| Plan a Vacation in Paris, France | | | | around and see the highlights: Mona Lisa and Monet. |
| Bonjour! Do you want to travel to Paris, France but | | | | My favorite gardens are Rodin, Monceau and |
| would have to make it a solo trip? It can be intimidating | | | | Luxembourg. At the Rodin museum I sat by the rose |
| but don't let fear keep you from having the time of | | | | garden that surrounds "The Thinker" statue for a long |
| your life. With proper planning and common sense you | | | | time. It takes that long to really get what the artist's |
| can have a fun and safe trip. | | | | intent. The Luxembourg garden is just delightfully |
| The basic travel requirements are plane ticket, | | | | Parisian. You will find people lounging around or playing |
| passport, airport shuttle and hotel accommodations. | | | | boules. Check out the cafes and shops nearby. Parc |
| There are many airlines that fly to Charles De Gaulle | | | | Monceau is a bit more local. The gardens are |
| airport. I recommend that one for your first trip. There | | | | impeccable. |
| are other airports in the countryside but you will have | | | | To be in Paris, you must "people watch" at a cafe. |
| to take a bus into Paris. Check the major airlines and | | | | Just pick one on a busy street corner. In Paris they |
| travel sites for the ticket prices. You will also need a | | | | enjoy life. They don't rush it. Your waiter will not be |
| passport that does not expire within the next 6 | | | | hovering over you to clear the table fast. Enjoy a glass |
| months. When you arrive at the airport you can | | | | or two or wine and maybe dessert. Gratituity is usually |
| choose a taxi, train, or shuttle bus to your hotel. There | | | | included in the bill |
| are many hotels or apartments to choose from. I will | | | | French food... I have many fond memories of delicious |
| discuss that later. | | | | eatables. In the Latin Quarter there are "take aways", |
| Those are the basics! There are many great | | | | cafes and restaurants from around the world. |
| European websites that you can research and | | | | Personally I skip Starbucks and McDonalds in Paris.... I |
| compare for prices in your budget. | | | | will list a couple of my favorite places here but be sure |
| Where to stay in Paris? For the purpose of this essay | | | | to explore and find some of your own. The cafe at |
| I'm going to tell you about my favorite place to stay. I | | | | the Tuileries gardens by the Louvre is my favorite. I like |
| prefer the Latin Quarter near Notre Dame. The reason | | | | it because its located close to the flower gardens.( Be |
| is because in the evening there is street entertainment | | | | sure to order a chafe of water instead of bottle water |
| and lots of "people watching". It's very safe and I don't | | | | whenever you eat out. That will save you a few |
| have to get on the metro to go back home late at | | | | dollars. ) Up at Montmartre, there are several cafes by |
| night. I have observed plenty of police patrols in the | | | | the artists square that I like and I haven't really found a |
| Latin Quarter. I feel very safe. I found a lovely studio | | | | chocolate croissant that I didn't like... |
| apartment for my three week stay. I preferred this | | | | If you have more time, I suggest a day in Montmartre |
| option to a hotel because I had a small kitchen and | | | | and Rue Clur area. Montmartre is the hilltop area that |
| balcony. | | | | overlooks Paris. It was once an artists colony because |
| What to see! What to do! For your first trip to Paris | | | | of the cheap rents. Today it still has many budding |
| there are a few "must do" places to see. Take the | | | | artists gallerie's, shops, and a fantastic view of the city |
| "hop on hop off" bus. I have done this tour in the major | | | | and the Eiffel Tower. By the Eiffel tower, visit an area |
| European cities and I find it to be an excellent | | | | called Rue Clur. It's a pedestrian only street filled with |
| orientation. I usually go around two or three times just | | | | everything Parisian. I found a cute chocolate shop for |
| to learn my way around. | | | | gifts to bring back home... the ones I didn't eat anyway. |
| The Eiffel Tower is Paris! You can now get tickets to | | | | And a paper shop with postcards and neat souvenirs. |
| go up the elevator for a specific time slot. No more | | | | Do you want to know the real secret for solo travel |
| waiting in line! Be sure to bring a picnic lunch to just | | | | around Europe? You don't have to know the language |
| "hang out" on the lawn there. At night they will light up | | | | just be nice. Be courteous. And you'll have the time of |
| the Eiffel tower in sparkles. Check the website for | | | | your life. Anyone can travel solo to Paris and have a |
| times. The next stop is the world famous Louvre | | | | safe time. Just don't go down dark alley ways. Stay |
| museum and Musee d'Orsay. It is closed on Tuesdays | | | | with the crowds and pick an apartment in the historical |
| so be sure to plan accordingly. It would take a lifetime | | | | areas of Paris. You will have a fantastic time! Be sure |
| to see everything in those two places. Just wander | | | | to email me and let me know about your trip. |