Just the other day I saw a lady with a fancy and very professional Nikon DSLR. Since I am a jelaous person I couldn’t stop but get glimpses of the camera and the regime she was using.

It’s the funniest thing actually. I have always been thought both by my dad and the courses I have taken that you are dumb taking pictures with auto regime when holding a DSLR. It’s funny because I see it almost always. And then they whine about poor pictures and wonder how great pictures are taken. I have even heard some people saying that a regular point-and-shoot was better and some even think about going back! Like, c’mon people, really?!

First, before buying one, think through what are you prepared to suffer for great pictures and how much are you willing to spend your time for one great shot.

Second, if you already own a DSLR, give it some time. Try out different regimes and play around in a safe environment. You know what, if you know your camera, you’ll prove both yourself and others the worth of investment …

Third, keep it mind that professionals take their point-and-shoot’ers with’em in case they want to take auto pictures. Those cameras are handy and take wonderful pictures most of the time and occasions. So, before selling your DSLR, think twice … There never has been a thing suitable for everything, trust me.

Have you ever wondered around in nature and got fascinated by little things?

It’s the thing I love the most about photography. It teaches you to observe nature and notice the little living things. I can get absolutely psyched about little ants and sunflower seeds.

Another good thing that comes out of it is the fact that you’ll learn to live in the moment. You really have to enjoy the very moment you are in at this point in time if you are ever going to learn noticing little nature and take good photos at the same time.

Wine is not just an alcoholic beverage that you drink to get wasted. For me wine has been a drink to enjoy and worth taking the time to enjoy.

The reason behind the fact is the taste and smell they have. You just enjoy the fresh smell you get when you open the bottle and when you pour it into a glass … It’s an absolute enjoy.

But perhaps the reason why I came to love wines is not just the enjoy what you get from  mere presence of some white wine, but the way it makes others see you. It’s not a secret that most people see wine as overly sophisticated drink and the ones drinking it too fancy and show-offs. The other thing most people do not like about wine is the fact that getting drunk is harder and takes time. Wine also gets you rather sleepy and not hyper active in terms of party animal. So for me it represents everything – intelligence, a bit fanciness and an adult party (not some teen drink).

You have to learn to taste wines and to really enjoy the tastes of wine.

When I first thought about buing a DSLR camera, the feeling of excitement took me over. I dreamed about the pictures I would take and the opportunities that would arise. A new world seemed to open up for me. I couldn’t wait until I laid my hands on the camera.

When the day arrived, I took a hundred pictures of just those few plants I have succeeded to keep alive in my appartment. Trying different views and options was overwhelming.

This was about three months ago and I can honestly say that nothing has changed. Well, yeah, I have pictured the plants in many ways and have overcome those, but in general the excitement hasn’t gone away.

What I have used to do, is go with my camera everywhere. I may not take any pictures, but since the greatest moments wont call before coming, you have to be prepared.

So, from now on I take my Nikon everywhere and take pictures as often as I can of things that most people do not take pictures of – anything besides people.

Traffic in Paris is as you can imagine very hectic. It seems as though the lights and signs are more of guidelines than actual rules to them. I mean traffic in general, taking into the formulae also pedestrians.

When it’s normal to stop at red light, it’s normal in Paris to continue in case no-one is coming. This happens less in larger sections but extremely often in smaller streets.

In case you are travelling by car, you have to be extremely careful and watch out for pedestrians trying to play cars and being in their own world. I would say that cars are always the ones that have to stop where ever pedestrians want to make their maneuvers.

Walking in Paris is hence much easier because drivers are more custom to paying attention to careless pedestrians. The world is yours when walking aroud in Paris, they are used to the fact that they have to stop in pointless places and stay there longer than needed. Well, I wouldn’t suggest pressing the limit though

Watch out for motorcycles and scooters! They do not follow any rules or common sense.

In our recent travels we have grown to the idea of renting an apartment instead of staying in hotels.

Everybody likes having something of their own and renting an apartment is very close to this. At least closer than staying in some hotel, where room cleaning starts at 9 AM and in case you are not home with the language you are stuck with the service. You can never be entirely sure that someone wouldn’t step in and even more, you have to accept the fact that someone may put your clothes away. I kind of don’t like the idea.

Renting an apartment is much different. They rarely come with room cleaning service, thus being more home-like feeling. In addition to room cleaning service (which is just one example), you don’t get partying quests (at least the odds are better) and you blend in with the locals more. It’s easier to get a closer look into everyday lives. It all simply feels closer to home.

Well, that’s the emotional and feeling comfortable part. Besides that renting an apartment has some serious advantages, which should make every passionate traveller thinking about changing accommodation habits.

First and foremost you are the boss of your time. You don’t have to mess with opening and closing times, you don’t have to follow any routine in terms of eating and room cleaning (you can sleep in very late if you like).

Secondly you will be able to prepare your own food. This is a major pro for me. It’s cheaper, sometimes safer, easier and again makes you feel more like a local. You can make yourself some fancy dinner every night without worrying about spending too much on gourme restourant service. I cannot argue, sometimes it’s nice to treat yourself, but every breakfast, lunch and dinner eating out is something locals don’t do. If your budget can manage it, go ahead but I really feel that there are other things in life well more worth the money.

Third, renting an apartment is usually cheaper in terms of pay that hotels. Why? Because you get less service hence less expenses incur for the renter. We have found apartments, which cost you around 40-50 € per day whereas a hotel room in a three starred facility costs you around 60-70 € per day minimum. I call it “saving money”.

So, when deciding where to stay, look for the apartments.

You are probably wondering right now what are the best places to listen live music in Paris. Well, in case this is so, my best advice is to travel with metro and scout practically all stations. Really!

