A year after his untimley death Michael Jackson is back in 4D form at Disneyland Paris. As predicted by those in the know  at www.dlrp.today way back in April the Francis Ford Coppola produced film ‘Captain EO ‘ has now taken the place of Honey I Shrunk the Kids in Discoveryland in the Disneyland Park.

Originally this was a staple favourite in various Disneyland Parks through the 80’s and 90’s  coinciding with the height of  Michael Jackson’s commercial success  and at the time of being made was ,on a per minute basis, the most expensive film every made at a whopping $1.76 million per sixty seconds.

Captain EO returns to Disneyland Paris

The 4D refers to the fact that as  well as the 3D screen effects there are physical effects in the actual auditorium - I won’t spoil it for you.

I wont spoil the story for you  - so worth checking out.

It looks as if Captain Eo is being rolled out relatively very quietly across the globe with Disneyland Tokyo getting it’s grand opening on the 2nd July 2010.

Usually our friends at Disneyland Paris are fairly forthcoming with info on changes to the parks but this was not the case this time and we had to request information ourselves  - maybe they do not want anything to detract from the New Generation Festival….Either way its definitley another reason to get over to Disneyland Paris this Summer  - Don’t forget the up to 40% discount offer closes for bookings on the 20th July and is selling fast……..

When visiting the city of lights, a must see is Versailles. The palace is beautiful and breath-taking but that is not the only reason to visit the little hidden away district of Paris. Its quaint cafes and shopping are just like Paris, but with a tranquil spin. It makes sense to spend an extra weekend in this district to relax and re-group, and where else should you stay then the Trianon Palace.

Only 20 minutes from the centre of Paris stands this two building Hotel retreat, where you can find everything you want and more. It is very easy to get to on the Metro; just a 20 minute ride on the VICK train, that can be boarded from Concorde, a central station with many connecting lines.

The rooms are exquisite, with a room for us all; there are the standard rooms which would give most 4 stars a run for their money, but if you are looking for something extra why not try one of their suites. There are 23 suites in total which have all been recently decorated to standards fit for a princess. All the suites contain a king size bed, both bath and shower and living rooms as well as nicely sized wardrobes, to fit in all that Paris shopping. The Versailles suite is the most decadent with a view of the palace gardens and even its own kitchen, if you require it.

There are many places to eat in this establishment including the Gordon Ramsay Au Trianon gourmet restaurant, which serves French-inspired cuisine. If you feel like a night of self-indulgence why not book to eat at the VIP table, hidden away behind the main dining area, with your own window facing the kitchen so that you can see the brilliant chefs at work, preparing your meal over a bottle of champagne. For breakfast, afternoon tea or even just a drink there is the La Veranda Brassiere or Gallery bar.

The hotel is also home to many salons, which can house events up to 300 guests and conferences rooms, but the most spectacular is the Salon Clemanceau. It is a beautiful room near the back of the hotel with magnificent decor, one that has not been changed since the First World War due to its importance; on the front wall stands the Treaty of Versailles. It was in this very room where the allied powers and Germany signed the historic agreement.

One of the reasons this hotel is perfect for that weekend retreat is its spa. It has 14 treatment rooms, a 200m indoor swimming pool, 24 hour fitness room and a hairdressing salon.

Whatever you need, or just fancy you will find it at the Trianon Palace & Spa and it’s only just around the corner from the Versailles gardens, Marie Antionette’s Estate & Trianon Palaces.

As if that wasn’t enough reason to go there are several Operas and ‘spectaculars’ at Versailles this Summer  - it’s well worth the visit.

With the impending release of the blockbuster - the director Jon Favreau has  been waxing about the impact AC/DC had not only on his youth but also on the film itself -  in the LA Times he describes AC/DC playing Shoot To Thrill and how it influenced how he felt Iron Man should behave .

Jon Favreau Director of Iron Man and Iron Man 2

 AC/DC’s contribution of course did not extend to just the influence on the director , they have a cameo in the film  and their latest album is a part soundtrack  , including a few of their most popular hits like Back to Black and also new tracks recorded specifically for the film.

I must admit that metal did pass me by a bit but out of all the concert breaks we offer AC/DC at the Stade De France in Paris on the 18th June is way outselling all others including Muse , Green Day and Aerosmith.

Sometimes it is refreshing to hear a first time visitor’s experience of Paris. Mariella , daughter of our Florida specialist Noula, visited Paris for the first time just before Christmas  and here’s her account…

‘The Eurostar is always an adventure, exactly all that you could ask for when travelling from London to Paris. Exiting the train, you find yourself in the famous Gard du Nord – Paris’s international station – it’s daunting yet stunning but it is the streets just outside that you long to explore.

I had the pleasure at staying at the Hotel Lorette Opera which is a casual 15 minute walk from the station. And within the 15 minutes you realise you are in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You pass quaint cafes, flower shops and all things Parisian. The hotel is best described as an undiscovered gem; the decor is very arty and pretty with lovely little pieces of furniture. The rooms are more than you could ask for, in size and in cleanliness, with views of a picture perfect terrace, and of course the streets of Paris. On walking in the reception staff are very accommodating and friendly, going that little bit further to make your stay comfortable. And as well as all this, not only is it near to Gard du Nord but it is a 5 minute walk from Sacre Coeur, a beautiful church and area from which you can see all of Paris and get yourself a one of a kind painting from the artist that congregate around the inspiring atmosphere. Paris’s centre of bohemia is not too far from the Moulin Rouge which is a tourist hot spot and although is most famous is not something to go out of your way for.

Paris is famous for its museums, and there are many of them. The Louvre is a must see, with its location being in the centre and right next the Seine, it is perfectly finished with a walk along the river bank. Here you can pick up an antique book or an old French film poster, or pop into a little cafe and have a crepe, all of which will put a smile upon your face. One exhibit that is currently on at Galleries Nationales is the Renoir exhibition; his progression through painting is beautifully displayed and can be appreciated by those in the know, and by those who know a little less. Although the gallery is located on the Champs-Elysées, it is better to pre-book tickets then to wander in after a spot of shopping.

Le Louvre, the largest and most visited museum in the world

Although most are afraid to venture too far from the city centre, an absolute must see is Versailles. Only 25 minutes on the metro and you are taken to a palace of amazing history and beauty. the gardens are breath-taking but so are the roofs above your head; the use of gold along with the statues is something quite unlike any other. Throughout the tour inside you learn tid bits of exciting facts, as well as witnessing the place in which the history of the French monarchy occurred. Hidden away is a little library with bricked walls, where you can finds books in many languages that can explain more about French history and its monarchy. I imagine in the summer time the palace to be stunning; however, in the winter with a little bit of snow it was just as exquisite.

They call Paris the city of lights; it could be the city of many things as there is just so much culture, sights and things to do (as well as visiting all the stores). One thing that Paris will never fail to accomplish is to bring a feeling of warmth to all that visit.

Any other first time views of either Eurostar or Paris  out there?

Noticed in the Guardian last week that the Grand Palais’ impressive hall has under gone something of a transformation

A memorial to nothing … Christian Boltanski’s work at the Grand Palais, Paris. Photograph: Didier Plowy

I must admit that I have been won over by the huge peices at the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall but can see that they do provoke a Marmite reaction , which is part of the point.

From the 23rd of Feb the Grand Palais returns to a more traditional form of Art with the acclaimed  Turner and the Masters Exhibiton moving from the Tate Britain moving to Paris  before going on to Madrid.

Very well recieved in the UK the exhibiton shows how Turner was influenced by those who came before him , I enjoyed it.

However it’s probalbly worth noting that my main achievement in Art was a 17% exam score - so what do I know.