5 Reasons Why Now Is The Best Time To Visit Paris

By http://wanderingtrader.com

When is the best time to visit Paris?

The city has been in the news recently and unfortunately it has been for all the wrong reasons.

First and foremost, my heart goes out to all those affected by what has happened recently.

I have a handful of traders in Paris that shared their stories with me. Two of which were in the general area where the attacks occurred.

Best time to visit Paris

Thankfully, everyone is okay but the city has suffered a blow to its reputation. Temporarily at least.

This is precisely why now is one of the best times to visit Paris.

#1: Terrorism Rarely Happens Twice

Ironically, the one of the best times to visit any place in the world would be right after a terrorist attack. Never would I wish that on any city or country, but when we have an attack in a specific location we never have another attack immediately after.  Security is heightened in the region and countries (as well as cities) take extra precautions to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.  While everyone is scared about what happened it is the safest time to visit because it becomes that much harder for another terrorist attack to occur.

Do keep in mind that there may be some limitations due to the increase in security and the French surely won’t go out of their way to thank you for visiting.

Right now the Eiffel Tower is closed and other sites may be affected as well.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Paris and see the Arc de Triumph

#2: The Euro Has Taken A Smack Down

As I day trade for a living I keep quite abreast of the financial situations across the globe. This is one way to save money while traveling.  We don’t have to rush to see things in our lifetime at the end of the day we do have 80 year live spans :D.

Right now it is one of the best times to visit Paris because the Euro has taken quite a hit compared to the US.  While the reasoning is more complex it is also due to the US Dollar increasing in value significantly.

During the great recession of 2008 one dollar equaled over 1.5 Euro. That means that everything that we bought in Europe costs us 50% more. While the exchange has fluctuated up and down now the current exchange rate has been hovering between roughly 1.60 (1 US dollar equals 1.60 Euros) to 1.20.  As of Jan 2nd, 2015, we had a huge breakout to the downside and now we are hovering between 1.05 (1 USD dollar equals 1.05 Euros) and 1.14.

The best part is we will most likely go to parity very soon meaning that 1 US Dollar will equal 1 Euro.

If the current state of the economy stays the same there is actually an opportunity that the US dollar will be worth more than Euros which could benefit all travelers using US Dollars.

This is one of the great things about the world economy right now, while it isn’t great, many Americans are able to travel very cheaply.  Especially to countries that are commodity based (sell things like Oil, Silver, Gold, etc).

The best time to visit Paris may be 6 months from now.

Shangri-La Paris

#3: Tourism Is Going To Take A Big Hit

People are scared.

Many have cancelled their plans and/or are going to travel to safer countries like…. Colombia? (GASP)

Air France has reported that it has taken a $54.5 million hit after the Paris attacks and there was a drop in hotel occupancy of 12%.

What all these fancy numbers mean is that things are going to get cheaper, a lot cheaper.

Hotel rooms (I recommend the fancy Shangri-La with a view of the Eiffel Tower) and airfare will drop first followed by other items. With both the dollar getting stronger and prices getting cheaper it could be one of the best times to visit Paris in a very long time.

Best times to visit Paris Marcello

#4: The Economy Is Going To Get Worse Before It Gets Better

The global is not going well. One of the things something the main stream media doesn’t want us to believe. Things haven’t really recovered since the Great Recession of 2008.

It is of course not all bad news.

Very similar to how the Euro is weakening the entire global economy is going to get worse, not better. It won’t be a great thing for all of us but a fantastic thing for traveling. Supply and demand is simple.

The more things get worse the less people will travel.

The less people will travel the more prices will come down.

Even though things aren’t great out there I want to take this moment to say that whenever there is a crisis there is great opportunity. There were more millionaires created during the Great Depression in 1929 (one of the worst moments of the global economy in history) than at any point in the history of the United States. Since the world is so connected this is going to be one of the best times to be able to make money.

I wanted to send that little note to those out there that are having a hard time because there is always an opportunity to make money out there.

What food in Paris looks like: Breakfast

#5: Paris Is Still Amazing

I didn’t go during the best time to visit Paris (July) last year but it was still fantastic. I always had a habit of avoiding the iconic city because I wanted to travel off the beaten path.  The idea was to stay away from the most visited places in the world.  Including the most visited city in the world, Paris.

Paris has a way to steal your heart away.

Finding the best time to visit Paris will only enhance your experience.

The food is rich and amazing while the portions are small to not deluge your waistline. The sites are incredible and historic. Visiting outside of the hot and humid months of July and August you will enjoy the city that much more.

