Visiting Paris: A Paris Lover's Tips for Having a Fabulous Trip

Paris is one of my favorite cities to visit in the world, and it is probably impossible to not have a fabulous time, whether you are there for a couple of days or a longer sojourn. If you’ve been, you know what I mean. If you haven’t visited and are planning a trip, you are in for a treat. But there are some things you should do to ensure you have a great time, and learning to speak French fluently is not one of them. So let me address that issue now, since it is often a point of concern for travelers to Paris, and an occasional complaint from those who have been.

Remember that you are a visitor, and things will be different from what you are accustomed to. This is true anywhere you travel, outside the US or even within as you visit other regions. So don’t expect to feel comfortable all the time, and please don’t act as if things should necessarily be the way you want them to be. This is true in restaurants, shops, when taking public transportation, visiting churches, and more. Part of what makes people not enjoy their foreign travel is they do expect things to be like home, and when they are different, become displeased, or feel uncomfortable. Try to remember that much of the fun in foreign travel is the discovery of new places, people and customs.