A google search for vacation rentals in Paris turns up thousands of results, many of them useful. A similar search, such as vacation rentals Berlin, will turn up a significant number of results. Unfortunately, the majority of them have little to offer- especially little if you're attempting to travel on a budget.
Luckily, there's Vacation Rental by Owner from Home Away (another rental website, to be discussed in a later post.) This extensive web site was recently recommended to me by a fellow traveller. I have only begun to explore it, but I can already say that it is an excellent resource for all travellers, even those with limited financial resources. Like Ah Paris, VRBO acts as a representative rental agency for individual owners. There are no additional agency fees for travellers to pay on top of the rental price. (The agency seems to make most of its money through charges to property owners.) However, rental prices are set by individual owners and vary widely, so be sure to research thoroughly before making any bookings. There are many beautiful properties listed at positively bargain prices, but you will have to spend some time hunting for them.
The best part of VRBO is that you can search for rental properties in almost any city in the world. North America, Europe, South America... it doesn't matter where you're going, VRBO offers accommodation options for when you get there. If you're travelling as a family or in a large group, never fear; they rent out houses as well as apartments.
If anyone has made bookings with VRBO or Home Away, do let me know about your experiences- positive or negative.
30 December 2009
Paris: Where to Stay [Apartments I]
One sunny Saturday morning in the summer of 2008, my boyfriend and I bought croissants from a French bakery in our hometown and ate them contemplatively in our kitchen. We were planning a lengthy European vacation, but had yet to decide the details of what countries we would visit, and where we would stay once we arrived in them. Paris appealed to us both particularly. At the time, we planned to devote a week to exploring the city of light. "I wish," I mused, somewhat unrealistically I thought, "that we could just have an apartment in Paris."
After we had licked our buttery fingers, my boyfriend went for a jog while I washed the dishes. He returned tired but jubilant. "Why," he asked me, "can't we just have an apartment in Paris?"
Why, indeed.
My google searching began the same morning. There are hundreds of companies that offer vacation rentals in Paris. The most important thing to look for, other than prices that suit your budget, is this symbol , which indicates that the Paris Office of Tourism approves of and recommends the rental agency. For a full listing of approved rental agencies, visit the Paris Office of Tourism website.
The search was half the fun. I revelled in trolling through website, examining and reexamining all the possible choices. We booked our apartment with Ah Paris, a company that acts as an agent for individual owners. The owners set the rental prices, and they can vary widely; there is no negotiation. (Often, what you pay the most for is the location; the nearer the tourist attraction, the higher the price.) They offer all the convenience that we were looking for as travellers, not tenants. For example, there are no agency fees in addition to the rental price. Heat and water are included, as well as linens. Furthermore, the staff, particularly Jéremy, were friendly and always helpful. If I had an unlimited amount of money and vacation days, I would rent apartments with Ah Paris again and again and again.
We stayed in apartment number 367, at 6 bis-6, rue de Clignancourt. Although technically in the 18th arrondissement, it was just steps from Gare du Nord. The site couldn't have been more convenient. We had easy access to all major attractions via metro lines 2 and 4 at Barbès-Rochechouart station, but we were just far enough removed from the city centre as not to be constantly surrounded by other tourists. The 23m² space was small but not cramped. The bathroom in particular was clean, modern and spacious. The kitchen came fully equipped with all that we needed to cook our own meals. There were two groceries stores, Leader Price and Champion, within half a block, as well as a patisserie just steps outside the door. A quiet courtyard, seen at below, separated us from the bustling street.
Ah Paris currently has 313 apartments for rent. There are a few I would recommend particularly... see the list below.
Ah Paris - Notable Apartments
Amenities include: DVD player, telephone, WiFi, stove and oven, washer
Amenities include: Telephone, WiFi, stove and oven, washer
Amenities include: DVD player, telephone, WiFi, dishwasher, washer, dryer, stove and oven
Amenities include: DVD player, WiFi, dishwasher, washer, dryer
Amenities include: DVD player, telephone, WiFi, stove and oven, dishwasher, washer, dryer, bathtub
Amenities include: DVD player, WiFi, stove and oven, dishwasher, washer, dryer
Amenities include: Internet access, stove and oven, dishwasher
Amenities include: WiFi, bathtub, stove
If anyone else has booked with Ah Paris before, please let me know what your impressions were. If you have any other questions about the services they offer, visit their website or contact me directly.
After we had licked our buttery fingers, my boyfriend went for a jog while I washed the dishes. He returned tired but jubilant. "Why," he asked me, "can't we just have an apartment in Paris?"
Why, indeed.
My google searching began the same morning. There are hundreds of companies that offer vacation rentals in Paris. The most important thing to look for, other than prices that suit your budget, is this symbol , which indicates that the Paris Office of Tourism approves of and recommends the rental agency. For a full listing of approved rental agencies, visit the Paris Office of Tourism website.
The search was half the fun. I revelled in trolling through website, examining and reexamining all the possible choices. We booked our apartment with Ah Paris, a company that acts as an agent for individual owners. The owners set the rental prices, and they can vary widely; there is no negotiation. (Often, what you pay the most for is the location; the nearer the tourist attraction, the higher the price.) They offer all the convenience that we were looking for as travellers, not tenants. For example, there are no agency fees in addition to the rental price. Heat and water are included, as well as linens. Furthermore, the staff, particularly Jéremy, were friendly and always helpful. If I had an unlimited amount of money and vacation days, I would rent apartments with Ah Paris again and again and again.
We stayed in apartment number 367, at 6 bis-6, rue de Clignancourt. Although technically in the 18th arrondissement, it was just steps from Gare du Nord. The site couldn't have been more convenient. We had easy access to all major attractions via metro lines 2 and 4 at Barbès-Rochechouart station, but we were just far enough removed from the city centre as not to be constantly surrounded by other tourists. The 23m² space was small but not cramped. The bathroom in particular was clean, modern and spacious. The kitchen came fully equipped with all that we needed to cook our own meals. There were two groceries stores, Leader Price and Champion, within half a block, as well as a patisserie just steps outside the door. A quiet courtyard, seen at below, separated us from the bustling street.
Ah Paris currently has 313 apartments for rent. There are a few I would recommend particularly... see the list below.
Ah Paris - Notable Apartments
- #1 15eme arrondissement (M) La Motte Picquet-Grenelle Sleeps 3 42m²
Amenities include: DVD player, telephone, WiFi, stove and oven, washer
- #107 4eme arrondissement (M) Saint-Paul Sleeps 4 35m²
Amenities include: Telephone, WiFi, stove and oven, washer
- #184 11eme arrondissement (M) Parmentier Sleeps 2 23m²
Amenities include: DVD player, telephone, WiFi, dishwasher, washer, dryer, stove and oven
- #204 10eme arrondissement (M) Poissonière Sleeps 4 37m²
Amenities include: DVD player, WiFi, dishwasher, washer, dryer
- #235 3eme arrondissement (M) Rambuteau Sleeps 6 80m²
Amenities include: DVD player, telephone, WiFi, stove and oven, dishwasher, washer, dryer, bathtub
- #273 4eme arrondissement (M) Rambuteau Sleeps 6 80m²
Amenities include: DVD player, WiFi, stove and oven, dishwasher, washer, dryer
- # 329 19eme arrondissement (M) Jourdain Sleeps 4 (but 2 would be more comfortable) 28m²
Amenities include: Internet access, stove and oven, dishwasher
- #367 18eme arrondissement (M) Barbès-Rochechouart Sleeps 2 23m²
Amenities include: WiFi, bathtub, stove
If anyone else has booked with Ah Paris before, please let me know what your impressions were. If you have any other questions about the services they offer, visit their website or contact me directly.
29 December 2009
Travel Advisory [I]
In my December 19, 2009 post Planes, Trains and Automobiles, I mentioned that I have recently become intrigued by travel agencies such as Flight Centre, which offer discount flights. Their prices are low, and as a budget traveller, that appeals to me mightily.
