My husband and I are leaving for our first trip to Paris next week. We will be there for 7 days, with a friends%26#39; wedding taking up one of those days. We are NOT experienced international traveler%26#39;s. What are we forgetting?
We are in our late 20s - any additional tips appreciated!
- Passports in hand, leaving a copy with family members at home
- We%26#39;ve told our bank that we will be in traveling so hopefully no problems with ATM card
- We%26#39;re bringing about 200 Euros with us, ATM card, and AMEX
- We have a electrical converter
- We have comfy, trendy shoes =)
- We%26#39;re bringing nicer, but comfortable clothes for touring
- Staying at the Westin by the Louvre, we don%26#39;t have our itinerary set yet, but we plan on doing the Segway tour the first day to get to know the city
- French friends will also be staying with us at our hotel, along with other French friends who will also be in town for the wedding to help us
- We have a money belt and very small messenger type bag, have heard about pick pocketers
- We%26#39;re packing light, and taking a taxi from the airport to our hotel, then using the metro other days
What big things am I forgetting?
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Your AMEX card will be virtually useless. Take a VISA/MasterCard.
Take a copy of your passports with you. It%26#39;s easier to get a replacement if you can prove to the embassy that you have a passport by showing them a xerox copy.
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In case you want to buy the Carte Orange for the metro, you%26#39;ll need a couple of passport pictures (approx. 25 x 30 mm, either B/W or color).
Always when I return home from Paris, I discover that I need more (or bigger) bags, because of all the stuff I%26#39;ve bought during my stay. I%26#39;ve now bought a strong, lightweight foldable bag...
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I always have a copy of our RXs including a copy of our eye glass prescriptions and names and phone #s of our doctors at home.
Also, if you are planning on using your caling card frpm home to call back to the states, find out the procedure. All cards seem to be just a little different. Or, even easier, buy an international phone card at a tabacco shop when you get there. Think its about % cents a minute.
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Actually, we took AMEX along with our Visa and Master Card. Found that AMEX worked at upscale restaurants, for hotel bills, Angelina%26#39;s and many shops. But we had other cards when some places would not take it. Make sure you have a 4 digit code for the ATM machines. We also left our passports in our room safe along with plane tickets, etc. and just used the copy of the inside when we were out. Along with the voltage converter you may need an adapter plug. We borrowed one at our hotel.
We each had 200 euros in cash and found it useful as we paid cash for coffee, pastries, etc. Would suggest that you divide your cash so one person doesn%26#39;t have it all.
If you can , would suggest you carry on the clothes for the wedding rather than checking them--just in case.
The other advice about prescriptions, having a copy of your card numbers, etc. is on target.
have a great time.
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Take pictures of your luggage incase they take a side trip and do not arrive when you do. Most luggage looks alike and it would be helpful to the airlines if they have a picture. I even took fabric paint and stenciled a butterfly on all of ours.
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An odd item, but the hotels often do not have wash clothes, so if you use them, you should pack 1 or 2 that you can leave if you want to.
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I make a small %26quot;medicine chest%26quot; kit with things like pepto tabs, immodium (my stomach can be sensitive at the worst times) whatever OTC painkiller you prefer, a couple band aids. Pharmacies in Paris are very good and the pharmacists are top-notch and extremely helpful. But when you%26#39;re feeling poorly you may not want to have to dash out and find one until you%26#39;re a little more up to snuff.
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Hi --
You say nothing about cameras - if yours are digital, take extra memory sticks - That way you don%26#39;t have to choose among your pix at any time because you%26#39;re running short on mamory capacity. If they%26#39;re not, take much more film than you think you%26#39;ll need - extra film is cheaper than having to get back to Paris for one specific and perfect picture.
Make up sets of name and address labels for your post cards - they save an amazing amount of time.
I have found Visa to be the most useful card when overseas - I also carry my Amex - I have $500 or so in Amex traveller%26#39;s checks that I%26#39;ve been carrying around as my emergency stash for about 15 years - I know they%26#39;re difficult to cash - but they%26#39;re for emergencies - The Amex office in Paris will cash them, even if nobody else will.
Be sure your money is in your checking account. Before I leave for overseas, I have the bank increase my daily withdrawal limit, to something more practical.If your limit is higher than the individual withdrawal amount set for the ATM, you can always make multiple withdrawals from the same ATM.
Bon Voyage
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you got the BIG THINGS down. Have a great trip and do not worry. The rest will take care of itself!!!
ps -the Segway tour is a great idea for first day orientation.
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Band-aids! You will probably walk so much you%26#39;ll have blisters on your feet.
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