Going to Paris and Rome, help!

Old Dec 27th, 2013, 08:09 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Going to Paris and Rome, help!

So I am going to Paris and Rome for 2 weeks in April. I am an early planner so I am trying to get everything bought and finalized. I am in my early teens and will be traveling with the family. Please help me with packing lists, oh and my mom is making us all have carry ons.
coley is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 08:15 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Part of "planning" is doing some research on your own and then coming to a board like this to fill in--or give advice. We know nothing about you--or your family. where you will be coming from, how you will get to Europe, what your budget is, how many are in the family.
And, oh, your planning is a getting on the late side rather than early. Does your mom have the flights yet?
Search these boards for Rome and Paris. Get a guide book out of the library, etc.
Gretchen is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 08:19 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've done all of that, my mom bought all of our flights a while ago. There are 4 of us. We are from the U.S. I just need to edit my small list now with ideas from yours.
Thanks!
coley is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 08:24 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,496
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Thoughts, neither city is well designed for the car so you will probably end up using buses and underground train systems, despite this there will probably be a lot of walking, on occasion on cobbles. So you need good walking shoes. I'd avoid hoodies. You may run into pick-pockets so if you have zipped inner pockets bring them.

Iphones etc, you may need to do some work to minimise data costs. Other than that April has showers and certainly Paris will have variable weather so layers are good.

If you need fashion tips I can't help.
bilboburgler is online now  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 08:25 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When I went to Europe to study, I went by boat. The trip took seven days and we had the same eating companions for the whole trip. An older person said to us on the first day: "you see this jacket--get used to it, because that's the one I will have for every meal." Do the same with your family, and remember that you will not see strangers more than once; they won't know that what they see has been more worn more than once. And dress as you would when visiting a large American city.

Two weeks is perhaps pushing it in terms of not doing a laundry. I would plan for doing a laundry once, perhaps at the end of the Parisian stay. Others may have other ideas when it comes to laundry.
Michael is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 08:40 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks so much for the awesome adivce so far, and we are planning to do lots of laundry!
coley is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 09:54 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
But we don't know what you are interested in.
Gretchen is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 10:16 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As has been said many times here to help with the light packing do choose just a few colors that all mix well. If you try to carry many different colored tops, sweaters, jackets etc you will end up with a lot of stuff. One pair of walking shoes/sneakers and good idea to have one more pair of shoes....pack socks inside them or small stuff. Wear your bulkiest stuff on the plane...jacket can be put in bin giving you more room to pack clothes in your carry on. They sell all sorts of great toiletries in Europe so don't worry if you cannot fit in your favorite product .....fun to go looking at stuff like that. Go to Rick Steves online for good packing ideas.

I think you will find that young people will be wearing just about the same things as you. Just plan for everything to be multi functional.

Go to the library or google maps online and get familiar with the layout of Paris and Rome....where the arrondissements are in Paris and the neighborhoods in Rome. As you read about the sights you want to see that will help you get a better picture of the layout of the cities and where things are.

Learn just the basic phrases/words in Italian and French. You should always say bonjour when entering any shops in France and say goodby when leaving. Learn their words for thank you. Europeans are initially more formal then Americans (I'm assuming you are American) and you will find they do not go around smiling at everyone as Americans are known to do. Smiling at someone there does not always get a similar response.

You are lucky to be going to these great cities.....have fun!!!!
lowcountrycarol is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 10:20 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You are great to plan ahead.

But it is not just about what you do there or bring there that will be helped with planning. Read a fiction or non fiction book or two about something you are interested in that location. Like the building of the Eiffel Tower or the gladiators or some other topic that interests you. If you aren't so active at home, start taking long walks to get used to it for those cities. Learn a few words in the language. Yes, no, please, thank you, beautiful, delicious, toilet are all handy.

For packing light even a teenager can get by with three pants, 5 shirts, a fleece and a jacket, and two pairs of shoes (including what you wear on the plane). Add 5 underwear, 5 pairs socks and one pajama and you are set.

