What advice you wish you had?
Sep 27th, 2015, 01:51 PM
#1
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What advice you wish you had?
My hubby and I are leaving for Paris soon and I'm thrilled and a little nervous. As first timers, we could really benefit to hear any advice anyone might have on anything from your travel experiences. I know this is very broad but I'm receptive to anything that'll help make our holiday break a special one. Thank you for taking time. Unbelievably excited!
Sep 27th, 2015, 02:30 PM
#2
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On my last trip, the St. Petersburg segment wasn't as enjoyable as it could have been if I'd known about the long lines into the Hermitage and other venues.
I would have arranged for a tour or bought tickets ahead of time.
I would have arranged for a tour or bought tickets ahead of time.
Sep 27th, 2015, 02:50 PM
#3
I'd say "traveler know thyself". Meaning, sit down and have a think about whether you feel you need to have everything planned ahead, a real itinerary day to day, or would you be happier deciding what you feel like doing, if anything, when the time comes. I'm of the latter persuasion and many things on the list do fall by the wayside. But I'm just happier that way. Of course you can be anywhere along the continuum, not one extreme or the other, but I believe it's an important element to consider. Add to it, for 2 of you, be willing to set off or not, alone.
Sep 27th, 2015, 02:50 PM
#4
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Pack your sense of humor and enjoy yourselves!
Some other thoughts:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...unger-self.cfm
Some other thoughts:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...unger-self.cfm
Sep 27th, 2015, 03:32 PM
#5
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I guess I would jsut not worry so much about everything, but I tend to have anxiety before trips about things going wrong, etc. In fact, in all the years I've been traveling to Europe, nothign horrendous has ever happened -- my luggage got delayed twice, but was delivered to my hotel by end of day after arrival, at the latest. I've missed a train connection, but it wasn't the end of the world. And only once did a hotel not have my reservation (actually, they had it but did not have a vacancy), so they "walked" me to a nearby hotel of the same level, only two blocks away so I knew the area, and it turned out to be a nice hotel anyway. And I was only there one night, so didn't really care that much. Those are the worst things that ever happened.
So just try to remember, thousands of people go to Europe every month, many of them not as smart as you, and somehow they all manage fine, so you can, also. So just try not to worry about things too much, go with the flow and relax.
So just try to remember, thousands of people go to Europe every month, many of them not as smart as you, and somehow they all manage fine, so you can, also. So just try not to worry about things too much, go with the flow and relax.
Sep 27th, 2015, 04:29 PM
#6
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Don't let anyone convince you that you "have to" see a particular site. See what interests YOU. For instance, if art and antiquities aren't your thing, then don't feel compelled to visit the Louvre just because you feel like it's a must. Nothing is a must except indulging your own wants and interests.
I also wish someone had told me to spend time learning a bit of the language. In France, I can get by. For Italy, I wish I'd spent less time researching things to see, do and eat and more time on the language.
I also wish someone had told me to spend time learning a bit of the language. In France, I can get by. For Italy, I wish I'd spent less time researching things to see, do and eat and more time on the language.
Sep 27th, 2015, 04:37 PM
#7
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Recognize that some things will go wrong. Something will be late or you will get a lot of rain or you will lose something or whatever.
Every time I have been to europe on vacation (50+) and any longer business trips there has been some problem along the way.
Expect it and be ready to roll with the punches.
Important things to note:
Do not take anything with you that you can't stand to lose - no expensive jewelry or watches
Keep a list of opening days and hours of your must see sights so you are not taken by surprise
Never let go of your belongings in any public place - even the breakfast room or lounge of your hotel
But most important - just relax. Give yourself some time every day to just sit in a cafe or pub or whatever and have a drink and relax - and watch the (often quite different) world go by.
Every time I have been to europe on vacation (50+) and any longer business trips there has been some problem along the way.
Expect it and be ready to roll with the punches.
Important things to note:
Do not take anything with you that you can't stand to lose - no expensive jewelry or watches
Keep a list of opening days and hours of your must see sights so you are not taken by surprise
Never let go of your belongings in any public place - even the breakfast room or lounge of your hotel
But most important - just relax. Give yourself some time every day to just sit in a cafe or pub or whatever and have a drink and relax - and watch the (often quite different) world go by.
Sep 27th, 2015, 04:39 PM
#8
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Practice a very few French phrases: Sil vous plait, Bon jour, etc. It will do wonders.
We were in a train station early one morning. I walked up to a kiosk, asked for Deux cafe, sil vous plait. The attendant, young enough to be my granddaugter, looked at me and said Bonjour, madame. I got the point.
We were in a train station early one morning. I walked up to a kiosk, asked for Deux cafe, sil vous plait. The attendant, young enough to be my granddaugter, looked at me and said Bonjour, madame. I got the point.
Sep 27th, 2015, 05:10 PM
#9
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Don't forget to tell your bank and credit card companies that you're going about a week before. I always do this on personal trips but failed to do it once on a last minute business trip. I then had to spend a bunch of time on the phone getting things in order (not nearly as easy as doing it from the states when I wasn't tired).
