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Don't rush off from the marvellous Gare Du Nord railway station - take half an hour or so to have a good look around this amazing terminus.
Over a hundred years old, the fantastic Gothic canopy is held up by huge cast iron pillars (made in Scotland actually, where the only foundry large enough to make them was located!).
The whole structure reminds one of a vast cathedral. Outside too is most impressive, with outstanding stone carvings and a most impressive facade.
Although constantly noisy and busy, the station is world class and should be savoured, not swallowed and forgotten! Enjoy.
The Brasserie du Gard Du Nord is the best place to prepare for a Sunday afternon journey back from Paris.
All the classics, fantastic surroundings, plate of oysters and a chilled bottle of something lets you drowse contentedly all the way back to Londres!
On your next metro journey take a detour to Line 14 for a space-age theme park ride.
The high-speed "Meteor" line is driverless so you can sit at the front and enjoy an exhilerating driver's eye view along the eerie twisting tunnels.
It is much faster and better than London's Docklands Light Railway. Get off at Bercy Station to admire the platform's lush underground jungle.
The Métro can be expensive. Tickets can be purchased individually for €1.30, but a carnet (book of 10) is only €10 - split one with your friends.
It's a bus company that has fab buses across the whole of Peru. Do not beliew the Lonely Planet that says it is not safe to travel by bus at night. There is a host on the bus who you can call at any time. They look after you, feed you and the security is great.
All over peru
It is a bit of a challenge getting around Delhi. There are some areas now served by the metro. But apart from that, autos (three-wheeled tuk tuks) are an absolute no-no, you end up paying more than what you would pay to a cab (black car with yellow roofs).
There is also a a radio cab service, which is also air-conditoned and reasonably clean. Available on call at 1920, 1929, 123.
www.megacabs.com/radio-taxi.html
www.delhilive.com/radio-cabs-launched-in-delhi
For 60 Krone you can get a pass for 24 hours which you can use on buses, trams, the metro and ferries. Especially good is to take a "mini cruise" around the islands in the bay. Also go up the hill on metro Line 1 to Frognerseteren for great views over the city.
All transport stations
The No69 bus is ideal for when the legs are too tired for walking. This bus journey travels across Paris taking in some of the most wonderful views of the city along the way with plenty of places to jump off for a bite, cafe or kir!
Use Paris as the start of your Europe-by-rail trip - it's the perfect two day stop off before catching the overnight train to Rome or Barcelona.
For a real treat, take a helicopter flight over Mt Cook with the Helicopter Line. The company have various flight options and most include a 'drop down' on to a snowfield for a short walk. You need good weather, but if it is sunny, the views are spectacular.
One of the top ten railway journeys in the world, this is an absolutely magical experience. The train goes once a day from Christchurch on the west coast of the South Island to Greymouth on the east and back, traversing some of the most spectacular scenery from the Canterbury Plain near Christchurch to the Southern Alps, stopping at Arthur's Pass high up in the mountains.
An outside observation carriage in the centre of the train enhances the feeling of being closer to the contrasting scenery (fleece and gloves needed!). Allocated seats, checked-in luggage and lovely waffles make this an unmissable experience.
Return journey from Christchurch (early start) or one way from Greymouth (lunchtime departure). I did the latter as I started from Nelson, taking a six-hour bus journey to Greymouth along almost deserted roads and past amazing scenery including part of the Buller River used in The Fellowship of the Ring, and the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes.
The catamaran from Split to Hvar takes one hour, and the ferry takes just over two.
If you're not pressed for time (they cost the same - 38kuna or £3.50), take the ferry as you can sit on the top deck and sunbathe as you pass by beautiful islands.
from Split harbour, Jandrolinja ferries/catamarans
If you are planning on going to Zavala or Sveti Nedelja beach, don't go by scooter. Nothing can prepare you for the long, dark tunnel you have to pass through to get to them.
Scooters aren't meant to use it, although they didn't tell us this in the rental shop. There are literally no lights, so it is pitch black as the scooter lights are not designed to light up the road but just to be seen.
We had to follow the car in front very closely to see by his tail lights, and the tunnel was damp so we were afraid of slipping. On the way back it was worse as there was a car behind us and we were able to see the road which was not properly surfaced, full of ruts and pot holes, and very narrow. We were both shaking when we finally got to the end!
on way to Zavala beach
If you are planning on staying a little further out of Hvar centre and renting a scooter or car to get into town or see more of the island, be aware that there only seems to be one company that rents them and it's very expensive!
We were shocked to pay £32 a day for a banged-up old scooter which could hardly make it up the hills (we paid £7 a day last year in Greece). Cars were £56 a day.
Having said that, it is worth it for at least a day, to visit some of the beaches, and to take the old road via Brusje on the way home, gorgeous view from top of Hvar looking out towards Brac as the sun sets.
Rent scooters from the bus station at Hvar
The best and most fun way to see the sights of Paris is to take a personal tour in an original 40-year-old Citroen 2CV complete with a bereted driver.
Besides soaking up the atmosphere, you feel like a minor celebrity as tourists jostle to get a snap of this motoring curiosity. The engine stalling, dodgy gear changes and the curses directed by the driver at other motorists who have cut him up along the Champs D'Elysee, all add to the Gallic charm and fun.
www.4roues-sous-1parapluie.com/paris-lyon/concept.php?langue=anglais
For a more relaxing approach to sightseeing your way across Paris while avoiding the Metro stairs and escalators, get a day or period pass for the Batobus along the Seine.
www.allo-france.com/city-break/paris-tickets/seine-cruise/batobus-ticket.asp
In Montpellier, it is essential that you take the trams to the end of the line. If you get a pass it doesn't cost a penny extra, and when you reach the end of the line in either direction, prices drop dramatically.
This applies especially to the food, and there's no drop in quality - if anything I'd say that, out of the city, the quality is even better quality, as you get proper French produce. A case in point is the Auchan supermarket - it's brilliant. Plus, the tram lines are very inexpensive and very comfortable to ride.
Tell all tourists to buy an Oyster Card rather than letting Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, rip them off!
A ludicrously expensive city, but a one day bus pass will take you anywhere for only £3.50.
My tip is Bus 96, which runs between Gare Montparnasse and Porte des Lilas.
Even if you don't get off, and just take it from one end to the other, you'll get a wonderful insight into Parisian lives and times.
You can use the 96 to shop in the chic area around Odeon, or the wonderful market on Richard Lenoir, You can stroll through the famous cemetery at Montparnasse, where the illustrious dead include Serge Gainsbourg and Sam Becket.
Bus 96 is also a great way of taking in the Picasso Museum, or simply taking the weight off your feet. But remember to take account of one-way traffic system, which means that it doesn't always go back the same way as it arrived.
www.RATP.com (body overseeing public transport in Paris)
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