It goes without saying there are some downsides.

While I didn’t have a bad experience with the people in Paris, there are rumors that they are very short of nice to begin with (according to the rumors).  The other item I wasn’t a fan of is the fact that everyone seems to smoke. Every outdoor cafe has a habit of shoving as many people on their patio as possible.  So we get to smell the wonderful smoke from everyone.

Keep in mind that overall Europe follows the general schedule where the peak in tourism occurs in the summer. July and August are the peak months. To have the best combination between privacy and good weather the Spring would be the best time to visit Paris. The months of May and June would be best. June is when the number of visitors start to increase quite a bit.

Five Recommended Value Destinations In Europe

City breaks in Europe are a popular type of holiday for those on a tight budget and many cities off the beaten track have lots to offer travelers.

Eastern Europe is particularly affordable and a long weekend in countries such as Bulgaria, Poland and Croatia definitely does not have to break the bank.

Here are five of the best for an affordable city break:

Budapest

Historic Hungarian capital Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in the whole of Europe. Famous for its thermal spas and gourmet pastries, Budapest is a city that is definitely on the up.

Condé Nast Traveler has named Budapest the world's second best city and it boasts an extensive World Heritage Site, which takes in locations such as the banks of the River Danube and Heroes' Square.

Budapest is also renowned for its unique cuisine and strong café culture, while visitors should visit some of the Danube's seven islands, the best of which is perhaps Margaret Island, with its lovely park.

Prague

Prague may well be the cheapest city in Europe for food and drink, so a long weekend in the capital of the Czech Republic can be easily done on a small budget.

The city has countless top cultural attractions to explore too - there is too much to fit into one trip - but must-see sights include Old Town Square and the Prague astronomical clock, Prague Castle and Charles Bridge.

With very diverse nightlife options, city breaks in Prague are particularly suited to younger travellers but there are lots of museums, galleries and theatres to enjoy for the older crowd too. Czech beer is famous around the world and Prague is undoubtedly the best place to sample it.

Sofia

Sofia is the second oldest city in all of Europe but is enjoying a sudden boost in popularity. The National Literature Museum and the Museum of Socialist Art are two of the most important cultural locations in the city, which also hosts the National Opera and Ballet of Bulgaria.

Among Sofia's UNESCO World Heritage sites are the Boyana Church, while those interested in religious buildings should also take time to visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which can hold as many as 10,000 people.

Sofia also has a completely unique atmosphere and its location at the foot of the Vitosha mountain gives the city a very special feel.

Zagreb

Croatia's capital city has a rich history and its museums are the envy of the whole of Europe. Zagreb is also famous for its INmusic festival, which takes place in the middle of the summer and attracts some of the biggest names in music each year.

Among the best tourist attractions the city has to offer is the Maksimir Park & Zoo, which is just a ten-minute tram ride out of the centre. Seals, sea lions and otters are among the zoo's many animals, while this part of the city is also home to Croatia's national football stadium, where Dinamo Zagreb play their home matches.

Warsaw

Warsaw has long been one of the most popular affordable city breaks in Europe.

The Polish city is known around the world for its unique nightlife, with countless pubs and bars to choose from. Revellers are advised to head to the courtyard in Listopada, which is where the amazing alternative club Hydrozagadka can be found.

Warsaw has lots to offer during the day too, with royal art collections and a series of fascinating museums to explore. A walking tour through Warsaw's historic Old Town is also a great way to get a feel for the city and learn about its past.

Best Value Destinations In Europe

Contributed by Tom Masters, Lonely Planet

Offering some of the world’s most iconic sights, best museums and superb cuisines, Europe is always an attractive and exciting destination, though overpriced hotels, extortionate entry fees and eye-wateringly priced restaurants in many parts of the continent can make travel here feel less than a bargain at times. Below we give you our tips for the best value destinations in the continent that has it all – whether it’s a city break with style or an extreme sports adventure, these are the places to go in Europe to get the best travel experiences for your money in 2013.

Greek Islands

It’s perhaps worth noting that old fallacy that the Chinese word for ‘crisis’ is the same as that for ‘opportunity.’ While Greece’s economic miseries may continue, there’s never been a better time to island hop, with perceived instability deterring many regular visitors. As a result Greece’s normally packed beaches will be far quieter than usual this summer, more welcoming than ever and island economies are likely to be far cheaper especially if you travel outside of peak season. Some of our favourite spots include Hydra, Kefallonia, Ikaria and Santorini.

