Trip to Paris

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D'Orsay is a must as you've already heard. If you like Picasso, check out that museum. Be careful in Montmartre at night, but the view from the Sacre Couer at night is incredible. I would recommend checking out the Lapin Agile for a night of music. It's across the street from the pink house where Picasso's mistress lived in Montmartre.



If you like wine, check out the wine museum. If you like Monet, a trip out to Giverny might be worth it. Stop at the George V for a drink when you visit Arc de Triomphe. If you like seeing the headstones of famous dead people, go out to Pere Lachaise Cemetery and Montparnasse.



I'm always amazed by the Americans who said they hated the food in France. I've got to remember the name of the restaurant, but it's over in the 5th and the food is great, very reasonable for what you get and has live piano music.



If you go in April, I would head down South and see the Cote d'Azure and the Provencal towns. The lavender will be in bloom. Nice isn't the nicest city, but there are a number of charming little towns around it. I'll provide more detail if you are interested.



Now, if you have three weeks in Europe you cannot miss Italy. There are a number of European airlines like our Southwest where you can fly to a number of cities in Italy for like $38 euros. The Ligurian coast is gorgeous. My sister in law lives in Lerici and would be happy to give you some must sees. It's the home of the Cinque Terre.



The Amalfi coast has to be the most beautiful place I've ever seen. I could have stayed in Positano for the rest of my life. You can see much of Rome in two days and the same with Florence, but if you can get to Liguria and/or the Amalfi coast, you won't regret it.



Actually, if you are going to see the South of France, you can take the train from Nice to La Spezia... it's about a 3 or 4 hour ride depending on which train you take. That's where you would get off to see Liguria and it's only about a 2 hour train ride to Florence from there.
 
[quote author="High Gravity" date=1235093413][quote author="k.o." date=1235034911]

Learn some simple phrases in French. I must admit that I found the French the rudest generally out of any of the countries I visited in Europe. But, that is probably because I tried English a lot. And I was a young American male. I tried to smile, be friendly, etc., but I had problems, including literally having a French agent at a train station ignore me when trying to ask a question. A buddy of mine got a much better reception when trying to speak a phrase or two in French.



</blockquote>


I've been to France numerous times, the longest time I stayed there was six weeks. My experience has been the opposite of what most Americans describe about the French. I've found the French to be very helpful to people who can't speak French. Perhaps it is because I don't look obviously American. A couple of examples: I was visiting a friend in a small town and I needed to call her to pick me up at the train station. The phones at the train station only took phone cards which I didn't have so I walked down to the local village and into a bar and using English and sign language, asked the bartender if I could use his phone which he happily provided. After the call, the bartender would not accept any money from me for the call and bought me a drink to welcome me to their little village. Another example, I was in Paris on Bastille Day and I was trying to find my way to the parade (one of the few military parades still around since the fall of the USSR) so I asked a police officer in English how to get to the parade. The officer's English was not good enough to explain to me how to get there so he gave me a ride in his patrol car to the viewing area of the parade. I don't think you'll get that kind of service from the typical American cop.</blockquote>


I whole heartedly agree. The Parisians are rude to everyone, including their own countrymen, but I even found them to be helpful. I've been to France 7 times and spent a few months studying French in Paris. It was frustrating because the Parisians all wanted to speak to me in English. In the smaller towns people don't speak English. In the early days of my travels I knew only a few phrases and never had an issue. Once I was able to converse, I found the French loved to talk. and talk and talk.



I think a lot of the culture clash stems from the French being very opinionated people, proud and borderline if not full on arrogant. Americans seem to think that we are the center of the world and have the expectation of being treated that way. I can't tell you how many tourists I've seen in Europe that made me feel embarrassed for being an American.
 
[quote author="Trooper" date=1235163730]The lost English speaking ones got clear directions and drove off. The foreigners were told to "follow me"....and I must have led about 100 cars up the windy and confusing drive in the Hills to the entrance of the sign. And yes, one German dude was on foot with a map. He said he was going to try and hike up to it and I laughed at him. Told him to get in the car <strong>and drove him to the sign.</strong> He took a picture of me and my black and white at the top and tapped his laptop computer - I wasn't sure what he meant, other than perhaps my photo is now on some sort of hippy German blog.



</blockquote>


You're awesome; my opinion of American cops has increased dramatically.
 
[quote author="skek" date=1235181821]Thanks for that story, Trooper.



Folks, the police are your <em>friends</em>. They are not bad people. Some of you have seen too many dirty cop movies.</blockquote>


It's not necessarily from movies - plenty of it comes up as news stories. A lot of people will cement their perception based on anecdotal evidence.
 
<img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/EvilAerosolCan/Threadjack.jpg" alt="" />
 
Anyone have any experience with Italian police? I was in a restaurant in Rome and saw a police officer come in, take a bottle of wine, smiled at the staff, and walked out without saying a word. I asked the waiter about that and in very broken English said something like "cops in Italy want everything except dignity."
 
I traveled to Paris (and a lot of countries) over Christmas and totally loved Paris. The French are quite nice when approached the correct way. Always ask if they speak English. Always attempt any French you know and they'll switch to English immediately.

I struck up conversations with people on the Metro or out walking their dogs and had received great tips on places to eat or things to see.



