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Post by pharmjen on Jun 18, 2007 19:49:25 GMT -5
Hey gang - 8 days and counting! Aside from the obvious, what are your essentials to pack for your trip to Paris?? I'll be in Dijon for 3 days then Paris for 4 - I'll be bringing a duffle bag to throw dirty laundry in to make room for all the goodies I'm going to buy!! I'm always looking for tips on packing light eventhough I always pack too much! Jen
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 18, 2007 20:01:55 GMT -5
Just rembember that Paris is a world city, and there's almost nothing you wouldn't be able to replace if you left it at home. Relax and don't worry too much about packing everything you can think of. Essentials include a small travel umbrella, a light sweater or jacket (even in July), TWO pairs of comfortable shoes, no more than two pairs of jeans or pants or two skirts/dresses (for the length of your stay). If you really think you'll buy a lot in Paris, you might want to pack a smaller suitcase with your clothes and then place that suitcase inside a larger empty one. That way, you'll have one completely empty suitcase to fill up for your return trip!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 19, 2007 10:40:05 GMT -5
I agree with Truffaut's basics and would add, try to take mostly neutrals (black, especially, is so forgiving of travel mishaps!) and then just add some accessories (scarves, belts) or buy them along the way ;D to spice things up!
I would say, be sure you have at least one pair of closed shoes in case of rain (I once was in Paris for 10 days in June, with only various sandals as footwear, and it rained at least a little every day -- I did not stay indoors, but it would have been better if I had been able to wear closed shoes!) In addition to the umbrella, you may want to take a light rain jacket (the nylon type that stuffs into a bag and can just stay in a large purse if the weather looks iffy).
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aude
Full Member
Posts: 114
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Post by aude on Jun 21, 2007 14:22:57 GMT -5
I always print a few copies of a currency conversion cheat sheet for travelers to keep in my pockets. I'm a moron when it comes to math, and I'd rather take a quick peek at it than do the calculations to know what something costs.
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Post by Roniece on Jun 22, 2007 5:46:50 GMT -5
ooh now there's a tip - thanks Aude, I like the cheat sheet on currency conversion, must remember that one!
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Post by sistereurope on Jun 22, 2007 8:23:07 GMT -5
With the dollar tanking I just try to forget about the exchange rate and think in euros when I'm there...which works just great until I get home and have a look at my VISA bill
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Post by cybee on Jun 22, 2007 8:28:01 GMT -5
SisterEurope!I hear you! I can start thinking that the Euros really mean dollars and think in those terms (e.g., "oh, that's not so spendy!") and then YIKES! CONVERSION is revealed on credit card bills in its true colors! ha! (The horror! )
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Post by luvparee on Jun 22, 2007 12:21:17 GMT -5
This isn't a packing item, but it really helped me maintain a handle on my money......
My last trip to Paris I only used an ATM because, on top of the weak dollar, I didn't want to also pay the rate that Visa charges (or charged) on each credit card transaction. I converted the dollar amount of cash in my account into what that would be in Euros and just subtracted the Euros each time I made a withdrawal. Not being a math brain type of person, I knew that I wouldn't accidentally withdraw 200E figuring it was $200! That worked very well for me.
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Post by luvparee on Jun 22, 2007 12:22:48 GMT -5
Did I lose my "exalt/smite" capacbility for any reason? Maybe because I don't use it? I haven't seen it below my information for several days............
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 22, 2007 12:39:19 GMT -5
Luvparee--the "exalt/smite" feature appears under everyone else's information, never your own (I guess someone doesn't want us patting ourselves on the back!) So if you want to exalt someone, you do it when you see the buttons under their name on a post (then they disappear for an hour or so).
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Post by goldenmama on Jun 23, 2007 4:17:33 GMT -5
???luvparee- Visa will charge for each transaction? I had planned to use my Visa for as much as I could. What kind of charge is it?
and aude--I love the currency cheat sheet idea. Its going on my to-do list!
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 23, 2007 5:09:29 GMT -5
I always travel with a cheat sheet. It weighs nothing.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 23, 2007 9:56:12 GMT -5
Golden, so far as I'm aware, all credit card companies charge a small percentage "foreign transation" fee for converting your charge in a foreign currency to dollars. Whether you get cash to pay for things, or just use the credit card, there will always be a charge. I think the charge may vary somewhat from one to another and I seem to recall that AmEx used to be less than others (but I doubt that's true any longer). You can ask your card company (or it may be shown in the small print disclosures on the back of the statement).
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Post by goldenmama on Jun 23, 2007 10:41:59 GMT -5
You are correct, Becky. I just called Visa and they told me there is a 3% fee on each transaction. Darn it! I hate carrying cash around, but I just hate paying extra fees.
It was also interesting to note that the Visa employee asked for my travel dates to enter it into their computer. He said they would block a card if they suddenly saw a lot of foreign fees. I would have NEVER thought of that!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 23, 2007 10:57:52 GMT -5
Golden, yes you should always notify credit card companies and any bank with an ATM/debit card you will be taking with you. I had that happen to me a few years ago and had to call Visa from Paris when they refused to authorize the payment for the balance of my apartment rental!
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 23, 2007 11:13:46 GMT -5
Also, if you're traveling with your spouse, he/she should probably call the credit card/debit card company also. One of our cards allows me to notify them that we both will be traveling, but another company, because of so called privacy laws, requires each of us to call. Some cards only charge 1%, so it's worth checking on.
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Post by Ray(aka) tripnebraska on Jun 23, 2007 11:51:12 GMT -5
I know this was probably over planning, but I called around to the local banks prior to our trip, and found one that gave free international atm transactions for the 1 st year. I opened an account there, and deposited the amount of money I planned to spend on the trip(more than I actually used). My reasoning was if I lost my wallet, I would not have to redo my household checking acct., with all the automatic withdrawals associated with it.
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 23, 2007 12:04:18 GMT -5
That is not a bad idea, Ray! Getting those automatic withdrawals set up on a new account is no picnic
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Post by Penny on Jun 23, 2007 12:05:27 GMT -5
My credit card co. charged me 1% but I have a very small limit (my choice) ,used it for Eurostar and a couple of small purchases BOA my debit no ATM (at Paribus) 0 ATM 0 exchange fee and a very good exchange rate (when I used for cash withdrawal). However when I used it to pay for items such as hotel it was 3% conversation fee. So check with your bank and credit card company and see what the rate is. be very specific, ie. "if I charge/withdraw $100 how much would you charge me in conversation fees"? (andremember on credit card you will be charged finance charges (if you have a balance), so large purchases can raise that also) so also ask check with your credit card companies and see what the fee is and if your bank has a reciprocal agreement with any in France and if not how much their ATM fee would be. BOA is with Paribus. using the ATM there is so easy. Like someone said try and think in Euro. Also I think for ATM withdrawal you have to have a debit card with a 4 digit pin (someone else will have to verify that). I used $1.40 to calculate Cheat Sheet and every charge and debit was at less than that. I also take a couple of legal size envelopes to put receipts in that way I can compare when I get the bill/statement from bank/credit co. so if I need to dispute and LOL in one instance to prove to someone I did pay that much for something they had wanted.
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Post by Penny on Jun 23, 2007 12:14:05 GMT -5
For packing list- there a few things I always carry zip-lock bags, (2 sizes), plastic covered twist ties, sturdy rubber bands and larger plastic bags like your paper comes in on Sunday. I put my shoes in the plastic bags in luggage but also carry a couple in purse for trash. And the one thing I don't go anywhere without. Wet-naps, handwipes whatever name you know them by. This last trip I also took bubble wrap because I knew I was bringing back a bottle of Grand Mariner.
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