Macno

Okay all you experts, here goes... <BR> <BR>1. Should we (husband and I) worry about lost luggage and limit ourselves to carry-on only? Pros and cons? <BR> <BR>2. Dress code in Paris? We are casual types and aren't interested in fancy restaurants, anyway. For a November trip, we'd like to stick with nice black jeans, walking shoes and sweatshirts (with collared shirt under) or nice sweater. We'll both have raincoats/jackets. <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance. We newbie travellers must be a source of great amusement to you veterans

janice

Dear Macno, <BR>All of us were novices once upon a time too - so don't let anybody give you grief. As far as luggage goes, I don't pack carry-on because I'm concerned about lost luggage - I do it because I don't really need a lot of things, and I don't want to have the albatross of a bunch of bulky heavy stuff to haul around the airports and hotels. Hotel rooms in most of Europe aren't huge, and you don't always have a place to put a big suitcase (including not under the bed in some places)And I've stayed in a lot of hotels that have either no elevator at all, or only one that serves lower floors. <BR>You'll get all sorts of feedback on dress code - it's the most controversial subject on this board some days. Take what you would wear to visit New York or Chicago - if you're comfortable in jeans and sweatshirts, more power to you. I tend to always take wool pants and skirts, silk blouses and wool sweaters - but I always travel in cold weather. <BR>Most of all: (a) relax (b) learn a few French phrases (c) dream about what you really really want to see and do and (d) have a great trip. Parisians are great, and Paris is the second best city in the world. (Venice is still my #1) Good luck.

Susan

Depends on how long you are going for. I spent 4 weeks in Italy with 2 carry ons. I highly recommend limiting your luggage if possible, just because you don't want to lug around a lot of junk! <BR> <BR>That being said, I'm off again for 3 weeks in September and am flying Sabena which only allows one carry on, so I'm checking one bag. So, I'm just going to try not to worry! <BR> <BR>Re: dress code....well, you want to do what is comfortable for you, but basically the only folks you see in sweatshirts are Americans. (Especially in Paris). So, I think I'd compromise...walking shoes, black jeans or pants, and sweaters. Bring a rain coat! <BR>Susan <BR>

YS

1. Don't worry about squeezing into cary-ons. If you can do it - great, if you can't - pack in a not-so-large suitcase and check it in. One disadvantage about carry-ons is the fact that you may wind up sticking it under the seat in front of you, which would get in a way and bother you on a long flight over. If you only planning on staying in one city bigger suitcases are no big deal. <BR> <BR>2. I would wear comfortable slacks instead of jeans, but don't pay attention to it too much. I would take maybe two jackets and wear them most of the time (with light/think sweater or without - depending on the weather) as it may rain/drizzle. Take an umbrella. Keep in mind if you will be outside most of the day and if it starts to rain midday you will not be coming back to your hotel for a raincoat.

Christina

It probably depends on your airline, but on Air France you are usually only allowed one carryon, not two. To pack everything possible in one obviously has the cons of limiting your wardrobe a lot, espec. in winter. I don't consider sweatshirts approp. wear anywhere, US or elsewhere, except in a gym or washing the car or going to grocery store on weekend, maybe. You would not get kicked out of a cheap cafe, etc in Paris but it would be inappropriate for anything above McDonalds IMO. A nice sweater would be ok. I don't have a problem with black jeans or walking shoes.

Capo

Hi Macno. <BR> <BR>As for #1, you could "compromise"; carry essentials -- thing you can't afford to lose -- in your carry on, and other items in checked baggage. That way, <I>if</I> your checked baggage is lost, you still have your important items with you. <BR> <BR>As for #2, your choices sound fine. (I always bring one pair of black jeans.)

carol

If you've got a non-stop flight to Paris, don't worry about losing luggage--it's much more apt to happen if you have to change planes/airlines. Sweaters are fine, sweatshirts are a no-no, otherwise your wardrobe sounds just fine.