The Orsay is lovely and shouldn't be missed. You can save money by purchasing a Carte l'orangerie for the Metro, but take an extra passport pic to affix to it or you may be fined. You may want to get some Euro coins to take with you. We purchased our Carte at Gard Nord and the ticket started the next day, leaving us stranded. Luckily, I had some Euros a friend had left over and we got a one way ticket to get us to the hotel that night. (The ticket machine was not taking credit cards and the money changing places were closed).



The crepes are wonderful and should be eaten as often as you can tolerate. The Pain au Chocolates travel well and make good train snack food. Museum passes may get you through the horrible lines faster. The Lourve has a second entrance that few know about, though it was hidden so well I couldn't find it!!! Also, we paid 5 euro for a tour at the Lourve and it was the best money we spent. The guide was delightfully snarky and very knowledgeable. She had offered us great advice for seeing Mona "Push. Push until you get to the front. Use your elbows!!!!"



You have two ops to do a Paris rollerblading event. There's one for advanced skaters on Friday night and one on Sunday afternoon. You get to see Paris from a really neat perspective, and thousands usually show up. The streets are literally yours!!!



I would suggest getting some guides and reading up on the area. Rick Steves is a nerd but he has a travel philosophy that goes a long way. Let's go is a nice guide as well. Trip Advisor is the best! Also, Rick Steves website has a traveler's wall with many local expert types that can answer your questions. I've always gotten great advice there.



Have fun!
 
hasekho, which is the secret entrance. is it listed here?

<img src="http://www.louvre.fr/media/repository/ressources/sources/illustration/autres/image_14407_v2_m56577569830537832.jpg" alt="" />



i know most of the other entrances aren't very busy because tourists dont know theres other options besides the main entrance under the pyramid.



the only thing i'm afraid of in europe are the pickpockets. i dont like men putting their hands down my trousers for obvious reasons - both financial and personal.
 
<em>i dont like men putting their hands down my trousers for obvious reasons - both financial and personal.</em>



You and me both, brother.



Thanks for the map.
 
Just saw your post Troop.....I've had a lot of luck in Paris with Priceline/Hotwire. The last time I was there I stayed in a nice place for around 90 dollars a night. Paris is a great city....with great food, museums and night life. All you have to do is just start walking to find stuff to do.



I am headed to Potugal on Mar 30 for a few weeks.......stopping in London on the way to and from. If I'd know you were in Paris, I would've stopped there for a drink or two.



have fun.
 
[quote author="acpme" date=1235195876]hasekho, which is the secret entrance. is it listed here?

<img src="http://www.louvre.fr/media/repository/ressources/sources/illustration/autres/image_14407_v2_m56577569830537832.jpg" alt="" />



i know most of the other entrances aren't very busy because tourists dont know theres other options besides the main entrance under the pyramid.



the only thing i'm afraid of in europe are the pickpockets. i dont like men putting their hands down my trousers for obvious reasons - both financial and personal.</blockquote>


I think it is by the 'P' in the lower left of the diagram or right below the 'Paris L'openTour'. I don't remember exactly.. :red:
 
[quote author="zovall" date=1235206979][quote author="acpme" date=1235195876]hasekho, which is the secret entrance. is it listed here?

<img src="http://www.louvre.fr/media/repository/ressources/sources/illustration/autres/image_14407_v2_m56577569830537832.jpg" alt="" />



i know most of the other entrances aren't very busy because tourists dont know theres other options besides the main entrance under the pyramid.



the only thing i'm afraid of in europe are the pickpockets. i dont like men putting their hands down my trousers for obvious reasons - both financial and personal.</blockquote>


I think it is by the 'P' in the lower left of the diagram or right below the 'Paris L'openTour'. I don't remember exactly.. :red:</blockquote>


You can take the metro into the subterranean mall that resides underneath the main Louvre entrance. Go from the mall into the Louvre and you miss the nasty lines outside. You can buy tickets from automated machines in the mall.
 
ok green_cactus, here's a challenge.



Without Google-fu....and considering your last statement "It?s not necessarily from movies - plenty of it comes up as news stories. A lot of people will cement their perception based on anecdotal evidence."



Quick, name me these police officers and/or the events on which you lament.



WAIT! I'm hijacking my own thread !



Back to France! Oh yeah, I GOT THE APRIL VACATION !!!!
 
[quote author="Trooper" date=1235248528]ok green_cactus, here's a challenge.



Without Google-fu....and considering your last statement "It?s not necessarily from movies - plenty of it comes up as news stories. A lot of people will cement their perception based on anecdotal evidence."



Quick, name me these police officers and/or the events on which you lament.



WAIT! I'm hijacking my own thread !



Back to France! Oh yeah, I GOT THE APRIL VACATION !!!!</blockquote>


so how long are you going for? the 28 of us will help you plan it!!
 
Yay! I have no idea how long is "too" long. I'm thinking 2 weeks, should be able to cram in a few countries in that time frame.



I'm not sure which country is cheapest and easiest to fly into to start the journey. I'll do a roundtrip from US to whatever that city ends up being and just travel in the middle of the stay. I understand Ryan Air is pretty cheap in England/Ireland, so might use London as a base.



The only sure thing I know is that I will be visiting Paris and London, other than that I'm not sure just yet. Perhaps Ireland.



I'm going to start working on an intinerary tonight.
 
OK, when you have your itinerary, let us know. I have some friends in London and can help with Ireland too. However, I REALLY want to encourage Italy.
 
I know that Europe has different electrical plugs. I will be needing an adaptor for both my iPhone and laptop. Is each country different, or will one work ? Where would I buy such a thing?



Step, I don't think I'll make Italy this time, but who knows!
 
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