Unfortunately, I recently heard a terrible story about a Flight Centre booking. A traveller booked three trips to Hawaii on a Westjet flight through an agent at Flight Centre. One of the travellers had several food allergies, therefore she requested three very specific in-flight meals, and paid for them up front. Upon arriving at the Westjet counter to check-in for the flight, the travellers were all informed by a surprised airline employee that Westjet doesn't offer any in-flight meals. When the travellers further investigated, they found that Flight Centre had not only charged them for non-existent meals, but added $1400 in hidden fees for undelivered services.
Westjet provided the travellers with a free trip to Hawaii as an apology for this grave error. To my knowledge, Flight Centre did absolutely nothing to remedy the situation. So, until further notice, I would recommend avoiding Flight Centre if it is at all possible.
If anyone has had a good experience with Flight Centre, please do let me know about it.
Unfortunately, I recently heard a terrible story about a Flight Centre booking. A traveller booked three trips to Hawaii on a Westjet flight through an agent at Flight Centre. One of the travellers had several food allergies, therefore she requested three very specific in-flight meals, and paid for them up front. Upon arriving at the Westjet counter to check-in for the flight, the travellers were all informed by a surprised airline employee that Westjet doesn't offer any in-flight meals. When the travellers further investigated, they found that Flight Centre had not only charged them for non-existent meals, but added $1400 in hidden fees for undelivered services.
Westjet provided the travellers with a free trip to Hawaii as an apology for this grave error. To my knowledge, Flight Centre did absolutely nothing to remedy the situation. So, until further notice, I would recommend avoiding Flight Centre if it is at all possible.
If anyone has had a good experience with Flight Centre, please do let me know about it.
24 December 2009
French Pop
With Christmas just two short days away, I must admit that I'm feeling a bit festive. This season is a time for celebrating- and what celebration would be complete without music? So, in honour of the holidays, I thought I would post something fun.
The French make great music. As much can likely be said of almost any culture, but many of my favourite performers sing en français. Although I speak French, it really doesn't matter whether you do. If you love music, I highly recommend you track down these ten fantastic songs. You'll be playing them on repeat in no time, I guarantee. I have been for the past year, if not longer.
French Pop Top 10
Ce qui me touche, Chris Stills from the soundtrack for Cléopâtre, la dernière reine d'Égypte 2009
Il y a je t'aime et je t'aime, Quentin Mosimann from the album Il y a je t'aime et je t'aime 2009
Cargo Culte, Serge Gainsbourg from the album Histoire de Melody Nelson 1971
Toi plus moi, Grégoire from the album Toi + Moi 2008
La débâcle des sentiments, Stanislas et Calogero from the album Équilibre Instable (Stanislas) 2007
Addictions, Superbus from the album Lova Lova 2009
En Apesanteur, Calogero from the album Calogero 2002
Samba Saravah, Pierre Barouh from the soundtrack for Un homme et une femme 1966
Tatoue-moi, Mikelangelo Loconte from the soundtrack for Mozart, l'opéra rock 2009
Peut-être une angine, Anaïs Croze from the album The Love Album 2008
If you want to know more about current popular music in France, or just want to watch some music videos, be sure to visit the website for France's premier music station, NRJ (pronounced like énergie).
The French make great music. As much can likely be said of almost any culture, but many of my favourite performers sing en français. Although I speak French, it really doesn't matter whether you do. If you love music, I highly recommend you track down these ten fantastic songs. You'll be playing them on repeat in no time, I guarantee. I have been for the past year, if not longer.
French Pop Top 10
Ce qui me touche, Chris Stills from the soundtrack for Cléopâtre, la dernière reine d'Égypte 2009
Il y a je t'aime et je t'aime, Quentin Mosimann from the album Il y a je t'aime et je t'aime 2009
Cargo Culte, Serge Gainsbourg from the album Histoire de Melody Nelson 1971
Toi plus moi, Grégoire from the album Toi + Moi 2008
La débâcle des sentiments, Stanislas et Calogero from the album Équilibre Instable (Stanislas) 2007
Addictions, Superbus from the album Lova Lova 2009
En Apesanteur, Calogero from the album Calogero 2002
Samba Saravah, Pierre Barouh from the soundtrack for Un homme et une femme 1966
Tatoue-moi, Mikelangelo Loconte from the soundtrack for Mozart, l'opéra rock 2009
Peut-être une angine, Anaïs Croze from the album The Love Album 2008
If you want to know more about current popular music in France, or just want to watch some music videos, be sure to visit the website for France's premier music station, NRJ (pronounced like énergie).
23 December 2009
Paris: Where to Stay [Hotels]
I have been to Paris three times in my life, at fifteen, seventeen and twenty-three, for a cumulative total of about ten weeks. My first two trips, which were relatively short, were both spent in hotels. If you're staying for just a few days, a hotel offers all the convenience you'll need. Many hotels include breakfast, which, if you're short of time, frees you up to concentrate on sightseeing, not on finding a patisserie.
My first visit to Paris was on a school trip. We stayed in a small hotel directly across from Gare Saint-Lazare, and were strictly instructed not to turn right when leaving the hotel building. Always the type to do as I was told, I never did find out what was to the right of the hotel. I have wracked my brain all morning, but I simply can't remember the name of that hotel. I might never have known it. Since it's been nearly ten years, the hotel may now exist under a different name. As it was nine years ago, I would not have recommended it to anyone. I remember little of it, but my few memories are distinct. The worst, by far, is the memory of dragging my suitcase up five flights of narrow, winding stairs in total darkness. Although there was an elevator on the premises, it could only accomodate one person and one suitcase. A lightbulb on the staircase would have made a world of difference.
Note: If anyone does know the name of the hotel located directly across from the clock statue outside Gare Saint-Lazare, please do let me know.
As part of a school project, I did all the research for my second trip to Paris. My mother, who had never been on the European continent, was my travel companion. We used the website parishotels.com to book a room at Hotel Opéra Lafayette, a three-star establishment with an excellent location, between the Cadet and Poissonière metro stations.
Hotel Opéra Lafayette is average. The rooms were tidy but not particularly spacious; the staff was courteous but generally not friendly. Their breakfast, including croissants, baguettes, cereal, ham, cheese, tea and coffee, was excellent. Strangely enough, however, I would not recommend eating in the hotel restaurant under any circumstances; the food was atrocious considering the prices. The location is exceptional, with the Opéra-Garnier, Galléries-Lafayette and Printemps, as well as several good restaurants within easy walking distance. The regular rate for a double room is 146€ per night; however, currently, you can book a double room online for 88€ per night. I am certain that there are hotels with better price/quality parity in Paris, but if this one does interest you, visit http://www.paris-hotel-operalafayette.com/ for more information.
When I was seventeen, parishotels.com was a fabulously user-friendly website with a veritable plethora of hotel selections in a variety of Paris' arrondissements. It had declined significantly since, so much so that I found it wholly useless in 2008. However, I am perusing the site as I type this, and I must say, the site has made great improvements over the past year. If you are looking for a hotel in Paris, I would highly recommend visiting the site.
Hotels of note at parishotels.com
Hôtel la Villa d'Estrées ♥♥♥♥ (M) Saint-Michel 195€+ 11 rooms
Hôtel Jeanne d'Arc - Le Marais ♥♥ (M) Saint-Paul 62€+ 36 rooms Breakfast available; 7€
Hôtel Splendid Étoile ♥♥♥♥ (M) Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile 210€+
Hôtel Dacia-Luxembourg ♥♥♥ (M) Saint-Michel 95€+ 38 rooms Breakfast available; 11€
Hôtel Tronchet - Grands Magasins ♥♥♥ (M) Madeleine 117€+ 34 rooms Breakfast available; 16€
Hôtel du Levant ♥♥♥ (M) Saint-Michel 73€+ 47 rooms Breakfast included
Hôtel le Régent Montmartre ♥♥ (M) Anvers 42€+ 60 rooms Breakfast available; 7.50€
Hôtel de Lutèce ♥♥♥ (M) Pont-Marie 159€+ 23 rooms Breakfast available; 13€
If you would prefer to search for hotels that with prices in Canadian or US dollars, Expedia and Travelocity are invaluable resources. Although the prices on Expedia are generally slightly better, it's worthwhile to compare reviews and special promotions on both sites. Expedia in particular offers some excellent promotions, particularly if you're booking well ahead of your scheduled stay.
