like a king and queen during your honeymoon. Their rates kick off at $555 per night inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Algodon Mansion

In the sexy capital Buenos Aires, an excellent place for honeymooners is the Algodon Mansion in its Recoleta District. The renovated building dates back to 1912 and the people of Algodon Wine Estates transformed it to a romantic Belle Epoque sophisticated hotel. The ten suites boasts of Italian marble, original paintings and artworks, luxury furniture, a view of the waterfall, and a garden.

What will be Buenos Aires without the tango? While in Argentina make sure you visit milongas like the Bien Porteno, La Viruta Tango, or the Confiteria Ideal to learn one of the most romantic and intense dances.

You can book a room at the Algodon Mansion starting at $640 per night.

Budget friendly honeymoon hotels

Casa Morada in Florida

If you do not want to spend your honeymoon in Miami, look 90 miles away from the party place and check out the islands of Islamorada. The suites of Casa Morada can provide couples with all the pampering imaginable.

The equation the suites provide include antique room décor, private spaces outdoors, Jacuzzis, sunset view, and a terrace perfect for some massage. This is a agood steal at $239 for a night.

Tides Zihuatanejo

The casitas of Tides Zihuatanejo is a perfect hideaway for couples in the coast of Ixtapa in Mexico. You can choose from 35 suites and 35 rooms. Each room is unique providing a private terrace and an infinity pool. The lines of the room are very clean making use of terra cotta tiles, modern furniture, and open spaces. Some celebrities make this their hiding place when they want to stay away from the lights of Hollywood.

The private beach is a perfect place for a holding-hands-while-walking time with your partner. The place is also praised for its great staff and service. If you want to checkout the local scene, you can arrange a side trip to the town proper. You can buy some stuff in the bazaar, get some fruits, candies, sandals, or souvenirs. The hotel rates start at $350 for a night.

Octopus Resort in Fiji

The Likuliku Bay in Fiji is considered as among the best beaches in the world. The sunset is amazing. You can get a private hut along the beach which provides the basics. There are also outdoor showers and private verandas which you can use.

It will be a romantic island experience for the new Mr. and Mrs. It will be about the sun, sand, and everything you can think of doing in the waters. If budget is your concern, you need not to worry at Octopus Resort since a private bungalow goes for just $74 per night.

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