Tiff paints Europe red today!!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:27pm

I'm going on my first trip to Europe tomorrow for three weeks! (So you can thank the upcoming ease of bandwidth on me. ) Roxy has already been kind enough to tell me his highlights for Italy. I wanted to get some input from everyone for any of the locations I'm going to. I'm on two tours - one of Western Europe, and one of central/northern France. I fly into London tomorrow and return from Paris on May 21. My time is limited because of the tour schedule, but there are some places where I have a "free day". I'd like to know your input on must-see sights, restaurants, museums, shows, shops (clothing, flea markets and souvenirs), and the whole nine yards. Money isn't an issue for restaurants or sights.

Oh! And everyone's been telling me that London is where all the trendy fashions are. What are the latest styles so I can pack accordingly? I don't want to be the trendy Canadian frump!

And is there any travel advice for Europe that people can give me? i.e. What amenities to expect in the hotels, European customs, ability to phone to North America, ease for changing traveller's cheques into cash, if ABMs are the way to go, etc. etc.

Updated On: 4/28/05 at 02:27 PM

[apdarcey]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:30pm

have so much fun my love!

[ElTico68]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:31pm

Wow... looks amazing. The only city we've both been to is Paris. I'm sure you'll bet tons of Paris advice... my favorite part (area, neighborhood) is Montmartre, and a visit to Sacre Couer (sp) Church is a must. Beautiful view of the city. (did you see Amelie?)

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:33pm

As long as you have a bank card with a large network, such as CIRRUS, NYCE, PLUS etc. on the back of it, you should not have to worry about carrying traveler's cheques. They are a hassle that's unnecessary in the era of the Euro, with ATMs in most urban locations. Charging to a bank card often gets you a better rate of exchange anyway.

European hotels are (generally) are much simpler than North American hotels. Not that they are bad, but they are usually smaller and sometimes the "facilities" are not included. If you are expecting rooms of a certain caliber, stick to "first class" and above.

Just my advice based on experience.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:34pm

Thanks, apdarcey!

ElTico, funny you should ask about Amelie, because I just popped it into my DVD player last night to get me in the mood, but I was so preoccupied making my packing list (yet, my plane takes off in exactly 24 hours to the minute, and my suitcase is still empty) so I'm hoping to watch it tonight. Hopefully I'll have time for Briget Jones, Notting Hill and Harry Potter as well! (Don't judge.)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:35pm

I'm advice-less, but have a great trip!

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:37pm

Wow, I only hate you a little! Um...when you're at Chenonceau, make sure you find the maze. That's all I'll say.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:40pm

i would second what ck said. you will get the best exchange rates with a debit card... and also, traveler's cheques are such a nuisance.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:44pm

Are North American debit cards recognized in Europe, or do you mean credit cards? I'm mostly worried that with the crappy Canadian exchange rate to the pound and Euro, once MC/Visa gets their percentage too, I'm going to be paying an arm and a leg to withdraw a few bucks off of there.

Shucks, no traveller's cheques, huh? I didn't buy too many - only a couple hundred EU - I just hope the smaller places will actually accept them or let me cash them in. I hope there's a few AmEx offices around the metropolitan cities.


So how about food and shopping? I haven't purchased my West End tickets get. Billy Elliot, Chicago, Mary Poppins and Woman in White are all entirely sold out for the nights I'm in London, and Chitty doesn't interest me. Maybe I'll see Mousetrap or Les Mis again.



BTW: I'm taking the "First Class" tours, which I hope means the coach and the hotels will be average or above. Is it not the norm for there to be face towels in the bathrooms??

And for anyone in the know, how central is the Melia White House in London to the major tourist attractions?

Updated On: 4/27/05 at 02:44 PM

[mabel]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:45pm

Tiff, I hope you have an amazing time! Travel safe, and take LOTS of pictures! Also, I've never really done enough traveling to bother w/ it, but a friend who travels quite a bit always brings a little notebook/journal with her. It might be a good idea, especially since you're taking such a lengthy trip. It might be nice to just jot things down each night, or when you have a few spare minutes waiting for a train.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:48pm

Check the back of your debit card. If it has one or more of the logos in my first message, it's going to be alright. If it's a debit card with a Mastercard or Visa logo, you're even better off, because most major (and minor) stores take that - and you're better off paying that way. There's minimal fees (less than the average ATM/ABM fee).

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:48pm

Mabel, good call! Oh, that was another thing I'm worried about. I've only got two memory cards for my digital camera, which total about 130-150 photos. I'm thinking that won't be enough for 3 weeks (I already have 130 photos of the U2 concert after cutting out the worst ones!)

Instead of buying a new card, my friend told me I should find a photo place that will burn them onto a CD for me when it's filled so I can delete and start over. Has anyone done this before, and how easily available is this service?

[paradox_error]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:53pm

It's easy to do Tiff. Most photo shops do it.

And DEFINATELY keep a diary. You'll be glad if you do!

