How much does a trip to Paris cost?

[mavhy]

Sis anong type ng adaptor kaya dapat bilhin? Meron kaya sa Ace hardware?

[~ ka [3] na ~]

^yung omni sis meron silang sinesell na adaptor na andun na almost lahat.

[mama squeak!]

@sis mavhy - France uses the 2 round prong sockets at 220V. Some newer buildings use the 3 prong socket, the 3rd in the middle is for grounding. But the 2 round prongs will do just fine.

You can find adaptors at any hardware store. I got mine at True value, it was a set of travel adaptors. It had a main plug wherein you can change the face (where the prongs are attached). I think I got it for Php200 or 300.

 

[mavhy]

Thanks sis ka[3]na and mama squeak!

I'll check True Value later

[10tequilashots]

I am joining this thread. mama squeak, super love your posts, very helpful. i will definitely put going to Paris on my to-do list na for next year.

Question, is it really necessary that you know a bit of French? Or one can get by with just English naman?

[[-c-h-a-]]

^basic french.. its adviseable to speak french muna to them and ask if they can speak in english... I know a bit of french from self study so I was able to get by from ordering in restaurants, greeting them and understanding the signs and what not.

Nakakaintindi ako ng mga nakasulat, pero if you ask me to speak in french and compose a sentence, mahihirapan ako

pero english kami mainly makipagusap after yun first few basic french na bonjour, como ca va, parlez vous anglais.. ayan ingles na kami after nyan...

btw, pinamemorize ko sa asawa ko one phrase lang ng french: je ne parle pas francais.. i can't speak french LOL

when we went to Fontainebleu, dun mahirap kasi walang nagiingles. 

[mama squeak!]

I am joining this thread. mama squeak, super love your posts, very helpful. i will definitely put going to Paris on my to-do list na for next year.

Question, is it really necessary that you know a bit of French? Or one can get by with just English naman?

Thank you, sis! 

If you are going to Paris you don't have to know the language as most of the frogs there are used to tourists and know english. But of course, it always helps to know a little bit of it like your basic greetings. And I also noticed if you greet them en francais, they will easily warm up to you.

Now, if you plan to go to the countryside where there are less tourists you might find it a little difficult to communicate with the locals. So, bring with you a small phrase book or dictionary. Maski barok-barok french they will understand. And the people specially bandang south na of France are a little warmer and friendlier than their counterparts in the north.

I'm just lucky because I can speak French (not as fluently as before). It really comes in handy specially if one gets lost driving in the countryside and not a single person understands english. What an adventure that was!   

[bankrun]

this thread is a big help!

question mama squeak, the RER from CDG to paris center is easier than taking a cab? like in HK?

[mama squeak!]

^Most definitely, sis! It's cheaper and faster pa. One way RER ligne B from CDG to Paris will only cost you EUR8,50 unlike taking a cab that will cost you around EUR50-55 depending on the location of your hotel. The train ride will take you from 30 to 40 minutes only.

 

[bankrun]

yes! good thing i saw this thread. i was already set on taking a cab. thanks. while we are at it. are you familiar with venice as well? will open a separate thread on this.

[mama squeak!]

^No, I haven't been there yet. Right now, I'm already planning our next Europe trip in Sept 2012 (keeping my fingers crossed). We'll be doing southern France and Italy. Venice will definitely be in our itinerary.

When are you going? Maybe I can get tips from you.

 

[bankrun]

thanks. going to venice on april.

about paris, what are good buys there? thanks

[mama squeak!]

Hehe that's quite obvious.     If you're like me, bags and shoes! Chanel, LV, Chloe, Repettos, LC, etc. Even non-French brands made in EU are cheap compared elsewhere.

If you're a foodie like my hubby naman, cheese, wine, chocolates, etc.

[bankrun]

thanks again. hope it is ok to ask more questions: may bayad ba sa louvre? whats your tip when going around louvre, arc de triomphe and eiffel as well? is it ok to wear rubber shoes in paris? i was told it will look tooo touristy?
 

[kirstenchelsea]

pa-share naman ng itinerary niyo. wala pa naman so far idea ako kung ilang days mag-stay dun tia

[[-c-h-a-]]

^^yes, may entrance fee sa louvre

[foxymom]

hi ladies! hubby and i are thinking of spending xmas in paris this year. mahirap ba kumuha ng visa sa french embassy? and is it safe to purchase a ticket already kahit wala pang visa? madami kasing good promos now

ang target ko lang talaga is paris bec i want to shop! but since we plan to stay for 2 weeks, what nearby area/ country can we include?

and to those who have contacts to apartments -- pa pm naman ng name and link? thanks a lot!

[mama squeak!]

^sis, backread ka lang. I posted a lot of tips including staying in an apartment in Paris.

 

[mama squeak!]

thanks again. hope it is ok to ask more questions: may bayad ba sa louvre? whats your tip when going around louvre, arc de triomphe and eiffel as well? is it ok to wear rubber shoes in paris? i was told it will look tooo touristy?

sis, if you are going to visit 3 or more museums i suggest you get the Paris Museum Pass. Check the link below:

http://en.parismuseumpass.com/

The museum pass saves you money and time. For me mas importante yung time since usually short visit lang naman tayo. Some museums have special entrances for pass holders so you don't queue up with the rest of the tourists trying to get in. Believe me the lines in major museums are humongous!

At the Louvre, the entrance for pass holders is at the Richelieu wing. With the Jardin des Tuilleries at your back and facing IM Pei's glass pyramid that would be to your left. The Arc de Triomphe also has a special entrance for pass holders. Both museum/monument are covered by the museum pass.

The Tour Eiffel is not covered by the museum pass. To avoid the loooooong lines here, you can buy your tickets online. This is advantageous if you have a set time and date to climb the tower. Check the link below:

http://www.tour-eiffel.com/

If you don't have a set time and date to visit the tower. Either go first thing in the morning or late at night to beat the crowds. The best place to take photographs of the tower would be from Trocadero, just across the bridge.

You'll be walking a lot in Paris so wear something comfortable. Of course since it's the fashion capital of the world one tries to dress up a bit. But it all boils down to you and how comfortable you will be. Hirap naman nun ang porma mo pero naman your feet will be killing you. 

 

[chinita8]

sis mama squeak, just wanted to ask you what is cheapest mode of transpo to get from Rome to Paris? Plane or Train? If train, is this the Eurail? How much kaya? Driving there is not an option, tamad kasi si hubby.  Thanks so much in advance!