Before I dive into this I should warn you that I have zero experience in planning international vacations. I planned a trip to Mexico once but it was an all inclusive hotel and we flew on air miles so that doesn't really count :) Even though my advice worked for me take it at your own risk.
This trip all came to be because we were on the cusp of the 15 year anniversary of our first date. We had always talked about Europe, even when I was pregnant with Isla, but just didn't get to it. We were always so bogged down with work schedules and we worked at the same company which made things even more difficult to get time off together. Thankfully this time around B had the opportunity to take more than a week off, vacations are cheap right now (i.e.: the dollar is strong), we're technically off-season and our airmiles were a wonderful lifesaver.
I thought I'd share some of the best tips I ran across as well the websites and sources I used for info. At a minimum this post will help me plan for the next trip we take--- hopefully with older kiddos! This vacation helped me realize that it wouldn't be as difficult as I assumed to travel abroad with kids when they can handle that long of a flight. To see Isla star at the Eiffel Tower and dance under it's lights will be magic! I can't wait for that day :)
1. Let the first travel book you buy and actually read be by Rick Steves. He's the best. I read through many France travel books but the only ones I marked up and kept are his, Rick Steves Paris and Rick Steves France.
I also downloaded his walking tours for the cities and museums we hit- we didn't do all of them but the museum ones are especially nice and highlight the best parts without bogging you down. If you drive take the book along and read about the things you pass by as you go- it makes it much more interesting!
2. We decided to drive through Western (to) Southern France the first week of our trip. We researched rental cars and discovered that Hertz had great rates since we were traveling during the week (M-Fri).
Just watch that they don't tack on insurance which is VERY expensive! Review your paperwork carefully. Also- check that our car has navigation, it was a lifesaver and much easier than getting lost on the web of roads through France.
3. While researching our route and stops I realized that there are many toll roads along the way. My concern wasn't the toll but how to read the signs to pay the toll. This website is truly wonderful in helping break it all down.
There was a lot of concern online about how to pay for the tolls since many of our US credit/debit cards don't have the 'chip and pin' technology (this is when they tap it instead of swipe it to pay). We used our card at all of the tolls except the ones where you pull a ticket and then pay when exiting the highway. Just get cash at the airport and put bills/coins in at the toll booth. If you need help there is a call button and they're very helpful.
On a side note, many US banks are switching to 'chip and pin' so hopefully that issue will resolve itself in the coming years. It is pretty funny to see some retailers take your card and not really know how to charge you (You have to slide it?!)
4. I booked hotels using hotels.com and researched all hotels with the reviews on trip advisor. I used hotels.com to capitalize on their 10 nights booked = 1 night free offer. Our vaca provided us with a free night-- yahoo!
5. One of the things that took me the longest was finding out where to book hotels, especially in Paris. In the smaller towns there aren't as many choices so it's pretty easy to weed them out-- in Paris there are just SO MANY options. I wanted to be close to the sights but not feel like we were in the middle of Time Square (been there- done that). I wanted it to be updated and yet still feel like France and more than anything romance was on the menu. I ended up finding this wonderful little blog post about the popular arrondissements (i.e.: neighborhoods) in Paris. You can find the one that fits you and the trip you plan to have in Paris best. This was really helpful!
6. Call your bank to let them know your travel dates. It really sucks to be at the airport and have your credit card shut off (been there- done that!) and check to see how much your credit card/bank charges to use your debit/credit abroad.
7. Put your schedule in your iPhone with all confirmations and reservations as well as printing it out!
On the train we needed the printed ticket- it came in handy!
8. Buy your Eiffel Tower ticket ahead of time. (The line is horrendous!) Also- try it at night, I think it's even more magical and romantic! :)
9. Call your cell phone carrier to authorize the international rate plan for your travel dates. Serious $$ saver!
10. Pay all your bills before you leave and your credit card if you plan to use it exclusively (funny how these things skip your mind when you're planning a vaca ;)
11. Empty the garbage before you leave. There's nothing like coming home to a really stinky house!
12. If you have kiddos, prepare a medical release just in case the guardian babysitting them needs authorization for medical care. You can get this form from your child's Pediatrician. I wouldn't try to find it online- they try and make you pay for it or subscribe to a legal service.
13. Buy international plugs. We loved these ones. They worked all over France!
14. Buy a purse with a cross body strap--there are pickpockets and unsavory characters roaming around- protect your stuff and just be aware. (I found the one below at Nordy's Rack-- it's Fossil)
15. Pack tennis shoes. This was something I didn't do that I really was regretting. It sounds like a no- brainer but I read that no one wears athletic clothing or shoes in France so I didn't want to show up in my Nikes at dinner and offend anyone. During our days on the road it was fine but when we got to Paris our feet were dying! Just do it!
16. We love using Yelp.com to find good restaurants around Seattle but the French don't really use Yelp so we found GREAT restaurant reccs using trip advisor.com. Also- some of best meals were at little tiny restaurants just a little bit out of town. If you make an effort with the menu or ask if they speak English usually they'll provide an English menu :)
17. Paris has great public transportation- between the subway, buses and taxis there's something for everyone. We opted for Uber to drive us to dinner a couple nights and it was SO easy--cheap and all handled on paypal-- no tips, no haggling or being taken advantage of by taxi drivers. Easy and very professional drivers! Also a good option to go to the airport.
18. We did the museum pass for Paris and definitely got our moneys worth. If you visit 4 attractions it will pay for itself and you pay based on the number of days you need it to cover. You can buy it at any of the attractions you use it at and I recommend picking it up at one of the less busy ones- we grabbed it at Napoleon's Tomb before heading to the Orsay which was pretty brilliant since the line at the Orsay was insane. You can also jump the line with it at most attractions- SUCH a time saver if you're only in Paris for a couple days.
19. We upgraded to 'economy-plus' seats with Delta and we were so glad we did. The flight is about 9.5 hours and that can be a long time with limited leg room. The econ-plus seats give you more leg room which was very nice.
20. Bring your camera but take time to put it down or leave it in the room---just enjoy living your vacation! (and seriously people, put down the selfie stick. For the love! It's an epidemic)
You can find all of my reviews on our hotels and restaurants on tripadvisor and hotels.com. For questions or comments on our vacation message me!
Happy travels :)
Sandi
PS- For more in depth details and photos of our trip visit my personal blog: Here
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