Hotels of note from Expedia
K&K Hotel Cayre ♥♥♥♥ (M) Rue-du-Bac 95% of 67 travellers recommend this hotel
The Five Hotel ♥♥♥ (M) Les Gobelins 95% of 24 travellers recommend this hotel
Monte Carlo ♥♥ (M) Le Peltier 100% of 6 travellers recommend this hotel
Hotels of note from Travelocity
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel ♥♥♥♥ Rated 4.5 (out of 5) by 29 travellers
Elysée Union Hotel ♥♥♥ Rated 4 (out of 5) by 143 travellers
Grand Hotel Nouvel Opéra ♥♥ Rated 5 (out of 5) by one traveller
If anyone can recommend any hotels in Paris, please do. Be sure to let me know if there are any hotels you absolutely would not recommend- that kind of information is absolutely invaluable to other travellers, and is often entertaining.
If you're planning a lengthy visit to Paris, don't book a hotel just yet; I'll be posting an entry about vacation rentals within the next few days. Until then, happy researching!
Remember: your trip is what you make it, so make it a good one!
My first visit to Paris was on a school trip. We stayed in a small hotel directly across from Gare Saint-Lazare, and were strictly instructed not to turn right when leaving the hotel building. Always the type to do as I was told, I never did find out what was to the right of the hotel. I have wracked my brain all morning, but I simply can't remember the name of that hotel. I might never have known it. Since it's been nearly ten years, the hotel may now exist under a different name. As it was nine years ago, I would not have recommended it to anyone. I remember little of it, but my few memories are distinct. The worst, by far, is the memory of dragging my suitcase up five flights of narrow, winding stairs in total darkness. Although there was an elevator on the premises, it could only accomodate one person and one suitcase. A lightbulb on the staircase would have made a world of difference.
Note: If anyone does know the name of the hotel located directly across from the clock statue outside Gare Saint-Lazare, please do let me know.
As part of a school project, I did all the research for my second trip to Paris. My mother, who had never been on the European continent, was my travel companion. We used the website parishotels.com to book a room at Hotel Opéra Lafayette, a three-star establishment with an excellent location, between the Cadet and Poissonière metro stations.
Hotel Opéra Lafayette is average. The rooms were tidy but not particularly spacious; the staff was courteous but generally not friendly. Their breakfast, including croissants, baguettes, cereal, ham, cheese, tea and coffee, was excellent. Strangely enough, however, I would not recommend eating in the hotel restaurant under any circumstances; the food was atrocious considering the prices. The location is exceptional, with the Opéra-Garnier, Galléries-Lafayette and Printemps, as well as several good restaurants within easy walking distance. The regular rate for a double room is 146€ per night; however, currently, you can book a double room online for 88€ per night. I am certain that there are hotels with better price/quality parity in Paris, but if this one does interest you, visit http://www.paris-hotel-operalafayette.com/ for more information.
When I was seventeen, parishotels.com was a fabulously user-friendly website with a veritable plethora of hotel selections in a variety of Paris' arrondissements. It had declined significantly since, so much so that I found it wholly useless in 2008. However, I am perusing the site as I type this, and I must say, the site has made great improvements over the past year. If you are looking for a hotel in Paris, I would highly recommend visiting the site.
Hotels of note at parishotels.com
Hôtel la Villa d'Estrées ♥♥♥♥ (M) Saint-Michel 195€+ 11 rooms
Hôtel Jeanne d'Arc - Le Marais ♥♥ (M) Saint-Paul 62€+ 36 rooms Breakfast available; 7€
Hôtel Splendid Étoile ♥♥♥♥ (M) Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile 210€+
Hôtel Dacia-Luxembourg ♥♥♥ (M) Saint-Michel 95€+ 38 rooms Breakfast available; 11€
Hôtel Tronchet - Grands Magasins ♥♥♥ (M) Madeleine 117€+ 34 rooms Breakfast available; 16€
Hôtel du Levant ♥♥♥ (M) Saint-Michel 73€+ 47 rooms Breakfast included
Hôtel le Régent Montmartre ♥♥ (M) Anvers 42€+ 60 rooms Breakfast available; 7.50€
Hôtel de Lutèce ♥♥♥ (M) Pont-Marie 159€+ 23 rooms Breakfast available; 13€
If you would prefer to search for hotels that with prices in Canadian or US dollars, Expedia and Travelocity are invaluable resources. Although the prices on Expedia are generally slightly better, it's worthwhile to compare reviews and special promotions on both sites. Expedia in particular offers some excellent promotions, particularly if you're booking well ahead of your scheduled stay.
Hotels of note from Expedia
K&K Hotel Cayre ♥♥♥♥ (M) Rue-du-Bac 95% of 67 travellers recommend this hotel
The Five Hotel ♥♥♥ (M) Les Gobelins 95% of 24 travellers recommend this hotel
Monte Carlo ♥♥ (M) Le Peltier 100% of 6 travellers recommend this hotel
Hotels of note from Travelocity
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel ♥♥♥♥ Rated 4.5 (out of 5) by 29 travellers
Elysée Union Hotel ♥♥♥ Rated 4 (out of 5) by 143 travellers
Grand Hotel Nouvel Opéra ♥♥ Rated 5 (out of 5) by one traveller
If anyone can recommend any hotels in Paris, please do. Be sure to let me know if there are any hotels you absolutely would not recommend- that kind of information is absolutely invaluable to other travellers, and is often entertaining.
If you're planning a lengthy visit to Paris, don't book a hotel just yet; I'll be posting an entry about vacation rentals within the next few days. Until then, happy researching!
Remember: your trip is what you make it, so make it a good one!
22 December 2009
Ah, Paris...
Picture a black-and-white Second World War-era film backdrop; a glamourous dark-haired beauty in a trench coat and wide-brimmed tiptoes gingerly down an airplane staircase onto the wet tarmac below. Violin music, barely audible, swells as she puts both feet on solid ground and looks around. The camera follows her line of vision, panning over a glittery night-time metropolis. Just before pulling back in to the heroine, the camera catches one distinguishing feature on the horizon- the Eiffel Tower.
This is how I feel when I'm in Paris.
Noam Chomsky has a theory about how the language that a person speaks can have a profound effect on their thought processes. Nowhere has this theory manifested itself more profoundly than in me. Studying with French teachers from the age of five, despite the fact that I came from an anglophone home, I never felt as though I fit-in with the English-speaking world. I expected my feeling of 'otherness' would pass once I had left high school behind, certain that once I arrived in the so-called real world, my distaste for top 40 hits and penchant for dark coloured clothing wouldn't set me so utterly apart from all of my peers.
I first visited France when I was fifteen, on a school trip. One of my most distinct memories of those ten days is the moment when one of the teacher-supervisors pointed out that my friend Marta and I, dressed in platforms shoes, skinny black pants and fitted sweaters, resembled the natives more than we did our classmates. I scanned the line of bedraggled, denim-clad, backpack toting teens plodding ahead of me; the teacher was right.
I was right about certain things. As an adult, my taste in music, sense of style, inability to speak without the aid of my hands and tendency to substitute French words for English ones that I have momentarily forgotten, are regarded with less skepticism than they were when I was a teenager. But no one in North America could ever be accused of considering me normal.
