While it is by no means full of bargains and cheap eats, Paris,
with its culture on display in every artisan's cornice, certainly does
deliver high value for the host of wonderful experiences of offer.
Apart from staying in one of the excellent hostels in Paris, there are many other, surprising, ways you can enjoy this wonderful city on the cheap.
Explore by foot
While you may have enjoyed drooling over the decadent hotels seen in films set in the city, the hostels in Paris will give you a unique insight. It is not simply because they are cheaper; they also encourage a mindset that avoids taxis and extravagant transport and instead tackles the city on foot. You can look forward to long, leisurely strolls by the Seine as its sparkles in the gentle dusk, and there is something inspiring about breathing in the Parisian air, and with it, the people, fashion, sounds and architecture that capture the atmosphere of this great metropolis.
Drink in the ambience
Many of the hostels in Paris run tours and events, which can give you a true feel of the city. It can be easy, when closeted in a plush hotel, to immerse yourself in an atmosphere that is more fiction than real. But the real city, comprised of the vibrant streets from Montparnasse to Porte Saint-Denis, and from the Eiffel Tower to Bercy Park, is full of the colourful lives, potent images, and effervescent charm that makes this city stand out for its cultural largesse.
Learn from the locals
From the airport to your hotel door to many restaurants, cafes and shops, you could ensconce yourself in the finest French luxury and never utter one word of the French language. But staying in any of the hostels in Paris will situate you among local life in the real world. Rather than shy away, you should take advantage of this. It's the locals who know the best travel routes, the chicest small cafes, the best budget theatres, and the hidden artistry of the city - let them be your guides.
Go beyond the tourist traps
One of the best things about the city for the tourist is the way its centrality mirrors the heart of the tourist precincts. You don't need to stray too far from the banks of the Seine if you don't want to, but staying a little further away from the tourist traps can not only provide cheaper (yet still safe) accommodation, but can also offer a taste of the city that goes beyond the usual fare. From the old communist quarter of Malakoff to the multicultural vitality around Belleville, there is much to explore without straying too far from the centre.
Apart from staying in one of the excellent hostels in Paris, there are many other, surprising, ways you can enjoy this wonderful city on the cheap.
Explore by foot
While you may have enjoyed drooling over the decadent hotels seen in films set in the city, the hostels in Paris will give you a unique insight. It is not simply because they are cheaper; they also encourage a mindset that avoids taxis and extravagant transport and instead tackles the city on foot. You can look forward to long, leisurely strolls by the Seine as its sparkles in the gentle dusk, and there is something inspiring about breathing in the Parisian air, and with it, the people, fashion, sounds and architecture that capture the atmosphere of this great metropolis.
Drink in the ambience
Many of the hostels in Paris run tours and events, which can give you a true feel of the city. It can be easy, when closeted in a plush hotel, to immerse yourself in an atmosphere that is more fiction than real. But the real city, comprised of the vibrant streets from Montparnasse to Porte Saint-Denis, and from the Eiffel Tower to Bercy Park, is full of the colourful lives, potent images, and effervescent charm that makes this city stand out for its cultural largesse.
Learn from the locals
From the airport to your hotel door to many restaurants, cafes and shops, you could ensconce yourself in the finest French luxury and never utter one word of the French language. But staying in any of the hostels in Paris will situate you among local life in the real world. Rather than shy away, you should take advantage of this. It's the locals who know the best travel routes, the chicest small cafes, the best budget theatres, and the hidden artistry of the city - let them be your guides.
Go beyond the tourist traps
One of the best things about the city for the tourist is the way its centrality mirrors the heart of the tourist precincts. You don't need to stray too far from the banks of the Seine if you don't want to, but staying a little further away from the tourist traps can not only provide cheaper (yet still safe) accommodation, but can also offer a taste of the city that goes beyond the usual fare. From the old communist quarter of Malakoff to the multicultural vitality around Belleville, there is much to explore without straying too far from the centre.
Looking for your dream travel experience? Jason H. Cunningham
works for Hostelling International, a company with more than 4,000
hostels worldwide in fantastic locations. For the best hostels in Paris,
or anywhere else, join our global community and say hi to the world.
From quality, affordable accommodation and backpacker tips, to
meaningful volunteer opportunities and enriching our eco footprint, we
are the world's local hostelling hub.
0 comments:
Post a Comment