Get Paris Vacations
It may seem daunting to think that one can enjoy vacations in Paris without having to spend a fortune on accommodations, food and drinks, admission fees to popular attractions, and other tourist activities. However, a great vacation in the City of Lights is possible without incurring serious debt later on, with some careful planning.
There are fewer tourists in the months of October and November, making it a good time to plan your vacation during this period. Tourist lodging fees and airfare are reduced during the off-peak season, and there are shorter queues at restaurants and popular attractions.
Secondly, instead of taking taxis or renting cars, walk as much as you can since this is the best way to interact with locals, explore the city, and discover out-of-the-way cafés, shops with rare books, antiques, charming gardens, and houses. You can also find many free activities such as exploring the grounds and taking pictures around museums and other landmarks, free walking tours, and picnics at the grassy areas of public gardens and parks.
Basic Tourist French for Vacations in Paris
When planning your Paris vacation, it's important to equip yourself with essential French words and phrases that may help you while navigating the neighborhood and interacting with people. An audio tape or CD containing basic French words and sentences that you can listen to is ideal because reading from books won't teach you correct pronunciation. Even if you're on a guided tour or traveling with someone who speaks the language, you might find yourself alone at times and may need to communicate with people who don't speak your language. Tourists should not assume that everyone they encounter knows how to speak English, and it would be easier for everyone if they know at least basic French words to get by. By doing this, you can effectively communicate your message and understand what others are referring to in return.
Your Paris Vacation Eating Guide
French cuisine is renowned worldwide as one of the best, and another excellent reason why tourists frequently visit the country. While on your Paris vacation, make sure to experience the fantastic food available. You might be surprised by the wide variety of options, from high-end restaurants led by famous and award-winning chefs, bistros and cafés, bakeries and pastry shops, down to street vendors, all offering delicious and highly satisfying meals.
Where you eat will mostly depend on your budget, but it would be nice to splurge at least once and try some "haute cuisine" or high cooking. Some of the famous restaurants include the Pierre Gagnaire restaurant at the Balzac Hotel, the historic Le Grand Befour, the first grand restaurant in Paris, and the Alain Ducasse restaurant at Plaza Athénée. Tourists who cannot afford to eat at high-end restaurants all the time can still enjoy good French fare at other places. You can have filling breakfasts at bakeries or pastry shops that serve coffee or juice with their bread or pastries and buy satisfying snacks like crepes and sandwiches as you go about your day. Locals can also guide you to good restaurants, especially those out of the way and lesser-known establishments.
Paris Vacations in Three Days
It's quite a challenge to see most of the city, especially if you only have two or three days. In planning your vacation in Paris, you may need to choose which highlights of the city you want to visit and which ones you can save for another trip. The Notre Dame Cathedral is one place you should definitely visit to see the Gothic architecture and amazing stained glass windows. Another landmark worth your time is the Eiffel Tower; you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the city from the top, and you should take a picture with the Eiffel Tower as a memento of your trip. The Louvre Museum should not be missed...