Life is a Song68856

Not necessarily. Actually, it depends on your definition of hard. I began a 401K and pension fund when I was hired on at my company 24 years ago. Today, I have a nice retirement. But that was just my individual case and Im sure your circumstance is far different. So lets focus on you, instead. Whether youre twenty or forty, you have to make a tough decision. You have to do without something now to benefit later. In other words, you have to save money now, and that means sacrifice.

The younger you are, the less you have to give up. Thats because your savings multiplies faster over a longer term. Hence, you can put aside a small amount and watch it grow using the magic of compound interest. Assuming that you can get a 5% return on an average investment, we can run a simple chart. That return is based on most common tables that are not tied to equities or bond funds. Although most experts would agree either should generate that type of return. Even guaranteed CDs, or certificates of deposits, backed by FDIC for safety sake, can offer similar rates. But whatever device you choose, lets use that number.

So lets look at one example. Suppose you are 25 years old and make $10 an hour or $400 a week or $1600 a month. After taxes thats about $1200 monthly. I want just $150 of that, for your monthly investment. Figure that if you were to give up a Starbucks coffee costing $5 every day, theres your $150 a month. Do that for the next 40 years and youve given me $72,000. But, by investing the monthly amount in a 5% returning account, the compound interest turns this into $228,900 by age 65. Not bad for someone doing without a Vente Caf Mocha Latte every day. Now, as you make more with raises, job changes, etc., and you could quadruple that investment, youve got over $1,000,000 for retirement.

But Ive got an even better plan. Could you squirrel away $5,000 for that first year? I know thats a lot to ask, but hear me out. If you could manage to put aside $10,000 over two years and invest it, never putting in another dime, you wont be able to guess what you would amass after 40 years. $50,000! But, if you could somehow get a 10% return instead, investing the same $10,000 for 40 years we would make you about $500,000! That is an example of how the interest rate affects the return. And there are ways to generate a 10% return using equities or mortgages. I suggest you talk to an investment adviser for that information.

The great advantage of this plan is you: (a) didnt have to give up much, (b) dont have to be an investment wizard, (c) let time and compound interest work for you, and (d) can look forward to a healthy retirement. Of course, the more youre willing to give up now, the greater the end result. But working harder isnt the answer: its saving smarter and earlier. Therefore, if youre in your twenties and figure retirement is decades away, youre right and that can work in your favor. So start planning now and the rest will take care of itself. Savings for retirement is hard? Myth busted!

Jeffrey Hauser was a sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years. He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master's Degree in teaching. He had his own advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising. He has authored 6 books and a novel, "Pursuit of the Phoenix." His latest book is, "Inside the Yellow Pages" which can be seen at his website, http://www.poweradbook.com. Currently, he is the Marketing Director for thenurseschoice.com, a Health Information and Doctor Referral site.

You might need to give a special gift to someone close to you, yet you are unsure what to give that shows that you care and truly met the recipient's desires and wishes. One easy answer for a great gift that is always appropriate is a gift basket. Gift baskets fill all sorts of gift-giving needs, whether the gift is to celebrate an event, the holidays, or a work relationship.

There are several events when a gift basket can provide an utterly suitable answer to a gift-giving dilemma. Perhaps someone has a new baby on the way or has recently given birth. You can have a baby gift basket made to order to include items the mother and child are sure to enjoy. Maybe your best friend is getting married. A wedding gift basket will delight both the bride and groom. If someone you know is celebrating a special anniversary, or is getting well from an illness, gift baskets make a great gift because each can be personalized to suit your friend or family members' specific tastes.

Holidays are a year-round gift-giving opportunity. Don't let this opportunity pass you by, because holiday gift baskets are enjoyed by young and old alike. Gift baskets can be arranged around a theme that the holiday provides. Winter holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa all provide the basis for a lovely gift basket themed to those particular holidays. Valentine's Day is a fantastic time to lavish your loved ones with a special chocolate-filled holiday basket that will certainly delight. Easter is a time when baskets are traditionally filled with the symbols of Easter--eggs, rabbits, and chicks, although today they take the form of chocolate, candy, or toys. Any of these items would be entirely appropriate for a lovely child's Easter gift basket.

