Thanks. I've just never had an issue in that regard.

I wish I could be chatting with a local in the park or over a glass of wine in a cafe, but I can't. But I certainly can do anything a visitor/tourist needs or wants to do. Get a map. Find your way around. Ask for help from an English-speaker.

I didn't say it couldn't be done, or that I didn't accomplish everything I wanted in Paris. Personally, I've never had a bad trip to Paris. Its one of my favorite cities. I go often. However, it is <u>more</u> difficult than Amsterdam or London where all the signage is in English, everyone speaks English, menus are in English, transportation instructions are in English, museum annotations are in English. For a first trip to Europe, I just think there are easier and equally as interesting cities to visit.

However, if the OP wants to do 3 cities -- Paris would be at the top of my list as an add on to AMS and LON.

TC--My Italian-American spouse has the same reaction to Italians as you had but would gladly live in Rome if she could. I understand your reaction to Italy, except your reaction to the food.

suze--except for just a few places, we've never needed any language other than English anywhere in Europe. This is particularly true if you stay on the trodden tourist paths. The only time we got into trouble in France was when my spouse tried to order a meal in French and wound up with something totally different than she thought she'd ordered. That happened to us several times in Spain, but we didn't try speaking Spanish then.

To all--we visited The Hague and Delft years ago for a day, and are returning to the Netherlands for a week this fall. We're looking forward to it and hope that we love it as much as you all do.

I didn't find Paris more difficult than Amsterdam. That's all I can say.

If you don't speak French, Paris can be a bit daunting at first. I love the city and have been many times, but just thinking of a first time visitor, it can be difficult. My husband speaks French, so we had a fairly easy time of it.

This is totally bogus. You can travel ANYwhere (including where the cyryllic alphabet is used) if you do some homework. And Paris is NOT difficult, the French NOT unhelpful, and Paris is a magical city.

I would also add, what difference does it make that signs are in English? If a sign says "Buckingham Road" does it tell me any more where I am in London than if I read "rue de la Paix" in Paris?

When I don't speak the local language, I do try to be more organized, so I'm not in the situation of being lost on the streets trying to ask strangers for directions. I carry the business card for my hotel and enough local currency I could always flag a taxi and get back 'home' if I get myself that terribly lost. I keep it simple, in other words.

I don't think anyone can tell you that a certain city is a good or bad one for your first visit. It all depends on YOU. Some people just want to the the Eiffel Tower, others want to go on a gondola ride. I wanted to see the Louvre and Florence on my first trip. What do you really want to see, moebraze?

People travel all over the world to places where they do not speak the language. You can follow a map even in a different language. Who cares if what you think you ordered isn't what you get? If it is food, you eat it. Speaking the local language is great, but even hello, goodbye, thank you, please will be appreciated. Not knowing the language is really a non-issue most of the time. You will eventually get where you are going and you will eat, and you will have a good time doing it.

On a two-week vacation, we visited London-Paris-Amsterdam. Flew into London and home from Amsterdam. Took Eurostar to Paris and train to Amsterdam.

It was a nice mix of cities. We loved Amsterdam. People were friendly, prices were good, the city is marvelously charming, food was excellent.

When you decide, and if you are sure of your dates for London-Paris, buy Eurostar tickets ASAP, because prices go up as the time nears. It used to be that it was cheaper to buy round-trip than one-way. I don't know if that is still true.

Buy your airfare, and plan around those dates. Definitely fly open-jaw, so you don't have to double-back to your arrival city.

Have fun planning your first trip to Europe!