Category Archives: France

The top ten holiday destinations to propose

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If you’re planning to propose (or create the right opportunity for that certain someone to think about proposing) then a trip to somewhere significant is the way to do it. Make your proposal memorable with somewhere romantic and scenic. Here are our top ten destinations for proposal opportunities.

paris1)      Paris – a perennial favourite with lovers the world over, France’s capital city has a long history of romance with plenty of spots to do the deed. If you don’t fancy scaling the Eiffel Tower, then maybe you can use the Pont des Arts over the River Seine, or aboard one of the river’s many cruise boats.

2)      Dubai – Hot, exotic, and containing some stunning modern architecture, Dubai is a shopper’s paradise. Dubai is a great choice if you want to combine a proposal with engagement ring shopping. A trip to Gold & Diamond Park and other shopping malls and souks could be on the itinerary! There are a plethora of potential proposal spots in one of Dubai’s many skyscrapers, aquarium restaurants, or fountains.

new york3)      New York – With trans-Atlantic flights faster than they used to be, a short break in New York is more than feasible. A trip to New York feels like visiting a living film set, and where better to propose than atop the Empire State Building, on a helicopter over the Statue of Liberty, or in the world famous Times Square? Shops galore with the peaceful haven of Central Park, New York offers it all.

4)      Venice – Venice is possibly Italy’s most famously romantic city, and attracts around 50,000 tourists a day. It is famous for its waterways and canals, and you can’t go to Venice without taking a gondola ride along the Grand Canal.

norway5)      Norway – if your loved one is not a fan of exotic weather, then a trip to see the Northern Lights could be a winner. There are lots of places to stay where you have a good chance of seeing the lights, and you can also take a dog-sledding tour, or a cruise around the fjords. Please see the website of Visit Norway for the best places.

6)      Dublin – for a proposal filled with fun, Dublin is a lovely place for a bit of sightseeing and bonding over beer. If you need a bit of Dutch courage and feel the ‘luck of the Irish’ would be most welcome, then making your proposal in Dublin could result in success!

7)      London – The UK’s capital and one of the world’s biggest cities provides a whole host of proposal opportunities. The London Eye is a popular choice, or maybe the scenic Trafalgar Square. If you want to add height to your proposal, then a trip up London’s tallest building The Shard is the place to do it.

propose8)      Sydney – for the trip of a lifetime, and one you will never forget, take a trip to Sydney, Australia. Often thought of as Australia’s capital (it isn’t), it’s probably the most recognisable of Oz’s cities. The harbour area with the Opera House is simply stunning, and if you want to introduce an element of peril into your proposal then you can join a climbing tour of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

9)      Barcelona – the beautiful Spanish city of Barcelona in the region of Catalonia is a mix of green space, coast, and interesting architecture created by Gaudi. Proposal sites could include the wonderful Park Guell, or the mountainside park of Montjuic. Ride a cable car to the hillside villages, and if you’re a sports fan, the Olympic stadium and The Camp Nou are worth a tour.

10)  Las Vegas – Not keen on long engagements? Propose in Las Vegas and you can be engaged, married, and on your way home before the hangover has even kicked in. Feeling extra lucky? Try one or two of the many casinos and maybe you can stretch to an even better ring.

Wherever you propose, make it a good one. Good luck!

Easter Celebrated By Different Cultures

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Whether you are planning on staying home for Easter Weekend, or you have decided to take a few extra days off during the Easter holiday to spend time with the kids, different countries and different cultures have individual ways of celebrating Easter Weekend. Although commonly associated with Christianity, Catholicism and the death and rebirth of Jesus Christ, cultures from around the world celebrate the death and rebirth as well as a number of other, related events in their own way.

Verges in Spain

[penguin] easter blogThe Thursday before Easter weekend is known as the night of the ‘dansa de la mort’ in the town of Verges, Spain. The residents dress up in skeletal outfits and re-enact scenes from The Passion while parading through the streets of town, complete with eerie fire torches. The parade starts at Midnight and lasts for three hours until the early morning.