andi

Ever since Air France lost my luggage on a trip to France two years ago, I have vowed I would never check luggage again. I don't think it's that hard to pack everythign in one carry-on. After years of travelling, I've learned to be an economical packer. Black and things that go with black, one pair of good slacks, I even have a couple of crushable silk skirts that can go out to dinner in a really nice restaurant with a silk t-shirt and black cashmere cardigan. These take up almost no room. Don't check bags unless you're prepared to spend time filling out forms at the airport, making lots of phone calls to ascertain the whereabouts of your luggage, and buying things you don't really need.

ohoh

I'm almost afraid to say this, but in over 20 years of air travel I have never had checked luggage lost. I know I am tempting fate every time I fly someplace, and I have always made sure my carryon has enough essentials to last in the event it happens. Also, every trip has seen us pack lighter. It's that lugging around thing!

Lori

Many airlines restrict the size/weight of the carryons. We fly British Airways and coach only allows 13 pounds. That is small (and light), no way can I do it with only a carryon with BA (sometimes they overlook the weight, but I don't take chances). I'd take a small carryon with essentials but check in a regular bag. We always do and have had no problems. For clothes, stick to black for Paris, black pants, black shoes/socks, dark colored raincoats/jackets and you will be fine. I've been there in Nov. it was cold and dreary most of the time, since then we've been back many times in the Spring but Nov. will be OK. Be sure to dress in layers and always have an umbrella (small foldup kind). At least the tourists are not out in full force in Nov. so relax and enjoy. Hotel rooms can be small, but usually you can find someplace to put the luggage, if not under the bed then at the foot of the bed, etc. It will work! Every 3*** hotel we've stayed at had elevators so that was never a problem either (small elevators!).

lisa

1. Yes, absolutely, I recommend limiting yourselves to carry-on only. Pros: Don't have to worry about luggage being lost, don't have to wait at the baggage carousel upon arrival (can leave the airport immediately), don't have to struggle up and down stairs with heavy/bulky luggage. <BR>Cons: None (some might say your wardrobe is limited but I've always found that no matter how much luggage I bring, I wear the same several outfits over and over anyway, and find that a 22" carryon holds more than enough). <BR> <BR>2. I went to Paris in May/June and stuck mostly with black and khaki pants with a mixture of short & long sleeved tops that mixed and matched & was perfectly comfortable. I brought one black knit skirt but only wore it a couple of times. I think casual is fine.

Jacqui

Don't worry about lost luggage. If you start worrying about everything that could go wrong with a vacation you won't enjoy yourself. Just be prepared. Pack the essentials into a carry-on: medicine, eye glasses, etc. <BR> <BR>Second: wear what makes you comfortable. I was in Paris this past May and my husband and I wore tee shirts, shorts and sneakers, while my parents tried to dress more sophisticated so they didn't look like the tourists they were. It didn't work and it didn't really matter either. <BR>Just have fun!

andi

After having my luggage lost twice, most recently two years ago flying to Paris from Boston via New York, I have vowed never again. There's nothing worse than spending three hours in an airport filling out forms, as I did, on a much-anticipated vacation. Check out packing tips section on this site (I think.) Anyway, if you can avoid checking bags, I'd say do it. Also, as someone else said, it's great to just get off the plane and GO.

Betsy

I take carry on only for many of the same reasons, but primarily because it is a lot faster to move through the airport. Even with wheels, you'll need to carry that suitcase in situations and weight should be a consideration. <BR> <BR>Personally I wear almost an entirely differnt wardrobe when traveling for a couple of reasons, weight and ease of packing, and washability (my new word). Jeans and sweatshirts take up a lot of room and jeans are not easily washed unless of course you'll have easy acess to a laundry. And while I don't think it should matter if you "blend" in with locals, being so obviously American may possibly make you more of a target for pickpockets etc, (though you should be aware of all that anyway). Wear what you'd like, but if you want comfort and at the same time ease of washing, and light weight, check out the Travelsmith website and for women, CP Shades and j.jill have nice easy clothes great for travel.