European Travel Tips

I'm travelling overseas my first time this August and I really need some good tips and advice. My flight is booked into Paris and out of Rome 10 days later. I'll be staying a good portion of the time during the back end of the trip in Naples, Italy, where my brother is stationed and has a nice apartment on the beach.

My basic plan is to spend about 3 days in Paris and then make my way toward Naples and base day trips or overnight trips to different Italian cities out of my brother's place. I've planned one day trip to Capris for the Sunday before I fly out. Other than that I've done nothing yet. No rooms, no travel arrangements. Nothing.

I've been looking online and it looks like I need to order a 2-country Eurorail pass. Is there a more affordable decent way I should travel? What should I be looking for in terms of a place to stay for 2 or 3 nights in Paris? Is it absolutely essential to book a reservation before I travel? What about for a night in Rome? Venice? What type of luggage I should bring? I was thinking about a small roller bag and a backpack because I don't want to lug something big and cumbersome around Europe for a week and a half. How should I go about getting me some Euros? Also, I only speak English. Is there a French or Italian phrase book that is particularly helpful? Anything any of the experience world travelers out there want to share with me would be great. And a bunch of journalists have to have some good eating recommendations for France and Italy, right?

 

Great stuff. Thank you. Please keep advice coming if anyone has more.

Also, if I do the Eurorail from Paris to Rome or Naples who on the train will be expecting to be tipped? How much will they expect? When?

 

You should really check with your bank about the ATM thing before you travel...

Mine did NOT charge an ATM fee and I got the published exchange rate on my transactions... that was, I think $1.60 to a euro at the time, and 13.50 pesos to the dollar a little bit later... also, you can probably use your card over there for most transactions, so needing cash isn't a huge issue... I didn't need much in Ireland.

I will say this, make sure you fill out the emergency contact forms on the passport and airline stuff... especially if you're not going to have a cell phone over there, just in case there's a labor strike or a volcano or something... someone will know how to get in touch with you.

Also, make a copy of your passport, leave one at home in the states, carry one in your bag... this way if you lose it, you will have an easier time at the embassy to get out of the country.

 

If you get a Eurail pass, book your trains so you can sleep as you travel. It saves time and a shitload of money.

 

Unless Paris has changed greatly, you can enjoy yourself just walking around aimlessly, and the subway's a breeze to navigate.

 

Try the veal.

 

Tell everyone you're from Canada.

 

I have been told by my much more traveled brother that this hotel is THE place to stay in Paris: http://hotelresidencedupalais.com/

 

Watch Hostel before you go. Don't do what they did.

 

"The Résidence Pension du Palais has 5 spacious Single rooms decorated in southern colours. They have a television, Internet and a shower and washbasin. The toilets are situated on the landing."

What exactly does "the landing" in the above sentence mean? Does it mean I would have my own shower but a community toilet?

 

It's been awhile since I was in Paris (pre-911) and we spent most of the time in Germany.

I don't really remember where we stayed, since most of that was done by the tour company (took a bus tour from Germany, able to get decent discounts through the military).

As far as luggage, I had a medium sized rolling bag, my golf clubs and a carry on. (remember, this was pre-911, before the airlines started charging for bags).


I also made a trip to Venice. Like the other person said, it is pretty far from some of the other Roman tourist areas. And, to be honest, I wasn't all that impressed with it. It was a little dirtier than some of the other European cities (but I guess to be expected since it is surrounded by water).


As far as money, I exchanged money at my local bank before I left into D-marks since that was where I'd be most of the time (it was about 2-3 years before the Euro). When I needed lira (Italy) or francs (France), my friends made the exchange at the military bank.

But for the most part, I just put most of what I spent on credit card. I really only needed 2-3 days in a hotel since I stayed with my friends.