Imagine my bliss, then, when I arrived in Paris as a 23-year-old tourist and was never once recognised as one. In France, I make sense. I blend in. I ask the right questions, sing along with the right songs, laugh at the right jokes... Although across the ocean from where I was born, I am at home
I love Paris. The city of light is my passion. I am deeply, painfully jealous of its permanent residents. And yet can't help feeling a strong connection to them, knowing how many interests and mannerisms we share. I think of it with equal measures of joy and nostalgia. I want to talk about it constantly, as if the place were a boy I had a crush on. Paris is one of the great loves of my life. And I can't wait to share all of the things I adore with you.
Note: Thanks to Bryony-Becca xo for the artwork.
19 December 2009
This may be the most exciting thing you find out today!
For those of you who have already been abroad and discovered the wonders of Spanish retailer Mango, I have good news. Mango's online store, now ships to North America- both the United States and- gasp!- Canada.
Although it is killing me, I have yet to place an order myself, so I can't comment on shipping times. But Mango makes great clothes for relatively low prices, so, in my opinion, they're worth the potential wait. And, even if it takes a while, 15$ shipping to North America isn't the type of price you can argue with.
Best of all, mangoshop.com calculates all applicable taxes at the point-of-sale. So when your package arrives, no unhappy surprises- translation: extra bills- will arrive with it.
My MangoShop cart is already full of fabulous dresses and cheap basics. Holiday sales have already begun, so check it out soon.
Although it is killing me, I have yet to place an order myself, so I can't comment on shipping times. But Mango makes great clothes for relatively low prices, so, in my opinion, they're worth the potential wait. And, even if it takes a while, 15$ shipping to North America isn't the type of price you can argue with.
Best of all, mangoshop.com calculates all applicable taxes at the point-of-sale. So when your package arrives, no unhappy surprises- translation: extra bills- will arrive with it.
My MangoShop cart is already full of fabulous dresses and cheap basics. Holiday sales have already begun, so check it out soon.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Reaching your destination is, although generally not the most interesting or engaging part of a holiday, the most crucial. No vacation has ever happened without transit time between point A, home; and point B, away from home.
If you live in North America, there aren't many transit options. A very large ocean separates our continent from Europe. Although I suppose it is possible to cross the ocean by boat, that crossing in and of itself would be a vacation. By the time you arrived in Europe, there would be no time left to see anything there; you'd just have to turn around and go home again.
Water travel being obviously out of the question, travellers are left to deal with airlines. And airports.
When booking a transatlantic flight, I recommend the following...
Start by searching for flights on a website like expedia.ca.
Although they tend not to have the best prices, some of the routes they come up with may surprise you. Just this morning, their most inexpensive suggestion was a flight on Austrian Airlines that connected with Air France via London and Vienna; the cheapest return trip was on Swiss International Airlines. Additionally, expedia.ca allows you to compare prices on multiple airlines.
When booking, try to do so with only one carrier.
Any airline will be fine. I have flown with Lufthansa, Air Canada and United Airlines in the past. (My Air Canada experience, in row 46, next to the toilet, was not especially pleasant, but the tickets were relatively inexpensive.) The reason I suggest this is that if you change airlines part-way through your journey, you will likely have to pick-up your luggage and be subjected to going through airport security a second time, as you will if you stop in a country other than your home-country along the way. This can cause disaster, especially if your first flight is delayed. Although I have never missed a flight because of this, I have sprinted through many airports with my wheelie suitcase bouncing behind me. Many others have been less fortunate.
Note: Recently, I've been intrigued by the possibility of booking flights through a discount outlet such as Flight Centre (www.flightcentre.ca). They currently list flights to London as low as 149$, and flights to Paris as low as 522$ (before tax, of course). I have never used this type of service before, and cannot help being wary of it, the same way I am wary of the clearance rack at a clothing store. After all, when things go on sale, it's generally because no one wanted them. Has anyone ever used this type of travel service before? If so, what were your experiences?
Flying all the way to your final destination is one way to go, but not the only option.
Dependent upon where you live, (and probably several other factors that I am unaware of since I am not employed by an airline,) it can often be significantly less expensive to fly to London than to any other city in Europe. If London is not your final destination, never fear. You can take the Eurostar train from London to destinations in the United Kingdom, France and Belgium; including Paris, Antwerp and, for those who are travelling with children or just young at heart, the Disneyland Resort in Marne-la-Vallée. Best of all, you don't have to buy an adult ticket until you turn 26! Youth tickets, for those between the ages of 12 and 25, start at 63$ US for a non-flexible ticket. Prices can reach as high as 424$ for business premier travel. You'll have to do a bit of math to figure out of the Eurostar is the right choice for you, but it is one of the options out there.
For more information about the Eurostar, visit www.eurostar.com
Once you're in Europe, you will need to get around. The continent, particularly in the West, has an extensive rail system. If you plan to travel only short distances at a time, stopping in small towns are you go, the train is an excellent choice.
Eurail, the leading train operators in Europe, travel between twenty-two countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Eurail offers One-Country passes, Regional passes, Select (3, 4 or 5 countries) passes and Global (all 25 countries) passes. For more details on what these passes include (and what they don't), as well as how much they cost, visit www.eurail.com
The train might not be the best choice if...
You only intend to travel between major cities
You want to get to where you're going as soon as you possibly can
The countries you want to visit are not served by Eurail
If any of the previous three statements apply to you, you might want to consider flying between destinations. Impatient and impractical travellers, never fear! I am one of you. And I know that it is perfectly possible, extremely convenient and cost-effective to fly all over Europe. However, listen to the voice of experience first: do not be taken in by the promises made by airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet. Do not use these airlines unless you have absolutely no other choice. See my post to find out why: http://lamontmartraise.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/top-10-tips-for-travelling-in-europe/
There are many excellent budget airlines flying throughout Europe. Air Berlin, based in Germany, offers excellent service, economical prices and serves almost forty countries worldwide. I can in no way properly express how excellent this airline is, but I will strongly recommend that everyone visit their website to find out what they are all about. Visit www.airberlin.com. Air Berlin's sister-airline, Fly Niki, serves some different destinations and also offers friendly, courteous, pink-themed service to budget travellers. These airlines endeavour to treat all passengers well, no matter what they paid for their ticket.
For flights to Spain, and between its cities, Vueling offers comprehensive but economical service. This airline will fly almost no matter how few passengers have booked tickets, so rest assured; your flight will take off even if you are the only one on it. For more detail, visit www.vueling.com.
If you're travelling in Central and Eastern Europe, extremely low-budget airline Wizzair reaches more destinations than any other discount airline that flies in the area. I am not exaggerating when I say extremely low-budget; I booked a Wizzair flight from Paris to Budapest for less than 1 Euro plus tax. Although this airline doesn't operate out of the most convenient airports, you will find few other carriers that fly direct from Timisoara, Romania to Valencia, Spain. If you plan to travel to Eastern Europe, visit www.wizzair.com for more information on their prices and destinations.
When flying, or taking the train, be prepared to deal with occasional delays. Some delays will be long. Some, like the time I was stuck on a plane to Barcelona for nearly two hours because Orly Airport was had run out of de-icing fluid and it had begun to snow, will be incredibly frustrating. Just try to remind yourself that sometimes, getting somewhere is half the fun. And when you do arrive, buy yourself something really nice.
If you live in North America, there aren't many transit options. A very large ocean separates our continent from Europe. Although I suppose it is possible to cross the ocean by boat, that crossing in and of itself would be a vacation. By the time you arrived in Europe, there would be no time left to see anything there; you'd just have to turn around and go home again.
Water travel being obviously out of the question, travellers are left to deal with airlines. And airports.
When booking a transatlantic flight, I recommend the following...
Start by searching for flights on a website like expedia.ca.
Although they tend not to have the best prices, some of the routes they come up with may surprise you. Just this morning, their most inexpensive suggestion was a flight on Austrian Airlines that connected with Air France via London and Vienna; the cheapest return trip was on Swiss International Airlines. Additionally, expedia.ca allows you to compare prices on multiple airlines.