If you bring your own electronics such as phone or tablet you will need an adapter (the little device that makes it so the plug fits in the socket). You can buy them at department or discount stores usually in the same area they have luggage. Here is more of an explanation and a picture of one.
laurie_ann is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 10:52 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 9,171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just bring a little conditioner to Paris. I always like to buy items there but was confused till I figured ou the store I went to sold shampoo/conditioner together and I have a lot of hair that needs conditioner.
Buy a jacket that is an all weather one that you can layer a sweater under or hoodie. Just make sure it has an inside pocket for keeping your money. Don't ever drape your purse over the back of a chair there or leave your phone sitting on a table. Always have it over your shoulder while walking. I have never been bothered except by the gypsy girls at the bridges waving their petitions. Learn NO in French or totally ignore them.
Wear your heavy shoes on the plane and I sometimes pack items I don't like as layers and leave behind to make room for new things I bring home. Even shoes...
flpab is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 01:36 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,282
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
All good suggestions above. We travel to Europe often for 2 weeks with a carry-on.

You can have a large purse(tote bag type) on the plane in addition to your carry-on. Put your small across body purse that you will use in Paris in the larger purse along with other items. I only use this large purse(tote bag) on the plane.

Buy one of these or something similar. It's a thin duffle that folds into a small square. Put it in your carry on. On the way home, put your dirty laundry in it and put your new purchases in your carry on. You can check one bag(the duffle) for free and who cares when you're coming home anyway if you have to pick up a checked bag. We've done this many times and no one has ever stolen our dirty laundry.

http://www.totes-isotoner.com/totes/...ortby=ourPicks

Nice jeans (no holes) are acceptable almost everywhere with a decent top (again no holes, no midriff showing, you know what I mean.) Layers and MOST IMPORTANT comfortable shoes. Those ballet flats look fantastic but walking all day on uneven surfaces will take it's toll. You don't have to wear tennis shoes but there are cute alternatives with a tennis shoe type bottom for comfort--maybe a Mary Jane type would work.

Personally I never carry money or credit cards in my small day purse. I put that all in a tight front pocket of my jeans and sometimes even pin the pocket towards the top with a safety pin(you don't see it.) I do carry a copy of my passport and other stuff in the purse.

I mentioned we travel often and have had checked luggage go missing, had my purse stolen,etc. so I'm very careful. Luckily when my bag was snatched all they got was a passport copy(can't do anything with that) a lipstick, comb, and some tictacs.

I know you think a carry on isn't enough room but your clothes are smaller than you think and the above poster is right---nobody cares what you wear but you and you won't be seeing the same people every day so they won't know that you wore it before. Take your favorites that all sort of go together colorwise and leave the rest home.

I used to take so much stuff and then when our checked luggage was lost I was very glad I had packed a good carry-on. I learned the hard way that I didn't need all that stuff and that I could get ready much faster when I didn't have so many decisions on what to wear.

I've carried on way too long--sorry!
Have a wonderful trip!
TPAYT is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 04:11 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Skechers has many shoes that will be super comfortable to walk in and cute too. Look at any that are "Go walk" or "Go Play" etc., I am sure there is a style for you (assuming you're a girl). I was able to find true conditioner in France but it wasn't easy, they do like the combo shampoo/conditioner. While you're in both France and Italy check out the chain clothing stores, even though they're chains you'll find stuff you won't in the US and won't break the bank either. It will also allow you to expand your wardrobe while you're on the road and alleviate boredom with your clothes. In France my girls liked Naf Naf and Pramod.
MonicaRichards is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 04:41 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 10,255
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
Since you are still in your early teens, I would suggest that you prepare for the trip with rigorous historical studies and confine yourself to historical and artistic sites. This will give you an advantage on the SATs and high school classes, unless you like numbers. Few people really like numbers.

For Paris, given your time constraints, I would suggest exploring the writings of François Villon, and visiting associated sights. Try to master medieval French before your trip. If that is not possible, at least read Proust -- I can't imagine visiting France without having read Proust.

For Rome, a thorough acquaintance with Gibbon's Decline and Fall (unabridged) is pretty much essential. I can't imagine visiting Rome without having read Gibbon.

In addition to this you should do your laundry. Both countries can be somewhat lax in hygiene and you most certainly do not wish to fit in!

There are many restaurants in both cities in which it is possible to eat. Remember to pick one with good food!

Well, that should get you started.
Fra_Diavolo is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2013, 06:06 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Coley
I'm not an expert on either city...but I'm the resident expert planner in our group that likes to travel together. Here are a few tips that make my planning useful/fun:
1. Use Fodors.com, which you're already doing. But this forum works better with specific questions than general "what should we do/see" type questions.

2. Start a list for each city of all the things you'll want to see. Start with the obvious google searches like "most popular tourist sights in Rome". Start listing them all and then researching each of them. You'll start dropping off items that don't seem interesting to you. Then look for some of the "off the beaten path" sights to help get away from the crowds.

3. Use Google Earth or Google Maps and create personal maps for all the things you'll want to see in each city. From the list mentioned above in #2 locate and tag all the sights. For me things don't start getting organized until I see them on a map. It helps you understand things that might be directly beside each other or things that are on the outskirts and will require transportation considerations. Google Earth is adding 3D buildings/trees all the time. Zoom around to get a feel for where you'll be visiting. I can't imagine traveling w/out Google.

Those are just a few tips. The more you travel the more you'll find what helps you plan a trip. You're already on your way to being the planner for every future trip you'll go on! Have fun!
Wekiva is offline  
Old Dec 28th, 2013, 02:10 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,496
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Fra is pretty good on advice but

"For Paris, given your time constraints, I would suggest exploring the writings of François Villon, and visiting associated sights. Try to master medieval French before your trip. If that is not possible, at least read Proust -- I can't imagine visiting France without having read Proust.

For Rome, a thorough acquaintance with Gibbon's Decline and Fall (unabridged) is pretty much essential. I can't imagine visiting Rome without having read Gibbon. "

LOL

The important thing is to learn how to say hello when you go into shops, (and good bye) in both countries you need to be up on your manners, silence is just seen as being rude. So dig out a guide book and learn the top 30 to 40 phrases and use them when you get here. People love a tryer and you will find the holiday goes with a bang if you make the effort.

Proust no, but Gibbon maybe. I think its probably worth watching a video based on "I Claudius" to get a shape of modern Italian politics ;-)
bilboburgler is online now  
Old Dec 28th, 2013, 08:38 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm going to Paris in June, with my mother and my daughter (age 12) and my niece (age 11). I've enjoyed reading the replies to your message as we plan our trip.

Regarding packing everything in a carry-on bag: I've traveled for years with only a carry-on plus (large) purse. It all started with my first trip to Europe, when I took a large suitcase then had to carry it by the handle (there were few shoulder straps in those days) up many flights of stairs in several subway/train stations!

Since then, I've taken multiple trips of 2-7 weeks, with my husband and our children (my son is 15) and each of us has never carried more than a rollaboard and a backpack/shoulder/computer bag. In fact, on a couple of those trips my kids brought Razor scooters and helmets in their rollaboards (TSA required us to unpack those bags, LOL).

Anyway, it's definitely do-able, and I encourage you to embrace the "one bag" philosophy now, while you're young - you'll never look back. I always remind myself that the people I see/meet do not know me nor do they know my wardrobe so it's fine to have only a few outfits in rotation.

Rick Steve's website was recommended; here's another one I found useful: http://www.onebag.com/

Enjoy your trip!
AlysonRR is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
itboy
Europe
7
Jul 16th, 2017 08:36 AM
dkarcz
Europe
19
Feb 3rd, 2017 12:23 PM
knjsmom
Europe
19
Jul 17th, 2012 03:58 PM
daveesl
Europe
9
Jun 14th, 2011 07:00 PM
ecat
Europe
19
Jun 27th, 2007 07:10 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -