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PARIS

What to See and Do: Musée du Louvre This enormous building dating back to around 1200 and then rebuilt in the mid-16th century as royal palace should be the first stop in Paris, (The Eiffel Tower can wait). The Louvre was revamped in the 1980’s to include its famous glass pyramid entrance. If you must go, please go early or after 5pm. If you go during peak times, 10am-3pm, expect to encounter long lines and pushy tourists all fighting to see the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory. Avenue des Champs-Élysées Oh get ready to take your credit card to its maximum. Here you will find some of my favorite shops. A popular promenade for those with money and those without. If you spend all your money in Sephora or one of the other many shops, save some money and eat at France's fast-food chain Quicks. Latin Quarter Head over to the Latin Quarter home of one of Paris' leading Universities. Here you will find great Jazz bars, cafe's, eateries and a great place to check out the local scene. Dress nice and bring some of your cutest friends. Check this place out: La Folie en Tête 33 rue de la Butte-aux-Cailles, 13th (01.45.80.65.99). Mº Corvisart or Place d'Italie. Open 5pm-2am Mon-Sat. Eiffel Tower The tower was built for the World Fair of 1889 and has been a part of the tourist “to do” list ever since. There are three levels open to tourist. The higher up you go, the more you pay. So come ready to shell out about 10 euros and wait in a long line depending on time of year. If you're strapped for cash, just head to the middle level where there is a fantastic view of the city inside a closed viewing room. This is great because at night it can be a little windy and cold. If you can, take someone you love or like and just enjoy!

*Along the river. I was in Paris in early December, so it was a bit chilly. *I know I look like a real tourist...but I can't help it!

Where to Stay: Young & Happy Hostel 80 rue Mouffetard, 5th (01.45.35.09.53/ fax 01.47.07.22.24/www.youngandhappy.fr). Mº Place Monge. Rates dormitory €19.50 per person; double €22.50 per person; breakfast included. Open 8am-11am, 4pm-2am daily. No credit cards. This friendly hostel in the heart of the old student quarter and offers 82 beds in slightly shady surroundings. Just make sure you stay with your friends. BVJ Paris/Quartier Latin 44 rue des Bernardins, 5th (01.43.29.34.80/ fax 01.53.00.90.91). Mº Maubert-Mutualité.Open 24 hours. Rates dormitory €25 per person; single €30; double €27; breakfast included. No credit cards. 138 beds in bare modern dorms (for up to ten) and singles, a TV lounge and a work room. This Hostel is generally safe and offers internet access. Yes!. * If you have a little extra money, go for a two star hotel. It is generally a little more money and overall better accommodations.

*Now, I'm not advising anyone to rent a room in the Moulin Rouge, however, you should go take a peak (no pun intended).

How to Get There: Just walk into Westwood and there are signs everywhere for a $500 roundtrip to Paris. If you are traveling within Europe, expect to pay $100-200 for quite possibly the best money you ever spent. Once again, check out the internet for great deals. I like Expedia.com amongst other websites. Again, don't look over travel agencies in Europe. I walked into an agency and booked a same-day roundtrip ticket on Iberian Air, out of Madrid, for $174.

*Not that impressive huh? This is how Ms. Lisa turns out when you see her face-to-face. But there should be many more reasons you should board a plane to head over to Paris.

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