Peterborough is a historic city which can trace it’s fenland roots back to before the Bronze Age.

Staying in Peterborough is a good way to base an exploration of the city and surrounding area. Originally built in 655 AD, the cathedral has since been rebuilt on various occasions. Parts of the current building can be traced back approximately 900 years. Unfortunately, the cathedral wasn't chosen as one of the backdrops for Harry Potter's films. Which is a shame as it's gothic style of architecture would have fitted in well.

Evenings in the city can be livened up by the local music scene, which caters for everything from the usual pub and club discos, through to acoustic and electric sessions from local bands. Some venues offer the opportunity of an "unplugged" session, so you can enjoy a peaceful time. Other pubs and bars regularly host local bands.

Check the program in Peterborough in case one of the various popular events such as the Campaign for Real Ale's beer festival are taking place. If this is the case, make sure you book your accommodation ahead. Every year, the East of England Show dominates the city. If your stay in Peterborough is at the same time as these events, be certain to book your accommodation in good time.

There are lots of different places to eat out in Peterborough. You can dine in Chinese, Indian or Italian restaurants. In recent years, the city has also seen an increase in Polish restaurants.

The river Nene sees regattas in both the spring and summer. There is also a river race in February, which is well worth watching.

If you're fit enough, you could even decide to run in the Great Eastern Run. Over three thousand runners attempt this half marathon through the city's streets, watched by even more spectators.

Whatever your reason for staying in Peterborough, you’re bound to find a warm welcome in one of Peterborough’s hotels and guest houses. There is accommodation available to meet with all budgetary requirements, from small family run guest houses through to the larger Peterborough hotels.

Paris in Spring - is a cliche, but most times of the year, even in winter, she is never entirely deserted by tourists and for good reason: Paris is a tourist’s dream city

Whether your ideal lodgings in Paris are a central Paris hotel choose something memorable for your stay.

Choose the neighbourhood that works best for your trip. Arty Montmatre, the laid-back left bank or something further out on the Metro line they all have their advantages. A comfortable Paris hotel all offer something - decide what is important to you before making a booking.

Here are some suggested starting places for a first time visitor to Paris. The extensive, reliable and cheap metro makes it easy to get around Paris regardless of where your hotel is located
Remember to hold onto your wallet tight, especially when the hoards descend on you trying to sell the usual tourist junk at popular locations such as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre|Notre Dame Cathedral.

Montmartre
In the north of the city Montmartre is the traditional artists, bohemian quarter. The steep streets are a challenge but the reward is making it to the huge Sacre Coeur Cathedral. From the cathedral are stunning views across the heart of Paris to the Eiffel Tower. Montmartre is also home to the famed red light district and the Moulin Rouge, offering a blend of gimmicky and genuine places of interest.

Champs-Elysees
Although an attraction in itself, the long and wide Champs-Elysees boulevard is often a pleasant departure from the more built up areas of the city. Tourists are unlikely to find a cheap Paris hostel along here, however. However the many luxury 5 star hotels are nearby.

At one end of the Champs-Elysees is the Arc de Triomphe: one of the city’s must-sees, honoring the soldiers that fought in France’s wars. It can also be an amusing place to watch cars carefully navigating the bizarre Charles de Gaulle roundabout (nicknamed L’Etoile, or star), famed for its confusing lack of road markings. As a predestrian avoid death and take the underpass.

You can’t afford a luxury trip to Paris? Reconsider, here are tips that will get you a luxury vacation for less.

The single most important thing for a cost-effective vacation is pick you time. Times to avoid in Paris: Christmas, September/October when there are large trade shows. Do you want to splurg on a 5 star hotel? Rates are often cheaper at weekends and particularly in August, when the locals abandon Paris.

Try to time your departure so that you leave late at night having had a full day in Paris: your hotel will hold your luggage even if you have to check out in the morning. An extra day in Paris and no hotel expenses, perfect! Sleep on the plane its the best thing to do on them.

Don’t go alone: preferably take a couple of friends and share a room: you will normally pay the same for two adults as one and the third person is much less than half the tarrif for two.

Don’t hire a car . Paris was not designed for cars. You won't be happy if you hire a car and fight the crazy traffic: instead walk or catch the metro. If you need a car for the rest of your trip, arrange your car hire to start when you time in Paris finishes.

On-line travel sites are great for finding and coparing the best hotel rates. Don’t just book with the first site you find though. Try five or six especially if you are looking for smaller, boutique hotels. Not every hotel is on every travel website portal.

Remember that many attractions including museums close one day a week: usually early in the week. If you are in town for those two days then double check which days your “must see” sites are open to avoid disappointment.

Don’t use taxis to hop around town: use the Metro for longer trips or walk: Paris is one of the most walkable cities in the world and most of the major sights and shopping areas are within easy walking distance.