When booking, try to do so with only one carrier.
Any airline will be fine. I have flown with Lufthansa, Air Canada and United Airlines in the past. (My Air Canada experience, in row 46, next to the toilet, was not especially pleasant, but the tickets were relatively inexpensive.) The reason I suggest this is that if you change airlines part-way through your journey, you will likely have to pick-up your luggage and be subjected to going through airport security a second time, as you will if you stop in a country other than your home-country along the way. This can cause disaster, especially if your first flight is delayed. Although I have never missed a flight because of this, I have sprinted through many airports with my wheelie suitcase bouncing behind me. Many others have been less fortunate.
Note: Recently, I've been intrigued by the possibility of booking flights through a discount outlet such as Flight Centre (www.flightcentre.ca). They currently list flights to London as low as 149$, and flights to Paris as low as 522$ (before tax, of course). I have never used this type of service before, and cannot help being wary of it, the same way I am wary of the clearance rack at a clothing store. After all, when things go on sale, it's generally because no one wanted them. Has anyone ever used this type of travel service before? If so, what were your experiences?
Flying all the way to your final destination is one way to go, but not the only option.
Dependent upon where you live, (and probably several other factors that I am unaware of since I am not employed by an airline,) it can often be significantly less expensive to fly to London than to any other city in Europe. If London is not your final destination, never fear. You can take the Eurostar train from London to destinations in the United Kingdom, France and Belgium; including Paris, Antwerp and, for those who are travelling with children or just young at heart, the Disneyland Resort in Marne-la-Vallée. Best of all, you don't have to buy an adult ticket until you turn 26! Youth tickets, for those between the ages of 12 and 25, start at 63$ US for a non-flexible ticket. Prices can reach as high as 424$ for business premier travel. You'll have to do a bit of math to figure out of the Eurostar is the right choice for you, but it is one of the options out there.
For more information about the Eurostar, visit www.eurostar.com
Once you're in Europe, you will need to get around. The continent, particularly in the West, has an extensive rail system. If you plan to travel only short distances at a time, stopping in small towns are you go, the train is an excellent choice.
Eurail, the leading train operators in Europe, travel between twenty-two countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Eurail offers One-Country passes, Regional passes, Select (3, 4 or 5 countries) passes and Global (all 25 countries) passes. For more details on what these passes include (and what they don't), as well as how much they cost, visit www.eurail.com
The train is probably for you if...
You want to visit multiple destinations within a single country
You like to travel at a less-than-hectic pace
You will be travelling a very short distance; for example, between Bratislava and Vienna, or Paris and Brussels
The train might not be the best choice if...
You only intend to travel between major cities
You want to get to where you're going as soon as you possibly can
The countries you want to visit are not served by Eurail
If any of the previous three statements apply to you, you might want to consider flying between destinations. Impatient and impractical travellers, never fear! I am one of you. And I know that it is perfectly possible, extremely convenient and cost-effective to fly all over Europe. However, listen to the voice of experience first: do not be taken in by the promises made by airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet. Do not use these airlines unless you have absolutely no other choice. See my post to find out why: http://lamontmartraise.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/top-10-tips-for-travelling-in-europe/
There are many excellent budget airlines flying throughout Europe. Air Berlin, based in Germany, offers excellent service, economical prices and serves almost forty countries worldwide. I can in no way properly express how excellent this airline is, but I will strongly recommend that everyone visit their website to find out what they are all about. Visit www.airberlin.com. Air Berlin's sister-airline, Fly Niki, serves some different destinations and also offers friendly, courteous, pink-themed service to budget travellers. These airlines endeavour to treat all passengers well, no matter what they paid for their ticket.
For flights to Spain, and between its cities, Vueling offers comprehensive but economical service. This airline will fly almost no matter how few passengers have booked tickets, so rest assured; your flight will take off even if you are the only one on it. For more detail, visit www.vueling.com.
If you're travelling in Central and Eastern Europe, extremely low-budget airline Wizzair reaches more destinations than any other discount airline that flies in the area. I am not exaggerating when I say extremely low-budget; I booked a Wizzair flight from Paris to Budapest for less than 1 Euro plus tax. Although this airline doesn't operate out of the most convenient airports, you will find few other carriers that fly direct from Timisoara, Romania to Valencia, Spain. If you plan to travel to Eastern Europe, visit www.wizzair.com for more information on their prices and destinations.
When flying, or taking the train, be prepared to deal with occasional delays. Some delays will be long. Some, like the time I was stuck on a plane to Barcelona for nearly two hours because Orly Airport was had run out of de-icing fluid and it had begun to snow, will be incredibly frustrating. Just try to remind yourself that sometimes, getting somewhere is half the fun. And when you do arrive, buy yourself something really nice.
18 December 2009
Top 10 Tips for Travelling in Europe
There are a lot of things that I wish I had known before I first travelled across the ocean when I was fifteen. I've made the trip a few times since, and I learn more every time. Some of lessons I have learned really cannot be stressed enough, so I've made a list of them. Study it. Memorise it. At some point, there will be a test.
Seriously, though; these tips will make your trip far less stressful and, consequently, that much more enjoyable.
The Top Ten (in no particular order)
10. Don't just tell your family that you're going away; call your credit card company, too.
There is nothing more awkward than attempting to make your first fabulous purchase on Visa or MasterCard, only to have it declined. Especially if you don't speak enough of the country's language to stammer an embarrassed explanation. If you attempt to make purchases across the ocean from your billing address, your credit card company has no way of knowing that you're the one swiping the card. Unless you tell them. They may choose to block your card, in case of fraud. (That's not a bad thing; you would want your card blocked if someone other than you were trying to use it.) So, to avoid making long and expensive international calls to clear up the situation, just give your credit card company a quick call before you leave. Let them know where you're going, and how long you'll be there, and you should have a worry-free shopping experience.
9. Travellers' cheques are virtually useless.
They have their perks, granted. Unlike cash, you can replace them if they are lost or stolen. However, they are difficult- sometimes almost impossible- to cash. Most stores don't accept them as a form of payment. You can take them to a bank or currency exchange, but, unless you have a bank account in Europe, you will most likely be subject to cheque-cashing fees. Or simply turned away all-together. Your best bet is to take some cash, along with your debit and credit cards. As long as you use them at a point-of-sale machine and don't go over your monthly limit, those cards shouldn't charge additional overseas fees.
8. Travel during the off-season.
The list of reasons to travel at non-peak times is almost endless. Airfares are cheaper. Accommodations are cheaper. For those reasons alone, the off-season is ideal for a budget traveller. Moreover, public transport is less crowded. Lines are shorter. Most attractions are open all year, aside from a few theme parks (Parc Astérix in France, for example, is only open April to November.) If you have your heart set on seeing something specific, just make sure to investigate before you leave. Western European countries have relatively mild weather year-round, making sight-seeing just as pleasant in January as it is in July. It's easier to see those sights in January, though, because the crowds of people clamouring to look at them are a great deal smaller at that time of year.
7. Skip the hotel; rent a vacation apartment.
If you plan to stay in any given place for more than two nights, a vacation apartment is the way to go. Although hotels do come in many price brackets, apartments offer even more convenience- generally for less money. There are countless websites offering vacation rental apartments; vrbo.com is particularly good as they offer apartments world-wide. I have also used ahparis.com and had wonderful experiences with them. Some apartments start at as little as 50 Euros a night. Compared to a budget room at an Etap or Formule 1 hotel, which, depending on the city, could cost anywhere from 40 to 90 Euros a night, a furnished room with an equipped kitchen is a steal. If you're staying in Europe for a few weeks, or even a few months, the cost savings over hotels is astounding. Math is not my forte, so I haven't worked it out exactly, but for a stay of several months, some apartments could cost less than hostels. And nothing beats the convenience of having a home-away-from-home to go to after a long day of sight-seeing. You can cook your own meals in an apartment. And if you have your "own" place, you will have a certain amount of storage. That means you don't have to drag your whole suitcase, new clothes and all, every time you visit a new city.
