I see a deal to Paris and think "who do I know who's awake?" My friend, Kandi, was driving to Vegas with her family. I called her.
Here's our crazy outline. Can you even read it? I know it's tiny. So much stuff. So little time.
PJM: "Kandi, do you want to go to Paris?"
KJL: "Perris, CA?"
PJM: "Think bigger!"
KJL: "Paris, FRANCE!? Are you serious?"
PJM: "Completely serious. I found airfare for $285 round trip. Wanna go? How spontaneous can you be? The deal won't last long."
KJL: "Let me talk it over with Carson and I'll get right back to you."
Shortly thereafter, we booked the tickets and began planning our adventure.
We had several options. Stay in Paris for nine days. Stay in Paris a few days and venture out to other French cities. OR hop around Europe and see all that we could see. We chose the road less traveled!
Here's our basic outline.
Two days in Paris
Three days in Italy (Venice, Pisa, Florence and Rome)
Two days in London
One day (21 hour layover) in Zurich
One day to travel there and back.
We had an ambitious itinerary but we kept moving and somehow knocked it all out. Someday, when I've caught up on other things, I really need to write all about it. In the meantime, random Facebook and Instagram posts will have to do.
We love traveling and love that it really can be done for so much cheaper than most people realize. Here's a breakdown of what we spent. Considering ALL that we saw, I'd say it was worth every penny (and blister).
A few tips and tricks:
KJL: "Perris, CA?"
PJM: "Think bigger!"
KJL: "Paris, FRANCE!? Are you serious?"
PJM: "Completely serious. I found airfare for $285 round trip. Wanna go? How spontaneous can you be? The deal won't last long."
KJL: "Let me talk it over with Carson and I'll get right back to you."
Shortly thereafter, we booked the tickets and began planning our adventure.
We had several options. Stay in Paris for nine days. Stay in Paris a few days and venture out to other French cities. OR hop around Europe and see all that we could see. We chose the road less traveled!
Here's our basic outline.
Two days in Paris
Three days in Italy (Venice, Pisa, Florence and Rome)
Two days in London
One day (21 hour layover) in Zurich
One day to travel there and back.
We had an ambitious itinerary but we kept moving and somehow knocked it all out. Someday, when I've caught up on other things, I really need to write all about it. In the meantime, random Facebook and Instagram posts will have to do.
We love traveling and love that it really can be done for so much cheaper than most people realize. Here's a breakdown of what we spent. Considering ALL that we saw, I'd say it was worth every penny (and blister).
Per person Price breakdown:
LA-Paris $285rt
Paris-Venice $40
Rome-London $35
London to Paris $100
Italy 3day train pass $129
Museum admission $100
Gelato $15 Meals $150
Subways$45 Taxis $30
Hotels $400
GRAND TOTAL for 9 days: $1189
A few tips and tricks:
THE DEAL DICTATES THE DESTINATION. Be willing to travel in the off-season when airfares and crowds are at their lowest. Find a smoking hot airfare deal and build your trip around it. “Oh the places you’ll go!” (Doctor Seuss)
Pack LIGHT! Just bring 3 extra days’ clothing and wash a few things in your hotel sink at night or find a laundromat and wash it all at once. Less is more when traveling! Plus Europe is notorious for lots of cobblestone streets and plenty of stairs. You will thank me every time you zip past some overpacked tourist hefting their bags around. Dressing in layers and wearing pants with front pockets helps me stay organized: phone, cash, credit cards and subway tickets...everything needs a place. I like having my essentials on my person.
Safety: In my unprofessional option, most European cities are way safer than large US cities. They just don’t have the kind of crime that we have. Of course, you need to be smart and vigilant and beware of pickpockets in crowded areas, but overall, it’s safer. We were out until almost midnight most nights...maybe our guardian angels were working overtime.
Credit cards: We like to accumulate points with a Marriott rewards credit card. We use it for regular everyday purchases and then pay it off monthly. By doing this, we accumulate free hotel rooms with Marriott and also status, which makes us eligible for room upgrades and even the concierge's lounge (with yummy snacks!).
Go to church: it’s fun to go to church in different countries. Finding the church can be it’s own adventure. Hearing the sacrament prayers and hymns in other languages is a beautiful thing.
Intra-Europe flights are crazy cheap if you have tiny luggage and don’t care which seat you sit in. Make sure to read their rules or they’ll gouge you with lame fees. We got hit with a $45 fee because I checked in 116 minutes before the flight and not 120 or sooner. Ouch! That little mistake cost more than the price of the ticket!
Bring food. Yes, of course you want to eat your weight in pizza, crepes and gelato-and you still can- but sometimes you’re rushing to catch a train or get to a museum before they close and you just don’t have time to stop and have a meal. I like to bring trail mix, protein bars and fruit leathers. And as I eat them up I can replace the space in my bag with a few European chocolate bars as souvenirs.
Speaking of souvenirs: personally I prefer to bring home small, inexpensive jewelry that reminds me of my trip (earrings, bracelets..). They don’t take up much space and whenever I wear them it’s my own little reminder of a travel memory. Chocolate is also an excellent souvenir. They make it so rich and creamy. It makes our American chocolate taste like wax.
Phone and GPS: Several phone carriers offer free 2&3G speeds oversees. Others will simply charge you $5-10 a day for data plans. Having a phone with a working GPS is slick. Not only does it give you walking directions but also public transportation info.
Here's our crazy outline. Can you even read it? I know it's tiny. So much stuff. So little time.
Here are are few pictures. We took so many because everything was just gorgeous and exciting and interesting and fun.
Glimpse of Notre Dame
It twinkles at night!
The gendarmes were on every street corner on Saturday night in Paris. A group called the Yellow Jackets has made several messes ...putting it nicely. We snapped a pic with this group of friendly gendarmes. Full riot gear not shown.
Byrd scooters are even in Paris
Paris wins first place Rome came in second. London came in as a distant third. The French have mastered their pastries!
They
This is a provident living type program they’re doing in Paris with the locals. It’s had amazing success. Not only has it helped a bunch of Parisian’s find better jobs and improve their budgeting skills they’ve also had like 50% of the people who participate end up joining the church.
Then and now
Creepy European fashion
Monitors in trains have lots of useful info
Florence was way cooler than I remembered
More of fabulous Florence.
Riding the Pisa bus with the locals.
Beautiful Christus with 12 apostles at Rome Temple visitor center We even brought Italian family names with us and did their Initiatory ordinances. It was a really sweet experience.
Miracles of Jesus’ life
Vatican tour. So glad we had our buddy Rick Steves, in our ears. He is an informative, funny, sometimes nerdy, tour guide. Check out Rick Steves AudioEurope app. It’s full of lots of podcasts and tours
We devoured this delicious pasta!
This is a screenshot of the Pantheon tour. Not only does Rick tell you all the highlights, he also provides a very visuals to help us understand
The Pantheon was built as a Pagaen temple, then around 400 AD it was used by Christians Today it’s used for worship, ceremonies, weddings and other events.
We need to go back to eat more gelato!
Spanish steps in Rome
Cigarette packages not only have labels that read: “Smoking is suicide.” “Second had smoke kills loved ones.” They also put graphic images of nicotine related illnesses and deaths. And yet SO many Europeans still smoke like chimneys. I’m perplexed
London tower, complete with catapult and batting cages?
Thankfully they put these EVERYWHERE!
Double booths
We giggled every time we rode the double decker busses! SO fun!