A new development in inner city transport is the Vélib program (”vélo Liberté” or Freedom Bikes) by which it is possible to rent a bike for a very modest price. The first 30 minutes is free (plus a Euro1 daily fee payable by credit card) and prices rise raipidly for longer rental: designed to encourage you to drop off the bike and pick up a new one as you require: what a great reason to stop at cafe or two…

Paris is a wonderful city and who doesn’t want to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Musse d’Orsay, Notre Dame Church. Make sure you make the effort to make it to top stared restaraunt at least once on your visit.

Choose a Paris Luxury Hotel for your next European vacation and really see a different side of that wonderful city. A central Paris hotel will help you spend most of your time in the city of romance not commuting from a remote suburb. Selecting the best Parisian hotel can make or break your vacation.

In 1963 while traveling in Jamaica, I found what was believed to be an authentic Greenhow Williamsburg 1770 sealed old glass bottle.  I actually agonized over the purchase for $30.00.  In 1972 while visiting Williamsburg, I discovered that whole antique glass bottles like this had never been found!  My bottle was presented and alas the curator, Noel Hume, stated that it was not old but rather a 1930s Williamsburg reproduction.  The good news was that at that time it was worth $60.  The color of the bottle was good.  The methods used to produce the bottle were right on.  It had an applied seal.  There was a broken pontil (a rough spot on the bottom where the glass blower broke the pipe away from the object) and the mold marks were polished when it was taken out of the mold.  But, the curator stated that the give away was that it just looked too good.  The bottle would most likely have been used and show wear from use or worse mis-treatment.

This is one of the clues for distinguishing old glass, antique glass from new.  Check the bottom of a piece to see if there are scratches.  Expect to see wear where it makes sense.  The bottom of a bottle would show scratches where it was slid over tabletops.  These marks should not be uniform but rather random in depth, direction, width and length.  Parallel lines or concentric circles would be suspect.  Sandpaper can be used to simulate wear marks.

Reproductions are often made from original molds and museums often offer reproductions for sale.  Checking museum catalogs is a good way to see what is currently being offered and thus not old.  Reproductions from such sources may be marked or tagged but the mark may be with an easily removed paper label and the tag may have been discarded.  And, don’t forget to check out places like Cracker Barrel to see what is new.  You will often see colors in new glass offerings that you will never see in older glass.

Logan Adams is a Certified Personal Property Appraiser and the Owner of The Specialists of the South in Panama City Florida. She is an old glass collector and specializes in antique glass bottles.

      Ok, so you’ve got the dress, you’ve mailed the invitations, you’ve booked a place and a caterer, and now you and your fiancé are thinking about the fun part – the honeymoon!  The first step is to think about your destination.  The next step is probably to choose your resort.  If you are particular about a certain resort, you may need to pick your lodging before your destination – or you might end up switching locations a couple of times.  Often though, trying a new accommodation with you mate is half the fun.  Play around with the choices and don’t forget to keep your options open.  Regardless of the destination decision your hotel accommodations will undoubtedly make a difference.  The following are just a few things to think about when making arrangements for that romantic getaway. 

      First, choose the location of your exciting and amore-filled vacation.  Do you see yourself sipping Pina Coladas on the beach? Do you want a secluded cabin on the top of a mountain?  Lounging on a cruise in the middle of the ocean?  Want to be seeing shows and playing slot machines in Las Vegas?  Regardless of your destination research the accommodations ahead of time.  Another important thing to think about is budget.  You don’t want to blow all your cash on the room then have to skimp and save on other fun stuff – like shopping and eating!     

      One way to start focusing on how much you can spend is to create a budget worksheet to help estimate your expenses.  Figure out where you want to go and how many nights you will be able to stay in that location.  How much you can spend per night on the hotel costs alone is another important factor.  If you choose an all-inclusive resort, or cruise line, you can cut the food expense out and increase your hotel rate to even out the costs. Another initial cost when deciding on your lodging accommodations is what type of hotel room do you want?  Are you expecting the Penthouse Suite or content with a regular room with a queen sized bed?  The little details that are important to you make the difference in a once in a life honeymoon. 

      Once you’ve got these initial questions answered, start hunting for the resort that fits your style.  When you finally decide on the one hotel that matches your taste, or a few hotels for those of you who want to hop around, start booking them.  Remember to try to book as soon as possible.  If you have your heart set on one resort and have done a lot of research to find it, you definitely don’t want to be let down by finding that is already sold out.  Regardless of the destination, your honeymoon is bound to get you skipping down the road of life together with a sentimental start.  

Read more on Winter Honeymoon Destinations and Romantic Honeymoons at The Wedding Blogger.