Lots has already been written in earlier reviews about the beauty of Paris, the most popular tourist spot of the world. I write this review as a guide to future travellers from the Indian perspective.
- PLANNING
Research for a trip to Europe was exhausting. I read a few blogs of travellers, countries' sites, the travel agents' tours etc, and concluded that, rather than covering 5 countries, it is better to visit just 2 countries in the same period. We chose Paris and Switzerland for 5 days each---total 10 days. This gave us time to recoup and enjoy the places for their sights, culture and beauty at a leisurely pace.
- TRAVEL AGENT OR OWN RESEARCH
This is a dilemma in this age of Internet. Some of my patients told me that they saved money by booking through hotel's sites or online tour operators. I strongly urge to book through travel agents. The competition in travel industry makes the rates very lucrative and transparent. We spent a month going through ads and quotations of agents and finally selected TUI-----but asked for individual tour rather than a group tour. Sharad, their Head of overseas travel proved to be an asset in planning, including how to travel within the countries.
On checking at our hotel in central district of Paris, a Best Western property, we found that an Indian, who had booked on his own, was paying 210 Euros per day( Rs 14000), while our agent had charged us less than 50k for a total of 5 days stay. Similarly, at Switzerland, the rates at Radisson were displayed as 480 Francs per day( Rs 23000) while we had paid hardly 70 k for the entire 5 days of hotel stay.
Tour operator do mass bookings during the entire year, so the rates that they get for hotels cannot be matched.
- VISA
France is fussy about visa--they do not want the back-pack travellers. In fact so much was the delay these days in French Embassy, that I applied for the Schenzegen visa at the Italian one. Even they took 13 days. Swiss was faster only 3 days. Always apply through the Indian agents authorised by the embassy and not directly. You save the ordeal of an interview at the embassy .
When applying, attach the last 3 years IT returns, the last 6 months bank statements, last 3 months credit card statements and property papers. Anticipate delay and apply well in advance.
- TRAVEL
Paris has a very efficient metro and bus system. Metro is easy to understand, free metro maps are lying in all public places. You have to ask the English speaking staff of the hotel before leaving for the metro.
However, when you just land in Paris, you will not have the energy or time to take the metro. Cabs are very expensive as the meter runs per 10 seconds even when waiting at a red light or in traffic jam. On our own, the 90 minutes trip to our hotel from airport would have cost us 100 euros---Rs 7000 or so. So ask the tour operator for airport pick-up and drop. This cost us only 40 euros. They even check the flight timing and are responsible for meeting you even if flight is delayed.
When travelling within Paris, you may have difficulty in finding English speaking people. So write the name of destination on a paper, or point it on a map and approach people, they will tell you--Metro no. 2 or 4 or whatever. This always worked for us--even at midnight. In metro each entry costs you j1.5 euros---as long as you do not come out of the station, the ticket is valid for any number of trains. To reach a destination, you may have to change up to 3 trains all valid on same ticket.
- WALKING
Paris is a small city- you can walk from one end to the other. In fact you always enjoy walking as the people are so well dressed and groomed. Their accessories are a treat to your eyes. Tourists give a festive look. The road-side cafes are a treat. If you have to travel in a metro for just 2 stations, it is better to walk as it will take you lesser time than going underground.
- SECURITY
France has a high incidence of pick-pockets, due to the tourist boom. It is best to travel without passports and too many credit cards---leave them in the hotel locker. I met an American who lost his passport on Friday and had to extend his stay as embassy was closed on weekend. Indian embassy does not match the western ones in issuing duplicate passports. So better to be safe than sorry.
- HOTEL
Always stay in central district to avoid travel time. You are closer to all monuments, shopping malls, classy restaurants that way. The central most district is number 1 and the numbers increase in a clockwise manner.Paris is divided into 20 districts numbered from 1 to 20. Our tour advisor booked us in a 4 star hotel due to its location. For the same rates we were getting a 5 star hotel in suburbs.
The room sizes in Paris are small. Even in a 4 star hotel, you'd be hard pressed to open more than 1 suitcase at a time. So be mentally prepared for small rooms. That is the style of Paris since properties are old, with limited expansion scope.
- MEALS
Beef is not that common in Paris unlike U.S.A . Still ask when ordering about use of beef. Enjoy the variety of French cuisine --they use a lot of cheese, pork, lettuce. There is more of cold food available--like salads, cold meats, sandwiches. Order soups, spaghetti, sea food, platters, cheese or salami-omelette's, even noodles, pasta, rolls----all served hot. Vegetarians will be hard pressed for variety and may have to settle for croissants and sandwiches. I found food quite affordable. The most we paid for a meal for two in the best of places was 47 euros--which is less than 3000 rs. In general, most meals cost less than 1000 rs per head. On the move, a sandwich or a salad will cost about 250 rs per head.
- TIPS
Europeans add 10% service tax to the bill and do not expect tips. Out tour operator told us that tips are appreciated. However, in most places, they walk away before you can tip them. It is okay not to tip.
- DRINKS
Alcohol is not over-priced in Paris.. Buy your duty-free from Delhi or on flight ---as arriving passengers are not permitted purchase of duty-free alcohol at Paris airport However, you can buy scotch at general stores in the city at reasonable prices. A Chivas costs Rs 1200 to 1400 at all stores. Beer is cheap at the cafes and pubs. Whisky by the peg is also cheap, rarely crossing 400 rs per peg in best of places. Wines are expensive and make sure to find the rates properly before ordering as you may have to dish out up to 10k for a fine wine bottle.
Buy water bottles from the stores---a 1.5 litre bottle costs just 30 to 40 rupees there while in a restaurant you pay 200 rs for 300 ml of water.
- PEOPLE
The biggest myth I heard was that French are snooty, do not reply when spoken to in English and do not like Asian tourists. I personally found the opposite. They do not know English language but take pains to explain to you by using of signs and and maps. Never even once did we come across a person who did not smile when spoken to. Now most places also have a menu