Sep 27th, 2015, 05:30 PM
#10
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Bring a good quality rain jacket. Stay outside in the rain.
Take a taxi/bus/subway out to the suburbs and walk back downtown.
Write down the name or take a picture of food/beer/anything you really like. It took me ten years to remember the name of an angelic German beer. Ten long, wasted years.
Take a taxi/bus/subway out to the suburbs and walk back downtown.
Write down the name or take a picture of food/beer/anything you really like. It took me ten years to remember the name of an angelic German beer. Ten long, wasted years.
Sep 27th, 2015, 05:31 PM
#11
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Don't try to see everything. You can't and you'll rive yourself crazy trying to.
Make sure you check the days that museums are closed, so you don't show up on a day it is closed.
Don't be afraid to use the bus system. It's easy to use and will help you learn your way around Paris.
Don't eat at places right around major tourist sites. Usually poor quality and overpriced. If it has menus In 8 languages and pictures of the food, skip it.
I also had a cab driver correct me by saying s'il vous plais to me because I had given the destination without adding, please. Do say Bonjour when entering a shop and make sure to say please and thank you in French.
Consider a Paris Museum Pass if you will be visiting multiple museums and monuments. http://en.parismuseumpass.com
Less about cost savings and more about saving time in the ticket lines.
Make sure you check the days that museums are closed, so you don't show up on a day it is closed.
Don't be afraid to use the bus system. It's easy to use and will help you learn your way around Paris.
Don't eat at places right around major tourist sites. Usually poor quality and overpriced. If it has menus In 8 languages and pictures of the food, skip it.
I also had a cab driver correct me by saying s'il vous plais to me because I had given the destination without adding, please. Do say Bonjour when entering a shop and make sure to say please and thank you in French.
Consider a Paris Museum Pass if you will be visiting multiple museums and monuments. http://en.parismuseumpass.com
Less about cost savings and more about saving time in the ticket lines.
Sep 27th, 2015, 05:43 PM
#12
A few simple pieces of advice on first Paris trips:
In the central areas of Paris (single digit arrondissements), Metro stops are close together. It is just as fast to walk one stop as it is to take the Metro. Similarly, it is as easy to walk one stop as it is to make a transfer to go one stop.
Note which sites you want to see that require nice weather. The stained glass of the Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame demand sun. Museums are good for rain days. Cloudy days are good for walking. Your preferences may vary, so make your own annotated list of things to do, including closure days, weather preference, etc. Then group sites by location to cut down on running around wasting time.
The Museum Pass (NOT the Paris Pass rip-off) saves line time, and may or may not save money. It also allows you to pop into some small place you may be near just to see if it interests you or even just to use a rest room.
The two best views of Paris are from the top of the Tour Montparnasse and from the captive balloon: Ballon de Paris in the Parc André Citroën.
Fragonard makes many branded perfumes. They sell the same stuff unlabelled in generic containers at a great discount.
The most useful map is Paris par Arrondissements, a small book, with variants from different publishers. Amazon carries them. Books do not use data plans and work without being recharged.
Berthillon makes great ice cream.
Try a different pastry every day.
My two favorite Paris museums are Cluny (museum of the Middle Ages with the unicorn tapestries) and the Picasso Museum.
In the central areas of Paris (single digit arrondissements), Metro stops are close together. It is just as fast to walk one stop as it is to take the Metro. Similarly, it is as easy to walk one stop as it is to make a transfer to go one stop.
Note which sites you want to see that require nice weather. The stained glass of the Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame demand sun. Museums are good for rain days. Cloudy days are good for walking. Your preferences may vary, so make your own annotated list of things to do, including closure days, weather preference, etc. Then group sites by location to cut down on running around wasting time.
The Museum Pass (NOT the Paris Pass rip-off) saves line time, and may or may not save money. It also allows you to pop into some small place you may be near just to see if it interests you or even just to use a rest room.
The two best views of Paris are from the top of the Tour Montparnasse and from the captive balloon: Ballon de Paris in the Parc André Citroën.
Fragonard makes many branded perfumes. They sell the same stuff unlabelled in generic containers at a great discount.
The most useful map is Paris par Arrondissements, a small book, with variants from different publishers. Amazon carries them. Books do not use data plans and work without being recharged.
Berthillon makes great ice cream.
Try a different pastry every day.
My two favorite Paris museums are Cluny (museum of the Middle Ages with the unicorn tapestries) and the Picasso Museum.
Sep 27th, 2015, 05:52 PM
#13
I'm not sure I saw this already but if using an ATM machine always shield your PIN number. Not matter where you use your ATM card, airport included do this. I know it's a no brainer but I failed to do this at an airport and was still behind the secured area when the machine I used had a skimmer on it. What a way to ruin your vacation when you can't get money half way through your vacation and have to rely solely on credit cards.
Have a great time and if you can just wonder around. Even if you can just take an hour to do this and just look and try and remember what you saw.
