France: On The Road

Paris, the city of love and a thousand other clichés, still holds a certain mystic. But no matter how many written words this great city has commanded - however familiar this town may appear - Paris will always remain an enigma, a magnet for millions of visitors from around the world.

Paris carries an enchantment that you cannot always put your finger on. We perceive Parisians as chic and stylish, forever setting the trend.

But there is more to this country than just its capital. France is home to over 60 million people, including many of North African descent.

One of the things that keeps France great is its attention to detail: the back street shop that sells 30 varieties of croissant, the creaseless department store bags to carry home your latest in fashionable attire, the delightful little chocolates that accompany your coffee on one of the street corner cafes.

The French language itself conjures up magic and mystery, adding to the romance of being in an alien land.

The modern France bears aspects of foreign influence. Alongside the chic boutiques and stylish cafes sit far-western heavyweights such as McDonalds. But France will forever remain French. Chic and panache will always prevail.

Provided you can steer clear of the boy racers who treat the roads as racing tracks, France will satisfy even the most ardent explorers.

When visiting France, the first place on most people’s itineraries is Paris, and the fabulous Louvre. Whilst Napoleon endeavoured to conquer Europe, his armies busied themselves collecting the spoils from their defeated hosts.

When the Louvre was built in 1793, these trophies were exhibited in the new museum for the whole of France to witness.

Today the Louvre has been given a modern day makeover. A magnificent glass pyramid embraces the museum making it instantly recognisable around the world.

If you can endure the crowds, some of the world’s most celebrated art can be witnessed. These include ‘Winged Victory’ and the ‘Mona Lisa’ with her legendary smile.

For those wanting an escape from the hustle and bustle of France’s busy cities, the town of Chamonix offers the perfect contrast to city life. Located in one of the spectacular valleys of the French Alps, Chamonix offers picture postcard views, dominated by centuries old glaciers and the imposing summit of Mount Blanc.

Just one of the many reasons for France being the world’s number one tourist destination.

5 Reasons Why Skiing Is Good For You.

At last the excuse you've always needed: 5 surefire reasons why you should go on that skiing holiday.

At last, solid proof for what we’ve long suspected: skiing and snowboarding are good for you. And that’s not just because they’re both great fun and put a smile on your face but because this also improves our health, happiness, red blood cell count and makes us live longer. The evidence has always been there for us to see: the bearded septuagenarian bounding past you for the fifteenth time as you struggle down your first run of the day. Here’s his secret...

Sunlight.
Are you SAD? 1 in 50 people in the UK suffer from seasonal affective disorder which is a type of depression which commonly occurs during the winter months when the days are shorter. You travel to and from work in the dark, are cooped up in the office all day, and levels of serotonin, the brain’s natural mood lifter, drop. SADs can vary from mild winter blues to a more severe form where people can’t function in the winter without treatment. So get treatment and get up on the mountain. You may get depressed about the cost of a beer on the slopes, but that’s not quite the same thing.

Adrenalin.
We’re all just animals, obviously some creationists may disagree, but we need to exercise our fight or flight responses. What safer, or better, way of doing this than searching out the steepest black run you can find, or something just a little bit beyond your normal comfort zone. The adrenalin surge will activate the beta receptors in your nervous system causing your heart to beat faster and increasing air to the lungs. This stimulates the brain, and the endorphin rush of relief when it’s over, will make you feel like a super human after every run. You can then undo the good work done by celebrating with some après ski in the bar afterwards.

Altitude.
Can the news get any better? Just being at altitude can make you thin, fit and desirable - at least the first two are true. A couple of years ago the Austrian Moderate Altitude Study was carried out. Men who were overweight and suffered from high blood pressure and high cholesterol were prescribed walks at an altitude of between  1400m and 2000M. The result? Exercise at altitude improves heart function and circulation, lowers blood pressure and burns calories. There was also an increased number of young red blood cells. So, as far as the theory goes, skiing rocks and just getting off at the top of the Aiguille du Midi (3842m) could add years to your life.

Fresh Air.
Spending time in the great outdoors helps to prevent disease and boost recovery. You can avoid the pretty nasty particles which float around in the urban air. According to some Harvard boffins in their Six Cities 1993 study those people living in the most polluted cities have a 26% greater risk of dying young than those in the cleanest. So give yourself a break from the congested traffic and polluted air and breath in that fresh, crisp, revitalising mountain air.

Learning.
Learning is good for us. Your parents told you so and they were right, but they and you need to heed that advice. Learning new skills later in life can slow down the onset of dementia. Attempting challenges such as learning a foreign language - which you can practice at the bar - or new skills, such as skiing, will reduce the risk of getting age related symptoms and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

So what are you waiting for? Skiing is not only great fun but also scientifically proven to be good for you. Now that surely is an unbeatable combination.