Giving gifts at work has become a new trend, especially in the real estate and mortgage brokerage markets. You want to keep your clients happy, so when a deal closes it can pay to give them gift baskets. The basket might be themed to housewarming items, as would be suitable for someone moving into a new home. The great aspect of giving baskets is that in this instance they can all hold the same gifts, so you save a bit of time yet still are able to give a beautiful gift to your clients. Giving a gift can also add a personal touch to what could be considered a dry financial deal. In this way you can make a lasting connection with your client to show them in yet one more way that you care about their needs. Ultimately, that is what gift giving is all about.

Anne Harvester is a homemaker extraordinaire with years of experience creating spectacular events and gifts. See her favorite Gift baskets, Easter gift baskets, Childrens Easter gifts.

Sharing an apartment with roommates can be a fun experience. This experience can turn bad if you don't see eye to eye on certain things. Some examples include :
1) Playing loud music
2) Leaving a mess everywhere
3) Not doing dishes.
4) Bringing uninvited guests over. This list can go on and on.. How much tolerance do you have for these problems? How do you handle them?

Well, these problems can be handled regardless of its nature. One thing to keep in mind is to act rationally and think before you act. Sometimes, it can get to the point where you want to literally scream at the individual, but take a step back and think logically. Remember, you'll be sharing the apartment for at least one year so it is in your best interest to remain calm.

The best way to handle these situations is to politely communicate your feelings to your roommates. There is no point in keeping everything inside. When you keep things inside, it's not good and can be detrimental to your health and overall well being. You will lose focus of more important things like school and work. Take the initiative and be pro-active about it. Speak to the roommates in your apartment and communicate your feelings. Ask them how they feel about it and attempt to resolve the problem. In the end, you will feel much better about the situation. Your roommates will acknowledge your concern and should take it into consideration. If the problem should repeat itself the next time around, bring it to the attention of the individual again. Since it's the second time around, the individual should feel a little bit of guilt (if they are considerate people) and work harder to rectify the problem.

It's all about working together...You'll find this a rewarding experience in the end when both parties are content...

For more information, you can visit http://www.cribs4students.com Cribs4Students is another source for apartment searching and listing for college students and landlords. You can post and search for apartments, rooms, and sublets free of charge. It also supports both a video and image uploading feature.

Michael V. Dang and Andres A. Mok are the creators of Cribs4Students.com. It was founded in 2006 and officially launched on February 25, 2007

I once was asked by a tourist here in my adopted central Mexican town, Guanajuato, if it was true the culinary delights here were nothing to write home about. I wanted to slap him silly but resisted the urge. Instead, I regaled him with the many wonderfully prepared regional foods as well as the places where he could get his meals prepared by world-class professional cooks.

And, it is true. We really have some classy cooks in this little mountain town who were trained professionally all over the world.

Sometimes I wonder just what tourists think Mexico and Mexicans are really like. Are Mexicans nothing more than wild men who run around in tall, pointy sombreros with crisscrossed gun belts wrapped around their chests? Do they think the cooks run around back and butcher their chicken or beef orders for La Comida Fresca?

I am continually surprised at what I find as far as eateries go in this little town. Just the other day, we met friends for Sunday lunch. They had ferreted out a relatively new vegetarian restaurant. Now mind you, seating in some of these restaurants can be in the living room of someone's home, so you shouldn't always expect top-notch dcor or ambience. However, again I was surprised.

This little place was indeed someone's home hidden away in a narrow little callejon (alley). So much of the town is a complex maze of callejones, some not much wider than your shoulders. We snaked our way up from the San Fernando Plaza to the restaurant/home of a lovely Mexican family. The wife seated us and cooked our meals while her two sons served the meals and cleared the table afterwards.

This place was comfortable but basic. They had small card tables with metal chairs. The wife had made cushions for the seats and backs of the chairs so the seating was comfortable. We had to choose between two specials they offered that day. She rattled off the choices in the clearest "non-Guanajuato" Spanish I have heard. That was niceI was able to understand it for a change.

