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Local France
3 days ago
- Local France
French Phrase of the Day: Faire du stop
Why do I need to know faire du stop? Because this isn't an instruction. What does it mean? Faire du stop - roughly pronounced fair do stop - might sound like a command, but in reality, this combination of French and English means 'to hitchhike'. The official word for hitchhiking in French is l'autostop , which originated in the early 1940s, combining the prefix auto (for cars) with the English word 'stop'. A hitchhiker would thus be an autostoppeur (or autostoppeuse ), though the French translators of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' opted instead for Le Guide du voyageur galactique (The traveller's guide to the galaxy ). Advertisement However, faire du stop is the colloquial phrase you are more likely to hear if you ever find yourself on the side of the road with your thumb up. There are several different ways to talk about hitchhiking in French. You can also say lever le pouce (to raise the thumb), and if you visit Quebec in Canada, you would say faire du pouce (to do the thumb). Hitchhiking emerged in France in the late 1930s, at a time when only one in every 20 people had a vehicle. The practice was a popular option for people who could not afford bus or train tickets. Like in other countries, the practice also became popular, particularly in the 1950s, amongst young people either looking to run off or travel. While hitchhiking has declined in France, it is still something you will see from time to time, especially if you visit a ski area where free navettes (buses) run from the town up to the station. There's also the more modern version - the French start-up Bla Bla Car is a way of arranging a ride share in advance from someone who is driving to your destination, although in this case you will be contributing petrol money. Use it like this Ce n'est pas grave si on rate le bus, on peut faire du stop. - It doesn't matter if we miss the bus. We can just hitchhike. J'ai fait du stop de Marseille à Paris. C'était un voyage formidable, mais parfois un peu angoissant. - I hitchhiked from Marseille to Paris. It was a great trip, but a bit anxiety-inducing at times.
India.com
19-05-2025
- India.com
Smart Budget Travel Hacks For An Affordable Trip To Udaipur
The city of Udaipur is known as the City of Lakes. It has beautiful lakes, stunning palatial architecture, ultra-bustling marketplaces, and more, thus making it a traveler's hotspot. Visiting Udaipur will surely cost a few pennies, but can it still be done while being cost-effective? Yes! It is definitely possible to explore Udaipur at a budget. With smart planning, let's make it possible to indulge in great food and affordable stays without overspending. Smart: Best Ways to Reach Udaipur Cheaply Adopting a cost-effective approach for traveling to Udaipur is always an option. Here are a few suggestions based on which city you are in: Trains: If you're somewhere in Delhi, Mumbai, or Jaipur, Indian Railways will take you to Udaipur using sleeper classes and 3rd AC coaches. They are very affordable and a comfy way to travel. Buses: Udaipur is well-connected to cities like Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Jodhpur using state-run and private buses. You can save money by booking semi-sleeper and sleeper buses in advance. Flights:Budget airlines like AirAsia and Indigo provide economical flights to Udaipur's Maharana Pratap Airport, especially when booked in advance. Carpooling & Rideshare:Traveling Apps like BlaBlaCar promote ridesharing which cuts costs significantly by sharing amongst travelers. Quick Facts: The cheapest train from Delhi to Udaipur costs around INR 300-500 (sleeper class). Rajasthan State Road Transport buses from Jaipur to Udaipur start at INR 400. Booking flights at least 2 months in advance can save 20-30% on ticket costs. on a Budget: Affordable Accommodation Options While in Udaipur, you can stay at these places if the city