The end of the ‘dansa de la mort’ is signified by terrifyingly designed skeletons carrying boxes of ashes, signifying the death of Christ.

Rome, Italy

Easter celebrations in Rome start on Good Friday, where the Pope will commemorates the ‘Via Crucis’ or ‘Way of the Cross’. At the coliseum a huge cross made of burning torches is burnt, lighting up the sky, while the 14 Stations of the Cross are described in multiple languages for all to hear.

On both Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday mass is held in the evening, and on the Sunday, visitors congregate in St Peter’s Square to be able to receive the Pope’s blessing seen from the church’s balcony. This is known as ‘Urbi et Orbi’ or ‘To the City and to the World’.

Sweden and Finland

[penguin] sweden easter blogEaster time is like a mini Halloween for most of Sweden and various areas of Finland. It was thought that on the Thursday before Easter weekend, witches used to fly to the mountains to congress with Satan. Children would wear rags and old clothes and would go from door to door holding out a copper kettle for treats.

To scare away the ‘witches’ the Swedes would light up large bonfires that would keep evil spirits from entering their homes. Nowadays children still go out ‘trick or treating’ and bonfires and fireworks are set up and let off throughout the town in  keeping with the old traditions.

Whether you need transport in the bustling streets of London, or are looking for a hire car to help you make your way through the roads of Paris, Brussels or even Marrakech, with thousands of companies to choose from, Penguin Car Hire can get hold of a first class hired car to take you where you want to go within minutes.

Best Art Museums Worldwide

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Are you or your family new to the art scene or are you returning veterans? Interested in learning the origins of various artists, or just love to see some of the weirder pieces of art the world has to offer? Wherever you decide to go on holiday, the chances are that you’ll be able to find an art museum somewhere nearby.

They are incredibly popular, and although the recent rise of the internet has hinted at a decline in the modern appreciation of classical art, they are still incredibly popular and provide a window into what it was like living and working in ancient times, as depicted by various painters and artists of the ages. Whether you are looking for the most visited museums of the world or are more interested in finding those hidden gems, take a look at some of Penguin’s best worldwide museums.

The Uffizi Gallery, Italy

[penguin] uffizi blogLocated in the centre of the beautiful city of Florence, Italy, the Uffizi Gallery is one of the oldest museums in the world, and is also one of the most famous museums of the western world. The museum holds many beautiful pieces from classical artists of the 16th century, including works by Da Vinci Himself.

The museum is incredibly popular and visitors hoping to see the beautiful works on show may have to face waiting queues of up to 5 hours to get into the museum. Pre-booked ticket holders experience a significantly reduced waiting time.

Prado Museum, Spain

[penguin] prado blogKnown as the main Spanish national art museum, the Prado houses a vast collection of European art from as early as the 12th century to the early 19th century. To this date the Prado has had over 2.7million visitors and is comprised of over 20,000 pieces of art, including drawings, prints, sculptures and paintings.

The Prado also houses a number of historic documents and is known as a site of significant historic importance. Hire a car in Madrid to visit the Prado now!

The Louvre, France

[penguin] louvre blogHoused in the Louvre Palace, this museum was originally built as a fortress in the 12th Century, and some of the remnants can still been seen in the basement of the museum. It officially opened on the 10th August 1793 and is one of the world’s best known museums, attracting over 10 million visitors since it was opened.

The Louvre holds a huge collection of ancient pieces and antiques from all around the world and is also noticeable for its iconic, pyramid design at the entrance.

Happy Mother’s Day From Penguin

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This Sunday, 30th March is Mother’s Day, a day dedicated to those hardworking mums who put up with smelly, messy children for most of their lives. Today is a day that you can use to thank mums all over the world for their hard work, or you can just thank your mum. It can be in any way you want, with a small personal gift, with a weekend away, or just by taking a moment out of your day to spend some quality time with her. Whatever you choose to do, make it special.

Spa Breaks

Very few people don’t enjoy being pampered, and especially if you have endured the stress that being a mother brings, a spa day or two, or even an hour or so, won’t go amiss. Give her the gift of relaxation, where a qualified masseuse works out all her aches and pains accompanied to soothing music and fragrant scents.

