I bought my tickets!

[kristengingera]

Okay, a while back I said it was my final itinerary but it's changed again. But this time is the last time...because I bought my tickets 25 minutes ago! I am so excited, it's really happening!

May 13- Leave Montreal for Paris
May 14- Land at 10:00
May 15- Paris
May 16- Paris
May 17- Paris (Versailles)
May 18- Paris, train to Bayeux at 16:00
May 19- Bayeux
May 20- Bayeux, train back to Paris at 17:30
May 21- Paris, nighttrain to Cinque Terre at 19:00
May 22- Arrive in Cinque Terre at 9:30
May 23- Cinque Terre
May 24- Train to Venice at 10:30, arrive in Venice at 17:00
May 25- Venice
May 26- Venice, catch train to Florence at 16:30, arrive at 20:00
May 27- Florence
May 28- Florence
May 29- Florence
May 30- Florence, catch train to Orvieto at 15:00, arrive at 17:30
May 31- Orvieto, catch train to Rome at 15:30, arrive 17:00
Jun 1- Rome
Jun 2- Rome
Jun 3- Rome
Jun 4- Rome
Jun 5- Rome (Pompeii and Naples)
Jun 6- Rome
Jun 7- Rome, flight to Dublin
Jun 8- Dublin
Jun 9- Paddywagon Tour
Jun 10- Paddywagon Tour
Jun 11- Paddywagon Tour
Jun 12- Paddywagon Tour
Jun 13- Paddywagon Tour
Jun 14- Paddywagon Tour
Jun 15- Paddywagon Tour
Jun 16- Flight to London
Jun 17- London
Jun 18- London
Jun 19- London, flight home to Montreal

We both have bought our bags (I even sewed a McGill University patch on mine! ) and I am going to purchase the Eurail France-Italy Pass 6 days in 2 months (and using a point ticket for the trip from Orvieto to Rome, only 25$ whereas extra day on my pass is 30$).

Comments and suggestions encouraged!
*does a little dance because she is so excited*

[francefiend]

Congratulations! Yay tickets!

What airport are you arriving in Paris? And where (approximately or specifically) are staying in the city? I could give you more information about getting to your place / to Bercy - and helpful tidbits about the city itself.

If you want to see the Chateau de Versailles, take the earliest RER train possible. Lines are loooooonnnng. Alternatively, you could enjoy the gardens without lines :-)

France-Italy Pass <3 !!
Before you use it for the first time - before you write ANYTHING on it - VALIDATE your pass at a Gare SNCF (train station) ticket window. Bring your passport. To find the nearest Gare SNCF, locate the closest metro station that begins with "Gare." You should also be able to validate your pass at Bercy station. This involves waiting in slow moving French lines manned by easygoing French people, so it's best that this be done before the first departure date. The ticket person will stamp your pass and fill in the validity dates.

Also, since Paris-[Italian cities] is a well-traveled route, it would be wise to purchase reservations in advance. Even though they are more expensive, it's good to have this important part of your itinerary "in stone." You don't need reservations for Bayeux - just show up at Gare Saint Lazare about 30 minutes early.

On your pass: write the date of travel BEFORE boarding the train in European format. For example, Christmas is 25/12. The conductor can fine you if the Rail Pass is filled in incorrectly.

[kristengingera]

Wow! Thanks so much for that!

I am arriving at the Charles de Galle Airport and am staying a Hotel Square Caulincourt (can't remember which area).
I cannot wait to go to Bayeux, we have two Normandy tours planned! I wish I could have more time to see the countryside of France, feel I am leaving alot out but it just gives me a reason for a second trip!

[pointofnoreturn]

To get into Paris, I'd just buy the combination RER-Metro ticket. I think it's about 8-euros something. Also when you're in CDG, you can pick up a pack of metro tickets (10 tickets) to save you the trouble

Congrats on your tickets! Now it's just the waiting part that you're going to get sick of!

[francefiend]

1. Square Caulaincourt is in Montmartre. Apparently, your hostel is near Sacré Coeur - I have mixed feelings about that. Some of the area is great - but the touristy parts can be rather annoying.

2. Don't bother with the 5.50E petit déjeuner. You can get a decent breakfast for half that. The French don't really care about breakfast anyway. Pick something up at a local boulangerie for breakfast. Find a happy sandwich for lunch at a deli, boulangerie, or general store like Monoprix. Do whatever you want for dinner.

3. If you take the métro/RER to your hostel, PACK LIGHT. Métro stairs and automated doors are not your friends - although nice Parisians may stop and help you along the way While you're at it, print out your own personal map of the métro. As the previous poster said, a carnet of 10 tickets would be your best bet. If you decide to take a taxi, write down the address of the hostel for the driver and only board a taxi marked "Taxis Parisiens."

4.

I wish I could have more time to see the countryside of France [...]

. Arrive at the Gare Saint Lazare early to get a window seat The countryside between towns is beautiful.

I am leaving alot out but it just gives me a reason for a second trip!

Exactly! Pace yourself; fit in what you can - you won't regret it.

[pointofnoreturn]

Yeah, the metro stations aren't exactly luggage-friendly or disabled-friendly for the most part. It wasn't too bad for me, as I had a 21" rolling suitcase. After all, I was only doing it twice re: Paris metro - into Paris and out of Paris! Doesn't really matter anyways - you're going to experience that with all cities regardless.

Edited for spelling mistakes... oops!

[kristengingera]

I test-drove my backpack over the holidays. My boyfriend and I went to Stowe, Vermont for three nights. I obviously overpacked (because we were going out for New Year's dinner and we went snowshoeing and stuff) but was extremely surprised by how light my bag felt on my back (and really how little I could fit, I have no choice but to pack light!!!!)

Thanks so much for the pointers about getting into the city...I think that is what I am most anxious/scared of: not being familiar with the place I am in! But everywhere I am going on this trip I speak the language (have spoken french since grade school, Vive le Quebec, and took Italian classes in college and am brushing up using Podcasts!) so I think that should help.

[pointofnoreturn]

Pfft, you'll be fine

I'm originally from Montreal and can understand written French. Oral? Not so much! However, the people I came across with in Paris - they spoke English as well so it was all good for me.

It should be interesting having a backpack as a form of luggage. My travelling partner insisted on buying a backpack and so she did.... by the end of the trip, she declared to me "When I get back to Vancouver, I am burning this fricking bag!"

[jessus]

Your trip looks pretty similar to mine! I'll don't have any tips, since my first trip (and first time to Europe) isn't until September! But I will be watching for how you liked things, and other people's tips too!