Even in this economic downturn families will take their kids in droves to Disneyland and Walt Disney World in this coming year. I am a fan of Mickey Mouse (Amateur Traveler Episode 25 - Disneyland - why I learned to love the mouse) but I want to propose that there are reasons also to take the kids to Europe when they are still young. To make the point I want to point out 7 ways that Paris France is better than Disneyland.

1. Shopping - Downtown Disney vs Galeries Lafayette Paris

   I am always surprised the amount of time some families spend shopping on their Disney trip, but if you really want incredible shopping Paris offers the well known Champs Elysees, but for my money I think that the Galeries Lafayette is an incomparable shopping experience. The building itself is like a cathedral to commercialism and the shopping is also good.

2. Getting Around - Monorail vs Metro

   The monorail is a very cool looking method of transportation. The problem is that it does not really go anywhere. The metro may be less futuristic but it is a great way to get around the city in comfort. Just look for the art deco Metro signs.

3. Food

   This is one category where there is no competition. Even for kids the hot dog in tomorrow land is no competition for le “hot dog” which is made with a baguette, two hot dogs end to end and grilled cheese. Better yet while your kids are eating that you can be trying the escargot. (You can try the escargot but I will be having the mutton stew or whatever is the prix fixe menu).

4. Sleeping Beauty’s Castle vs the Eiffel Tower

   Both Paris and Disneyland have a center that people are drawn to and are photographed in front of. Disneyland recently reopened Sleeping Beauty’s castle to tours but frankly most people who visit the park won’t tour it. By contrast 200,000,000 people have visited the Eiffel tower. It was the tallest tower for 41 years after its construction and still captivates the imagination with its design.

5. 
   
   
   Saint Chapelle in Paris
   
   Originally uploaded by CoboFoto
   

   Spectacle - Fantasmic vs Saint Chapelle

   Disneyland offers the loud crash of fireworks, the colorful spectacle and the magic of storytelling at Fantasmic. Families camp out on the River of America for hours to try and find a spot where they can rest they weary kids and see the show. Paris offers a quieter spectacle that still tells a story, but without all the noise, in the stain glass of its cathedrals. In my opinion the lesser known Saint Chapelle offers even more beauty than the better known Notre Dame.

6. Thrill Ride - Roller coasters vs Driving in Paris

   I love Space Mountain, Indiana Jones and Big Thunder Mountain, but nothing is quite as scary as driving in Paris. The first time we drove into the city it caught us by surprise when all the lines in the road went away. How many lanes should we form? A friend from Paris said the answer is “however many you need”.

7. Adventure - Pirates vs Pickpockets

   At Disneyland you will be menaced by pirates on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride but no matter how many times you ride the ride you will still come out with all your valuables. These pirates are all talk and no plunder. Paris offers real adventure because you actually need to keep a watch on your valuables. OK… maybe there are 6 reasons why Paris is better than Disneyland.

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Ever wanted to watch a gaulish village being attacked by vikings, raptors wheeling high in the sky, the three musketeers flashing swords against mounted enemies or see gladiators fight to the death? How about the English attacking a mediaeval keep where a beautiful damsel waits or knights jousting just like during the 100-years war? At the Puy du Fou in the Vendée you will find all of these come alive with some fantastic displays of equestrianship mixed with beautiful costumes and realistic recreations of history. To top it off for adults and older kids is a fabulous evening show - the Cinéscénie - the story of a fictional family in the Vendée caught in the crosshairs of the history of both the region and of France. The Grand Parc and the Cinéscenie are 3 hours from Paris but relatively close to the popular summer resorts of Les Sables d’Olonne and La Rochelle. In any case, if you’re remotely interested in history, it’s worth the trip. From one year old to 35 all were captivated.

It’s a good idea to book in advance for the English-language headset to listen to the dialogue of some of the shows and the Cinéscenie in English. Have a hat, water and sunscreen as it can get very hot, although there are sprinklers at strategic locations. Meanwhile at night, it gets quite cold for the Cinéscénie, especially if you are up high in the stadium.

Keith Rogers - My Family Break

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Pirates are not just featured in Johnny Depp movies these days, nor is high tech piracy limited to software. There really are still pirates some places in the world where real life pirates reside.

From the Independent:

A luxury three-masted cruise ship seized off the Gulf of Aden last week is in the hands of the Somali “marines”, a loose network of fishermen-turned-pirates armed with satellite telephones and hand-held missiles.

The “marines”, to paraphrase the words of The Pirates of Penzance, are the very model of a modern pirate enterprise. They use converted fishing vessels as “mother ships”, from which small boats are directed by satellite telephone to menace targets.

They are believed by Somali and international officials to be responsible for many of the estimated 150 attacks on ships off the Horn of Africa last year. Captured ships and their crews are then ransomed back to their owners. Contacts are in progress between the French owner of the 88-metre yacht Le Ponant, seized last Friday and representatives of the pirates. The French government has refused to rule out the payment of a ransom for the vessel and its mostly French crew of 30. On past experience, officials warn, the negotiations are likely to take several weeks.

In more positive news, piracy seems to be on the decrease off the coast of Malaysia because of patrols from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

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