6. Avoid bargain-basement airlines.
It is, sadly, both cheaper and faster to travel between most European cities by plane than by train. Unless the cities in question are less than two hours apart, you're almost invariably better off in the air than on land, even with the time wasted going through airport security checkpoints. I recommend experiencing train travel once. But if you're moving from country to country regularly, the train just isn't efficient or cost-effective. However, not all airlines are created equal. Even if you're trying to see Europe on a minimal budget, avoid airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet. Do not book with either of these airlines unless you have absolutely no other option. Ryanair only flies out of the most inconveniently located airports in Europe. For example, they fly out of Paris-Beauvais, an airport located over an hour outside of the city limits that can only be reached by car or by taking a special chartered bus that costs 13 Euros each direction. By the time you add that amount to the cost of your flight, you could have flown on a better airline. To add insult to injury, these airlines leave themselves only 40 minutes between flights, so they are constantly running behind.
I highly recommend both Air Berlin and Fly Niki. If you book in advance they have excellent prices, often comparable to those of Ryanair, and their service is phenomenal.
5. Eat street food. Lots of it.
Beyond the obvious fact that a lemon crêpe in Paris or a paper box of stir fry prepared in a open-air tent in Berlin will blow your average North American hotdog cart hotdog right out of the water, street food is economical. If you're near a tourist attraction and starving, all of your food options will be more costly than if you were further afield. But as long as you're not married to the idea of sitting on a chair at a table, you can have good food for a relatively low price. It costs a lot less to rent a cart than it does to rent a whole restaurant, and your bill will reflect that cost. Street vendors tend to do paninis better than restauranteurs, anyway.
4. Money-belts are not a necessity; common sense is.
There is nothing I find more uncomfortable than walking around all day wearing what basically amounts to a flattened fanny pack under my pants. Even more awkward than that is having to reach into my pants to retrieve money when paying for a purchase. People do get mugged when travelling. But they also get mugged when they're walking down the street in their hometown. That's life. It's as safe to carry a purse with a wallet in it in Europe as it is in North America. That said, do not, under any circumstances, carry your wallet in your back pocket. Most jackets have inner pockets that are perfect for holding wallets. Furthermore, don't do things you wouldn't do at home. Be aware of people around you, especially if you're somewhere crowded. If possible, do not carry your passport everywhere you go. (If you are staying in an apartment this is easy; otherwise, try to book a hotel with a safe.) Don't carry all of your cash on your person. Ever. Finally, try to blend in. If you are less conspicuous, you will be a more difficult target for pickpockets.
3. There is no such thing as too many pairs of shoes.
You will be doing a lot of walking. In fact, you will walk exponentially more than you normally do, especially if you own a car. That does not mean you need to buy a new pair of shiny white cross trainers. You will look ridiculous. And your feet will still hurt. If you walk more than you're used to walking, that's what happens. In my experience, the best thing to do is pack several pairs of reasonably comfortable shoes. If you try to wear the same ones every day, you will get blisters. Theoretically, a regular rotation of three or four pairs should spare you from that. Of course, in an ideal situation, you would pack three or four pairs of shoes and buy six or eight more along the way...
2. Even if you don't speak the language, try. Please.
I know that all of my readers are intelligent, practical people and would never assume that everyone in the world speaks English simply because they do. I have encountered many people who entertain that assumption, but I know that none of you are among them, so I will not mention it further. What I will mention is something that I have learned from experience. First of all, before you leave, jot down basic words in the languages you'll encounter on your travels; phrases like please, thank-you and where is the bathroom are essential. Secondly, please, please do not be like me and leave your notes in your hotel room. Being able to read the Cyrillic alphabet and being able to speak Bulgarian are two very different things, and I am certain that my pastry purchasing adventures in Sofia would have gone infinitely more smoothly if I brought along the cheat notes that I had so diligently prepared.
1. Maps offer suggestions, not rules.
I would never recommend that you simply wander through a country aimlessly, thereby missing out on many of the architectural marvels and stunning gallery pieces. But be sure to do some wandering. Put your map away. Don't worry about getting lost; as long as you can find a bus or subway station, you'll be able to find a way back to your hotel. I don't advocate skipping the Eiffel Tower simply because you've seen it in pictures. Or even if you've seen it before. But there is so much more to every city than the few landmarks that made it famous.You'll find real gems through unmarked doors and on back streets. For example, there is a museum beneath the floors of Sofia's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This crypt houses Bulgarian religious icons. No sign marks the door, though; it's simply to the left of the main cathedral entrance. There is also rue Saint-André-des-Arts in Paris, a tiny alcove street with pocked cobbles that haven't been replaced for centuries, that can only be reached through two tiny doorways in the narrow, snaking streets near Place-Saint-Michel. One wrong turn, and you'll miss it.
Unexpected things are easy to find if you open your eyes. But it's hard to do that if you're constantly studying a map, searching for street names.
Oh, and one more thing; enjoy yourself! Your memories will last for the rest of your life, so make them good ones!
Seriously, though; these tips will make your trip far less stressful and, consequently, that much more enjoyable.
The Top Ten (in no particular order)
10. Don't just tell your family that you're going away; call your credit card company, too.
There is nothing more awkward than attempting to make your first fabulous purchase on Visa or MasterCard, only to have it declined. Especially if you don't speak enough of the country's language to stammer an embarrassed explanation. If you attempt to make purchases across the ocean from your billing address, your credit card company has no way of knowing that you're the one swiping the card. Unless you tell them. They may choose to block your card, in case of fraud. (That's not a bad thing; you would want your card blocked if someone other than you were trying to use it.) So, to avoid making long and expensive international calls to clear up the situation, just give your credit card company a quick call before you leave. Let them know where you're going, and how long you'll be there, and you should have a worry-free shopping experience.
9. Travellers' cheques are virtually useless.
They have their perks, granted. Unlike cash, you can replace them if they are lost or stolen. However, they are difficult- sometimes almost impossible- to cash. Most stores don't accept them as a form of payment. You can take them to a bank or currency exchange, but, unless you have a bank account in Europe, you will most likely be subject to cheque-cashing fees. Or simply turned away all-together. Your best bet is to take some cash, along with your debit and credit cards. As long as you use them at a point-of-sale machine and don't go over your monthly limit, those cards shouldn't charge additional overseas fees.
8. Travel during the off-season.
The list of reasons to travel at non-peak times is almost endless. Airfares are cheaper. Accommodations are cheaper. For those reasons alone, the off-season is ideal for a budget traveller. Moreover, public transport is less crowded. Lines are shorter. Most attractions are open all year, aside from a few theme parks (Parc Astérix in France, for example, is only open April to November.) If you have your heart set on seeing something specific, just make sure to investigate before you leave. Western European countries have relatively mild weather year-round, making sight-seeing just as pleasant in January as it is in July. It's easier to see those sights in January, though, because the crowds of people clamouring to look at them are a great deal smaller at that time of year.
7. Skip the hotel; rent a vacation apartment.
If you plan to stay in any given place for more than two nights, a vacation apartment is the way to go. Although hotels do come in many price brackets, apartments offer even more convenience- generally for less money. There are countless websites offering vacation rental apartments; vrbo.com is particularly good as they offer apartments world-wide. I have also used ahparis.com and had wonderful experiences with them. Some apartments start at as little as 50 Euros a night. Compared to a budget room at an Etap or Formule 1 hotel, which, depending on the city, could cost anywhere from 40 to 90 Euros a night, a furnished room with an equipped kitchen is a steal. If you're staying in Europe for a few weeks, or even a few months, the cost savings over hotels is astounding. Math is not my forte, so I haven't worked it out exactly, but for a stay of several months, some apartments could cost less than hostels. And nothing beats the convenience of having a home-away-from-home to go to after a long day of sight-seeing. You can cook your own meals in an apartment. And if you have your "own" place, you will have a certain amount of storage. That means you don't have to drag your whole suitcase, new clothes and all, every time you visit a new city.
