dabunting

and how much cash from each country should I get out to start with at the airport?

dabunting

p.s. Saas Fee should be a dream for the quaintness, has great skiing, has easy hills for my 7yr old, tons of activities to keep us busy at night but it's a PAIN TO GET TO and then to get to Paris. Planes, trains, and buses... should be quite the adventure.

dabunting

I'll have to check with my bank about my debit card to see if there will be charges for using it as a credit card. I especially got a bank of america travel credit card for this trip. But why do you think i should use my debit card instead of my credit card?

thursdaysd

You should not use a debit card except as an ATM card. Use your credit card for purchases, it's safer.

DebitNM

Using a credit card to get cash is VERY costly. There is a fee right at the start and high interest accumulates daily until it is Repaid in full. It is like a loan from bank. That is the last way you'd want to get spending money.

StCirq

Why would anyone ever use a debit card as a credit card? That's ridiculous.

The AMEX travel credit card is also ridiculously overpriced, and may not be accepted much of anywhere except in major department stores and the like.

Sure, I'd let the girls shop on their own. It's never too early to learn to waste money.

socaltraveler

What a surprise, a ski resort that is a pain to get to, and after all the good suggestions gleaned here. I feel like this thread, and the many others now wiped away, have been a personal ATM for the OP, and I do not say this often.

Yes, I would let my teen daughters shop by themselves; my daughters did do that, with $$ of their own brought from home.

dabunting

Thanks so much for all of your awesome help & travel tips. I'll certainly recommend this site to others who are planning a trip.

Danielle

StCirq

Bronwyn, like Aramis, never shows up to offer any relevant Europe information, just to denigrate posts she/he deems as "rude." Completely irrelevant poster.

Lois2

While I can't speak to what people look like nor do I care...what is "sad" as you put it dabunting is someone such as yourself that would come on a public forum and literally plan a fantasy trip and despite the moderators removing most of the fantasy you come back to now want people to get excited for your trip!! Many here are on to your game and even a perceived "rude" response is more than you require. Also what makes most here very different from you debunting is we actually travel the world not just going on a forum to see who will respond to our fantasy.

socaltraveler

I am curious to know why you played the people here, still come back for more 'advice' and then digress so quickly to taunts and jabs. Cannot wait for YOU to post the pictures of your magical mystery tour, speaking of hiding behind a computer screen.

Lois2

I'm sure she will be back with more comments for those of us that have had her number since day one...but she comes back for more because there are still people that take her inquiries seriously and try to help with advice...for her that is exciting...as I said...sad.

Gretchen

I will offer some advice whether or not it is a troll. The girls better be aware that shopping in some stores in Paris (from our experience) is NOT like going to the mall and sorting through things by yourself. DD got her hands spanked one time for doing that--it was a while ago, so maybe it has changed, but I ask if I may pick up a pocketbook, for example, before I do it. Others may comment if this is still the norm.

Lois2

Yes Gretchen shopping in Paris is different in small shops for sure...but the girls will have fully loaded AX cards and perhaps a personal guide with from Le Meurice...so I'm sure they will be fine!!

Gretchen

Well, of course, there IS always that feature of this particular trip!!
I will add about that kind of shopping, I picked up an apricot to buy at some point (I think it was Swizerland that time) and also got my hand spanked. The vendor picked one out FOR me. It was the worst piece of fruit I ever had!

dabunting

Why would I possibly make up a trip? First who has time for that and what would I gain to do something so stupid. I find you guys funny that you think people would actually make up a trip for the "fun" of it. I don't know. You give me way too much credit.

dabunting

Your saying you couldn't even pick out your own piece of fruit or bag? That's bizarre.

I've heard a lot about pick pocketing. So I warned my girls about that.

flpab

Harrods is like that, no prices on many of the purses. I have a friend that worked there for a year and her stories were great. No touching the bags or the fruit at the markets. The grocery is different. Denise, please post a few pics and trip report.

Tulips

Prices for expensive bags are usually inside the bag. Just open it to find the price tag. I've never had anyone tell me I couldn't pick up a bag or purse. And if it's in a display case, ask to see the bag. It's never a problem. Unless you are Oprah in Zurich....

In places like Topshop prices are on all items, on the outside. Feel free to grab as many clothes as you like.

And you pick out your own fruit, in the UK. Don't know about Paris.

I find shop assistants in France more snooty than those in the UK, in general. For example during sales they carefully guard the new collection, in case some 'discount shopper' dares to look at the full price stuff.

Pickpocketing can be a problem in any big city, just watch your belongings, wear a cross body bag with zips and inside pockets.

janisj

dabunting has posted her TR on the Travel Tips board http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...a-lifetime.cfm

Much of it seems to be 'tour agent speak' rather than actual experiences. But who knows???