Nina

I am a woman in my thirties and I've decided to begin to travel the world on my own taking trips from 4 days to 1 week periods and seeing one place at a time. I'm not really interested in touristy things, just beautiful and interesting places. I think I'd like my first trip to be to Paris, any suggestions? ideas? encouragement? Thanks in advance.

Sally

PARIS!!! What a *wonderful* first choice... I have no idea how adventurous you are, but here goes some suggestions. Stay on the Left Bank. Pick a hotel that has some services. We stayed at a Best Western near the Cloisters... name eludes me.[on rue de Sommerand I think...] For a first time it is worth spending a little more to have some "backup." Don't be afraid to take bus tours. It isn't the BEST way to see Giverny or Chartres, but it beats spending your limited time negotiating transportation. I speak relatively fluent French, but we took bus tours simply to save time and *frazzle*. What to see? Well the Louvre. Although mostly you will be watching other people look at the Mona Lisa etc... There is a relatively unknown Monet museum, Marmatton I think in the 16th arrondissment. It is a short walk from bus or metro. Food... well sit in a cafe on St. Germain and watch the world. Remember at a cafe you pay for spending time, not just the coffee.. Watch Parisians try to park! A "authentic" eating experience is Perraudin, a student bistro neare the Sorbonne. Have the Beef a la ancienne, a salad with goat cheese and a class of red Chinon! We spent a lot of time walking around Ile St. Louis, Be sure to get a Berthillion [sp.?] ice as you walk if it is hot. They are sold out of walk-up windows several places on the island. The best view in Paris for my $$$ is the BACK of Notre Dame de Paris. Safety? Well leave your passport and most of your money in a safe deposit box at your hotel. Carry most of your valuables in a money belt or some such. And then just enjoy! Please email me directly if you want more suggestions... I envy you... Paris is *magic*.

Nina

Thanks so much for the quick reply. I am excited about doing this. I consider myself to be fairly intelligent and sensitive to cultural differences but I am a little worried about the mechanics of living there. I don't speak French. I love the thought of drinking coffee at a cafe on St. Germain but how in the world am I going to order the darn thing. And is it difficult to pay for things or check into your hotel if no one there speaks english?

Sally

Well coffee %3D cafe and you point *grin*. That's why I recommended a hotel slightly above the student standard. Most desks speak enough English to help you! The hotel we stayed at cost about $138US 5 years ago. Be sure to stay in the center though. Many tour packages will put you in a very boring modern hotel on the outskirts. The French *can* be rude about your not speaking French, but remember, they want your money, so in the end you will get served/helped etc... Please feel free to email me privately at this address.. it is easier for me to pickup at home!

Louis Dameson

You have no worries and you are getting oustanding advice. However, don't plan less than 1 week in Paris and 2 weeks is better. It takes two days to get over the jet lag. When Fodor was asked, "Where would you go if you only had one choice?" He answered, "PARIS, PARIS, PARIS". You are starting out in the right direction. Learn a few words of French. Most important is to be able to say that you do not speak French. If your hotel budget is above the $75/night range--there will somebody there that speaks english. I have recommended to others and will to you also--Fodor's Rivages, "Hotels of Character and Charm in Paris". What makes this book useful is the descriptions and the color photos along with location with regard to public transportation. In checking their prices, they seem also to be current. The room rates do include service and tax--except for a 6FF per night tourist tax. If you can read a map, you can get any place by bus and metro. Restroom in French is toilet, all you need is few words like cafe noir or cafe au lait and write the name and address of your hotel on a card. In case you do get lost--any taxi can take you back. The rate of exchange is around 6ff to the dollar right now. If you want to e-mail me direct, with your budget range and interests. I will be happy to help. We are going to Paris for 14 days this fall before going to Turkey so I have done some up-to-date research. Also, the Rick Steves guide on France and Belgium is good if you are on a tight budget and also he hits high points on things to see. His hotels are apt to be modest, but you will find people there that speak english and most likely other american tourists that have similar interests to you. By all means, if you take one tour, go to Chartes. The trouble with most guide books is that give you too much information and it is hard to determine what to do and see with a limited amount of time and budget.

Cary

I was in Paris in May, a single woman in my thirties and I speak no French. I stayed on the Left Bank, 6th District, in a hotel one block off St. Germain. The hotel was approximately $75 a night and the staff spoke english. The Left Bank is a great place to explore by yourself and feel safe at the same time. I had no problems being a lone female, occassionally a man would try to talk to you, but just say a firm "NO" and they will leave you alone. I had no problems ordering in a cafe, most of the waiters understand you. This was my 6th visit to Paris and I explored places that I had never been to before. One such place was the Rodin Museum. I throughly enjoyed this museum - a must in my book. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Jenny

Nina, don't worry about the language too much. Invest in a French phrase book and make the effort to learn a few basic phrases, even if it is only "Hello", "please", "thank you"and "excuse me, do you speak English?" Your attempts, no matter how terrible you are, to communicate with them in their language will be appreciated more than if you just start speaking English to them. You will be fine! Have a wonderful time!

JOAN DOYLE

Paris for your first trip abroad? What a capital idea. I too started there when I was 35 (arriving in the middle of the night--but fortunately with a hotel reservation in a very modest Right Bank hotel). I spoke a little French--so that helped. Try to remember that Paris is in many respects just another BIG city (with some gorgeous landmarks and a lot of people with all the innate charm frequently attributed to New Yorkers). Smile a lot--and wear a shoulder bag with the strap ACROSS your chest.
I've been back to Paris many times since that first visit, staying on both the Right and the Left Banks. I found the Left more expensive than the Right; but both have advantages and good restaurants abound in both locations. E-mail me directly if I can give you more info or help. Paris is one of my FAVORITE cities!

DRucks

How exciting to think your first trip will be to Paris! Please, your first stop after you get into the city is to go to the Ste. Chapelle. You must go upstairs into the dark cathedral and then just stand amid the beauty and light of the stained glass windows--the colors and the history! Then go to Notre Dame for a similar experience, AND walk the many steps up to the bell tower. We stayed once at the Hotel Esmeralda, got the idea from the child's book "Linnea" about a girl who goes to Paris then to Monet's home. Our room at the top of the Esmeralda ranked with grandma's attic, but the saving grace was the huge window that opened onto the best view of Notre Dame . . . lit up at night as nothing else! You must do some movie-watching homework, to get an idea of what the city looks like . . . Watch "French Kiss" and "Forget Paris" and "Sabrina" and I am sure there are others. There is also a wonderful picture book called "ABOVE PARIS" and upon studying it, will give you your bearings. Get a Metro map and study it before you go.Paris Pages on the Internet are fab. The trip is what YOU make it. Go to the Louvre at least twice. And have breakfast outdoors in a cafe near Notre Dame and eat Croc Monsieur. Take the train to Monet's home at Giverny. It is the train to Rouen, get off then take a bike or taxi to Monet's home. Avoid the crowds, go early in the morning. I am going back in September-5 days in Paris,two in wine country in NW Italy, 3 in Venice. Voila!

Monika

PARIS is a great city where I spent 5 days last year. I think it is a good choice to travel there first.
I definitively suggest you to go and see Luxembourg s garden.It is a nice place where you can spend hours just to sit, read and relax
Take a walk on St.Michel and St.Germen streets
with lovely caffes.Walk through Paris by night or
take a ship-guide tour.In Paris are so many museums galeries and places to see.
Do not worry, everywhere are nice and friendly
people willing to help you, when you loose your way.
Enjoy your trip and have a wonderful time in Paris.

Monika

PARIS is a great city where I spent 5 days last year. I think it is a good choice to travel there first.
I definitively suggest you to go and see Luxembourg s garden.It is a nice place where you can spend hours just to sit, read and relax
Take a walk on St.Michel and St.Germen streets
with lovely caffes.Walk through Paris by night or
take a ship-guide tour.In Paris are so many museums galeries and places to see.
Do not worry, everywhere are nice and friendly
people willing to help you, when you loose your way.
Enjoy your trip and have a wonderful time in Paris.

crystal

Paris is absolutely gorgeous!! Most everyone I met spoke english. My boyfriends French was so terrible that after a few minutes they spoke to us in English. Go to the all the tourist attractions and don't forget the Louvre!! We spent SIX hours there!! I was quite afraid to go since I don't speak any french but after a few days I actually started to understand a few things. One thing that did frighten me was in the Metro. The guards came up to me and were yelling at me in French and I didn't know what they wanted. They wanted my little green ticket that gets you on the train to make sure it was from that day. Well I had saved ALL of them for about 7 days. The woman went through about fifty of them and then finally found the one that had the right date on it!! I was really glad that she found what she wanted. A friend of mine went to Paris and the same thing happened to them. But they didn't speak ANY french and caused quite a scene!! Just thought I would share that story with you!! I wish someone had told me about those stupid tickets beforehand!! But I would go again in a second!!

crystal

Paris is absolutely gorgeous!! Most everyone I met spoke english. My boyfriends French was so terrible that after a few minutes they spoke to us in English. Go to the all the tourist attractions and don't forget the Louvre!! We spent SIX hours there!! I was quite afraid to go since I don't speak any french but after a few days I actually started to understand a few things. One thing that did frighten me was in the Metro. The guards came up to me and were yelling at me in French and I didn't know what they wanted. They wanted my little green ticket that gets you on the train to make sure it was from that day. Well I had saved ALL of them for about 7 days. The woman went through about fifty of them and then finally found the one that had the right date on it!! I was really glad that she found what she wanted. A friend of mine went to Paris and the same thing happened to them. But they didn't speak ANY french and caused quite a scene!! Just thought I would share that story with you!! I wish someone had told me about those stupid tickets beforehand!! But I would go again in a second!!

crystal

Paris is absolutely gorgeous!! Most everyone I met spoke english. My boyfriends French was so terrible that after a few minutes they spoke to us in English. Go to the all the tourist attractions and don't forget the Louvre!! We spent SIX hours there!! I was quite afraid to go since I don't speak any french but after a few days I actually started to understand a few things. One thing that did frighten me was in the Metro. The guards came up to me and were yelling at me in French and I didn't know what they wanted. They wanted my little green ticket that gets you on the train to make sure it was from that day. Well I had saved ALL of them for about 7 days. The woman went through about fifty of them and then finally found the one that had the right date on it!! I was really glad that she found what she wanted. A friend of mine went to Paris and the same thing happened to them. But they didn't speak ANY french and caused quite a scene!! Just thought I would share that story with you!! I wish someone had told me about those stupid tickets beforehand!! But I would go again in a second!!

Deb Survil

OK, I'll swim against the stream here. Having travelled over much of Europe virtually by myself, and I would recommend Amsterdam as a starting place. One of the most enjoyable visits I had was staying at a reasonable hotel withing a lock of the most organized public transportation system I've ever been on. Most people spoke english, and everyone I spoke to seemed to be a posterchild for the Tourist Board!! Such friendly people! I stayed in A'dam for 3 days, then took off on a Benelux pass (unlimited rail travel) throught most of Holland. The best thing of all is that most places are no more than 3 hours away; you could catch the early train (6am) and be there by 9, spend the day in the countryside, and still go back to the same hotel at night-much more relaxing than jumping all over the place. Try it-you'll love it. Also, the trains in the Netherlands are on time-something I did not experience in France (I've never been to France that there were not some sort of strike problems, though)
Tacky as this sounds, considereing where I'm writing this, I recommend Europe Through the Back Door phrase books-they are small enough to fit in a passport pouch, and have wonderfully hilarious phrases that can generate much fun on long train trips, either by just reading, or by sharing. Theyre out of Bellevue or Edmonton WA, I think
Good Luck-Boldly Go where no man has gone before!!

Linda Dorman

Well, seems everyone loves Paris. I'm no exception - it's my favorite place. My first visit was on my 30th birthday and we dined at Procope, the oldest restaurant still operating (17th century) near the Odeon metro station. Stay in St. Germain or if you want something near Montparnasse, try the Aviatic (USD$100). It's a small hotel and they're very pleasant. I made the desk clerks teach me a few French words every day. Don't worry about not knowing French but do get a phrase book. It will come in handy to get around. I read French fairly well (I should after 5 trips), but I can't speak it too well and they know you're a tourist anyway. Buy a baguette hot from the oven in the morning at a corner bakery, get some fruit from the market stands, some yogurt and other stuff from the grocery and take it to Le Marais for a picnic. Don't be afraid of the metro, but go during the day and not rush hour when lots of people are going to or leaving work. Enjoy your trip and try some other cities in the future. I recommend Amsterdam, Geneva, London, Florence and Venice. There's a lot to see and do!

S.C.DIXON

Every one seems sold on Paris, and not having been there I assume they know of what they speak. Personally, my first trip abroad I felt it important to go somewhere where language would not be a problem. I chose England. It is much more different form America than I could have imagined, and I had a wonderful trip. A quiet, beautiful city is Bath, quite a contrast to the hub-bub of London. I was there in March and it was simply lovely, I can only imagine what it must be like a bit later in the summer. It struck me as a dignified, historical city of great physical beauty. I hope to return. Again, there was very little in the way of language problems and the money is easy to catch on to. It was different enough, exotic, if you will, to stimulate my appitite for travel. Wherever you go, HAVE FUN, God speed.

Tricia

Hi, Just returned from a 3 week trip to Europe and planned to see Holland, England, Germany Switzerland and Austria. Fell in love with Holland and after 3 days in Germany fled back to Holland. Germans were like I hear the French are. They will outriight ask you to speak German to them. You know they understand you but they won't budge. Meals were impossible to order. We finally found cafeterias and pointed to what we wanted. The Dutch Guilder and language was easier for me to comprehend and the Dutch almost all knew English and love Americans. I found it was because of the Marshall plan after WWII wherein we gave aid to Hollands economy. Went to a little town to find my Great grandfathers grave and the townspeople took me into their homes. Had tea and cake. Got a tour of several ancestral homes and got to see the famous thatch roofed barn home the Dutch are famous for. Also found the Friesland Islands in the North Sea to be unknown by most Americans but very popular with Germans and Dutch. If you want to see a 400 year old light house, German bunkers, black Dutch ponies, quaint little Dutch houses and an authenic Dutch market place complete with cafes and pubs this is a great place. E-mail me if any thing I can help with.

PseudoPreRegistrationUser

Big cities anywhere are a worry, especially if you hop off a plane/train with a slightly goofy/lost look on your face. Rule no 1. look like you know what youre doing. dont get hassled or seduced by strange chaps who reckon they have a taxi available.

For a first trip London is sensational and organised. Being able to understand the underground ( as it's in english ) helps. A'dam is also terrific as it's one of the most peaceful big cities. ( maybe because everbody's goofed (stoned ). But a really casual place. we live in Budapest at the moment which is also easy altho watch out for bodgy taxi drivers and restaurants that try to charge for all kinds of stuff that you take for granted elsewhere.

It's actually easy and you'll have a great time wherever you go. just dont be to trusting. Watch your passport, wallet etc.

Elizabeth

I reccommend England for a first choice. The food is not that terrific, but I loved being able to speak the language, and negotiate the city easily. We spent a week in London (bus/tube pass reccommended) and went traveling outside London for a week.
I also thought Austria was charming. The country is just small enough that you can rent a car and get around in. We loved the cities on the Danube--the food was great and the people were helpful and friendly.
Germany is also a favorite--every where is clean, and neat. Food is heavier--stay away from Viener Snitzhel (I think it's awful!)--and go with the breads etc. We stopped in grocery stores and picked up cheese, breads, and water for easy lunches. Rent a car and get out into the country--that's where the charm of Germany and Austria are. Wonderful, and many many people spoke English.
Above all, have a sense of adventure, know where you want to go, and relax and enjoy the experience!