Have a great time and if you can just wonder around. Even if you can just take an hour to do this and just look and try and remember what you saw.
Sep 27th, 2015, 08:43 PM
#16
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- never take your hands off your purse.. do not hang it over your chair in a restaurant.. and if its between your legs make sure straps are wound over your knees.. and be aware..
- same to some degree with suitcase.
- ALWAYS say "Bonjour madame or Bonjour Monsieur " before you start any verbal interaction with anyone.. Its not "one ticket please" its "bonjour madame, one ticket please".. etc
Don't schedule your day tightly.. a lot of "tourist stress" comes from folks getting all pissy because of crowds or lines and the need to "get through" sites. I was stuck in a line once for St Chapelle,, I enjoyed easvesdropping on all the other languages of the folks around me in line.. just relax..
That said.. lines at some places can be very long.. there are ways to avoid that at most of them however .
A Museum Pass can be a good deal.A Paris Pass is not a good deal.
Tap water is free and absolutely fine to drink.. if at a restaurant or café and ordering food it is fine to ask for "un carafe d'eau svp" ( pronounced carafe dough roughly) .. bottled water can be costly. If they ask if you want gas .. that means bubbly.. and that means not free.. Cokes and sodas can cost more then a glass of house wine.
A bakery is a great place to pick up a sandwich or slice of quiche or pizza for a quick lunch( and cheap too )
The metro is great and easy to use once you learn.. and since kids there use it by the time they are 10-11 .. you can easily learn it too.
However.. buses are better for those with mobility issues as metro stations can have stairs( sometimes lots) and long passageways .
Have a crepe from a street vendor.. my favorite is ham and cheese.. but many like the sweet ones( nutella, yech) .. make sure he fresh pours the crepes and not just taking it off a premade stack. My favorite place for that is by the St Michel Fountain.
There is no such think as "must sees".. if it doesn't interest you .. don't spend your time and money .
- same to some degree with suitcase.
- ALWAYS say "Bonjour madame or Bonjour Monsieur " before you start any verbal interaction with anyone.. Its not "one ticket please" its "bonjour madame, one ticket please".. etc
Don't schedule your day tightly.. a lot of "tourist stress" comes from folks getting all pissy because of crowds or lines and the need to "get through" sites. I was stuck in a line once for St Chapelle,, I enjoyed easvesdropping on all the other languages of the folks around me in line.. just relax..
That said.. lines at some places can be very long.. there are ways to avoid that at most of them however .
A Museum Pass can be a good deal.A Paris Pass is not a good deal.
Tap water is free and absolutely fine to drink.. if at a restaurant or café and ordering food it is fine to ask for "un carafe d'eau svp" ( pronounced carafe dough roughly) .. bottled water can be costly. If they ask if you want gas .. that means bubbly.. and that means not free.. Cokes and sodas can cost more then a glass of house wine.
A bakery is a great place to pick up a sandwich or slice of quiche or pizza for a quick lunch( and cheap too )
The metro is great and easy to use once you learn.. and since kids there use it by the time they are 10-11 .. you can easily learn it too.
However.. buses are better for those with mobility issues as metro stations can have stairs( sometimes lots) and long passageways .
Have a crepe from a street vendor.. my favorite is ham and cheese.. but many like the sweet ones( nutella, yech) .. make sure he fresh pours the crepes and not just taking it off a premade stack. My favorite place for that is by the St Michel Fountain.
There is no such think as "must sees".. if it doesn't interest you .. don't spend your time and money .
Sep 27th, 2015, 09:48 PM
#17
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Planning, reading, researching and then booking on information gleaned on blogs or from books, one feels they have to see so everything. One never knows if the traveler who just posted has been to that area many times or it is their first time. Our recent trip to Scotland, I felt I hadn't really planned but relied on the people who live in the areas, B&B or hotel hosts, we had an amazing trip. So my advice is, perhaps pick one place you really want to see each day, go with the flow, and enjoy the moment. You are in Europe after all.
Sep 27th, 2015, 11:52 PM
#18
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Get lost !
(really, that's when I saw things I didn't think I would).
And don't believe what some racists (self conscious or not) say about certain arrondissements of Paris : we have a lot of diversity and it is a good thing, it colours the city.
Enjoy your trip.
(really, that's when I saw things I didn't think I would).
And don't believe what some racists (self conscious or not) say about certain arrondissements of Paris : we have a lot of diversity and it is a good thing, it colours the city.
Enjoy your trip.
Sep 28th, 2015, 04:27 AM
#19
All wonderful advice, and if I can offer something on a completely practical level, I never go out for the day without tucking some tp in my pocket or bag. The WC's at the major places and restaurants will be fine, but for example I was happy I had enough to share with another patron last fall at Pere Lachaise! More than one unhappy experience, and I never leave home without it! 
Sep 28th, 2015, 05:46 AM
#20
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Aloow yourself time to just sit in a café and people-watch (but if the table's laid up for a meal, don't sit there and just order a coffee).
Get used to the public transport maps:
http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/
Get used to the public transport maps:
http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/