6. Avoid bargain-basement airlines.
It is, sadly, both cheaper and faster to travel between most European cities by plane than by train. Unless the cities in question are less than two hours apart, you're almost invariably better off in the air than on land, even with the time wasted going through airport security checkpoints. I recommend experiencing train travel once. But if you're moving from country to country regularly, the train just isn't efficient or cost-effective. However, not all airlines are created equal. Even if you're trying to see Europe on a minimal budget, avoid airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet. Do not book with either of these airlines unless you have absolutely no other option. Ryanair only flies out of the most inconveniently located airports in Europe. For example, they fly out of Paris-Beauvais, an airport located over an hour outside of the city limits that can only be reached by car or by taking a special chartered bus that costs 13 Euros each direction. By the time you add that amount to the cost of your flight, you could have flown on a better airline. To add insult to injury, these airlines leave themselves only 40 minutes between flights, so they are constantly running behind.
I highly recommend both Air Berlin and Fly Niki. If you book in advance they have excellent prices, often comparable to those of Ryanair, and their service is phenomenal.
5. Eat street food. Lots of it.
Beyond the obvious fact that a lemon crêpe in Paris or a paper box of stir fry prepared in a open-air tent in Berlin will blow your average North American hotdog cart hotdog right out of the water, street food is economical. If you're near a tourist attraction and starving, all of your food options will be more costly than if you were further afield. But as long as you're not married to the idea of sitting on a chair at a table, you can have good food for a relatively low price. It costs a lot less to rent a cart than it does to rent a whole restaurant, and your bill will reflect that cost. Street vendors tend to do paninis better than restauranteurs, anyway.
4. Money-belts are not a necessity; common sense is.
There is nothing I find more uncomfortable than walking around all day wearing what basically amounts to a flattened fanny pack under my pants. Even more awkward than that is having to reach into my pants to retrieve money when paying for a purchase. People do get mugged when travelling. But they also get mugged when they're walking down the street in their hometown. That's life. It's as safe to carry a purse with a wallet in it in Europe as it is in North America. That said, do not, under any circumstances, carry your wallet in your back pocket. Most jackets have inner pockets that are perfect for holding wallets. Furthermore, don't do things you wouldn't do at home. Be aware of people around you, especially if you're somewhere crowded. If possible, do not carry your passport everywhere you go. (If you are staying in an apartment this is easy; otherwise, try to book a hotel with a safe.) Don't carry all of your cash on your person. Ever. Finally, try to blend in. If you are less conspicuous, you will be a more difficult target for pickpockets.
3. There is no such thing as too many pairs of shoes.
You will be doing a lot of walking. In fact, you will walk exponentially more than you normally do, especially if you own a car. That does not mean you need to buy a new pair of shiny white cross trainers. You will look ridiculous. And your feet will still hurt. If you walk more than you're used to walking, that's what happens. In my experience, the best thing to do is pack several pairs of reasonably comfortable shoes. If you try to wear the same ones every day, you will get blisters. Theoretically, a regular rotation of three or four pairs should spare you from that. Of course, in an ideal situation, you would pack three or four pairs of shoes and buy six or eight more along the way...
2. Even if you don't speak the language, try. Please.
I know that all of my readers are intelligent, practical people and would never assume that everyone in the world speaks English simply because they do. I have encountered many people who entertain that assumption, but I know that none of you are among them, so I will not mention it further. What I will mention is something that I have learned from experience. First of all, before you leave, jot down basic words in the languages you'll encounter on your travels; phrases like please, thank-you and where is the bathroom are essential. Secondly, please, please do not be like me and leave your notes in your hotel room. Being able to read the Cyrillic alphabet and being able to speak Bulgarian are two very different things, and I am certain that my pastry purchasing adventures in Sofia would have gone infinitely more smoothly if I brought along the cheat notes that I had so diligently prepared.
1. Maps offer suggestions, not rules.
I would never recommend that you simply wander through a country aimlessly, thereby missing out on many of the architectural marvels and stunning gallery pieces. But be sure to do some wandering. Put your map away. Don't worry about getting lost; as long as you can find a bus or subway station, you'll be able to find a way back to your hotel. I don't advocate skipping the Eiffel Tower simply because you've seen it in pictures. Or even if you've seen it before. But there is so much more to every city than the few landmarks that made it famous.You'll find real gems through unmarked doors and on back streets. For example, there is a museum beneath the floors of Sofia's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This crypt houses Bulgarian religious icons. No sign marks the door, though; it's simply to the left of the main cathedral entrance. There is also rue Saint-André-des-Arts in Paris, a tiny alcove street with pocked cobbles that haven't been replaced for centuries, that can only be reached through two tiny doorways in the narrow, snaking streets near Place-Saint-Michel. One wrong turn, and you'll miss it.
Unexpected things are easy to find if you open your eyes. But it's hard to do that if you're constantly studying a map, searching for street names.
Oh, and one more thing; enjoy yourself! Your memories will last for the rest of your life, so make them good ones!
17 December 2009
Where I Wish I Could Be...
The fact that I will never be more than 5'2" is one of the great tragedies of my century. The great tragedy of my year is that the only holidays I have planned for the entirety of 2010 are visits to my parents in my hometown. But, if all goes according to plan, I will be jet setting off on my honeymoon in early January 2011!
If it didn't seem to utterly ludicrous, I would already be counting down the days.
Our current honeymoon plan is to rent an apartment in Paris for a month, and use that as our home base for side trips to three European capitals; Luxembourg City, Amsterdam and Brussels. The fact is, even if I had an unlimited travel budget, I would probably still choose to stay in Paris over anywhere else in the world. In fact, if I thought there was any way on earth that I could get an EU passport legally, I would be on a plane there now.
But... I do also hope that I can someday visit Buenos Aires and Casablanca; Dubrovnik, Athens, Saint Petersburg and Prague; Cairo, Giza, Stockholm, Jerusalem, Belgrade, Rome... I dream that one day Kabul will be at peace so that I may visit the enigmatic valley city whose people have never been conquered. If I knew that I would only be able to visit one more city in my lifetime, I think I would choose Kabul.
Tell me, if money and time were of absolutely no consequence... where would you be right now?
If it didn't seem to utterly ludicrous, I would already be counting down the days.
Our current honeymoon plan is to rent an apartment in Paris for a month, and use that as our home base for side trips to three European capitals; Luxembourg City, Amsterdam and Brussels. The fact is, even if I had an unlimited travel budget, I would probably still choose to stay in Paris over anywhere else in the world. In fact, if I thought there was any way on earth that I could get an EU passport legally, I would be on a plane there now.
But... I do also hope that I can someday visit Buenos Aires and Casablanca; Dubrovnik, Athens, Saint Petersburg and Prague; Cairo, Giza, Stockholm, Jerusalem, Belgrade, Rome... I dream that one day Kabul will be at peace so that I may visit the enigmatic valley city whose people have never been conquered. If I knew that I would only be able to visit one more city in my lifetime, I think I would choose Kabul.
Tell me, if money and time were of absolutely no consequence... where would you be right now?
16 December 2009
Where I've been...
Just in case you're skeptical about my travel expertise- or just curious about my adventures- I've compiled an almost exhaustive list of all the places I have ever visited. Since there are a few (to put it mildly), I've organised the list in descending order- by continent, country and city. Cities I've lived in shown in bold.