My wife and I had a large dinner-plate-sized salad of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, sprigs of something green I couldn't identify but were fantastic. The salad was covered with toasted sunflower and sesame seeds. She served us each a large bowl of freshly cooked rice, a bowl of the best broccoli soup I've ever had, and a plate of soy meatballs and fried eggplant. Now, I am not an eggplant eater but this was beyond good. I loved it. The meatballs, though made of some sort of soy product, were absolutely delicious! She also served fresh Jamaica iced tea.

The cute little boys brought the meal out to us on serving trays. They sat the trays right in front of us while bowing and scraping. I marveled at how this woman had trained these little kids to work in the family business and to act so politely. Maybe there's hope for the world after all.

We discovered that this lady learned to cook vegetarian, and I mean really good vegetarian, from her husband who had been employed in a Hare Krishna temple in Mexico City. Then, they came to Guanajuato to open this little caf in their home. I just love that!

The entire meal, with drink, came to less than $3.50 USD each. It was a delightful experience and one of the many surprises this town throws at you when you least expect it.

The only problem is that this town is built like a maze not even a rat would be able to navigate. You would have no idea how to find this little place without being led by someone who knew how to find it.

And what a shame that is. This little lady's vegetarian cooking would be a hit with the tourist crowd.

And that, dear tourist, would be something you could write home about!

Doug Bower is a freelance writer and book author. His most recent writing credits include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Houston Chronicle, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Associated Content, Transitions Abroad, International Living, Escape Artist, and The Front Porch Syndicate.

He is founder of Mexican Living Print & eBooks.

Avoiding paying credit card late fees seem impossible to many, but remember: when theres a will, theres definitely a way, and usually more than one at that! Its all about exploring all your alternatives and setting the wheels in motion.

Tip #1 Arrange for an automated system. If your credit card is linked to your banking account, you could arrange for the company to automatically deduct your credit card payment from your account. If you always have a healthy account, you wont have any problems after that. But if you dont then you better start nursing your account into good health or youll be charged more than the usual amount involved with late fees.

Tip #2 If you cant pay the full amount of money you owe for this month then pay for the minimum amount. Credit card companies wont get on your back just as long as you pay the minimum amount. After all, paying the minimum means theyll receive money while youll incur higher interest charges the next month. This tip is best used as a last resort and for emergency purposes only.

Tip #3 Sometimes, late card fees are all because of having the wrong due dates. And contrary to first-timers opinions, due dates are not set in stone. If you want to have them changed then you can do so. You dont even need to give the credit card company a valid reason if you dont want to. All you need to do is inform them.

Does money slip past your fingers so easily? Do you have nothing left by the time your bills arrive at your doorstep? Moving the due dates to coincide with your payday is a good decision to make if the main reason why youre incurring all those late fees is due to your slippery hands. Of course, you do still need to exert willpower to ensure that your money is used for paying your credit card bills and not for other recreational fees.

Tip #4 People who arent too detailed-oriented often end up incurring credit card late fees because they forget to play by the rules. Credit card companies can be quite meticulous if you fail to pay as instructed, you could end up paying credit card late fees due to mere technical violations.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with your credit card companys payment rules and guidelines. Know the exact cutoff times and dates for payments. There may also be certain branches that you have to and paying to other branches would be considered unacceptable. Other times, you are required to pay using a certain envelope and with your statement of account enclosed. These are just some of the little things that you could overlook and end up causing you late fees.

Tip #5 Take advantage of technology. Nowadays, theres no need to pay in person all the time. Credit card bills can be settled in a number of ways, and you should choose what would be most convenient for you to avoid incurring late fees. You can pay by phone, mail, or even online.

Of course, not all these express methods are readily available. You might have to inform your credit card company first about your preferences or register an account.

Tip #6 Ask and it shall be waived. If youve been a good payer all this time and your late fee is a one-time flux, your credit card company wouldnt mind waiving it if you ask nicely. Of course, make sure that you do have a valid reason for incurring it in the first place. And dont do it again!

