Paris fashion week is now over and the latest fashion sensations for the autumn/winter 2006/07 season have been released.

The usual stars of the haute couture collections, such as the John Galliano designs for Christian Dior, did not disappoint. The Dior show was themed around medieval armour and the Italian renaissance, with a touch of Blade Runner thrown in. Helmets encrusted with jewels, glass beads and crystals, with silver foil, bin liners and pennants used to evoke a modernised sense of knights jousting while the ladies of the court, wearing make up influenced by the paintings of Van Eyck and Botticelli, paraded along the cat walk. Armorial style was further enhanced by milliner Stephen Jones who was brought in to create replicas of medieval armour using copper and brass through to even less traditional materials such as latex, beads and feathers.

Kylie Minogue delighted onlookers by gracing the Chanel show catwalk following her recent cancer recuperation. Karl Lagerfeld?s creations did not disappoint either with fantastic modern styled tweed creations, combined with denim boots and jeweled heels, three-quarter length coats, jeweled fingerless gloves which flirtatiously left the models shoulders bare, and tantalizing touches of brocade.

This year men were well represented in the fashion stakes, following on from years of conservative styling. Collections of monochrome suits, surfer style inspired prints and cutting-edge sportswear abounded with unisex portfolios presented in characteristic style by Jean Paul Gaultier, with possible Dior future designer, Kris Van Assche, displaying interchangeable his and hers suits.

Paris fashion is however more eternal than simply the high profile shows. A quick flight to Paris or a trip through the channel tunnel and this style centre of Europe can be within the grasp of any Brit aspiring to a little bit of European chic.

Paris is a fashion Mecca. All year round the styles in Paris are constantly changing, leading the way in clothing trends across the globe, but it is amazing to see this flamboyant city truly come alive with the arrival of the stars and the week long bourgeois festival of fashion turns the spotlight on this region. All the major fashion houses have stores located within the city, with most situated in and around the Champs-Elys?es area on Avenue Montaigne or the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honor?.

Armani, Chanel, Dior, Lacroix, Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace and Kenzo are just a few of the big names for those with deep pockets, while many smaller boutiques and shopping centres provide more affordable fashions for anyone wanting fantastic styles without the fantastic price tags, and there is always the ready-to-wear shows coming up in October to look forward to.

About the author: Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at his local Edinburgh rugby club.

Cape Cod (named in 1602, by Bartholomew Gosnold of England because of its abundant wealth in cod fish) is the historic first landing place of the Pilgrims. That makes it a place of great historic significance, but it doesn?t end there. Geologists believe that Cape Cod was formed by shifting glaciers that pushed it into its unique sixty-four-by-sixteen-mile hook-shaped dimensions.

The tourists that throng to Cape Cod as many as three times each summer probably couldn?t care less about these finer points of the area?s background. What appeals to them are the rustic small town culture and the beaches, and every visitor eventually chooses a favorite place to enjoy these in a vacation at Cape Cod. The 27,000 acres that constitute the Cape Cod National Seashore are nothing less than a national resource for the amount of tourist revenue generated every year.

A majority of Cape Cod tourists come here for their health and for the uniquely romantic setting. The adventurous also find the place the ideal vacation spot. Considering such a vast range of tastes, Cape Cod is amazingly equipped to provide accommodations to every kind of tourist.

One of the most popular variants of tourist residency at Cape Cod is the bed-and-breakfast-style hostelry. Apart from that, fully furnished cottages and national chain hotels are also available. The hotel industry in Cape Cod also includes full-fledged resorts (some even equipped with a golf course). For those of a more economical bend of mind, rustic inns and motels offer ideal countryside weekend getaways.

Cape Cod also features spas that offer a complete range of health-oriented therapies, resorts that cater to whale-spotting and fishing enthusiasts, and hotels that offer sports like kayaking.

Cape Cod provides detailed information on Cape Cod, Cape Cod Times, Cape Cod Hotels, Cape Cod Vacations and more. Cape Cod is affiliated with Newport Rhode Island.

The Rovaniemi town is the capital of Lapland province. In the beginning of 1800 this city attracted many adventurers who turned this place into an important economy of Scandinavian region. Their presence brought about vast economical growth to the town. Though the traces of historical assets are very few after the attacks Rovaniemi survived in World War II, it possesses all other interesting elements in full to entertain the visitors.

