Pre-Paris
Spend some time thinking about what you want to accomplish on this trip – get in as many famous sights as possible, shop til you drop or wine and dine? This drives how you will spend your time and allows you to focus planning your itinerary and wardrobe accordingly.- Book your dream dinner online, if possible, as soon as you have your itinerary set. If they don’t have an online option, make sure when you get to your hotel you ask the concierge to book for you. I use La Fourchette for online bookings.
- When booking your room take into consideration if you sleep late – then don’t book a room with a balcony because the early morning trash pick-up will drive you insane! Read about my favorite hotels in the 6th arrondissement (cool cafes and brasseries) for recommendations.
- Exchange enough money into Euro’s for taxi money for the ride to/from the airport once in Paris. Some exchange banks in the US airports give you the option where they will buy back your unused Euro’s upon your return without a fee.
- Pack a small folding bag into your luggage for items purchased abroad because you can’t take a bag larger than a large purse or backpack back on the plane with you. European security will not allow you to carry-on the same bag you did going over.
- Check to make sure the battery is working on your digital camera and that you have a large memory stick so you can click away with reckless abandon.
Skype is a great way to keep in touch from Europe for free. Download and test before the trip.- Check your cell phone plans to make sure you have International calling included or purchase a throw away phone when you arrive.
- Start brushing up on your French or get busy learning the basics with Rosetta Stone or use a free App on your cell phone. I use FrenchLITE by iTranslate on the go and for the Paris transportation info I use RATPLite – both are free Apps.
- As soon as you book your ticket, check to make sure your passport has not expired and then make sure you pack it in your carry-on! If so, go online for info on US Passports.
Re: “Pack a small folding bag into your luggage for items purchased abroad because you can’t take a bag larger than a large purse or backpack back on the plane with you. European security will not allow you to carry-on the same bag you did going over.”
Are you saying we will be required to check our carry on suitcase upon return to US from France because we won’t be able to bring it on the plane? I also carry an expandable large purse bag and are you saying that I can’t bring that back inside the plane either?
I have never heard of this and will have to pack very differently. Thanks for clarifying the details.
Jacquie
Hi Jacquie,
Yes, you read this correctly. What you can carry on when returning from France is very different from the ride over from the US. Very small rolling bags are allowed, plus your purse or small carry-on. My advice is that you check a large bag going over that is not full and pack your expandable large purse bag that you can bring onboard along with your regular purse for the way back. Does this make sense?
Cheers,
Priscilla