lyore | France

Yep folks, it's official. I'm going to France. And also to the UK, and possibly to Italy, depending on what we decide to do. At the moment looks like being 20 days in France, primarily based in Paris and Northern France (cause Paris is where the free accommodation is *waves to

kasneeze) and then 10 days in England/UK. Only 5 weeks to get everything organised...

This is my first proper overseas trip (NZ does not count), and it's far and away the longest holiday I've ever been on. Which means that I'm very excited, but only slightly less nervous. I'm hoping to get the dates finalised and tickets booked this week.

On that note, anyone out there got any tips/warnings/dos and don'ts/things to do and see? So far, the collective wisdom of my RL friends has informed me that:
a. Europe is full of pickpockets so talented that they steal the clothes off your back and you never even notice,
b. Europe is a very good place to go to pick up guys from Australia (with bonus points if they actually come from your home town), and
c. Starting a conversation on a plane with 'Hi Jack' is a Very Bad Idea.

In other matters, I've got the latest episode of Supernatural but in an unnatural bout of good-sisterlyness, have decided to wait for

bob_ette to arrive tomorrow before watching it. ~~This has nothing to do with the fact I have SG-1 and Dr Who to watch tonight.~~ I heard there has been some... interesting fan reactions to this one, so I'm especially curious about it.

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France is awesome. I loved it there. We stayed in the north east(ish), a town called Nogent-Le-Rotrou in Eure-et-Loire, on the border of Normandy iirc. The countryside is beautiful around there, and we loved LeMans. I would have loved to spend more time in Paris, but we only got one day there. The upper class got two, boo. I always wanted to go see the catacombs- instead I got to see Whistler's Mother and every postcard stand and bridge from Musee d'Orsay to Notre Dame. :D (And lots of other things- Champs Elysee, Arc de Triomphe, some 14th century chapel whose name I can't recall that had the bible in stained glass all over- it's amazing what you can pack into a day.)

If you're going to be based in that area anyhow, I suggest Rouen. I really loved it there. The cathedral is amazing, and you can go see where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake! (We were morbid teenagers, okay?)

Giverny is also nice, though in five weeks I'm not sure if it's open or if it would be nice to look at if it was (we went in mid-April).

Mont St. Michel is a trek from Paris, and we never went (schedule was too tight), but I heard it's really awesome.

Thanks, this info is great! Rouen, huh? Stake-burning is good. Well, not really, but you know what I mean. And Giverny. Mont St. Michel *Adds names to list*
And I'm definitely planning on seeing the catacombs!

Just out of curiousity, when did you go to France? And were you driving or taking public transport? I ask because we aren't planning on renting a car in France, and while I've seen the public relations procures about the train system, I was wondering how effective it is once you move away from Paris.

I'm afraid I won't be very helpful that way- I went in 1997, with my high school. There were forty of us and we hired one of those giant tour buses to cart us around.

Wow, you went to France for school? That's one of the disadvantages of growing up (and living) in Australia - no overseas school trips for us.

Yay! You'll love it. (I'm jealous - I only have 2 days in France)

I can't speak from personal experience yet, but i've been told that the French are pretty helpful if you make it clear you're Australian (and not American or British) And even though most of them can speak English, they will pretend they can't unless you try some French first. Apparently they like to see you're making the effort, which makes sense.

I'll probably have some more first-hand advice in a few weeks!

I've heard that. I have a friend who's done a lot of Contiki tours in europe. According to her, all the Canadians wear backpacks with the Maple leaf on them, and she eventually got curious enough to ask them why. They said it was so everyone knew they weren't American :)

I'll expect a full report in a couple of weeks then :)

YAY GOING TO FRANCE!!!! Have, like, so much fun!!!

Advice? Um ... watch out for insane driving. Italian, and from what I've heard, French drivers, can be really scary and dangerous to innocent bystanders hoping to cross the road.

I'm sure I'll manage to have fun :) Organising it is going to be a pain (in a fun kinda way), but once I get there, it'll be a blast.

Thanks for the tip. It doesn't look like we will be going to Italy (this time), we're going to spend more time in the UK instead.

I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!! (and insanely jealous too)

I went in high school with a group that included the French and Latin teachers and also a teacher who took German in college. (Watching them plus my Spanish speaking classmates try to decipher street signs in Rome was hilarious)

As for tips:
Notre Dame is a must, I was bored out of my mind with most of the chapels and cathedrals we saw in Europe, what with not being Catholic, but Notre Dame is special. It has an amazing feeling to it, and I especially recommend the garden right behind it.

If you intend to go to the Louvre devote at least a full day, it's huge and way too easy to get lost in

For unique souvenirs you can't beat going to the artist quarter just behind Sacre Couer and having your portrait done. My mom adored mine and still has it up in the house. (Be aware, the stairs may take you awhile, but the view at the top is worth it!)

The cheese sandwiches that you will see being sold from carts at every tourist location are REALLY good.

Versailles is a worthwhile day trip, especially as a Dr. Who fan...

The Metro in Paris is safe and simple, I loved it. (And I'm from Texas, where NO ONE walks and there is no public transit)

If you need cheap souvenirs, my aunt's recommendation turned out really well, get a kid's meal at a European McDonald's. The box and the toy are different from what you have at home.

If you do get to go to Italy, buy chocolate and ice cream, and the Space Electric Discotheque in Italy was a blast! (And I didn't drink at the time, so it really is fun for anyone)

One last tip, get at least one disposable camera, if anything goes wrong with your normal camera you'll be heartbroken that you don't have a backup. (Also, if going somewhere where it might get damaged or lost, dropped in water, etc. take the disposable just to be safe)

All you people who got to go to Europe in school! *Is jealous back*

Thanks for the tips. Not only am I going to Versailles, I'm going to Cardiff too!!

Disposable camera is a really good idea, especially since I am going to be taking my parent's semi-expensive digital one.

I learned the hard way, my regular camera's spring just quit, couldn't rewind the film so I couldn't get it out, I was so glad I had a disposable.

Yay travel! *g*

I heard there has been some... interesting fan reactions to this one, so I'm especially curious about it.

Really? I've seen mostly squee, though not everyone loved it. hehe What kinds of reactions did you hear about?

Well, just flicking through my flist, it seemed there was a lot of 'I liked/loved this, BUT...' sort of reactions, moreso than usual. And a couple of cryptic comments on linked posts in newsletters, although I have no idea which ones now.

But then again, I didn't read behind the cuts, so I may be completely misinterpreting the reaction.

I should get to see it tonight. Yay!

Cool! :-) I'll look forward to reading what you think. :-)

France

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