Tip #7 Lastly, if a Skip-a-Payment option is offered by your credit card company, take it! But make sure you don't get addicted.

Incurring credit card late fees is a vice just like smoking and gambling. When you choose to quit, you just have to do it and not wait for the right time because the right time is NOW. Although there is no rehabilitation clinic you could check yourself in to and help you avoid incurring credit card late fees, there are credit counseling programs and groups you could join to learn the wise way of handling your finances.

Angela Mercer specializes in informative articles about credit issues, such as evaluating the student credit cards, qualifying for student loans and getting the best cash back credit cards that can save you money.

There is some great news for all those chocolate lovers out there and that is that dark chocolates are good for you. Well, good for your heart at least! Its amazing that there are health benefits from chocolate because we all wanted a reason to be able to eat chocolate and not feel guilty! Things like Hershey cherry cordials may be eaten without feeling guilty just dont eat too many!

There are lots of other dark chocolate selections other than a Hersheys cherry cordial in case you like other flavors. There are dark chocolate bars that are plain, have nuts, cranberries, and even blueberries. You may even find organic dark chocolates made with a variety of other ingredients including red pepper! Thats certainly one way to spice up your dark chocolate.

When you eat dark chocolate you wont only be enjoying it but you will also be offering yourself some protection against cardiovascular disease. The reason why there are health benefits from this particular type of chocolate is because of the flavenoids inside. These flavenoids catalyze a reaction in the endothelial cells, cells that line your veins and arteries, to improve function.

The flavenoids, which are basically antioxidants, are also found in a variety of other foods. There are certain fruits, wines, teas, and vegetables that offer up flavenoids that will help you reduce your chances of developing cardiovascular disease. The more flavenoids you eat the lower your chances will be.

In just a short six week study ingesting dark chocolate on a daily basis shows a great increase in endothelial function. This makes researchers believe that if individuals up their intake of flavenoids over a long period of time they will really see amazing benefits in regards to cardiovascular health.

So, if you love chocolate start replacing your milk chocolate with dark chocolate. Not only will you still enjoy the flavor but you will be receiving great benefits that could positively affect your heart health. Remember dark chocolate still has fat and calories so these findings do not give you free reign to eat pounds of chocolate a day. But, the findings so far look positive that dark chocolate may be able to help us in the long run with heart health! Be sure to talk with your doctor before using dark chocolate as a health food so that you can fully understand the implications and what they mean for you.

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. Things like Hershey cherry cordials may be eaten without feeling guilty just dont eat too many! There are lots of other dark chocolate selections other than a Hersheys cherry cordial in case you like other flavors. There are dark chocolate bars that are plain, have nuts, cranberries, and even blueberries.

I often wondered why is it that I am a pebble man when it comes to the choice of beaches. It sounds like a phrase from Flintstones but you would be surprised to learn that for some people it is a prevailing factor when going on holiday.

Some of you are already cheering: Quite right so as there is nothing more annoying than sand being literally plastered to your body the moment you get out of the water. Aided by the scorching sunrays, your look is transformed to a builder in swimming trunks.

When in Rome behave like... This phrase is universal and when it comes to Dubrovnik, you may notice that quite a few people go to beaches, read rocks and that everyone has their favorite spot, which is as sacred as St Blaise's relic head. (St Blaise is Dubrovnik's patron saint.)

Banje is a rare sandy beach in the vicinity of the Old Town. It is now split in two as one of the halves is a retro beach bar club. As for the other half, that is where mere mortals go for free and enjoy the same old sea. Another well famous sandy beach is Sunj on the island of Lopud. This one is a natural beach hence more pleasant to enjoy.

As for my pebbles, beach belonging to Hotel Dubrovnik President is a winner alongside the one belonging to Hotel Plat.

For all of you peeps in search of rocky adventures, pay a visit to an island of Lokrum. Despite the loom and doom bestowed upon the island by the Benedictines for the ill fate of eviction from their monastery, at the times of Dubrovnik Republic, Lokrum is still a botanical paradise. Its stillness is at times shattered by the peacocks, protruding themselves in a quite dominant way.

Last but not the least, a friendly peace of advice. Your budget permitting, pay a visit to Elaphite's three islands. Kolocep will give you a feeling of an islander who is at Dubrovnik's doorstep. Sipan will charm you with nature's simplicity and mode of life which has been set in for decades. As for Lopud, well one word: Sunj.

The word will definitely water your mouths irrespective of your age. People of all ages will surely like to have chocolates, but at the same time you have to worry about several factors that are dangerous to our health while you take in a lot of chocolates. There is a myth that children are mainly affected by more intakes of chocolates. But recent research has proved that chocolates are not injurious to health, since they are rich in nutritional values. So you can give chocolates to your children and they can consume it without any hesitation.

The sugar content in chocolates may contain some oral bacteria which will cause dental decay. This can be overcome by washing your teeth with water after eating chocolates or the intake of a piece of cheese will help. Cheese has the capacity to pull out even the slightest trace of chocolates present within your teeth.

Presently scientists have found out that chocolates contain endorphins in the brain which act as a pain reliever. It will raise your appetite with increasing your weight. It will increase your life time by keeping you relaxed from stress and strain.

Chocolates are rich in cocoa content which is a rich source of polyphenols which belong to flavanol group. Polyphenols are found out to be very good antioxidants that destroy free radicals in our body. Free radical is the enzymes which causes severe diseases like cancer and heart attack.

Chocolates contain the following nutrients.

Chocolates are rich in polyphenols which belong to flavanol group.

They also contain essential trace elements which are good for health.

The cocoa is the richest source of magnesium and it is also to be noted that the deficiency of magnesium may lead to hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases.

Chocolates are also rich in iron, calcium, potassium and vitamins A, B1, C, D and E.

There are chocolates which are injurious to health also. They are the ones that sold for low prices. These types of chocolates contain saturated fatty acids and high sugar content which are harmful to our health.

Dark chocolates Dark chocolates are the ones which have a larger amount of cocoa content. The high content of cocoa will produce an epicatechin which is an active member of a group of compounds called plant falconoid. There are many medicinal advantages in consuming dark chocolates. They are:

Falconoid present excess in dark chocolates keeps the cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels. It also reduces the risk of blood clots and also minimizes the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries.

Dark chocolates are recommended for healthy heart by doctors.

It also increases the blood flow in the artery.

Buy your favorite Hot Chocolate Bars in UK Online shopping website where you can find leading Chocolate Gift stores and Food Hampers, Sweet shops with cashback discount on your purchase.

Coffee tastes great by itself, but for an extra special taste sensation, try gourmet flavored coffee. There are many flavoring substances which can be added to coffee to give your daily cup of Java an out of the ordinary flavor experience.

Some flavors are natural enhancers that go together with coffee like bees and honey. Rum and chocolate have been added to coffee for almost as long as coffee has been produced. Some of the newest gourmet flavored coffee includes vanilla, macadamia, and even peanut butter!

Not all these flavors are everyone's cup of tea, but the taste sensations of gourmet flavored coffee give you a new outlook on Java juice. Try out some of these special flavors -- you may find a favorite that you always come back to.

Just look at some of these types of gourmet flavored coffee -- apricot cream, Black Forest cake, Caf Napoleon, chocolate raspberry, Jamaican rum, Southern pecan and vanilla hazelnut. The names by themselves makes your mouth water.

Coffee is flavored by adding flavoring substances after it is roasted. The flavoring substances are highly concentrated and only a small amount is used in gourmet flavored coffee. Be careful when buying flavored coffee -- be sure to buy from a reputable company. Some companies use the flavoring process to hide the taste of inferior quality coffee.

The flavoring used in gourmet flavored coffee loses its strength when exposed to air. Always keep the coffee beans in a tightly sealed container for maximum flavor. For the best cup of coffee, grind the beans right before brewing.

