Some Additional Travel Thoughts
y series on getting oneself to Paris and finding a place to stay hopefully got some of you thinking about actually going over. I am not a travel agent and left out lots and lots of information that someone far more capable than myself would be able to provide you with. But, having gone over numerous times, I do at least know how some things work in the “real world” sense–sort of through trial and error.
I left out that many times, renting apartments can be cheaper than staying in a hotel. Again, you are not getting some of the services that a hotel provides, but if you don’t require much assistance, why pay for it? With the dollar as weak as it is over there, looking for more economical ways to travel makes sense. Believe me, meals, museums, shopping–it will all add up. When you are looking for accommodations, just be sure to make some comparisons. Having your own kitchen allows for dining in a few times during your stay which you wouldn’t be able to do in a hotel. Little things like that can make a difference.
Be forewarned that not all hotels or apartments are set up with internet connections. If you need to bring work with you and a computer is required, don’t assume there will be internet. Things are getting better, but many times the only connection is in the lobby. I am in the process of renting a studio for February and as I went through the sites, I made sure that whatever I chose had internet connection or wifi listed in the description. You can find some cafés that have wireless which only require that you order at least a coffee. Their service will last about an hour. There of course are internet cafés but do you really want to spend your time looking for one if you don’t have to? In the age of convenience that we live in, I know from experience that lugging a laptop around Paris to find a connection is a bit of a pain.
If you don’t know what this logo is all about, you should. Skype is some sort of “telephony” thing that you can download onto your computer and talk for free with anyone around the world who has it downloaded onto their computer and is signed on. I am not all techy (can you tell?) but I love, love, love this. When I travel, I am able to talk to home everyday, for as long as I want and not have to pay. It is a wonderful way to be connected when you are so far away. The website has a million other things available that you might want to check out whether you are leaving the country or not.
Those are just some random thoughts that have come to me over the last few days that I felt I should share. My secret is probably out by now–I am not very linear in anything I do. As more surface, I will be sure to pass them along. In the meantime, go check out the fun website where I found the vintage stamp!
Tags: b5media, goingpostalt-shirts.com, paris, skype, the paris traveler, travel, travel blog
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Travel Tips
1 opinion for Some Additional Travel Thoughts
Taylor
Jan 25, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I too enjoyed the red coat, but I found a blue version that I would take so you could have the red — all this aside, can we talk first about how much we want Olivier Saillard’s job, and then of course the unique and fantastic scarf-wrapping ability of Christian Lacroix?? I am going to try that today. But doesn’t it seem as though people like Lacroix should be way above doing things that other people could copy? As much as I think Karl Lagerfeld is slightly bizarre, he’s probably the ultimate fashion designer - no one can outrightly copy him… without people thinking, wow you really look like Karl today.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: