France is romance at Valentine’s Day

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Put your economic woes an ocean away with a trip to France on Valentine’s Day. Concorde Hotels & Resorts is offering great deals from February 13 to February 16 at its Parisian hotels, with rates starting at $172 a night. They’re sweetening it with a daily buffet breakfast for two, a 50 percent discount on the second night and a special surprise gift that they wouldn’t even reveal to me (ugh).

Or, if you prefer the French Riviera, check out the Hotel Martinez in Cannes. The property is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year and wants to bring you in on the festivities. A two-night stay on February 13 and February 14 or February 15 and February 16 starts at $271 for the first night and only $103 for the second! You’ll get a VIP welcome (which you deserve) and in-room or buffet breakfast. Also, they’re giving complimentary fitness center and sauna access … but you probably don’t want to tell your significant other to hit the treadmill on Valentine’s Day!

[Photo via Concorde Hotels & Resorts]

Yeah, then why don’t you and the Eiffel tower get a room!

by Scott Carmichael on

I’m pretty sure I’m not alone when I say I “love” the Eiffel Tower – how can you not enjoy such a magnificent structure? The design, the sheer beauty of it, and the atmosphere around the tower in such an awesome city make it one of the most popular landmarks in the world.

But there are some people who take their love of the structure just a tad too far.

That is what Erika La Tour Eiffel has done. Not only did she “marry” the Eiffel tower, she actually has sex with it.

Let that sink in for a minute – this lady is so in love with the tower that she climbs it, and consummates her relationship with the Eiffel Tower.

These people are called “objectum sexuals” and their relationships are with objects instead of people. Another lady is so in love with the Golden Gate bridge that she sleeps with a piece of the bridge, and does stuff to it I don’t want to know about.

Click the read more link to see a documentary about these people, and to learn more about how deep their love goes for tourist attractions and other objects.

Watch Married To The Eiffel Tower [Part 1] | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

(Via: TV Carnage)

Bizarrely, this behavior is not against the law in France.

M&M’s Valentine’s Day Contest

by Brenda Yun on

Most would argue that red is the color of love and therefore the color for Valentine’s Day, but the M&M’s chocolate company begs to differ. While to most green is the color of envy, it is Ms. Green who will have you seeing some green ($1500 to be exact) — as well as experiencing two nights in quintessentially romantic Paris.

The only thing you have to do is visit the contest website and write a 150-word essay explaining why you and your sweetie need Ms. Green’s help to heat up your romance this Valentine’s Day. (No purchase necessary!). The sight adds, “Brevity is the soul of wit, darling,” so I’m guessing my essay, which went something like, “I would really like a holiday” is neither witty nor the kind of brevity they’re looking for.

According to the always long-winded contest rules, you must be 21 years or older to enter and live within the 50 United States. The top five essays will be selected based on the following criteria: Relevance, Creativity, and Style and Panache (???), and then judged one more time by a separate panel to select the winner. The prize includes two roundtrip ticket to Paris, a two-night stay in the city, and $1500 to spend on romantic dining and activities.

Seems rather straightforward, my friends. You must submit your essay by February 12, so think green (or red) and get to it!

Gadling Take FIVE: Jan. 10– Jan. 16

by Jamie Rhein on

First, where ever you are, I hope you’re toasty warm. Man, is it cold in Ohio!

Hopefully, you’ve been inspired to travel by our budget travel series this month. There are two more weeks to go. Thanks to Jeremy’s post, I’ve hooked into the idea of checking out Puerto Rico, a place I haven’t been. In regards to those cities where I have traveled, I have a stash of new ideas.

For more budget travel ideas, here are five more posts. Two are about people who have unconventional methods for seeing the world.

French museums soon free for visitors under 25? Oui!

by Alison Brick on

French national museums and monuments have just gotten one step closer to cool. Admission for visitors under 25 will soon be free, according to French President Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday.

That’s for the 18 national museums, including the Parisian favorites: the Louvre (usually 9 Euros) and Musée d’Orsay (9.50 Euros). The new policy comes just in time for summer backpacker travel–it starts April 4.

The country’s trial period seems to have worked out–from January to June of last year, visitors of all ages got free admission to 14 of the country’s museums.

Sarkozy’s plan to promote French culture also includes building a new history museum, lifting a partial freeze on state funding for the performing arts, and forming a new arts council.

Click the images to learn about the most unusual museums in the world — covering everything from funeral customs, to penises, to velvet paintings, to stripping.