The best live and genuine music is played either in stations or on train carriages. And every day we found one. One hint of advice – major stations are almost always having someone in doing their gig. Okay, it’s not official, but hey, they are offering something in return aren’t they?

Our first impression of Paris by the way was carried by the fact that acordion was played on the carriage we took from Charles de Gaulle airport to Gare du Nord. What a feeling!

Watch out in Paris for any suspicious looking persons. An eye is kept on tourists and not in a good way. Every time you are close to some tourist attraction you will be approached by someone wanting to sell you something or simply ask for some money.

It can be black men sellig various little Eiffel towers. They come in glowing and blinking lights, in different sizes and some are even made out of glass. Or they can be women in coats and head scarfs asking if you speak English. After saying “Yes” they will show you a card which basically asks for some money for younger brother or cousin. You know them from some other city as well, but just to remind you – watch out and don’t lose your sight even when close to some marvellous buildings and sights.

You don’t want your trip to be ruined by something like this, do you?

So you are in Paris and have decided to use the subway as your main transport. Here are some guidelines for you:

Tickets are sold in almost every station. In case there is no ticket-office, there are automatic booths, which accept credit, local debit cards and coins (unfortunately I saw only one that accepted paper money and only a few change machines). The booths are easy to use and to follow. Various languages are available as well (Spanish and English for an example). In ticket-offices English however is not guaranteed. In case you need to use ticket-office, make sure you got the right ticket just before leaving the desk. With lots of crowd around you and glass window between you and the officer the information unfortunately gets lost every now and then.

Which tickets are best for you and which are sold where? All Paris visit and special cards (which are for certain periods, zones and additional museum free-of-charge entrances) are sold in ticket-offices (note that in some cases not in every office, always prefer larger stations). One-way and day tickets are sold from booths and ticket-offices. The offices with “Information” sign only offer information and sell nothing, keep this in mind. Which is the best? Think through your schedule, places you want to visit and locate the zones they are in. I believe this gives you the hints.

Map is something you definitely need in planning your actions and routes in the city. I cannot agree with those saying that Paris metro is complicated. It’s colorful, clear and remarkably logical. Provided that you have the map and the place you want to visit it’s easy. Note: remember that Paris metro lines work in two ways. This means that they are named let’s say “Porte de Cligancourt/Porte d’Orléans”. This means that the metro line ends in both places. What this means? In case you need to stop in a station between those two stops, just look for the station that is the end stop for the route you need to take. Let’s say that you are in Chatelet and you need to go to Odeon. From the map you can see that Odeon is located south of Chatelet, toward Porte d’Orléans. In metro station it means that you need to look for your color and the right name. In this case the name is Porte d’Orléans.

Doors in Paris metro do not open automatically (except in Metro line number 1, which is called ”magical”, read: doors open themselves). Okay, enough of the irony. Older carriages need that you raise the lever on the door. In newer carriages there’s a button you should push in order to open the doors.

RER trains are more complicated. How to make sure you are on the right train? Before going through any gates make sure the end route is the right one for you (the trains do not have the names on them, keep this in mind). One side-note as well: keep your ticket with you because from RER stations you cannot exit without one. RER trains are however very tempting since they offer a great opportunity to get the glimpse of the rural areas of Paris and the countryside. I recommend!

Entertainment is something you can also experience in Paris metro, whether it’s live music or paintings on the walls.

Overall Paris subway and rural trains are as everything in France welcoming and easy-going

For our visit we chose the very first day of the New Year. Not much to our surprise they were open. Well, I guess since it’s a free day from school and work to most of us, you sort of presume it. Anyhow, the place was packed with people and I cannot imagine summer in this place. Only hope is that the waiting time is much warmer in July. Waiting in line for attractions in January is somewhat freezing.

In case you are visiting Disneyland with children, prepare yourself in two ways. Take either enough money for various treats or brace yourself for some serious negotiations and choose the main attractions you definitely want to visit wisely and beforehand. The park is big and has four worlds with the main street in the middle. The main street has several shops which mainly sell the same things so don’t bother going through them all. Most probably you’ll get just carried away by crowds, which does not give much opportunity for just browsing.

Since there are too many things to do for children going through them all is impossible in one day. Provided you don’t have the heart to say “No” of course. So choosing the attractions is essential.

In case you are travelling with adults, don’t think that Disneyland is not for you. On the contrary. The place has various attractions that are meant for taller people and it even has roller-coasters which require minimum height 1,4 meters and are terrifying which means going through tunnels very fast, moving upwards and downwards while experiencing too many G-s. On one roller-coaster you will even have your head upside down (it was this Indiana Jones theme place). And if you have an inner child hidden in you, you’ll get excited, trust me. It’s just so wonderful!

Although I loved it, I must admit that the place is obviously more focused on children. The whole area is complete, they have thought about everything, even warning signs, blockages and information boards are in theme. Queues go through different and various spots so that you’ll never get bored. You’ll get noises, displays, smaller attractions etc. It’s all part of the Disney world. You feel yourself part of this magical place so that going back later feels odd.

Remember to stay later because 5 PM begins the parade. People gather beside the main street and all the characters go through it on their decorations dancing, singing and playing around. It’s worth seeing and it lasts for about an hour.

One side note as well – in case you have bought your ticket online, please make sure that you bring your ID card or passport with you. They check it at the entrance.

When you have the possibility to go to the Disneyland in Paris, I encourage you to use this opportunity. It’s all worth it!

PS! From Paris centre you can get on a RER train which goes to Disneyland. The line you need to choose has Disneyland marked on brown surface just after the main name of the line.