Do Something Interesting

[penguin] cafe france blogNot got a run of the mill mum? If she prefers spending her days out and about, why not hire a car in Paris and take her on a tour of the sights? Trips to France are ideal as it is easily reachable by boat, and you can enjoy some quality time with mum while at the same time getting some fresh air. Why not visit the Louvre, or have a look at the Eiffel Tower? You could even take a few moments to have a delicious bagel in one of the many French cafes and simply watch the world go by.

Presents!

Make sure to give your mum at least a card this mother’s day. Even a small token will show her that you have thought of her, and in the end, even a small thing can make a big statement. However be careful to make sure not to get her anything she really doesn’t like, as some mum’s don’t like flowers or trinkets. You should know; she’s your mum!

Enjoy It!

[penguin] gift blogSome people spend far too much time running around, worrying about their daily lives and the stress and fatigue it brings about. Take a step back to relax with your mother, remind her of what she means to you. If you take time out to enjoy the time you spend with her, you may even begin to appreciate her on another level. It is one day a year, so make it count!

Beautiful Lakes in the South of France

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The South of France is a beautiful holiday destination to visit in the summer, particularly for those who love stunning beaches, but aren’t that fond of taking long haul flights to the likes of Hawaii and beyond. Some of the best locations to swim in the South of France are, ironically, not by the sea, but are instead by the region’s various rivers and lakes. These beaches may not be sandy, but their isolated locations and lack of tourists along with gorgeous views more than make up for their outward rocky appearance at first. Here at Penguin Car Hire, with fantastic deals and opportunities on hire cars from Boulogne-Sur-Mer to Toulouse, we look at the more beautiful Lakes and rivers, perfect for holidaymakers, located in the south of France.

Lake Bugarach

[penguin]lake bugarach blogA tiny lake just south of the village of Bugarach, located in the shadow of nearby mount Bugarach, this lake is beautifully quaint. Surrounded by rolling hills and with various nature walks through the forests nearby, Lake Bugarach is perfect for holidaymakers who are looking to get more in tune with nature.

Montpeyroux

Located on a hilltop, Montpeyroux is a small village which accurately reflects the quaint and relaxing atmosphere of the countryside. Situated in the picturesque Lidoire Valley, Montpeyroux is located right next to L’Allier River, where you can see the water cascade its way through the rocks of the valley, down tiny waterfalls and running alongside itself in beautiful rivets made over hundreds of years.

Take a homemade picnic and sit on one of the large rocks stranded in the centre of the river, where you can enjoy the quiet sounds of L’Allier flowing by while basking in the beautiful weather of sunny South France.

Frigoulet

[penguin]french lakes guinguette blgoThe river near Frigoulet village has a popular family beach framed by dense forest on one side. The other side often receives visitors on family days out, attracting both local residents and tourists. The beautiful archway bridge across the river is often used as a diving board for local children, but it is not recommended for tourists!

If you fancy a bite to eat, you can always visit a nearby ‘guinguette’. The traditional word for a classical French pub, a guingette can serve small snacks and sandwiches for a very reasonable price.

Whatever your holidaying preferences, take your trip out in style with Penguin Car Hire. With a first class directory offering hire cars from thousands of destinations worldwide, you can be sure with our comprehensive search and booking engine, you will find the very best rate for a holiday hire car.

 

Most Sacred Sites in the World

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Temples, Shrines, Mosques, Churches; sacred places have an eerie calmness unlike nothing else seen on this earth. In visiting some of the most sacred places in the world you may find out something new about a religion you previously had no interest in, you may be inspired to try something new, you may discover things about people you didn’t know before. Religion is a heavily influential thing present in most if not all modern and ancient societies, but religion has also built some of the most beautiful buildings we can see today. Here at Penguin we take a look at some of the world’s most beautiful sacred religious locations.

