Give some first-timers your last minute tips!!!!
Mar 30th, 2013, 04:14 PM
#41
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I agree wholeheartedly with the carry on only advice. At first it seems impossible, but you'll be so happy you did. For some great tips on packing for Europe with only a carry on, read my article at http://www.anniesnuggets.com/2011/06...vy-burden.html.
Mar 30th, 2013, 04:46 PM
#42
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OK:: Ryanair NOTICE. If you do not have an EU passport then you must FIRST take your printed boarding passes to their ticket office to be stamped before you go through security. If you do not print your own boarding pass.. 40E each at their office. If you forget to get them stamped showing them your passport, when you go to board the plane they will refuse boarding to you and you will not have time to run out and do it.
Just follow their instructions and make sure your purse fits into the carry-on and weighs what they say and is the size they say.
They don't mess around or give ANYONE any leniency .. just go by the rules and you will be absolutely fine..
But please.. all NON EU passport holders, don't forget to do what I said, at least when leaving from Spain and GB.
They didn't know what I was talking about in Germany about getting it stamped.. so I am not sure if Ryanair in all countries require it.
Ryanair is the only airline i have found that asks you to do that so beware, that's all.
Just follow their instructions and make sure your purse fits into the carry-on and weighs what they say and is the size they say.
They don't mess around or give ANYONE any leniency .. just go by the rules and you will be absolutely fine..
But please.. all NON EU passport holders, don't forget to do what I said, at least when leaving from Spain and GB.
They didn't know what I was talking about in Germany about getting it stamped.. so I am not sure if Ryanair in all countries require it.
Ryanair is the only airline i have found that asks you to do that so beware, that's all.
Mar 30th, 2013, 04:48 PM
#43
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When you get to Paris, pick up a copy of ParisScope at the newsstand. This weekly has listings of concerts, movies, plays, and other events. Every trip I come across something that I enjoy, often free or cheap.
Mar 30th, 2013, 05:28 PM
#44
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We leave Wednesday, so know what you are going through.
debit card: called BOA to notify of our travel plans and had to listen to a 1 minute tape. Some banks in some countries block ATMs if your pin begins with 0 (zero). My first stop Monday is the bank to create a new pin. (they could not tell me which countries, so I can't take the chance, although could move $$ around and use another card)
late night closings: know in Paris what places (museums, dept stores) are open late so if you can't get their during the day, a late night option (Dept stores Thursday, Lourve (Wed and Friday).
Barcelona: I have never seen such incredibly unique jewelery designs as I have at the kiosks on La Rambla.
Markets: any and all. In Barcelona go to Mercat St. Antonio off La Rambla (I took about 100 photos of the food it was so fabulous; Xmas markets, flea markets, daily markets, food markets. In Paris there is one almost every day in every quarter of the city. Markets of Paris by Long and Williams is great.
Handiwipes: to avoid the 3oz problem, bring handiwipes for our hands and pkgs of handiwipes for most things we touch: door handles in room, remotes, etc.
debit card: called BOA to notify of our travel plans and had to listen to a 1 minute tape. Some banks in some countries block ATMs if your pin begins with 0 (zero). My first stop Monday is the bank to create a new pin. (they could not tell me which countries, so I can't take the chance, although could move $$ around and use another card)
late night closings: know in Paris what places (museums, dept stores) are open late so if you can't get their during the day, a late night option (Dept stores Thursday, Lourve (Wed and Friday).
Barcelona: I have never seen such incredibly unique jewelery designs as I have at the kiosks on La Rambla.
Markets: any and all. In Barcelona go to Mercat St. Antonio off La Rambla (I took about 100 photos of the food it was so fabulous; Xmas markets, flea markets, daily markets, food markets. In Paris there is one almost every day in every quarter of the city. Markets of Paris by Long and Williams is great.
Handiwipes: to avoid the 3oz problem, bring handiwipes for our hands and pkgs of handiwipes for most things we touch: door handles in room, remotes, etc.
Mar 30th, 2013, 10:01 PM
#46
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Take a couple days worth of feminine hygiene products. Crossing multiple time zones often disrupts your menstrual cycle, and you may find yourself needing them.
In London, pick up a copy of TimeOut magazine at the airport or any newsstand. It's a weekly magazine that lists tons of things to do in the city, opening and closing times of museums and other tourist attractions, special events, as well as general info about London. You can also access it online: http://www.timeout.com/london#
In London take advantage of the 2for1 coupons for tourist attractions. Print out the vouchers before you leave home (there may be some available at the rail stations as well). Your Oyster card does not qualify for this promotion, but a Travelcard issued by a rail station does. For more info see:
http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1london http://www.londontoolkit.com/whattod...ard_2for1.html
If you like street markets, London has some of the best. Check them out:
http://www.timeout.com/london/food-drink/london-markets
Some people are greatly affected by jet lag, others only minimally so. You won't really know until you get there. Don't overplan activities on your arrival day, but do try to get outside and walk around a lot. Try to go to bed as close to your normal time as possible (local time) and you will adjust to the time change more quickly.
