Leave for Paris on Friday: What am I forgetting?
Mar 10th, 2004, 01:17 PM
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Leave for Paris on Friday: What am I forgetting?
Everyone has been so helpful in answering my questions over the last few months. We leave for Paris in two days...2 adults and kids 13, 11 and 8. I've made a detailed packing list, but what am I forgetting? What did you not have on your trip that you wish you had brought? Or what did you feel so smug for remembering to bring?
! I'm jealous, as long as you have tickets and passports YK is right, you can get what you forget there!
Mar 10th, 2004, 02:48 PM
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Prescription medication ("just in case stuff" like antibiotic for the kids?), extra eyeglasses/contacts. Just think of anything you really couldn't replace/buy. If any of your party is an unusual clothing size (very large, tall etc.) pay special attention. Make sure you have enough in a carry on bag in case your luggage is lost/delayed for a day (ie mix & match luggage contents).
Mar 10th, 2004, 03:10 PM
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amwosu-
my husband & 18 yr. old son are taking the train from Paris to Normandy on Tuesday and are planning on taking the 5 hr. American Beach tour in the afternoon. I'll report back with that. So Tuesday my 15 yr. old daughter and I are making that a shopping day. We are renting an apt. on Rue de Levis by metro: Villiers, so the Galeries Lafayette is close by as are Printemps. Any other shops to look for in the area?
my husband & 18 yr. old son are taking the train from Paris to Normandy on Tuesday and are planning on taking the 5 hr. American Beach tour in the afternoon. I'll report back with that. So Tuesday my 15 yr. old daughter and I are making that a shopping day. We are renting an apt. on Rue de Levis by metro: Villiers, so the Galeries Lafayette is close by as are Printemps. Any other shops to look for in the area?
Mar 10th, 2004, 03:23 PM
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To flygirl2: When you go to Galeries Lafayette or Le Printemps go to the information desk and present your passport to get a tourist card which gives you a 10% discount. My other strategy is this: check out everything you want or might possible want to get then be sure to purchase it on the same day to take advantage of the "detaxe". I believe you have to spend 175 euros..then go to the detaxe dept on the ground floor and you will be processed quickly; this will get you a further refund of about 12%. Many shops in Paris have a smaller area in the dept stores; for example for handbags try La Bagagerie. You get the same bags as in their independent shops but with the 2 discounts. I love to shop so I check out everything then go back and make all my purchases at the same time, or at least on the same day. GL is also opening a new store across the street which will be Lafayette Maison. If you're going on a Tuesday you can get a ticketfor the fashion show; I did this on line on the GL website. You print off your confirmation and take it with you. GL also has a great food hall as part of Lafayette Homme (mens). And you're only a 5 min walk from Fauchon, Hediard and Maille (mustard); great for souvenirs.
Mar 10th, 2004, 03:30 PM
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To missypie: the one item I always find useful is a 6 or 8 foot extension cord. I have long hair and need to blowdry; so often the outlet is on one wall and the mirror on another and those bathroom hairblowers just won't do the trick for me. And don't forget appliances like blowdryers need to be 220 voltage.
Mar 11th, 2004, 12:58 AM
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Had the name/address/phone number of my hotel and the American Embassy on an index card to show the taxi driver if his English wasn't very good, and I needed a taxi. Bring washcloths - hotels in London/Paris didn't have any.Adapters worked fine for hairdryer and electric rollers that were dual voltage. Had listed on paper what I wanted to see and opening/closing times, Metro to use to get there, and location. This way I didn't have to drag a guidebook with me. Make sure you have a Metro map with you all the time. Had some Euros with me when I landed to avoid long lines at ATM and exchange booth. Didn't forget anything - I had lived and breathed this trip for months but it paid off. Had a great time! Good luck.
Mar 11th, 2004, 01:42 AM
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Don't forget to empty all the trash before you leave. Take copies of all the passports and put them in your luggage seperate from the real passports. Make sure any connecting flights allow plenty of layover time, the airlines are starting to cut it too close and folks miss flights.