And btw, Europe ain't big enough for the both of us.

And I've already painted it red, pink, blue, green, purple, yellow, aubergine, vermillion, ebony, ivory and rainbow, so you'll need to find yourself a new colour.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:55pm

YAAY TIFF! HAVE A BALL! GET SOME BILLY MERCHANDAISE!

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 3:00pm

If you're in London, basic black will be more than enough. Just remember to have a hint of color to accessorize. I'd say your better bet is to go shopping in Paris, anyways.. The Euro is less than the pound sterling.

Most importanly, EAT WELL while you're there. If you can, get AWAY from the tourist traps! No Atkins while you're there! You'll be doing so much walking, you'll be able to eat well AND lose weight..

It is the norm for there to be no face towels in many European hotels. Just ask for more hand towels.

Don't forget to tip the chambermaids.

Tate Modern in London.

Picasso Museum and Rodin Museums in Paris in addition to the Georges Pompidou Centre.

[mabel]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 3:01pm

I'd imagine it may be too late for this, but did you happen to pick up a conversion plug thing for electric-type stuff. I'm not sure if your digital camera has rechargable batteries or regular ones, but if it uses rechargable ones, you may want to pick one up (I would think the batteries would run out sometime over the course of a three week trip)...if they're regular batteries, then I'd say remember to bring a couple of backup pairs.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 3:05pm

I found very few ATM's in Venice functional but no problems anywhere else. & yes it is pricey & touristy but u must take a gondola trip!

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 3:07pm

And of course, the most important thing...

The TKTS booth is in Leicester Square in London. Do NOT buy tickets from the little booths lining the side streets; the tickets are almost always higher-priced or partial-view. And the line is MUUUUUCH shorter than in NYC.

[sparklefairy]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 3:08pm

That sounds sooo cool! When your in London you should try and get to Camden market, it has the weirdest clothes and prezzies. And you should go on the London Eye, just so you can say you did. Oh, and try and see something and the National theatre, it is really nice and does lots of different stuff. Have fun!

[Plum]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 4:34pm

Ooh, nice to see you're covering Lake Maggiore. Funky maritime-themed houses built by eccentric rich people and populated with peacocks are always cool. Plus, the weather is gorgeous in the summer. Same goes for Monaco. I have a weakness for Mediterranean climates, for obvious reasons. :) Too bad it's a little early for beachgoing.

My biggest problem with Italy (in the north, at least) is that you can't get food almost anywhere except American chains at what we'd call normal lunch hours. It's infuriating if you've been walking around since 9 am, you want some actual Italian food, and all you can get outside of McDonald's is nuts to go with your drinks.

Also, I'm pretty sure you're going to be going to the Louvre, but try to cover the Orsay, too. Well, if you like Impressionists.

Updated On: 4/27/05 at 04:34 PM

[oxdreaminxo]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 4:38pm

Have a great time! My friend's in Paris right now, I wish I was with her!

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 4:48pm

*Hands Tiff a paintbrush a red paint


I adore the Globe Theater in London, there is also a Shakespeare Exhibit a few blocks away. If that's your thing.

And of course Les Miz is always Fabu-LOUS!

[ElTico68]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 4:57pm

re: Amelie, some of it takes place on the steps to Sacre Couer.

Updated On: 4/27/05 at 04:57 PM

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 5:00pm

When we were in Paris last summer, we stayed in the hotel Ibis (where you won't be, if you have money), which sucked, but was in a GREAT location. We could walk to Sacre Coeur, and we were only two blocks from Le Moulin Rouge. Of course, you couldn't trip without falling into a sex shop, but hey, you compromise.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 5:20pm

I hope you aren't in Zermatt Switzerland on a Sunday because the place closes down. (I think McDonald's stays open).

Remember that some places in Europe start closing down on Saturday afternoon and stay closed all day Sunday. So if you are shopping for things, make sure you know if they close early on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

Many ATMs in Europe use only 4 digit pin numbers, make sure yours is only 4.

In phoning home, try to buy a calling card in the town you are in. Many times it is cheaper than using your own phone plan. Phones in hotels sometimes charge huge user fees. Make sure you know what they are and try using pay phones outside the hotel for no-fee calls.

RUN TO KMART TONIGHT: Some European hotels don't have wash cloths. Buy the cheap ones at Kmart and throw them away after using them.

When I'm in London, I like tea at Brown's Hotel. If you want something cheaper and less fancy, try tea at Fortnum & Mason.

Every chance you get, go into grocery stores. It's fun to look at the different products they have that we don't. Also, grocery stores make great places to buy gifts for people. I've brought home bottles of European coca-cola and cookies (biscuits) and chocolate and relish and mustard, etc. Buying in the grocery store usually costs less and the food products make fun souveniers.

EDIT: If you can make a scan of your passport and email it to yourself. If you lose your passport, you just have to run to the internet and print out a copy to take to your local embassy. Having the electronic copy makes it easier.

Updated On: 4/27/05 at 05:20 PM