Traveling

[Casius]

So I thought I would start a topic about travel so people can post some experiences from recent trips, tips, and other helpful information.

I'm trying to plan a Paris trip for January (I know, a little early) and I was wondering if anyone has some tips? Mainly looking for affordable places to stay, what to expect in terms of food costs, etc? I plan to just stay for a week and be solely in Paris. Would you all recommend staying in a hostel?

I don't have any experience in traveling to Europe, so any information would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

-Cas

[Chinorlz]

That sounds great Cas! you'll have tons of fun.

Food costs aren't terribly bad. Even in the touristy areas 20-25 euro will get you a 3-4 course meal. For lunch, 10-15 euro is easily attainable. If you're content with sandwiches/crepes then 4-7 euro per meal is no problem.

Last time i was there I stayed at the Blanche Hotel which was literally a block from the Moulin Rouge and thus a block from the Blanche subway stop (extremely convenient):

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Blanche_Hotel_Paris.htm

It's a 100+ year old hotel so there are no amenities really. Just a bed, a room, and a tv in the corner... plus a croissant/bread/coffee breakfast. Dirt cheap, an livable.

Subway rides aren't too bad either. I think it was 1.50 euro per way or a 5-7 euro cost got you a day ticket. A ticket into the city from either Orly or Charles De Gaulle airport was about 9 euro.

The only downside about Paris is finding places you want to go. It can be a pain because of the million little small streets and subway stations aren't like in nyc where every 2-3 blocks/avenues there is one that you can stumble across. At every station there are maps on the wall of the area around the station you're at complete with an alphabetized list of all the streets in that area. Very very very key. Also, get a map from the ticket booth at the subway station that shows the major streets and the subway stations in relation to the streets and you'll be golden.

L'Eclaireur Rue Malher and Rue Herold are decently close to each other, Colette is also not far. There's also avenue Montaigne with your standard high end stores (along with their ateliers which is kinda cool). The L'Eclaireurs are close to the Louvre and there are lots of narrow streets and neat alleyways in the north Louvre region as well. Also north of there is the Jardins du Palais Royale which is a courtyard with a bunch of boutiques including Rick Owens.

When you do go, enjoy the hell out of it!

Oh yeah... the other thing about the Moulin Rouge area is that it's porn store/strip clup/sex show central as well hahahaha.

[deuxmille]

[quote user="Chinorlz"]

The only downside about Paris is finding places you want to go. It can be a pain because of the million little small streets and subway stations aren't like in nyc where every 2-3 blocks/avenues there is one that you can stumble across. At every station there are maps on the wall of the area around the station you're at complete with an alphabetized list of all the streets in that area. Very very very key. Also, get a map from the ticket booth at the subway station that shows the major streets and the subway stations in relation to the streets and you'll be golden.

[/quote]

Getting lost is part of the fun! That's how I usually spend the first few days in a new city, getting lost at random.

I don't really have any tips about Paris specificially though, I've only been there once and didn't stay long. If you're going anywhere else in Europe, I might be of better help though.

[jj.still]

[quote user="Chinorlz"]

Last time i was there I stayed at the Blanche Hotel which was literally a block from the Moulin Rouge and thus a block from the Blanche subway stop (extremely convenient):

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Blanche_Hotel_Paris.htm

It's a 100+ year old hotel so there are no amenities really. Just a bed, a room, and a tv in the corner... plus a croissant/bread/coffee breakfast. Dirt cheap, an livable.

[/quote]

Hah. 2 years ago I stayed there too.)

Now I'm thinking about another trip to Paris.

Chinorlz
Do you know exactly when new ccp stuff will hit l'eclaireur? (the same question about RO and his store)

Casius
You should visit the Pompidou Centre that is on the way from Colette to L'Eclaireur Rue Malher.))

[Chinorlz]

JJ, hehe, I guess it's a more popular place than i expected it to be!

As for CCP hitting L'Eclaireur... no idea. The people at L'E don't know either but it's probably going to start coming in at the end of summer. I think typically the leathers and such hit stores in the first shipment and then it's a little while later for shoes. For RO, if luisaviaroma has it in, then the Paris flagship definitely does if not more hehe.

Everyone should hit up Paris, if only once. The only downside is that I think some places really rip off non-Parisians. I paid 5 euro for a cup of cappucino at this one joint. Assholes.

[Casius]

Thanks for all the info Albert! I'll definitely check out that hotel, I don't need anything fancy or expensive, hell, I'm only going to shower and sleep there. I think the most expensive part is going to be getting there, tickets right now for Jan. are around $900 with one lay over.

[Faust]

[quote user="Casius"]Thanks for all the info Albert! I'll definitely check out that hotel, I don't need anything fancy or expensive, hell, I'm only going to shower and sleep there. I think the most expensive part is going to be getting there, tickets right now for Jan. are around $900 with one lay over.[/quote]

I keep forgetting that you are in SoCal. Damn, this is one of the very few reasons I don't move to the West coast, far from Europe and expensive to travel. You can easily find a $800 all inclusive for a 4-5 nights in Paris in January from NYC. Maybe it's worth catching a flight to NYC, spend a few days here and then on to Paris?

I love Paris - it's gorgeous and old, and oh so European :-). I feel at home there. And Antwerp is only 2hours by train, you can make a day trip!

[Casius]

[quote user="Faust"]

[quote user="Casius"]Thanks for all the info Albert! I'll definitely check out that hotel, I don't need anything fancy or expensive, hell, I'm only going to shower and sleep there. I think the most expensive part is going to be getting there, tickets right now for Jan. are around $900 with one lay over.[/quote]

I keep forgetting that you are in SoCal. Damn, this is one of the very few reasons I don't move to the West coast, far from Europe and expensive to travel. You can easily find a $800 all inclusive for a 4-5 nights in Paris in January from NYC. Maybe it's worth catching a flight to NYC, spend a few days here and then on to Paris?

I love Paris - it's gorgeous and old, and oh so European :-). I feel at home there. And Antwerp is only 2hours by train, you can make a day trip!

[/quote]

Yea, flights are expensive out here! And I actually really like your idea on going to NY first for a few days, I could stay with some friends of mine in Brooklyn untill my flight leaves, that way I kind of get two vacations in one! [:)] And I didn't know Antwerp was so close, I will definitely make a day trip out of that; By the way Faust, how much are the train tickets usually?

Oh and Faust, aside from the beach and expensive traveling, you're really not missing much...lol.

[Faust]

Haha, well, sometimes NYC gets to me and I think of moving somewhere more tranquil. Besides, Asia is closer :-) I haven't traveled in Asia at all.

Take a bus to Antwerp instead of the train - it should be really cheap.

BTW, are you under 26? Europe is incredibly student friendly - the discounts are often very steep, especially on transportation and tourist attractions.

[Casius]

Yea, I'm only 23. So you get discounts for being a student on certain things? Nice.

[Faust]

[quote user="Casius"]Yea, I'm only 23. So you get discounts for being a student on certain things? Nice.[/quote]

Yea, definitely bring your student ID.

[wendysl]

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