I feel very scatterbrained... a lot going on here, so I could use your help in my last six days before departure. What do I need to do besides pack? Add to my to do list?
* download free audio tours to my iPod
* buy calling card
* take/print photo for the Carte Orange (to buy in Paris at any metro)
What else? Any tickets I need to buy in advance? (we will buy a museum pass in Paris)... any coupons to print out?
(we are renting an apartment that is well equipped and will be there for 5 days)
THANKS!
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* scan passport and email it to my gmail account
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Print discount coupon for Vedettes de Pont Neuf
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Notify your credit card companys that you will be making purchases out of the country and also get their international numbers. Also do this with your bank debit card.
Also get a Streetwise Paris map. Best map around.
Don%26#39;t forget convertors.
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twinmom - THANKS! I totally would have forgotten to call the credit card companies! Got the Streetwise map... and I should find my converters.. thanks again.
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If you have a cell phone that is able to be unlocked and used internationally I would say to do that instead of buying calling cards. You will need to call your cell phone provider and have them unlock it before your trip (sometimes it takes about 48 hours). Once you get to Paris, then purchase a SIM card for the amount of time you think you will need it.
I find phone cards to be a problem. Sometimes you can%26#39;t find a public phone, the phone is difficult to use and then the card doesn%26#39;t work. And if your typing in the info on the phone card and it%26#39;s not going through then you%26#39;ll get a message in French (difficult to understand what it says unless your fluent).
Besides the other things people have mentioned, I would say to take guide book with you or at least a list of all the main attractions you want to see.
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Also besides your credit cards you must call the fraud dept of your debit cards as they are separate dept. and let them know the dates you will be using their debit cards in a foreign country.
Confirm you flight information to make sure times have not changed.
Also make sure your seats have not been changed (Several times our seats have changed and they changed them back!).
Also stop your mail and have it held until your return date.
Leave you travel info with a responsible person....and also your car license # and Insurance Company with them incase something happens with your house or car while you are gone.
I suggested this because we were gone one time and the water dept. had a huge water pressure problem which flooded the houses on our block. The neighbor was able to contact the insurance company and go into the house and stop the flooding from two broken pipes.
Have a great trip!
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Hi jslatch.
Wouldn%26#39;t it be better to buy the calling card from France? I would have assumed the rates are cheaper this way.
Mez (who wants to know in preparation for own trip :-) )
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Wow all great suggestions that I%26#39;m saving for my own trip. My two cent%26#39;s worth:
My debit card is with Wells Fargo. They told me just before I leave on the trip to come in and change my 6 digit PIN to a 4 digit PIN as European ATMs only recognize 4 numbers.
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Photocopy ALL of your travel documents---passport information pages; airline or train tickets or e-confirmations; hotel confirmations or vouchers, any travel vouchers you may have been issued and BOTH side of any ATM / Debit or credit cards you plan to carry with you (the contact numbers are on the backs), and medication prescriptions, etc. Make up two(2) sets (copy paper is cheap). Carry one set with you and leave the other at home with whomever is watering your cat and feeding your houseplants while you%26#39;re away (in case all-the-wheels-come-off-the-wagon-at-once). These photocopies will provide you with the various numbers and dates to fill-in on replacement forms and make the process quicker and easier.
You might also print out the home page from your hotel%26#39;s web site to leave at home as well for basic contact information (mak sure that you make note of the local time diferences between Texas and Paris)
If there are any day-trips by rail that you%26#39;re considering as possibllities, it might be a good idea to print out the train schedules. These are a snap to look up with the convenience of your home computer...but perhaps not so easy sitting in your apartment in Paris.
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Additionally --
Either tear out the guidebook pages you%26#39;ll need, or copy them, put them in a zip lock bag, and pack them in your carry on - and print out several sets of N%26amp;A lables for your post cards. These also go into a zip lock in your carry on - that way you%26#39;ve got them if your checked luggage goes sight seeing on its own and you can at least get your post cards out of the way.
I would buy a calling card in Paris, then you%26#39;ll be sure that it will work in the French phones. Be sure that you get a card for International calls rather than domestique.
Bon voyage.
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