You can make your own special blends by combining various gourmet flavored coffee. Adding a touch of flavored coffee to your regular coffee beans adds a special taste that is uniquely yours. The sky is the limit! You can have a new flavor of coffee every day!

Hans is author of the Coffee Specials and Gourmet Basket section at http://www.steaks-guide.com

Theres no need to worry that you will miss the best Paris has to offer when this guide shows you how to see it all in only 48 hours.

Paris is a city of many faces, the narrow streets contain hidden jewels of patisseries, bars and Parisian caf culture that have attracted visitors for centuries.

09:00

One of the best places to begin your day is at the Arc De Triomphe, the largest roundabout in Frances capital and one of the most hazardous in the world. No insurance company will cover a vehicle travelling around it, as twelve roads feed into the circle with no clear road markings an and even less clear is who has right of way.

Thankfully there is an underpass to get across safely. The view from the arch down the 1.3km stretch of the Champs Elyse ends at the Place de la Concorde and a smaller version of the triumphant arch that stands in the Jardin Tuileries beyond, the Arc De Triomphe du Carousel. The arch itself offers a fine panoramic view of Paris from the top, as well as a good glimpse of that most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower.

09:30

The walk to the tower first brings you to the Palace Challiot, a complex of four museums dedicated to French movies, Naval history, a museum of mankind and one for French Monuments. The pathway between leads down to the gardens of the Trocadero but the most striking feature is of course the tower just beyond.

10:00

The Eiffel Tower was built as a showpiece of the 1889 world Expo, advertising the quality of French steel, incorporating 10,100 tonnes of iron. Gustave Eiffel felt his creation was a fine example of French engineering. His view sadly was not shared by everyone. Several attempts were made to take it down but its role as a radio antenna in WWI was what eventually saved it.

Today it is one of the best known Parisian landmarks, attracting thousands of tourists to the top every year. The length of the queues depends on the time of year and time of day. There are two points of entry for the lifts, or there is the alternative of climbing the stairs, all 1,710 of them. A great work out for the hips and thighs.

If the lines are short it may be wise to take the chance now to make your attempt to reach the top. If you are lucky enough to reach the third level you may wish to spend 1-2 hours to experience it. There are museum rooms to view with details on the towers construction and history. Otherwise it pays to arrive early.

12:00

Beneath the tower lies the Champ de Mars, a landscaped green area that leads to the Ecole Militaire. Further on to the left of the military school is the Hotel Des Invalides, the site once used as an armoury that supplied the gun wielding revolutionaries in 1789.

Follow the riverside along Quay DOrsay down towards Pont Alexander III. Cross the bridge an walk towards the Petit Palais and the Grand Palais down Avenue Winston Churchill. Both palaces are now art galleries devoted to modern and ancient artworks, permanent displays as well as new artists. Straight ahead you rejoin the Champs Elyse that will take you down to Place de la Concorde.

13:00

The Place de la Concorde is the finishing point for the cycle race the Tour de France as well as the historical site of the French Revolution. The square is worth a few moments to remember it was originally called Place du Revolution, and home to Madame Guillotine.

The Obelisk gifted by Mohammed Ali in 1831 came from Luxor and marks the spot where many French nobles met their end during the French Revolution. The square would have been filled with peasants eager to see their former employers going for the chop in 1789 and during the reign of terror that followed.

You can leave the traffic behind for a bit now as you enter the Jardin des Tuileries. The fountains and pathways were once part of Palace Tuileries but it burnt down during some violent revolutionary riots.

In the gardens you will find statues and artworks on display, including one of Joan of Arc, the peasant girl who led an army against the English in the 15th Century, and later burned at the stake as a heretic.

The end of the gardens is marked by Napoleons Arc de Triomphe du Carousel, another little present to himself glorifying his achievements. The horses, or Quadriga, on top are copies of the ones sitting above the door of Basilica San Marco in Venice which he was made to give back.

13:30

If you spent 20 seconds in front of each piece of art in the Louvre you would be there for 3 months day in and day out. There are literally millions of artworks by thousands of artists covering centuries. Of course the most famous one would have to be Leonardo Da Vincis Mona Lisa.

