Tourists in Paris saying ooh la la have been less frequent in 2008 as the price of a holiday in France has soared compared to other European holiday areas. France, Spain, Turkey and Greece are considered the 'Big Four' holiday destinations in Europe. According to the British survey, the cost of meals, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, car rentals and unleaded fuel are more expensive in France than the other Big Four countries. A vacation in France was discovered to be 61 percent more expensive than one in Turkey, 58 percent over Spain and 13 percent over Greece. Heritage Sites The study by the Post Office examined the costs of several Heritage Sites located in each of the Big Four. Based on the price of a vacation for a family of four, a visit to the Eiffel Tower would cost 46.41 US dollars. A visit for a family of four to Ephesus in Turkey would cost 26.04 US dollars while a visit to Alhambra in Spain or Acropolis in Athens would cost 29.79 dollars. Other reports included a can of soda at a restaurant costing 4.41 in Paris. Some of France's most visited heritage sites are the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Palace of Versailles. Some of the most popular heritage sites in Spain include the city of Toledo, the Poblet Monastery as well as many other historic cathedrals. That's Life C'est la vie! France may in fact be more expensive than the other countries in the Big Four. For years, France has been promoted as very luxurious and romantic. People understand the age-old adage 'you get what you pay for' holds merit in the most popular vacation destinations in France. Many five-star hotels throughout France offer specialty suites for honeymooners, babymooners and those looking for a private, romantic getaway. Added amenities make the extra cost well worth the investment. It's Love C'est L'amour! Paris is considered the city of love. It is also the French capital and largest city. Some of France's largest, most luxurious five-star hotels are located in Paris with views of the Eiffel Tower. Paris is one of the leading cities in the world in terms of romance, culture and entertainment. As such, it has been the setting of many of the world's most romantic movies and music videos. The Eiffel Tower is the ideal location for a romantic marriage proposal for millions of people per year. Sidewalk cafes add to the overall romantic feel the city provides. Family Friendly The higher prices in France lead some to the determination that France is less family friendly than the other countries in the Big Four. Although it's more expensive, France does have several family-friendly activities. Many Spanish locations are considered more family-friendly than other countries in the Big Four. Spain is often a family favourite simply because children enjoy many aspects of the culture, history and amenities while parents enjoy the lower cost. With winter quickly approaching, many families are in the process of planning family ski holidays, and a French ski holiday is the most popular option for skiers. Europe's Big Four vacation destinations offer a very wide variety of excellent ski areas such as Andorra, Chamonix, Falakro and the Anatolian Peninsula. Many families will be looking for lower costs while others will be more focused on quality ski instruction and star-quality amenities, so it will be interesting to see how the French ski holiday industry fares for the 2008/9 ski holiday season.
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