doesn't have too many views or features that you would love. Hostels: For those travelling on the budget, Hostels such as Zostel Backpacker Hostel, Banjara Hostel and Moustache are excellent choices as they provide dorm beds at a price point of just INR 300-500. Guesthouses:For those who prefer staying in guesthouses, family owned cottages near Lake Pichola or Hanuman Ghat have really cozy rooms as well in the range of INR 800 – 1500. Budget Hotels: Use facilities and services at Hotels Meenakshi and Hotel Dream Palace for a pleasant stay in Udaipur. These hostels fall in the category of budget hotels which means that they charge around INR 1000-2000. Homestays & Airbnb: Staying with a local family or renting a small apartment can also be very affordable and educational. Quick Facts: Hostels in Udaipur start at INR 300 per night. Budget guesthouses provide lake-view rooms for around INR 1000. Booking through OYO or Goibibo can get you discounts of up to 40%. 3. Cheap & Tasty Eats: Where to Find Budget Meals Eating out in Udaipur on a budget isn't a problem at all. The city is always bustling with food stalls and economical restaurants serving mouthwatering dishes. Street Food:Everybody loves little bites of Indian cuisine. Try dal, baati churma, kachori and poha at almost all local stalls for just INR 20-50. Thali Meals: The Natraj Dining Hall and Krishna Dal Bati are famous restaurants in the area that serve unlimited Rajasthani thali for just INR 200-300. Cafés & Rooftop Restaurants: Popular eateries like Millets of Mewar and Jheel's Ginger Coffee Bar serve wholesome budget meals along with delightful sights. Local Markets: Instead of spending money in expensive cafes, buy fresh fruits, snacks and baked goods from local markets instead. Quick Facts: A full Rajasthani thali costs around INR 250. Street food snacks like kachori and samosa are available for INR 20-30. Many rooftop cafes offer meals under INR 300 with a lake view. 4. Sightseeing on a Budget: Free & Low-Cost Attractions Many of Udaipur's iconic sights are either free or have a minimal entry fee. City Palace: Entry fee is INR 300, but you can explore its exterior and courtyards for free. Lake Pichola & Fateh Sagar Lake: Walk around these stunning lakes without spending a rupee. Jagdish Temple: A beautiful temple in the heart of the city with free entry. Bagore Ki Haveli: Cultural dance show costs INR 90-150 and is worth every penny. Saheliyon Ki Bari: A historic garden with an entry fee of just INR 20. Hiking to Karni Mata Temple: Enjoy panoramic views of Udaipur for free by trekking up to this hilltop temple. Quick Facts: Entry to Saheliyon Ki Bari is just INR 20. Bagore Ki Haveli's evening show costs around INR 150. A boat ride on Fateh Sagar Lake is only INR 30-50. Around: Budget Transport Options These cheap modes of transportation make exploring Udaipur easy on the pocket: Public Buses:You can get local buses for as low as INR 10-20 per ride. Auto Rickshaws: Always negotiate before you get into an auto. For short distance rides, it will cost you INR 50 to 100. Bicycle & Scooter Rentals: You can rent a cycle for INR 50-100 a day or a scooter for INR 300-400 a day. Walking:It's cost-effective and gives you the chance to see the city up close. Quick Facts: Auto fares should not exceed INR 100 for short distances. Scooter rentals start from INR 300 per day. Walking from City Palace to Jagdish Temple takes just 5 minutes. Final Budget Travel Tip: Plan & Book in Advance! To budget in Udaipur, it is recommended to book in advance. By booking ahead of time, you are guaranteed affordable prices for stay, transport, and different sites. To save on meals and accommodation, use discount sites like MakeMyTrip, Zomato, and other similar apps. Combine your trips with friends to share the expenses and get better offers on popular tourist attractions. You can experience the beauty of Udaipur without burning a hole in your pocket. Just grab your photographer equipment and pack your bags to explore the Venice of East !
India.com
11-05-2025
- India.com
Budget Travel Hacks For An Affordable Udaipur Adventure
The city of Udaipur is known as the City of Lakes. It has beautiful lakes, stunning palatial architecture, ultra-bustling marketplaces, and more, thus making it a traveler's hotspot. Visiting Udaipur will surely cost a few pennies, but can it still be done while being cost-effective? Yes! It is definitely possible to explore Udaipur at a budget. With smart planning, let's make it possible to indulge in great food and affordable stays without overspending. Smart: Best Ways to Reach Udaipur Cheaply Adopting a cost-effective approach for traveling to Udaipur is always an option. Here are a few suggestions based on which city you are in: Trains: If you're somewhere in Delhi, Mumbai, or Jaipur, Indian Railways will take you to Udaipur using sleeper classes and 3rd AC coaches. They are very affordable and a comfy way to travel. Buses: Udaipur is well-connected to cities like Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Jodhpur using state-run and private buses. You can save money by booking semi-sleeper and sleeper buses in advance. Flights:Budget airlines like AirAsia and Indigo provide economical flights to Udaipur's Maharana Pratap Airport, especially when booked in advance. Carpooling & Rideshare:Traveling Apps like BlaBlaCar promote ridesharing which cuts costs significantly by sharing amongst travelers. Quick Facts: The cheapest train from Delhi to Udaipur costs around INR 300-500 (sleeper class). Rajasthan State Road Transport buses from Jaipur to Udaipur start at INR 400. Booking flights at least 2 months in advance can save 20-30% on ticket costs. on a Budget: Affordable Accommodation Options While in Udaipur, you can stay at these places if the city doesn't have too many views or features that you would love. Hostels: For those travelling on the budget, Hostels such as Zostel Backpacker Hostel, Banjara Hostel and Moustache are excellent choices as they provide dorm beds at a price point of just INR 300-500. Guesthouses:For those who prefer staying in guesthouses, family owned cottages near Lake Pichola or Hanuman Ghat have really cozy rooms as well in the range of INR 800 – 1500. Budget Hotels: Use facilities and services at Hotels Meenakshi and Hotel Dream Palace for a pleasant stay in Udaipur. These hostels fall in the category of budget hotels which means that they charge around INR 1000-2000. Homestays & Airbnb: Staying with a local family or renting a small apartment can also be very affordable and educational. Quick Facts: Hostels in Udaipur start at INR 300 per night. Budget guesthouses provide lake-view rooms for around INR 1000. Booking through OYO or Goibibo can get you discounts of up to 40%. & Tasty Eats: Where to Find Budget Meals Eating out in Udaipur on a budget isn't a problem at all. The city is always bustling with food stalls and economical restaurants serving mouthwatering dishes. Street Food:Everybody loves little bites of Indian cuisine. Try dal, baati churma, kachori and poha at almost all local stalls for just INR 20-50. Thali Meals: The Natraj Dining Hall and Krishna Dal Bati are famous restaurants in the area that serve unlimited Rajasthani thali for just INR 200-300. Cafés & Rooftop Restaurants: Popular eateries like Millets of Mewar and Jheel's Ginger Coffee Bar serve wholesome budget meals along with delightful sights. Local Markets: Instead of spending money in expensive cafes, buy fresh fruits, snacks and baked goods from local markets instead. Quick Facts: A full Rajasthani thali costs around INR 250. Street food snacks like kachori and samosa are available for INR 20-30. Many rooftop cafes offer meals under INR 300 with a lake view. on a Budget: Free & Low-Cost Attractions Many of Udaipur's iconic sights are either free or have a minimal entry fee. City Palace: Entry fee is INR 300, but you can explore its exterior and courtyards for free. Lake Pichola & Fateh Sagar Lake: Walk around these stunning lakes without spending a rupee. Jagdish Temple: A beautiful temple in the heart of the city with free entry. Bagore Ki Haveli: Cultural dance show costs INR 90-150 and is worth every penny. Saheliyon Ki Bari: A historic garden with an entry fee of just INR 20. Hiking to Karni Mata Temple: Enjoy panoramic views of Udaipur for free by trekking up to this hilltop temple. Quick Facts: Entry to Saheliyon Ki Bari is just INR 20. Bagore Ki Haveli's evening show costs around INR 150. A boat ride on Fateh Sagar Lake is only INR 30-50. Around: Budget Transport Options These cheap modes of transportation make exploring Udaipur easy on the pocket: Public Buses:You can get local buses for as low as INR 10-20 per ride. Auto Rickshaws: Always negotiate before you get into an auto. For short distance rides, it will cost you INR 50 to 100. Bicycle & Scooter Rentals: You can rent a cycle for INR 50-100 a day or a scooter for INR 300-400 a day. Walking:It's cost-effective and gives you the chance to see the city up close. Quick Facts: Auto fares should not exceed INR 100 for short distances. Scooter rentals start from INR 300 per day. Walking from City Palace to Jagdish Temple takes just 5 minutes. Final Budget Travel Tip: Plan & Book in Advance! To budget in Udaipur, it is recommended to book in advance. By booking ahead of time, you are guaranteed affordable prices for stay, transport, and different sites. To save on meals and accommodation, use discount sites like MakeMyTrip, Zomato, and other similar apps. Combine your trips with friends to share the expenses and get better offers on popular tourist attractions. You can experience the beauty of Udaipur without burning a hole in your pocket. Just grab your photographer equipment and pack your bags to explore the Venice of East !