It is advisable to devote a day or at least a morning to visit some of the museum rooms. One way is to pick a style or century that interests you and devote to it a couple of hours rather than try to see everything.

There are other entrances other than the obvious one beneath the glass pyramid at the front door. Tickets can be pre booked online up to a year in advance which also helps to keep queuing to a minimum.

Walk through the archway in the centre of the main building and it will take you out onto the riverbank again. Keep following the Quai de Louvre along the Seine until you reach Pont Neuf. Along the way you will pass St Germain-LAxerrois, the royal chapel of the Louvre. Further down is Chatelet, a huge shopping centre facing the Ile de la Cite.

14:00

Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris and joins the two banks of the river to Ile de la Cite, where Paris originated. The island is home to the Conciergerie prison where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution, as well as many other nobles. But perhaps the most famous building here is the gothic cathedral known as Notre Dame.

Often consider by some as the finest example of Gothic architecture the cathedral was made famous by Victor Hugo and his novel the Hunchback of Notre Dame. The flying buttresses used to hold up the immense walls on the outside are a signature feature of gothic architecture.

There is a plaque on the ground in front of the church that marks the spot where begins the measurements for the arrondissements, or Parisian suburbs. These spiral out of the centre like a snails shell.

The isle has flower markets as well as some typical pavement cafes to enjoy a caff au lait and croissant while watching the world go by.

Afternoon

You can spend the time people watching or shopping, either in Chatelet or Les Halles, another huge complex that offers some excellent retail therapy. For things a bit more thrifty there is the Latin Quarter.

Evening

The Latin Quarter is also a great place to tackle the Parisian cuisine scene. The name does not refer to the ethnicity of its inhabitants but more to do with the fact it was the seat of learning for medieval Paris. Students spoke to their tutors in Latin right up until the 18th Century. The alleyways are now filled with little restaurants, cafes and bookshops that still cater to the student clientele.

After dinner try a river cruise to see why Paris has earned the name city of lights and you may even catch the Eiffel Tower putting on its sparkly display. There are plenty of companies offering short cruises from Ile de la Cite up the river to the foot of the tower and back.

08:00

An early start is essential to avoid the queues, whether you are taking in the Louvre, or a bit of it at least, or reaching the top of the Eiffel tower. Other museums and galleries worth a couple of hours discovering include the Muse DOrsay, Muse Rodin, Muse Picasso and the Georges Pompidou Centre.

Alternatively if you want to experience art, culture and extravagant wealth you can take a train ride out to Versailles, the summer palace built by Louis XIV. The humble beginnings as a hunting lodge were soon transformed into an elaborate complex of gardens, summer houses, follies, fountains and the immense royal residence.

Afternoon

One of the most popular places to visit in Paris is literally the dead end of town, the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise. The most visited graves include Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, Edith Pilaf and Jim Morrison. If your interest is piqued by the macabre then dont miss the catacombs. 1.6km of tunnels stretch beneath Paris housing the remains of millions of residents from overflowing cemeteries in 1785.

Late afternoon

A great way to finish is to spend the rest of the day at Montmartre, a much more lively location. The steps to Basilica du Sacre Coeur at the top offer a fine view over the city as well as plenty of street performers and a chance to reflect on the day. The area of Montmartre is synonymous with art and the bohemian lifestyle. Although a bit more commercial these days the streets and squares are full of life and artists.

Evening

Restaurants and bars attract locals and tourists alike, where you can while away the evening with a buf bourguignon or plat du jour. Just down the hill is Place Pigalle, famous for the Moulin Rouge, the red light district and other stage shows. The boulevard is filled with bars and cafes that open onto the street until very late.

From the left bank to the right Paris is filled with class, style and culture. Even in just 48 hours you can experience all the best that this wonderful city has to offer.

Katy Hyslop has been a tour guide and teacher in Europe for the past 6 years.

She now keeps the crew in line at the Plus Office in Italy. If you wish to know more about opening times and entry fees then click here.