North America
Canada
Vancouver, BC
Victoria, BC
Richmond, BC
Burnaby, BC
New Westminster, BC
Surrey, BC
Coquitlam, BC
Kamloops, BC
Kelowna, BC
Revelstoke, BC
Canmore, AB
Banff, AB
Jasper, AB
Calgary, AB
Edmonton, AB
Wainwright, AB
Red Deer, AB
Medicine Hat, AB
Swift Current, SK
Saskatoon, SK
Moosejaw, SK
Regina, SK
Virden, MB
Souris, MB
Brandon, MB
Neepawa, MB
Dauphin, MB
Morris, MB
Morden, MB
Steinbach, MB
Selkirk, MB
Winnipeg, MB
Beausejour, MB
Lac du Bonnet, MB
Kenora, ON
Dryden, ON
Thunder Bay, ON
London, ON
Toronto, ON
Ajax, ON
Etobicoke, ON
Belleville, ON
Montréal, PQ
Québec, PQ
Rivière-du-Loup, PQ
Mexico
Acapulco
United States of America
Bellingham, WA
Seattle, WA
Los Angeles, CA
Anaheim, CA
Goat Haunt, MT
Houston, TX
Grand Forks, ND
Minot, ND
Fargo, ND
Watertown, SD
Brookings, SD
Sioux Falls, SD
Thief River Falls, MN
Detroit Lakes, MN
Bemidji, MN
Minneapolis, MN
St Paul, MN
Eden Prairie, MN
Brainerd, MN
Duluth, MN
Hayward, WI
Tampa, FL
Orlando, FL
Kissimmee, FL
New York, NY
South America/Caribbean
Dominican Republic
Puerto Plata
Europe
AustriaVienna
Bulgaria
Sofia
England
London
Henley-on-Thames
Cheschire
Swindon
Reading
France
ParisNice
Nimes
Avignon
Aix-en-Provence
Eze
Arles
Germany
Berlin
Frankfurt
Hungary
Budapest
Monaco
Slovakia
Bratislava
SpainBarcelona
Bilbao
Palma de Mallorca
Switzerland
Geneva
Wales
Ystradgynlais
My list may seem long, but if you put push-pins in all of those places on a map, it becomes obvious how much of the world is still out there for me to discover. What's more, push-pins can't tell you that I've spent far more time in places like Grand Forks, North Dakota, than is strictly necessary; simply because those places are close to home and sometimes- almost always, in fact- it's better to travel anywhere than to stay at home.
I still have a lot of places to discover. But career girls with fine arts degrees only get so many vacation days... so in the meantime, I'll just have to keep dreaming. And writing.
North America
Canada
Vancouver, BC
Victoria, BC
Richmond, BC
Burnaby, BC
New Westminster, BC
Surrey, BC
Coquitlam, BC
Kamloops, BC
Kelowna, BC
Revelstoke, BC
Canmore, AB
Banff, AB
Jasper, AB
Calgary, AB
Edmonton, AB
Wainwright, AB
Red Deer, AB
Medicine Hat, AB
Swift Current, SK
Saskatoon, SK
Moosejaw, SK
Regina, SK
Virden, MB
Souris, MB
Brandon, MB
Neepawa, MB
Dauphin, MB
Morris, MB
Morden, MB
Steinbach, MB
Selkirk, MB
Winnipeg, MB
Beausejour, MB
Lac du Bonnet, MB
Kenora, ON
Dryden, ON
Thunder Bay, ON
London, ON
Toronto, ON
Ajax, ON
Etobicoke, ON
Belleville, ON
Montréal, PQ
Québec, PQ
Rivière-du-Loup, PQ
Mexico
Acapulco
United States of America
Bellingham, WA
Seattle, WA
Los Angeles, CA
Anaheim, CA
Goat Haunt, MT
Houston, TX
Grand Forks, ND
Minot, ND
Fargo, ND
Watertown, SD
Brookings, SD
Sioux Falls, SD
Thief River Falls, MN
Detroit Lakes, MN
Bemidji, MN
Minneapolis, MN
St Paul, MN
Eden Prairie, MN
Brainerd, MN
Duluth, MN
Hayward, WI
Tampa, FL
Orlando, FL
Kissimmee, FL
New York, NY
South America/Caribbean
Dominican Republic
Puerto Plata
Europe
AustriaVienna
Bulgaria
Sofia
England
London
Henley-on-Thames
Cheschire
Swindon
Reading
France
ParisNice
Nimes
Avignon
Aix-en-Provence
Eze
Arles
Germany
Berlin
Frankfurt
Hungary
Budapest
Monaco
Slovakia
Bratislava
SpainBarcelona
Bilbao
Palma de Mallorca
Switzerland
Geneva
Wales
Ystradgynlais
My list may seem long, but if you put push-pins in all of those places on a map, it becomes obvious how much of the world is still out there for me to discover. What's more, push-pins can't tell you that I've spent far more time in places like Grand Forks, North Dakota, than is strictly necessary; simply because those places are close to home and sometimes- almost always, in fact- it's better to travel anywhere than to stay at home.
I still have a lot of places to discover. But career girls with fine arts degrees only get so many vacation days... so in the meantime, I'll just have to keep dreaming. And writing.
11 December 2009
Bienvenue
Lucky you. You've come upon my blog either by clicking I'm feeling lucky on a google search, or through one of the many other channels I've used to get the word out. Welcome!
If you love travelling, or fashion, or both- as I do- then you've come to the right place. I was ten months old when I first boarded an airplane; that was approximately the age when I began sleeping with my new shoes (so that they would be the first thing I saw when I woke up, naturally.)
During a recent two-month stint in Paris, and the year that lead up to it, I learned that I have a deep and abiding (if bizarre) love for travel research. I will happily spend weeks hunting down the perfect hotel room for a two-night stay; ditto the perfect pair of skinny jeans for a night out. I am adamant that I get a good value, not a 'tourist' price, and I am willing to work for it. My pockets, like most, aren't particularly deep. It's a shame to spend all of your money just to get somewhere; enjoying and experiencing all that a destination has to offer costs money, too. Unfortunately, I've learned from experience that if you're not careful, it can cost a lot.
Not everyone has a lot of free time for extensive trip-planning. Others may simply not know where to start. That's where I come in. Based on experience and research, I will offer recommendations for all aspects of short and long holidays; where to stay, what to eat, what to see and, of course, where to shop!
All of my recommendations are just suggestions. After all, I know a lot about travelling, but I don't - and can't possibly - know everything.
I would love to hear your thoughts, too! So, travel enthusiasts, bargain hunters, style mavens... take note. Send me your rants, raves, loves, hates, questions and concerns. Seriously. Anything at all. That's what I'm here for. Your Fodor's book can't talk back, but I can. And will, happily.
Pack your bags. But be sure to leave extra room for all the stylish souvenirs you'll bring back.
If you love travelling, or fashion, or both- as I do- then you've come to the right place. I was ten months old when I first boarded an airplane; that was approximately the age when I began sleeping with my new shoes (so that they would be the first thing I saw when I woke up, naturally.)
During a recent two-month stint in Paris, and the year that lead up to it, I learned that I have a deep and abiding (if bizarre) love for travel research. I will happily spend weeks hunting down the perfect hotel room for a two-night stay; ditto the perfect pair of skinny jeans for a night out. I am adamant that I get a good value, not a 'tourist' price, and I am willing to work for it. My pockets, like most, aren't particularly deep. It's a shame to spend all of your money just to get somewhere; enjoying and experiencing all that a destination has to offer costs money, too. Unfortunately, I've learned from experience that if you're not careful, it can cost a lot.
Not everyone has a lot of free time for extensive trip-planning. Others may simply not know where to start. That's where I come in. Based on experience and research, I will offer recommendations for all aspects of short and long holidays; where to stay, what to eat, what to see and, of course, where to shop!
All of my recommendations are just suggestions. After all, I know a lot about travelling, but I don't - and can't possibly - know everything.
I would love to hear your thoughts, too! So, travel enthusiasts, bargain hunters, style mavens... take note. Send me your rants, raves, loves, hates, questions and concerns. Seriously. Anything at all. That's what I'm here for. Your Fodor's book can't talk back, but I can. And will, happily.
Pack your bags. But be sure to leave extra room for all the stylish souvenirs you'll bring back.
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