You have some nice modern architecture in the city that flanks the unspoiled Lapland countryside and Arctic wilderness. A few elegant museums in the neighborhood and fantastic opportunities of skiing and hiking add further glorify the status of this place. Besides being a conference town, Rovaniemi is a fast emerging university town. During World War II this city was completely destroyed. However, the inhabitants revamped it to make one of the most stylish cities of Finland.

In your one day trip visit to the city you can experience thrills and excitement at many a times. Not only children but adults also prefer to visit Rauna which feature a zoo too. Santa Park is another destination within the city that attracts visitors? attention. Arktikum is one of the eminent museums of Finland. Long train terminal is something people do like to see working. Accommodation issue hardly poses any problem. Hotels in Rovaniemi are available at affordable rates.

http://www.stayresfinland.com/rovaniemi-hotels.html

You can have a great Denver vacation even if you’re on a budget. We have hotels in the downtown area that are at least affordable ? if not exactly budget hotels– and numerous hotels that are within a 15-20 minute drive of the downtown area that are just right for the budget-minded.

First, the downtown hotels. As you may guess, the words downtown hotel and budget just don’t go together as all downtown hotels tend to be on the pricey side. However, we have the Red Lion Inn and the Comfort Inn Downtown. The Red Lion is at 1975 Bryant which is about 1/2 mile west of downtown Denver, off I-25 and next to Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium. Its published rate for a June 15 stay (two in the room) is $69.00 for a room with king bed, no smoking. You can contact the hotel by calling 303-433-8331.

The Comfort Inn Downtown is downtown, one block from 16th Street Mall and Denver Pavilions at 401 17th St. It’s much pricier at $139 for a June 15 stay, two people in a room with king bed. You can reach the hotel by calling 800-237-7431.

If you don’t mind going ?suburban,? where you will be 15-25 minutes from the downtown Denver area, you can stay for even less.

Three of these hotels you might like are:

Embassy Suites Hotel Southeast

The Embassy Suites Hotel Southeast is located about 20-25 minutes from the downtown area via I-25 and Hampden Ave. It has 206 well appointed guest suites (it’s an all-suites hotel), and features a complimentary full cooked to order breakfast and, in the evenings, Room rates at the Embassy begin at $89.00.

7525 E Hampden Ave
Denver, CO
800-346-8357

Hotel Denver Tech Center

The Hotel Denver Tech Center is six-story hotel located in the Denver Tech Center, about 20 minutes southeast of the downtown area via I-25.

Guest room amenities include high-speed Internet access, video-game consoles, satellite televisions, coffeemakers, designer toiletries, complimentary newspapers and comprehensive business desks. Rates start at $59.00.

801 E Orchard Rd.
Englewood, CO
800-346-8357

Doubletree Denver Southeast

The Doubletree Southeast is situated off of I-225, with easy access to I-70 and I-25 and, as such, is about 25 minutes from downtown Denver. It features an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and the full service Fitzgerald Cafe and Pub. Guest room rates are from $59.00.

13696 E Iliff Place
Aurora, CO
800-346-8357

You can learn more of what you need to know for a great Denver vacation at my web site. Just go to http://www.best-denver-vacation.com

Douglas Hanna is a 30-plus year resident of Denver and an expert on Denver and travel in Colorado. He is also the author of more than 100 ezine articles.

The Parador of Alarcon is located about 200 km. southeast of Madrid directly below Cuenca. Twelve hundred years ago, a prince of the Visigoths was out hunting and came upon a rugged and rocky hill almost completely encircled by a river. He thought it a perfect place to build a fortress. His father, King Alaric, came back to inspect the site and did build a castle there. The town and the Parador still bear his name.

The Alarcon Parador has thick stone walls set with turrets surrounding it and the small town. One of these towers (called a coracha) is right down on the river Jucar. It was from under this one that the ancient townspeople could obtain water during a siege.

The castle was controlled by the Moors for hundreds of years. In 1184, after a long unsuccessful siege, a brave knight climbed the walls one night by using two daggers to wedge into the slits in the great stones that form the walls. He got over and opened the doors from within allowing King Alfonso VIII and his forces in to recapture the castle for the Christian re-conquest. Many years later, Queen Isabel had to put down a rebellion of sorts here by some of her powerful yet disloyal barons.

The Parador of Alarcon is the kind of place castle lovers dream of. It looks and feels like a castle, and one can literally sense the history of the place as a palpable presence. It’s setting is spectacular, and the approach is unforgettable – transporting the traveler not only to the castle, but seemingly back in time as well!

