Thing to Do
Created by A Yahoo! Contributor
Wed 07/15/09 (day 1)
Planning
I want this trip to be special so I figured I would keep a journal of what plans we have made and a list of what still needs to be made so I do not miss anything. I believe in being spontanous but A trip this specials calls for some planning to make sure we at least have enough time to see what we want but also have sufficient time to just enjoy the overall experience.
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November 2, 2008: Booked 2 tickets on American Airlines using Frequent Flyer Miles
January 2009: Renewed Passports
February 17, 2009: Booked Hotel. Location, Location, Location. Since we have never been to Paris I was a little nervous on which hotel to book. I have been to other European cities before and and understand that a lot of the hotels are old, small and do not have the typical ammedaties that US travelers are used to. I chose the Villa Luxembourg based on price, # of stars, and location. I confirmed the location with a co-worker Delphine who used to go to school in Paris and she highly reccomended the location. After we booked the hotel through the internet we contacted the hotel to confirm and asked what is the best way to get to the hotel. The hotel suggested that we use airportcitytransfers@gmail.com I figured I will contact them closer to our trip to make arrangements.
March 4, 2009: CELL PHONE: Called AT&t wirelss confirmed both my wife and I can use our phones overseas. Current rate is $1.29/ minute I can receive txt messages for free but it is $0.50 to send. My wife doesn't have the txt option. If we pay $5.99 for the month of July our overseas rate will drop to $0.99/ minute. Seems like a no brainer I will call when we are closer. ATM CARD: Soverign bank charges $5.00 everytime you use your ATM check card regardless of whether it is through an ATM or for a purchase CITIBANK M/C: Citibank said they will charge me 3% fee for any non-USD transaction plus interest will acrue immediately at a rate of prime plus 16.99% currently at 21.99%
It appears that CDG airport has numerous ATM's (every post siad make sure your pin is 4 digits or it may not work in Europe). It also looks like there is a lot of ATM near Notre Dame.
April 30, 2009: To answer some of the comments. 1) I did not think of the phone card idea, that would be cheaper so we will pick one up. 2) I do not have an IPhone but it does sound useful. 3) I have looked at the Museum Pass and the Metro passes. My wife and I are not big museum people we will probably go to the Louvre to say we have been there but that about it and I believe all the churches are free to visit. I have also read that it is best to buy Versailies passes at the RER station which includes the train ride for free and access to the entire facility. As for the Metro I read it is probably better to buy the 10-pack in the long run, I am not sure but I doubt we will use it constantly probably only a couple times a day tops.
As a side note: Is anyone familiar with O' Chateau? www.o-chateau.com
May 29, 2009: 47 days til we leave!!! 1) Confirmed Price with Airport City Transfers From CDG to our hotel $65 Euro Door to Door for 2 people. 2) AirFrance has a bus #4 that goes from CDG to Gare Montparnasse for $33 for 2 people which we leave us about 1 mile from our hotel. Bus #2 that was mentioned in the comments is $15 per person and leaves you at Arc de Triomphe. So based on the internet today 65 Euro is $91.15 USD So Round trip is $182.30 USD for two people on the shuttle. For the bus it cost $33 Euros ($16.50/ person 1 way) that $46.28 USD for both of us. Roundtrip ($27 per person) on the bus is $75.72 USD for both of us. Bus is a better deal, but the shuttle is more convenient.
Planned Activities
Thu 07/16/09 (day 2) - Paris
Hotel
Other
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Fri 07/17/09 (day 3) - Paris
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Entertainment
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Entertainment
Sat 07/18/09 (day 4) - Versailles
Thing to Do
Unscheduled
Transportation
Although I love to get lost in Paris, (a map and compass is a must), the Metro is the only way to get around the city. Get the Metro pass, you'll use it much more that twice a day. It takes a little study but it's well worth it. The Museum Pass is also a good idea. Having looked at your daily itinerary I might suggest that you look at each arrondissement on your city map and plot a sightseeing route to includes all the high points in that neighborhood. Time is money. The Louvre and Versailles are a bit overwhelming. A tour or guide is well worth the cost. A person could wander the halls of the Louvre for six months and not see a fraction of it.
The Eiffel Tower will have a VERY long line. (time is money). Lastly it would be worth going to "Rick Steves.com"
and getting his guidebook for Paris. It includes walking tours of the entire city, and a ton of good ideas and helpful tips. Happy anniversary, have fun.