Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Paris, France

The Galeries Lafayette Haussmann department store are in Paris on the Boulevard Haussmann in the ninth district and belongs to the branch of Galeries Lafayette / Nouvelles Galeries Galeries Lafayette Group. In 1894, the cousins Théophile Bader and Alphonse Kahn opened Galeries Lafayette as a novelty shop and attracted quickly employees offices and small and medium bourgeoisie and after two years time, trade begun to enlarge quietly. In 1912 the new store was inaugurated with the Art Nouveau dome, glass and crowned by ten concrete pillars with its climax located 43 meters above the ground. He counted with 5 floors with balconies, 96 sections of sale, a tea room, a hairdressing salon and a library. It consists of bundles of ten stained glass, enclosed in a metal frame richly carved with floral motifs and it has a terrace where you can see Paris and the Eiffel Tower. The windows are all important to create the urge to buy in customers. Since 1958, the store launches ‘the 3j’ which is a sale at exceptionally low prices for three days that persists to this day. Currently, we find a lot of prestige brands, an area of 3,000 square meters dedicated to the sale of shoes, a large area dedicated to fragrances and beauty products, a large cellar and a whole store that attracts customers from everywhere being Chinese, the first buyers of the world, that’s why there is specialized staff who speaks Cantonese and Mandarin and there’s a section that receives the other Asian visitors with personnel speaking different languages (Thai, Japanese, etc. ). In total there are 5 other stores in the world: Casablanca, Dubai, Berlin, Jakarta and Japan.

Tips

Several tube stations are nearby the galleries: Chaussee d’Antin-Lafayette, Auber and Havre-Caumartin.
Even if you do not like much shopping, a visit is worthwhile to look at the beautiful structure of the building

 

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Reserve Juréia-Itatins, Peruibe, São Paulo, Brazil

One of the most beautiful places on the south coast of São Paulo is the city of Peruibe, especially Paradise waterfall in the reserve Juréia-Itatins. It’s great to go down the hill in the Juréia surrounded on the road by the Atlantic Forest, a breathtaking descent, for Guaraú beach; a very clean beach with typical food Caiçara based on fish and seafood and the best shrimp Saint-Pierre! , The public use of the cascade is controlled by forests and it is the Foundation that uses the reserve as an environmental education tool. Access to the site will be allowed only with the monitored scheduled visit, being 180 the maximum number of independent visitors (no appointment, but recommended) and 90 for groups (appointment required). The swimming area is limited to the natural pool, not being allowed the access to the upper areas of the waterfall. The instructors are trained and qualified to receive people and provide information and lectures on the importance of protecting biodiversity, the waterfall and ecological station; one of the last places on the Brazilian coast where the Atlantic Forest has hardly changed.

Tips

To enter the reserve, you must have a ticket and service to visitors is from 8:00 to 17:00 daily.
You can arrive there by bus (public transportation) at very affordable prices, but the instability of time indefinite, and no information can affect the length of syour tay in the ecological station.
A tip: take advantage of the waterfall first and then go to the beach.

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La Grotta Azzurra restaurant, Taormina, Sicily, Italy

La Grotta Azzurra is a Sicilian restaurant in Taormina specializing in fresh fish and seafood. The restaurant has several tables and an indoor bar and a terrace with tables placed on the stairs (very typical in Taormina). Inside you can see the chef and kitchen staff working in front of you as the kitchen is set back from the counter; you will also find the self service entrees but be careful, ask the prices before not to be surprise as this is paid extra with the plates requested, it is not included with the menu. The restaurant is a bit hidden from the central tourist area because it is on a small alley and it gives it a charming atmosphere. From time to time, you will have a presentation of the musicians who make the tour by the different restaurants of the tourist streets.

Tips

If you want to sit on the terrace it is better to make a reservation as it is always full. If you are with a group, a reservation is also preferable.

If you like pasta and seafood, enjoy it, you are in the ideal place.

Via Bagnoli Croce 2, Taormina, Me, Sicily