Many people with a desire to live overseas have difficulty in deciding where to go and are sometimes in search of help in making their decisions. Cultural and other activities frequently play an important role in the decision making process. One useful parameter to consider when deciding on where to live and work, I term the “Intellijeune” factor.
Intellijeune is compounded from the English (or French) word ‘intelligent’ and the French word ‘jeune’. meaning youth or literally young person.
The intellijeune factor or ratio is the ratio between the number of university or college students and the total inhabitants. Whether you are thinking of moving within your own country or of living abroad, the intellijeune ratio can be a useful parameter to consider.
The availability of higher education facilities benefits a city and its area in many respects. Not only is the visitor more likely to be exposed to young people and be able to interact with them on a higher intellectual level, but the community benefits too. Cities with a high student population are more likely to offer lively and diverse nightlife and cultural events.
Some students will remain in the city after their studies, thus helping to ensure a more stable economic future for the area. It might be dangerous to equate higher education with financial acumen, but that is my assumption.
That in short is the intellijeune factor. Could it be important to you in your decision making on where to live and work?
November 11th, 2006
A Six Star Luxury Experience / Radisson Cruises- Best Cruise Value
Radisson cruises come under the flagship of six star luxury cruises offering an opportunity to explore and discover three hundred ports on 6 continents, including Antarctica. All the luxury liners share the same style of accommodation, service, dining and amenities. Radisson Cruise has been twice chosen as the World’s best small Cruise line.
The passenger guests aboard the Radisson Cruise experience high standards of excellence in cruising and exciting discovery experiences across the globe. You are able to get some improvements, benefits or special events on a complimentary basis or at a minimal charges and some ‘extras’ with the cruise fares such as gratuities, non-alcoholic beverage all along your trip, wines at lunch and dinner, a wide liquor selection in the suite bar or a welcome wine or champagne upon embarkation. World Cruise and Cruise Liner Society has awarded the ‘Best Cruise Value’ Radisson Cruise for eleven consecutive years.
You can visit online to get information on the various destinations offered by the Radisson Cruise. During the summers, it is extremely popular to cruise to Alaska to enjoy its majesty and its wilderness. With Radisson, you experience a difference in cruising with its Seven Seas Mariner and all-suite all-balcony vessel sailing through Alaska. If you are interested to explore quaint fishing villages, colorful markets and ancient cultures - where you go fishing for marlin in Mazatlan, play snorkel in Cabo San Lucas or visit the Puerto Vallarta beaches, the Radisson Mexican Cruises provide excellent service.
Perhaps you would like to explore the idyllic islands of Tahiti with the Paul Ganguin ultra luxury cruise vessel with 320 guests aboard. The Paul Ganguin is equipped with doors, balconies and airy windows, appealing the tropical breeze. You can step off the sea-level water sports platform to experience a coral lagoon. Aboard this luxury vessel and discover the bewitching islands in fascination.
About The Author
Colin Hartness
Looking for information about cruises? Go to: http://www.whatcruises.com
‘What Cruises’ is published by Colin Hartness
- An excellent resource for Cruises!
November 9th, 2006
Run Out Of Holiday Ideas?
Have a basic understanding of French?
Then plan a get-away to destinations you’d not normally consider and…
Go Where The French Go!
You’ll first need to get yourself to France, which is best done from where you are…
But why not start your holidays with a week visiting the vineyards of Bordeaux, the chateaux of the Loire or the hinterland of the Côte d’Azur. Staying in a “gîte rural”, a homestay.
But before leaving for France, use one of the principal French travel sites to book a package in the sun, or whatever you feel like… (you’ll need some French to do so…)
For flights, packages and everything else, the big three are:
Opodo, http://www.the-process-improver.com/OpodoVols
Anyway, http://www.the-process-improver.com/AnywaySejours
Promo-Vacances, http://www.the-process-improver.com/PromoVacances
Opodo is owned by nine of Europe’s leading airlines: Aer Lingus, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa and by GDS and travel technology provider, Amadeus. So they’re pretty solid.
Anyway is powered by Expedia, well known in the North American market, and owned by IAC Travel which also owns Interval International, TV Travel Shop, Hotels.com.
Both these will provide you with the usual 450-500 airlines, 40-50000 hotels, etc, etc. And tend to fly out of Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly Sud.
Promo-Vacances is the best for Séjours (packages). And they’re owned by Karavel, an interesting alternative to the large on-line agencies. They were started by 10 travel directors, have an office in Paris and their CEO is the past-CEO of Air France. So they too are solid…
Why French Travel Sites?
Consider this…
The French have a highly developed travel industry
To match their highly developed sense of vacation… Why?
Because they have time for affordable activities.
Why’s that?
From the UBS Prices and Earnings Survey, they have the lowest pay but the most paid holidays and work the shortest hours. How so? You ask…
Well, in Paris, the average worker works less than 1600 hours per year and has 28 paid days holiday. In Toronto, she works over 1950 hours per year and takes less than 12 days paid holidays.
In London, the figures are just over 1800 hours per year worked and 22 holiday days paid. In New York, your average worker puts in close to 1900 hours per year and takes just 13 days paid holidays for his efforts.
Using the Big Mac index (from UBS), a Parisian must work for 19 minutes to buy a Big Mac, a Torontan (or is that Torontonite?), 13. In London, it’s 18 minutes and New York, 12.
So, if you’re stuck for ideas for affordable holidays…
Go Where The French Go!
And the French holiday “en famille” so all their destinations are family friendly…
About The Author
Stephen Hay has lived in France for a few years and now lives in New Zealand with his French wife and children. He runs a business catering to home-based and small businesses but misses the French approach to holidays, though not necessarily in France. Hence the article, and the link: http://the-process-improver.com/GoWhereTheFrenchGo
November 5th, 2006