Fortifications protecting small port of Hydra island. Photo by Mariusz Kluzniak / Getty Images.

Lisbon

In the charming and dramatically hilly Portuguese capital of Lisbon your money goes a long way: delicious coffee or a pastel de nata (traditional custard tart) in the sun tend to cost less than a euro, and you can eat well and ride around town on the rickety but romantic network of old trams for similarly bargain prices. Free museums such as the contemporary collection of the Museu Colecção Berardo are further deal sweeteners – and there are always the beaches to the south of the city to enjoy on a day trip if you tire of the city’s plentiful urban pursuits.

The rooftops of Lisbon. Photo by Tom Masters / Lonely Planet.

Iceland

It may never become a true budget destination, but Iceland is cheaper that it has been in a decade following several economically tumultuous years and a currency devaluation that suddenly made its once outrageous prices far more reasonable. This makes now a superb time to discover this stunning North Atlantic island where volcanoes, geysers, glaciers and hot springs create one of the planet’s most exciting landscapes. For those on a very tight budget, wild camping is allowed across Iceland and is a great hotel alternative for those that don’t mind roughing it.

Strokkur (the Churn), Geysir, Golden Circle, Iceland. Photo by Peter Adams / Getty Images.

Albanian Riviera

Getting Mediterranean beaches to yourself can be a mission anywhere in Europe, let alone getting them at a decent price. Even Albania’s Ioanian coastline, long a backpacker magnet, has become pricey and crowded in parts, as new roads and hotels have been constructed along what is certainly some of Southern Europe’s most beautiful coastline. But there are still bargains to be had: Vuno and Drymades are still development-free and boast access to superb slices of idyllic beach. Elsewhere Albania offers superb mountain walking, ancient mountain towns and a plucky, fun and cheap capital city, Tirana.

Empty coastline of the Albanian Riviera. Photo by Tom Masters / Lonely Planet.

Berlin

Surprisingly, Berlin, the capital of Europe’s largest economy is also one of its cheapest cities. And what a city: where else can you see Cold War and WWII relics in the flesh, enjoy a selection of some of Europe’s best contemporary art and shopping before dining on traditional German food with a modern twist and then spending a pittance as you bar hop between some of the coolest and most fun bars and clubs on the planet? What’s more, mid-range accommodation is at rock bottom prices here, just a fraction of what you’ll pay in cities of similar stature such as London, Paris or Rome.

Berlin mural. Photo by Tom Masters / Lonely Planet.

Faroe Islands

Where? Few people can place the treeless Faroe Islands, a self-governing nation within the Kingdom of Denmark, approximately halfway between Scotland and Iceland, and that’s a shame as the 18 extraordinary-looking volcanic creations that soar out of the Atlantic offer some of Europe’s best-value hiking and bird watching. With the Faroese government generously subsidising the helicopters and boats that function like buses between the islands, you can zip about very affordably and enjoy world-class walking without seeing so much as another soul. Accommodation is in surprisingly comfortable hostels and increasingly popular homestays arranged by the tourist board.

Hiking the Faroe Islands. Photo by Tom Masters / Lonely Planet.

Istanbul

Right on the edge of Europe, with Asia tantalisingly just across the Bosphorus, Istanbul is nevertheless one of the great European cities, with an almost endless list of world-class attractions that keep visitors busy for days. Now is a superb time to visit as the twenty-year renovation of the iconic Aya Sofya is finally due to be completed this year and is looking incredible both inside and out. Low hotel prices at the budget end of the spectrum combined with plentiful cheap flights due to the city’s status as a major air hub combine to make any trip here very competitively priced, while a generally low cost of living by European standards keeps things very affordable in other spheres as well.

Street food vendor, Istanbul. Photo by Andrea Pistolesi / Getty Images.

Slovenia

The word is well and truly out about tiny Slovenia, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still great value. Nestled between tourism behemoths Italy, Austria and Croatia, it’s cheaper than all three, though its main attraction is its superb range of deals on all kinds of activities such as skiing, rafting, canyoning and hiking. Tiny capital Ljubljana’s prices may have been steadily rising since the adoption of the euro, but you can still bed down and eat cheaply.

Dragon Bridge at sunset, Ljubjiana, Slovenia. Photo by Michele Falzone / Getty Images.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-blog/tip-article/?p=59404#ixzz2W6f3qfYm
For more information on Albania you are welcome to visit: https://www.lydiascapes.com/2-day-itinerary-tirana-albania/