Meiji Shrine – Tokyo

meiji-shrine-gate

Built 100 years ago and dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken, the Meiji Shrine is located in one of the central areas of Tokyo, but is surrounded by dense, beautiful forest land. It is an ideal location to sit and meditate in peace away from the busy business life of modern day Tokyo, but it has all the modern amenities of being only 10 minutes away from a subway station. The huge archways built in the Meiji Shrine are over 40 feet tall and are carved from solid wood.

Notre Dame Cathedral – Paris

Considered as one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and known for its beautifully sculpted arches and stained glass windows, Notre Dame was first completed in 1345 and currently contains the official chair of the archbishop of Paris. The cathedral has 10 bells, all named, the largest of which weighs over 13 tons.

Western Wall – Jerusalem

Located at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount, the Western Wall is one of the most sacred sites recognised by those of the Jewish faith, second only to Temple Mount itself. It is a place where the thousands gather in their masses to pray and worship. It is often speculated how the giant stones of the western wall were made, but nothing is certain. Men and Women must worship and pray at separate sections of the Western Wall.

Lotus Temple – New Delhi

lotus-temple

Serving as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent, the Lotus Temple is so named for its flower-like design. The beautiful temple has won countless architectural awards. The temple is open to all regardless of religion or faith, and the Baha’i laws decree that the House of Worship is designed to be a gathering place for people of all religions to worship God without restrictions. Although Choir music is permitted, no musical instruments can be played inside the lotus.

Is there a temple or shrine that you would love to visit? Penguin car hire can help you get there with a hired car!

Things To Do In Toulouse

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Toulouse is one of the many beautiful classical French Cities of the modern world. Its’ cultural and heritage sites are located mainly in the Old Town, and there are countless things to do for any tourist looking for a culturally rich experience while holidaying in the south of France.

Toulouse is known as the Pink City or La Ville Rose, and this is because of the huge number of red brick buildings located in Toulouse. Although Toulouse is a beautiful city in itself, it is important to make sure that you check out all the best cultural and popular spots for tourists, when visiting Toulouse. We have compiled a list of some of the best things to do while in Toulouse, so that you are sure to find something for everyone in the family!

Toulouse_by_night_with_Basilique_Saint-Sernin

Toulouse By Night

Museum of Toulouse/Botanical Gardens

The Museum of Toulouse is Toulouse’s National History Museum and contains much of Toulouse’s cultural history and the history of France itself. With Study Days specially made for students, and exhibitions on the native animals of France and their habitats, the Toulouse Natural History Museum is a great stop for any animal lover wanting to know more about the wildlife of southern France.

Toulouse_Grand_Rond_05195Plus with the Botanical gardens right next to the Natural History Museum, you can come along and walk amongst a variety of beautiful flowers and several species of birds native to France. It is a public area, with free entry, and tourists can picnic among the flowers and the birds, for a truly magical experience.

 

Jolimont Observatory

A great place to visit at any time of day, and surrounded by the beautiful gardens of Toulouse, the Jolimont Observatory is best visited in the evening at winter time, as stargazing is available, and you can get a fantastic view of the night lit city of Toulouse from the observatory as well. There are several sessions of covering stargazing taught throughout the week with lessons tailored towards children, conducted by the Popular Astronomy Society.

Space City

Toulouse holds the role as a capital city of the European Space Program, so the Space City includes exciting sights to see including model displays of ships as well as life-size replicas that include the Mir Space Station and the Ariane 5 Space Rocket.

Plus with hands on interactive displays, there is plenty to see for both children and adults, and there is even a virtual reality space experience available, if you think you are brave enough. The Space City entrance fee is around twenty Euros, depending on the age of your children, and the City is open daily from 9:30 until 5pm. It can be accessed by bus.

farmers-market-toulouse

Farmers Market in Toulouse

If you want a more casual, light-hearted day, you could always go for a brief walk or wander around one of the many small markets of Toulouse, as it is a beautiful city. Toulouse also has a number of professional restaurants to offer, many of which are popular with both tourists visiting the city and the natives living there. A sign of a good French restaurant is to see lots of native eating there!

About the Author

This post was written by Amy Jenkins who writes for a number of online publications about European travel and has provided the article on behalf of SFHV, the number one site for holiday villa rentals in the south of France.