Hotel-Restaurant des Cascades, Mullerthal

Advantages: Tranquillity in the heart of Paris
Disadvantages: Zoo might be smelly in hot weather

...The area in Paris known as the Jardin des plantes is very tranquil and you would find it hard to believe you are in one of the major European cities of the world. In this area you will find a large park of botanical gardens and a menagerie. An ideal place to sit a while and take refreshments from the cafe, or wander around the pathways and sit for a while for a therapeutic break from the hustle and bustle of the city. I have visited here several times, at different times of the year, and even in the height of the tourist season the area was not overcrowded. The area is easily reached by several metro stations, RER and SNCF at Gare d'austerlitz and buses on routes 47 and 89. Centuries ago the botanical gardens were used for growing herbs, for medicinal purposes. The oldest public zoo, Menagerie, in France is situated... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Beautiful small typical French chateau lovingly restored by owners
Disadvantages: B&B, not suitable for small children or disabled guests

...I'm reluctant to review as I would like to keep the Chateau all to myself! A 14th century turreted main building, Italian style terrace, set in a stunning 25 hectare park and lovingly restored by the owners, Eric, Dominique and Emmanuel, with taste and passion over the last 7 years. The chateau is built into a limestone cliff and the owners' private quarters/kitchen and offices are in fact troglodyte caves! There are approximately 50 caves on the property. As this is a B&B, not an hotel,there are only 8 bedrooms, prices range from 112-150 euro (30 euro fro an extra bed) including 2 with four poster beds in a small house 25 metres from the main house, and the style of each room is different, but obviously French; furnishings are antique and splendid, but not so grand that you feel uncomfortable. The whole chateau is non... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Nice, a big town, on the sea side, close to mountains, good life.
Disadvantages: So often fully booked even on low period due to congresspeople.

...For my first opinion on CIAO.UK, I am writing about my natural born town : Nice. Wherever weather is cloudy, rainy, windy and frozen, Nice is still sunny (more than 280 days per year) and warm in summer time (average temperature 26 - 30°) not cold in winter time (almost 12 - 20°). Last time I remember snow in Nice, it was 1986! and believe me it was such a mess on the roads and everywhere, no schools, most of the shops were closed, but good time and superbe pictures from the famous Promenade des Anglais covered by snow! Nice is located close to the italian frontier, so many italian influences (the town is french since 1865) : clothes at the balconies ready to dry, restaurants propose plates like pizzas, soccas, lasagna, etc... and finally juste come for New Year's eve and you will understand how much italian love the French Riviera... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful