Rita

My son (26 years old --- and single, ladies) and I (49 year old widow) returned Sunday night from our trip to France. Needless to say, we had a wonderful trip. I want to provide some practical information. Thanks to all you Fodorites for your very helpful information which made our trip a success. I will continue with information as I remember it by adding a reply to this post. We spent four days on our own in Paris and then joined a group tour.<BR><BR>The Parisians: FRIENDLY. Yes, I'm shouting. Twice someone on the street saw us reading out map and stopped and asked us if we were ok and needed any help. <BR><BR>Metro: We used the Metro alot. We purchased two carnet of tickets and brought several tickets home, which we plan to keep for future use. I asked the question on this board if the tickets expire and the response was no. <BR>Be careful. My son was pickpocketed on the Metro - he had his microcassette recorder stolen (he likes to write or record his thoughts). We joined a group tour - four out of 45 people in our group had there pockets picked on the subway. Plan your route prior to entering the subway - and don't wave your metro map around because it is an announcement that you're a tourist. We made this mistake.<BR><BR>Favorite sights/destinations: Paris: Latin Quarter, Rue Cler - street market (food), Porte de St. Quen street market, Shakespear and Company (English bookshop). Of course, the usual - Eifel tower, etc.<BR><BR>Other hightlights: Mont Saint Michel (first sight of the abbey was astounding), Loire Valley - Chateau Chenneaveau (spelling incorrect). <BR><BR>Food: We walked around and looked at menus and prices. Our best meal was on Rue Cler at the Cafe du Marche - a recommendation of Rick Steves. Excellent food and service. The waiter allowed my son, Thomas, to practice his French. <BR><BR>Tipping: None. We tried to give the waiter at the Cafe du Marche a tip but he refused because he said the service was included.<BR><BR>Dress code: There is none. Wear your own style. There is too much emphasis on this board about "what to wear." I didn't have any encounters with the fashion police. What I saw was very casual to dressy casual. I dress up for the office so my goal on vacation is comfort.<BR><BR>We traveled with Cosmos. I was so tired from walking and riding the Metro that I was more than happy to get on the tour bus. I wanted to thrown my arms around the bus driver and kiss him on both cheeks. The tour was a real bargain. I like being catered to on vacation. I'm not crazy about reading a map or driving on my own. We took the Jewels of France tour.<BR><BR><BR>I'll finish later. Running out of time. Rita<BR><BR>

SiD

Great stories.

Renee

Excellent report, can't wait to read more Rita!

Rita

Part II of my report:<BR><BR>Shopping: Samaritaine Department Store (they have everything from clothes to furniture); Monoprix (cosmetics, toiletries, groceries, clothes) - prices good except for clothes, which I thought were expensive. La Tuile a Loup (beautiful pottery and kitchen items - the placemats and napkins were especially nice but all VERY expensive; Shakespear &amp; Company (really fun English bookstore.<BR><BR>Airport Transfers: Parishuttle. Excellent service, very punctual. I would definitely use them again. $15 per person one way. <BR><BR>Additonal sights that I particularly enjoyed: Giverney, home of Claude Monet - a must-see; Le Clos Luce - palace where Leonardo da Vinci lived the last three years of his life. The bottom floor of the palace houses models of his inventions - truly remarkable.<BR><BR>Disappointments: We didn't have enough time in Paris. Unfortunately, we didn't get to the Picasso museum nor the Orsay. Next time.<BR><BR>I was very annoyed with our flight home from Philadelphia to North Carolina. The person in front of me sat with his seat reclined. I believe this is very INCONSIDERATE considering the lack of space. I didn't say anything but next time I will.<BR><BR>Rita

Renee

Thanks for the update, Rita....very clear, concise and to the point!

xxx

to the top

FYI

Thank you for taking the time to post this Rita. I really enjoyed it.<BR>How nice that you and your son (you are such a young mother!) were able to have this trip together. What nice memories for both of you.<BR>I know what you mean about the reclining seat on the plane. I heard something not long ago, that I don't know if I would be brave enough to try but here it is for the next time:<BR>Have a glass of water with you, when someone reclines their seat into your lap, tap the chair and ask them to move it up some, you have a bad cold and it is very uncomfortable.<BR> If that does not work, give a big fake sneeze. BUT!! at the same time, dip your fingers into the glass of water and spritz a little over the back of the chair onto the persons head. See how fast they right themselves up and out of the way of flying sneeze drops!<BR>

Rita

FYI:<BR><BR>Thanks for responding. I'm glad you enjoyed my post. The trip w/ my son was very special. My son was only eleven years old when his dad passed away so we are very close. When he was in elementary school, I found an essay he wrote that I was his best friend.<BR><BR>I am brave enough to try your idea because I was so uncomfortable that I could barely stand it. I will never tolerate this situation again especially after such a long flight from Paris and sitting in Philadelphia airport for several hours prior to our fight to North Carolina.<BR><BR>Rita

Rita'sSon

Mom - <BR><BR>I had a great time with you, but PLEASE stop announcing that I'm single and trying to peddle me to the general female public on a message board.

Yikes

oh no - here come the &quot;don't put your seat back&quot; whines and cries.<BR><BR>I was enjoying this thread up until then.

Lisa

I never knew people considered reclining your seat inconsiderate. It certainly doesn't infringe on your leg room, and if you put your seat back too, there should not be any differnce in space. So, what's the big deal?

mpprh

Hi Rita<BR><BR>About reclining your seat.<BR><BR>They are designed to do just that.<BR><BR>Maybe the Guy in front had come from New Zealand, and enjoyed 30 hrs without sleep.<BR><BR>Is it so important ?<BR><BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com/<BR>

Mary Anne Cook

Thank you so much for the great report of your trip. My daughter and I took a similar trip last May staying in Paris 6 days, went on the train to Chartres for a night and day. I was disappointed here that Malcolm Miller was not doing his tour of the cathedral that day due to a religious festival. Then to Loire Valley and staying in Tours 3 nights taking a castle tour. On the train to Avignon for 4 nights, renting a car to drive to towns nearby. My daughter says never will she drive in a foreign country again. Then to the Riviera on the train to Nice for a wonderful stay where to me there is some of the most beautiful scenenry in the world. We loved the trains. We only wish in our country we had that good system of travel. The French, like you commented also, were so helpful to us. I loved Paris and could enjoy it again and again. Loking out our window at the Eiffel Tower with the moon behind it was unforgettable. The help I received on Fodors(as I was the trip planner)was the best. I could not have done it without the help of you who answered my questions. You brought back all the memories. Now you will be seeing questions about Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Prague, and Budapest as we are headed there in May.

Jen

Rita,<BR><BR>Thank you very much for your post. I am going to France in June - on my own for a few days in Paris and then going on a tour as well. I appreciate your insights.

CDSF

I'm perplexed at this seat back thing. <BR>99% of people put them back..because it's much more comfortable! I'll take my tray in my lap over sitting completely upright for 6 hours anyday!<BR>I've sat and read for part of a flight with the person in front of me reclined, and honestly, i think I would be the RUDE one to ask someone to move his or her seat for my comfort only. <BR>I wouldn't take the advice of the person who said to throw water on anothers face. That could get you into some trouble. I personally would kick your butt.

A poster

Another yes for putting your seat back. I can't imagine a 11 hour flight from the west coast to Europe without reclining your seat. The seats were made to recline.

mimi taylor

Rita, thanks for your honest report and We are all glad you had a fun time.<BR>Now all the girls want to nabout your son. Were you ready for that?<BR>(laughing as I type this knowing you are amused at some of the responses.)

mimi(not the other)

Rita, about the reclining seat in front of you. Are you that selfish? the seats are for that person to be comfortable, not to give you discomfort. And they must up them when the lights tell them , not you.

Francis

excellent trip report Rita, did you book your shuttle with Mark direct or did you go through the website ?

Rita

Francis:<BR><BR>I used Mark's e-mail address. [email protected].<BR><BR>****************************************< BR>About the issue of reclining seats. I did a search on this site and read that two people got into an argument about a reclining seat and apparently the police were waiting to escort both passengers off the aircraft. <BR><BR>Rita