Air France Flights from Paris, France (CDG) to Philadelphia (PHL)
As part of booking roundtrip flights which depart from US airports,
Orbitz is pleased to offer airline tickets on Air France, which operates a non-stop flight everyday except Tuesday and Saturday from Paris, France (CDG) to Philadelphia (PHL), regularly scheduled to depart at 1:30pm and arrive at 4:10pm. Usually an Airbus A330-200 is flown for this route. The average travel time from Paris, France to Philadelphia, PA is 8 hours and 40 minutes.
During your Philadelphia vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Christ Church Burial Ground
This 1719 expansion of the original graveyard of Christ Church contains the graves of Benjamin Franklin and his wife, Deborah, along with those of four other signers of the Declaration of Independence and many Revolutionary War heroes. There are always pennies on Ben's grave; tossing them there is a local tradition that is supposed to bring good luck.
National Constitution Center
Opening July 4, 2003, on Philadelphia's redesigned Independence Mall, the stunning, modern National Constitution Center is the first museum in the world devoted to the United States Constitution -- its history and its relevance in the daily lives of Americans. The 160,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, designed by Pei, Cobb Freed and Partners, in angular glass, steel, and limestone, has departments of history, education, and outreach, all using a blend of the most exciting and attention-grabbing technological tools to offer something for everyone, from scholars to casual visitors. While same-day tickets are usually available, it's a good idea to buy tickets in advance, and arrive 20 minutes early for the timed theater shows that welcome visitors twice each hour.As you stroll north from Independence Visitor Center, you'll cross Arch Street and a broad walk to the gleaming white stone entrance to the Constitution Center, emblazoned with those three magic words, "We the People . . ." A 12-minute multimedia show with an inspiring live actor and 360-degree movie screen explain the Constitution's early history. From there, visitors learn how the Constitution affects the functioning of government -- you can take your own Presidential Oath of Office, explore a national family tree, try on a Supreme Court robe, and check out the Bill of Rights. Signers Hall has bronze life-size figures of the 39 men who signed the Constitution, and the three who dissented. Especially good are exhibits featuring a voting machine from Palm Beach, Florida, from the contested 2000 election, and one featuring tools used by G. Gordon Liddy at the Watergate burglary. There will be plenty of daily events, talks, and programs, as well as a 225-seat, glass-enclosed restaurant and store.Note: Watch for special events at the National Constitution Center on and around Ben Franklin's 300th birthday, Jan 17, 2006, still in the works as we go to print. See www.benfranklin300.org for details.
Masonic Temple
Quite apart from its Masonic lore, the temple -- among the world's largest -- is one of America's best on-site illustrations of the use of post-Civil War architecture and design -- no expense was spared in the construction, and the halls are more or less frozen in time. There are seven lodge halls, designed to capture the seven "ideal" architectures: Renaissance, Ionic, Oriental, Corinthian, Gothic, Egyptian, and Norman (notice that Renaissance was the newest style that architect James Windrim could come up with!). This is the preeminent Masonic Temple of American Freemasonry; many of the Founding Fathers, including Washington, were Masons, and the museum has preserved their letters and emblems.
Chamounix Hostel Mansion
The oldest building offering accommodations in town, this renovated 1802 Quaker farmhouse is also the cheapest. Chamounix Mansion is a Federal-style edifice constructed as a country retreat at what is now the upper end of Fairmount Park. It has six air-conditioned dormitory rooms for 44 people, with limited family arrangements, and another 37 spots in a fully renovated adjoining carriage house. Guests have use of the renovated self-serve kitchen, the TV/VCR lounge, free videos, and bicycles. Write or call ahead for reservations, since the hostel is often 90% booked in summer by groups of boat crews or foreign students. You can check in daily from between 4:30pm and midnight (which is the hostel's curfew) and show an American Youth Hostel card or IYHF card for member rates. Checkout is from 8 to 11am. Call AYH directly at tel. 215/925-6004 for information on hostel trips in the area.
Penn's View Hotel
Tucked behind the Market Street ramp to I-95 in a renovated 1856 hardware store, this small, exquisite inn exudes European flair -- when you enter you'll feel like you're in a private club. It was developed by the Sena family, which owns La Famiglia restaurant 450 feet south. The decor is floral and rich. The main concern is traffic noise, but the rooms are well insulated and contain large framed mirrors, armoires, and efficient bathroom fixtures. The ceilings have been dropped for modern heat and air-conditioning, and you'll find Jacuzzis and fireplaces in 12 of the rooms. A third bed can be wheeled into your room for $15. Ristorante Panorama, adjacent to the lobby, offers excellent contemporary Italian cuisine at moderate prices. Also in the hotel is Il Bar, a world-class wine bar that offers 120 different wines by the glass.
Rodeway Inn
This member of the Rodeway franchise chain is comprised of seven floors of comfortable, bigger-than-average rooms renovated 2 years ago, with solid-core doors, four-poster beds, and private bathrooms. Six rooms boast Jacuzzis, and all rooms have dial-up or wireless Internet access. The front desk is attended 24 hours a day. All suites have gas fireplaces. A state-of-the-art gym is available around the corner for $12.
