Almost everybody that I know is dreaming of going to Paris. If you are one of the lucky people who can afford to stay in this glamorous city, then do not waste your opportunity and make sure that everything will go as smoothly as they can when you arrive in Paris. To make sure that your trip will be exciting and memorable, it is always helpful for you to plan ahead. Here are some travel tips that can prove to be handy once you're in the City of Lights:
• Learn some French phrases
Learning a few French phrases will definitely make your life easier while you are in Paris. Purchase a French-English dictionary and teach yourself some simple phrases like Bonjour, Merci, and non. If you are not sure about the pronunciation, you can always enlist the help of your neighbors in your apartment in Paris. You may be surprised that some of them are very willing to share their knowledge and help a foreigner have a better grasp of their language.
• Be prepared for queues
As you know, Paris is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. There are million of people who come to visit this city everyday, and to accommodate everyone, a system has to be implemented. Unfortunately, the volume of tourists forced many establishments like museums and art galleries to request their visitors to fall in line to be able to enter the premises. This may seem off-putting as you want to get in as quickly as you can, but being prepared for queues will surely prepare you mentally and physically when you go out and visit the highlights of the city.
• Make reservations
Vacation in Paris has the best restaurants, cafes, and bistros that you can find. However, your apartment's proximity is no guarantee that when you arrive in the restaurant, seats will be available for you. In order to have a hassle-free dinner date, take the time to make reservations.
• Be polite
When you go out of your Paris vacation rentals to stroll and walk along the streets of the city, always be polite to souvenir sellers and gypsies. They may be a bit annoying as they follow you around, trying to sell their merchandise to you, but always keep your cool and refuse them politely. Before you go, you can ask your landlord for some tips on how to deal with these people to avoid further problems.
• Bring 100 euro notes
Do not use 500 euro notes to pay for purchases such as clothes, souvenir items, and snacks. Most of the Parisian businessmen will not even touch it, making it hard for you to break it. 500 euro notes are generally used for payment of expensive meals, or accommodations in a hotel. To make your life easier, bring 100 notes. A visit in Paris is truly a remarkable experience. Make sure that you are prepared emotionally and physically as you discover more about this city. Keep an open mind and learn as much as you can.
Martin Wynn
