With an opening ceremony planned to take place along the river Seine, it's clear that Paris' summer Olympic Games will be a delight, but it is the rebirth of the cathedral of Notre-Dame that might just be the real scene stealer of the tourist year.
In April 2019, the 12th century cathedral that took over 200 years to build, caught fire and its famous dome and spire completely collapsed. Before the fire, Notre-Dame was visited by 12 million people every year making it the number one landmark in the city. President Emmanuel Macron promised that the UNESCO-listed site would be rebuilt within 5 years—its opening is planned for December 8, 2024.
The cathedral of Notre-Dame has an interesting history—it was a food store during the French revolution, Napoleon and Josephine were crowned Emperor and Empress there in 1804 and of course, it's probably most well-known around the world because of its central place in author Victor Hugo's book, the Hunchback of Notre-Dame. At the time of his 1831 masterpiece (titled Notre-Dame de Paris in French) the cathedral was in ruin, but the book's popularity saved it—funding was given to rebuild and restore it and Notre-Dame became cemented into the fabric of modern culture.
It's been a fascinating rebuild, predominantly because of the use of old-fashioned techniques replicating how it was originally built. As reported by CNN, the first two years after the fire were just about securing the building, before work on restoration could officially begin in September 2021. The $760 million restoration is using nearly 250 companies and art workshops across France including carpenters, stonemasons, scaffolders, sculptors, gilders and glassmakers. Organ builders, for instance, are restoring the largest organ in France that has 8,000 pipes and 115 stops.
A little of the new has also been added for a 21st century flair. Contemporary artists will restore six damaged stained-glass windows on the cathedral's southern side. Before the fire, a golden rooster was perched 96 metres above ground level, forged in 1835 and containing the relics (the mortal remains) of Saint Denis and Saint Geneviève, as well as a fragment of Christ’s crown of thorns. The rooster was discovered in the rubble (with the relics intact) and it will be housed in a new museum on-site with the 6 broken stained-glass windows. A new rooster was forged and is already back on its perch—a symbol of the cathedral's renaissance.
So, anyone looking to head to Paris for the Olympic Games (they take place from July 26 to Aug. 11) should be booking flights and hotels now, if there are any of the latter available. Current averages are quoted as $1,092 per hotel room, just for the opening night of the Olympics in Paris.
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
We wanted to pack a lot into our few days in Paris: the Mark Rothko exhibition at La Fondation Louis Vuitton (until April), and, for my techie husband, the new Maison Poincaré maths museum near the Sorbonne (monoglot polymaths can relax: it’s bilingual). We’d been too late to book for Serge Gainsbourg’s house on the Left Bank (already sold out for 2024!) but the new Quai de la Photo floating contemporary photography museum was showing work by the late Jane Birkin’s daughter, Kate Barry. We also wanted to wander round galleries in newly arty Rue Béranger in the Marais and maybe catch Franco-Gabonese artist Myriam Mihindou at Musée du Quai Branly.
As interest in trips surrounding the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris is heating up, suppliers and advisors have forged new partnerships to offer a variety of ways to experience the Games.
“Going over the top” to impress a special someone every February 14 is a relative concept. Jet-setters know the world’s top luxury tourist destinations strive to offer unique experiences, but chasing the coolest place someone else has never visited requires a discerning palate whenever a dash of romance is involved.
International tourism will rise by 15% in 2024 from last year, according to data shared by United Nations World Tourism Organization Friday. In fact, it will also exceed 2019 levels by 2%.
If 2024 is the year to complete a bucket-list trip to discover a destination that's a little different, or to travel to a one-off event, then here are a few ideas—new long-haul flight routes from the U.S., unmissable one-off global events, 'new' European places to discover and new cruise lines venturing into dramatic waters in Australia. Here's what's waiting to be ticked off on your 2024 travel bucket list.
The Mediterranean has long been a region of ancient history, incredible cultures and delicious cuisines. The countries surrounding the sea from which the region gets its name offers diverse opportunities for exploration, for every type of travel style.
As the calendar flips to a new year, Unique Vacations, Inc. (UVI) – an affiliate of the worldwide representative for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts – inaugurates 2024 as “The Year of More” at an energizing Global Sales Conference designed to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the travel advisor community and reinforce its crucial role within the ecosystem of tourism for the Caribbean at large. The first of its kind since 2019, the event was held between Sandals Dunn’s River and Sandals Ochi, and united esteemed Caribbean government officials, Sandals Resorts executives, and over 200 members of Unique Vacations global sales force for a weekend of reflection, strategic alignment, and gathering momentum in the direction of selling the coveted Caribbean.
From the heart of Italy's truffle-rich landscapes to the olive trees of Greece, the globe offers a culinary tapestry that transforms gifting into a refined experience. Elevate your senses with the delicate sweetness of French macarons from Ladurée or indulge in the rare pleasure of Spanish acorn-fed ham, Jamón Ibérico. Here are ten gourmet food gift suggestions for Valentine’s Day 2024.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys, and girls, brace yourselves for a whirlwind fiesta like no other! It’s time to dust off your sequined costumes, don your feathered masks, and pack your dancing shoes because Carnival 2024 in the Canary Islands is here to whisk you away on a vibrant journey across this enchanting archipelago. The Canary Islands, with their seven unique islands, each boasting its own character and charm, are synonymous with stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and, of course, world-famous carnivals. Carnival season in the Canaries is a celebration of life, culture, and endless fun, and 2024 promises to be a year to remember.