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Slow travel' start-up launches cross-Channel crossings by sail
The crossing may be "a bit choppy", Captain Andrew Simons warns a dozen of his passengers waiting in the French port of Boulogne to cross the Channel with only wind to get them to England. SailLink is a British start-up that aims to offer sailing as a low-carbon alternative to ferries. This week, it made its first paid crossings of the English Channel on its catamaran, a route that will soon become daily. Despite the swell and icy gusts on Thursday, Johannes Schneider, 67, fully enjoyed the crossing in the catamaran. He paid 85 pounds (98 euros) for the privilege, more expensive than a pedestrian ferry crossing. "Really interesting to really be able to live it, rather than being on a big ship, where you see nothing, or a plane where you see even less," he said. SailLink's catamaran is 17 metres (56 feet) long and can carry up to 12 passengers. To compensate for sometimes rough seas, the crew offers its passengers mint tea to combat motion sickness, and pastries and blankets in the cabin, where they can shelter from the spray. - 'Experience of the sea' - SailLink was born in the summer of 2019 when Simons, who was about to board a ferry to England with his daughter, looked at the Cherbourg marina in northern France and wondered why its moored little boats could not be used instead for the crossing. He found ferries polluting and impractical with their out-of-the-way terminals. Simons imagined a new mode of cross-Channel transport "offering that experience of the sea to people who are not travelling with a car". His initial idea of a co-navigation platform —- a sort of BlaBlaCar for boats -- proved too complex to implement. So Simons modelled his approach on the existing ferries, offering pedestrians and cyclists a fixed, daily route with set schedules. He had to raise 500,000 euros ($560,000), including 350,000 euros to buy the boat, which he raised from a handful of private investors "who really believed in it". Sail passenger routes already exist in France. Sailcoop has run a route between Saint-Raphael on south coast to the Mediterranean island of Corsica since 2022. Another company, Iliens, has since 2021 run a route between Quiberon, on France's Atlantic coast, to the little island of Belle-Ile-en-Mer. - 'only real alternative' - A few kilometres before reaching the English coast, a container ship blocked the catamaran's way and Simons and his team had to briefly use a motor to move away. Navigating one of the busiest seas in the world is no easy task, with about 700 to 800 commercial vessels and around 1,400 fishing boats using the strait every day. SailLink still managed the crossing to Dover from Boulogne-sur-Mer in less than four hours. That is faster than the scheduled five hours, but much longer than the 1.5 hours ferry journey —- excluding waiting time. "It's a new relationship with speed, a new relationship with the landscape," appealing to fans of "slow travel," said researcher Sylvain Roche, who saw "a direct link between the resurgence of sailing boats" and that of "night trains". While only marginal for the moment, sail-powered transport could grow in coming years. Today, sailing is the only real alternative to fossil fuels, said Roche, as other technologies for decarbonising maritime transport, such as hydrogen, are currently "absolutely immature". Maritime transport accounts for nearly three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). But a ferry journey still emits almost three times less greenhouse gases per passenger than a plane, according to the European Environment Agency. las/gv/jj Sign in to access your portfolio