Interesting nearby excursions from Parador Alarcon:

- The medieval old town of Alarcon.

- The wonderful Iglesia de Santa Maria.

- The old town hall on the main plaza.

Interesting day trips include:

- Cuenca – The city of the famous casas colgadas (hanging houses). Cuenca is a Unesco-declared World Heritage site, and should be considered a must see.

- Belmonte – Be sure and drive over to Belmonte to see the wonderful old, abandoned, yet well-preserved 15th century castle ruins there. You can climb up into the towers and walk around inside the grounds. The Belmonte castle has a rare and beautiful triangular patio. If you go on a weekday – you’ll likely have it all to yourself.

For travelers who like to visit relatively un-touristed locations that, nevertheless, exude an air of historical significance – and especially for aficionados of wonderful old castles – the Alarcon Parador is a near-perfect destination.

SpainParador.com makes it easy for you to plan and arrange your next trip to Spain. This time stay in palaces, castles, and other places of great historical interest and rare beauty – the wonderful Paradors of Spain. http://www.SpainParador.com

Within the Main River Valley, just east of where the Main meets the Rhine, sits the prevailing city of Frankfurt. Presently and historically considered a nerve center for commerce, banking, and transportation, Frankfurt am Main of west central Germany possesses many aspects of the old world that function as a viable part of this contemporary city.

Visitors to Frankfurt am Main, not to be confused with Frankfurt (Oder) a small city in northeastern Germany, will find its location ideal. Situated on both sides of the Main River, this hilly region is totally surrounded by rich forest; settlement in the area goes back to 1st Century Roman times.

Significantly, Charles I held a royal court in Frankfurt in the 800?s. During the Middle Ages, kings of the Holy Roman Empire were elected here, and, later on, emperors were crowned in Frankfurt. In the mid-1800?s, Germany?s new parliament first met here. Consequently, Frankfurt has been at the forefront of German and European change.

Currently, Frankfurt is at the heart of economic growth for the region. The European Central Bank, a number of major German banks, and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange together have made this city a major financial center of the European Union. Many international companies call Frankfurt their home away from home.

Frankfurt has traditionally been known as a marketplace for meeting and exchanging goods. More than fifty trade fairs and exhibitions are still held in Frankfurt yearly. Most notably, the Frankfurt Book Fair in mid-October and the International Automobile Exhibition in September.

Frankfurt offers travelers varying means of transportation in, out of, and around the city. The Autobahn converges at the city. The Frankfurt Airport is considered one of Europe?s busiest. A train station is located at the airport as well, making intercity travel quite convenient. Within the city, public transportation includes buses, above ground trams and the S-Bahn and U-Bahn underground train lines. Additionally, bridges in Frankfurt connect the banks of the Main River. Most notably, the Eiserner Steg (Iron Bridge) has been open to walking traffic since 1869.

One of Frankfurt?s cultural attractions, the Museumsufer (Museum Embankment) contains a varying array of museums, located along the Main, with themes ranging from history, to art and architecture. An end of the summer cultural festival, Museumsuferfest, attracts over three million visitors every year to this area.

Numerous historical attractions entice visitors. The Romerberg area of old downtown was a series of houses that were acquired in the 14th Century from a wealthy merchant. The main house is the site of the city?s first town hall. The area was rebuilt to original specifications after the Second World War.

Saint Bartholomeus? Cathedral is a gothic structure built during the 14th and 15th Centuries. It?s known as the main church of Frankfurt. In 1867, the cathedral was destroyed by fire, but was subsequently rebuilt.

Saint Paul?s Church was established in 1789. Germany?s first parliament met here in 1848. The interior of the church was partially destroyed during the war, but was built up again with modern fixtures.

Visitors can also experience the Frankfurt Opera, site-see at the Saalburg, an old Roman fort, and become enlightened by activity at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University. Named after the celebrated writer and poet born in Frankfurt in 1749.

Frankfurt?s extensive history is preserved, but the city has been renewed in order to meet present-day needs. The ancient city?s marketplaces where trade and commerce took place have been updated. Frankfurt now promotes economic stability for the entire region. The city?s many skyscrapers reflect this while postulating the direction of Frankfurt?s further growth.

Stan Smith writes for Four Corners Hotels http://www.fourcornershotels.com/index.php/DE ? Frankfurt which offers hotels in cities around the world including hotels located in Frankfurt, Germany.

Frankfurt Hotels