Reflections on the Trip to France - Essay Example

ID # Music as a World Phenomenon 22121/011 Travel Report Due: France A trip to France will leave a lasting impression on an individual since Paris, the capital city of France, is one of the world’s fashion capitals. In fact, the city was the world’s first fashion capital. In this regard, the country’s fashion industry has become a fundamental cultural export with tourists learning a lot about the various aspects of the country. As an adventurer, I have a preference in learning medieval history. Therefore, visiting France remains one of the experiences that I have to accomplish in the course of life. I took the chance to carry out research about the country I intended to visit. To accomplish this, I peered into the CIA’s World Factbook, which offers information about all countries in the world. In addition, I also carried out research from a number of other relevant sources on print and the Internet. The research was a novel idea since I was able to have a buildup of basic information before deciding on the sites, places, and any festival to visit based on research from the materials. For a country with a population estimate of sixty-six million and 643,801 square kilometers in size, France is slightly less than Texas in size. The local people call it a hexagon with the hexagon being the country's symbol, due to its shape (Whittaker 6). However, the country boasts of mixed geographical features. In this case, part of the country’s terrain is mountainous or mountainous terrain with a coastline with other parts having gently rolling hills or flat plains as terrain (CIA). As a result, the terrain makes for a picturesque scene to anybody who loves adventure. Nonetheless, the scenery would not be pleasing in case of unaccommodating climatic conditions. In effect, the country’s climatic conditions vary from one region to the other. However, climatic conditions in France are a blend of cool winters and mild summers. Some parts experience tropical and humid conditions, tropical and marine climatic conditions, and other parts in the country experience hot and rainy conditions (CIA). These climatic conditions are in different periods of the year and in different locations. In effect, this makes the country offer tourists the best climatic conditions during their visits. Politically, France is a blend of the parliamentary and presidential systems of governance and Paris is the country's administrative capital. During the middle ages, the French and the English were rivals with the latter occupying France during the infamous hundred years’ war. However, the rivalry eased over time with the two nations engaging each other to play an influential role in the modern society. In this regard, France is a member of NATO and a permanent member to the UN Security Council (CIA). Economically, the country is in the middle of the euro zone crisis although the country’s GDP in 2011 was $2.246 trillion, which made it the tenth biggest in terms of GDP (CIA). With a blend of all religions of the world, a majority of the people in France are predominantly Christians. Conversely, French is the official language although there are various dialects of the language. The language is the dictate upon which the French culture is built (Whittaker 5). On the other hand, each region in the country embodies its own cultural path based on its history. For example, the north and northeastern regions of the country are widely known for their ancient and medieval architecture. These regions encompass Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy regions. Among the cultural icons from these regions are Charles de Gaulle, Christian Dior, and Claude Monet (Whittaker 10). For Paris, the city is a depiction of iconic landmarks and grand designs that have an attachment to the culture of the French people. These designs and landmarks are internationally renowned with each providing visitors with a lasting impression of the city. One such landmark is the famous Eiffel Tower (see Fig. 1), which is one of the wonders of the contemporary world (LeBoutillier 1). In effect, this makes the tower one of the tourist attractions I intend to visit. Fig. 1. The Eiffel Tower. “The 10 Best Places to Visit in France – Culture, History, and Adventure Await You!” InfoBarrel, 12 January 2012. Web. 2 October 2012. As a student and adventurer, my expenses cannot be high. In this case, I have to use the cheapest means of transport to France. For a stay of up to ninety days, I do not require a visa application to France since I reside in the United States and I will visit France for only a week. However, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine vaccination for influenza and chickenpox. In addition, it is important for me to have a rabies vaccination since I may visit areas inhabited by bats (CDC). With a budget of only $3,500, I need the cheapest air return ticket from Detroit on 16 December with my return from Paris scheduled on 23 December this year. In this case, I want to be back in Detroit by Christmas so that I can spend the Christmas festivities with friends. For an overnight flight with United Airlines, a return ticket will cost $1,070.40 although there will be a stopover (Orbitz). Luckily, I met a French family that resides in Paris this summer, and I still maintain correspondence with the family to date since we established a friendship. Therefore, I will not incur any lodging fees since the family agreed to meet my accommodation needs. In effect, I will only convert $2,000 to Euros, which is the country’s currency while I retain the remaining amount in USD in order to avoid overspending. Using the XE currency converter, I will have money in excess of 1,500 Euros to cater for my expenditure during the time of my visit. In this case, I estimate that I will use 450 Euros on transport within France and about 350 Euros on refreshment. In addition, I will use the remaining 700 Euros to buy gifts from gift shops and gain access to any tourist attraction that I will visit. A visit to the Loire Valley (see Fig. 2) will help me understand France during the medieval time, which will is beneficial to me as an adventurer with an interest in history. The view of the gardens, castles, and grounds will help me understand the French culture of the 1500s. On the other hand, a visit to Normandy will give me a feeling of the history set by the French army during the fight to free France. Finally, a visit to the Louvre Museum (see Fig, 3) will enrich my artistic mind and help me view artistic work that I have only read in books, which is available in one of the most frequented museums in the world (“The 10 Best Places”). Together with the Eiffel Tower, these three are the main tourist attractions that I must visit. In addition, I will ask my hosts to recommend more sights to visit so that I can have a life experience visit to France. Fig. 2. The Loire Valley. “The 10 Best Places to Visit in France – Culture, History, and Adventure Await You!” InfoBarrel, 12 January 2012. Web. 2 October 2012. Fig. 3. The Louvre Museum. “The 10 Best Places to Visit in France – Culture, History, and Adventure Await You!” InfoBarrel, 12 January 2012. Web. 2 October 2012. It is evident that my trip to France will leave me with a lasting impression of the country's beauty and culture. As an adventurer, I will learn more about the history of the country during the medieval times. With only $3,500, I will have an experience of a lifetime since I will not be paying for any accommodation, but I will reside in Paris with a French family I established a friendship with during the summer. In effect, I look forward to this planned visit to France, and I know that the plan is foolproof enough to enable me to have an adventure of a lifetime in France, which will be before Christmas this year. Works Cited Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health Information for Travelers to France. 25 June 2011. Web. 2 October 2012. . Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). “France.” The World Factbook. 11 September 2012. Web. 2 October 2012. < https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fr.html>. “The 10 Best Places to Visit in France – Culture, History, and Adventure Await You!” InfoBarrel, 12 January 2012. Web. 2 October 2012. . LeBoutillier, Nate. Eiffel Tower (Modern Wonders of the World). Minnesota: Creative Education, 2006. Print. Orbitz. Flights. N.d. Web. 2 October 2012. . Whittaker, Andrew. France: Be Fluent in French Life and Culture. London: Thorogood Publishing, 2008. Print. XE Currency Converter. CURRENCY CONVERTER WIDGET. n.d. Web. 2 October 2012. . Read More