Perfect Hotel in Paris

Can’t decide where to stay in Paris? Check out the Perfect Hotel located in the 9th arrondissement,  home to the Paris Opera.

The Perfect Hotel is all that you would expect in an Paris hotel and more. With quaint little balconies and modest, but clean, well-appointed rooms, it makes an ideal base for exploring the city.

With it’s central location, you’re just a short walk from the Anvers station on the Metro line, which only costs 1.60 Euros per ticket.  From there, you’re only two stops away from La Chappelle, the station that is connected to Gare du Nord, one of the major train stations in Paris with access to the RER regional trains and the Eurostar if you plan to head to Lille, London or Belgium. It’s also a short Metro ride to the Charles de Gaulle – Etoile stop, which is right next to the Arc de Triomphe.

Through November 29, you can get two free nights at the Perfect Hotel with any international flight purchase made by calling STA Travel at 800.781.4040 or visiting your local STA Travel Store.

Eurostar Train

The Eurostar is the amazingly easy-to-use train that connects London, Paris, Lille and Brussels. Comfortable seats, easy check-in and a quick trip are all reasons why you should skip the plane from London to Paris and hop on the Eurostar.

Last week, I experienced the Eurostar first hand. I started my trip in Amsterdam, then took a flight to London and then the Eurostar from London to Paris. I can’t emphasize enough how much easier Eurostar is then taking a flight.

With a flight, you have to get to the airport first, then go through lines at check-in and at security and the border control. It’s line after line and at the end of it, you’re stuck in a usually small airplane with very little space and a “fasten seatbelt” sign that keeps you from stretching your legs a little.

On the Eurostar, it is a breeze. The check-in is very easy. When you purchase a Eurostar ticket from STA Travel, you’ll get a ticket that you take to Eurostar area at the train station with plenty of agents to help check you in. You then make a quick stop at security and get your passport stamped. After that, you head to your train platform and grab your very comfortable seat and enjoy a smooth ride to your destination.

In total, it took me 10 minutes from the time I got to the train station to the time I was in my seat on the Eurostar. That’s compared to the hour-and-a-half to go through two security lines and check-in at Amsterdam Schipol. Eurostar itself recommends arriving at least 30 minutes prior to train departure. For international flights, most recommend arriving two hours prior to your flight departure.

So save some time – and money – and book a Eurostar ticket for your next trip.

As we approach 400 posts on the STA Travel Blog we’re revisiting some of the best posts from the past about our favorite destinations.

Check out the best posts from the STA Travel Blog about Australia:

First Time in Australia – “My first two weeks in Australia have been fun and eye-opening. I have found Australians to be very kind with a relaxed attitude about life.”

Your Guide to Visiting Australia: Ninja Kangaroos Edition – “I thought it was a lunatic ninja coming at us through the window,” said the man who wrestled the house-wrecking beast to the ground.

Your Guide to Visiting Australia – “Australia, kind of like the U.S. is a mash-up of cultures with immigrants from all over the world, so you can get pretty much whatever you want.”

Check out the best blogs from the past three years of the World Traveler Internship about one of our favorite destinations – Australia.

2009 World Traveler Interns – Lindsay Clark and Chris Danner

Morning Ponderings at Kata Tjuta – “We gotta stop complaining about being too old to stay up late or remember what we did yesterday. We’re babies on this planet, babies I tell ya!”

Oz is Hardcore – “If the crocs in the mangroves don’t snatch you off the pier, then maybe the box jellyfish will whip you with the world’s deadliest sting while swimming at the reef.”

The Truth about the Australian Outback – “There are camel herds here. Did you know that? Wild camels, wondering around in packs like they own the place.”

2008 World Traveler Intern – Pat Blute

Saving Coin in Sydney – “While I’ve been out and about, I’ve been using this great little thing called the ISIC card.”

2007 World Traveler Intern – Rachel Rudwall

Listening to the Didgeridoo – “Well, it just so happens that the Tjapukai dancers needed two volunteers to join them on stage, and a girl named Monica and I were the lucky selections!”

Kangaroos in Australia – “After our time of relaxation, cave navigation, and kangaroo stalking, we ventured onward to the tropical paradise of the Whitsunday Islands.”