Finally, have a wonderful trip!
In London, pick up a copy of TimeOut magazine at the airport or any newsstand. It's a weekly magazine that lists tons of things to do in the city, opening and closing times of museums and other tourist attractions, special events, as well as general info about London. You can also access it online: http://www.timeout.com/london#
In London take advantage of the 2for1 coupons for tourist attractions. Print out the vouchers before you leave home (there may be some available at the rail stations as well). Your Oyster card does not qualify for this promotion, but a Travelcard issued by a rail station does. For more info see:
http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1london http://www.londontoolkit.com/whattod...ard_2for1.html
If you like street markets, London has some of the best. Check them out:
http://www.timeout.com/london/food-drink/london-markets
Some people are greatly affected by jet lag, others only minimally so. You won't really know until you get there. Don't overplan activities on your arrival day, but do try to get outside and walk around a lot. Try to go to bed as close to your normal time as possible (local time) and you will adjust to the time change more quickly.
Finally, have a wonderful trip!
Apr 6th, 2013, 12:23 PM
#49
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I always take a ziplock full of Clorox wipes. Then when I get to our hotel room I wipe down the usual culprits. Remote, door knobs, handle on toliet., etc. I go to my favorite sales clerk at the makeup counter I frequent and get samples of moisturizers etc. and take those with me. I also wait to get to my destination and go to the local drugstore and buy shampoo and soap. You can find some very nice products there.
I have a friend who travels frequently and always takes her " old underwear" with her. She then throws them away after she has worn them. Guess that would cut down on the laundry you do when you get home and give you an excuse to buy new.
Enjoy - Enjoy Paris is my favorite city.
I have a friend who travels frequently and always takes her " old underwear" with her. She then throws them away after she has worn them. Guess that would cut down on the laundry you do when you get home and give you an excuse to buy new.
Enjoy - Enjoy Paris is my favorite city.
Apr 6th, 2013, 03:18 PM
#50
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"Don't overplan activities on your arrival day, but do try to get outside and walk around a lot. Try to go to bed as close to your normal time as possible (local time) and you will adjust to the time change more quickly"
Worth repeating.
Worth repeating.
Apr 6th, 2013, 05:28 PM
#51
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1) Bring half as many clothes and twice as much money as you think you'll need.
2) Don't forget the electrical adapters.
3) Have fun and don't worry or become uptight! The places you're visiting are used to tourists and you're not them, they get that!
2) Don't forget the electrical adapters.
3) Have fun and don't worry or become uptight! The places you're visiting are used to tourists and you're not them, they get that!
Apr 7th, 2013, 02:00 AM
#52
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I've been going to Europe three times a year for as long as I can remember, and I only now figured out this one: once you get to Europe, scotch tape your adapter plug(s) to the prongs on your appliance(s) so that you don't accidentally leave them sticking in outlets in hotels and internet cafe's across the continent (they cost a buck on ebay, but try to get one under 10 bucks while travelling!).
Apr 7th, 2013, 11:02 AM
#55
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Thank you, dfourh, for the idea of taping the adapter to your plugs. Such an obvious technique that I kick myself for not thinking of myself -- even after stupidly leaving numerous adapters in hotel outlets as I rush about trying to get out of a place in the morning.
I wonder what the hotels do with all of the adapters that the maids must collect? They may send them to the great adapter graveyard.
I wonder what the hotels do with all of the adapters that the maids must collect? They may send them to the great adapter graveyard.
Apr 14th, 2013, 04:00 PM
#57
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"the pickpockets in Barcelona are smarter than you are so the moneybelt idea is probably a good one and that means nothing is going to happen to you there other than fascination with the living statues"
Forget moneybelts. The safest bet is a neck pouch. You wear it around your neck and under a sweater, etc. You want your stuff in front of you and higher up on your body where you are more aware of it and of any probing hands.
Forget moneybelts. The safest bet is a neck pouch. You wear it around your neck and under a sweater, etc. You want your stuff in front of you and higher up on your body where you are more aware of it and of any probing hands.
Apr 14th, 2013, 04:23 PM
#58
No, a neck pouch is not safer. I met a woman in Buenos Aires who had hers stolen - she thinks the strap was cut. A neck pouch is more obvious than a money belt worn correctly. (I wear mine with the pouch at the back, in the curve of my waist.)
Apr 14th, 2013, 04:29 PM
#59
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"No, a neck pouch is not safer. I met a woman in Buenos Aires who had hers stolen - she thinks the strap was cut. A neck pouch is more obvious than a money belt worn correctly. (I wear mine with the pouch at the back, in the curve of my waist.)"
Gee, it happened to one person so that makes it a universal rule.
Gee, it happened to one person so that makes it a universal rule.
