The Smartest Tips for Travel

I'm still a firm believer in the rolling duffle. It packs more in the same space as a hard case and if you wrap breakables correctly, they'll make it back just fine. I can't wait to enjoy my wine. Also, never leave home without an iPod or major city maps. BF :)

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Packing my outfits in bags (two shirts and one pant). Knew each day what to wear. BN :)

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Taking the small bag and fewer clothes!! LC :)

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I have trouble with my ears and pressure on airplanes. I used ear plugs that you put in before you take off and before you land. They are called Earplanes. You get them at Wal-Mart. They work! No trouble at all. GH :)

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iPod- I never heard the small child on the flight to Paris. I had my iPod on. The kind of ear buds that have the rubber ends block out all noise. I also used them for the movies coming and going. I also did not hear the drunk lady on the flight from London! They were great! GH :)

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I was very glad to have something that smelled good in my travel bag with all of the aromas that we encountered on the plane (you know, the unpleasant ones). I carry a lavender pillow on all my trips, but this time also had a small bottle of perfume that I was able to apply just a small amount of to my blanket to help block out odors that drifted my way. KS :)
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I'm a believer in travel podcasts now! The Rick Steves one on Versailles was fabulous and followed right through all the rooms. Next time I travel I'll be looking for more podcasts...even if I have to pay for them....and that's a big step for me!!! SF :)

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Don't forget to pack your battery charger for your camera! JM :)

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Tie down securely that light jacket instead of draping it over your day bag. I lost my favorite Ralph Lauren jacket when it slipped off my bag without me noticing. MD :)

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Take more than one camera. I took 3 and recommend it highly! Several of us were singing the camera blues--broken camera, dropped camera (it still works!), batteries dead, full SD cards, etc.... TAKE MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU'LL NEED because once you're "there", you'll be consumed with the beauty and you'll want pictures, pictures, and more pictures. It's nice to share photos but it makes you feel extra close to the beauty when you are the one who worked for that perfect angle. The payoff is in the memories that are at your fingertips when you get home. MD :)

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It worked for me to have wet wipes all the time to clean my hands often. There are a lot of hands touching rails and doors, etc. and I don't like all those germs! JB :)

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Using the 2 1/2 gallon zip lock bags for my clothes is the best thing I have done. They don't move around in the suitcase and they get less wrinkled. DL :)

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I was one of the few holdouts with a BIG bag (just ask Gary!). Mark my words, next trip my suitcase will be smaller - maybe not as compact as Sharan's, but definitely smaller! JS :)

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I used the "Man Bag" instead of a back pack...less bulky! GF :)

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I wished I had brought an extra memory card and extra rechargable camera battery with me - I ran out of room on my memory card by day two - and I had to recharge my camera battery every night. BH :)

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Cure for nausea...

Place a coin over the veins on the inside of your wrist (about two finger widths from the base of your palm) and secure it in place with a rubber band or ponytail holder. It works like the motion-sickness bands sold at drug-stores: The gentle pressure of the coin stimulates nerves that contol nausea.

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Calling internationally on your cell phone

First contact the provider and get international service connected. With AT&T World Traveler, it is $5.99 per phone per month PLUS .99/minute calling, .50/text, and $1.30 to send a picture. They advise keeping up with calls so that you know when all the calls you made come through on your bill. Sometimes call billing is delayed.

If you cancel your international plan before all calls come through then you are charged more. They also recommend turning your cell on and off several times before leaving the states to save settings, and then turning it on and off several times when we arrive in Paris to connect to their towers.

When calling from country to country, you need to put a plus sign (+) in front of the country code and then the number. To get a plus sign, hold down the zero til the plus sign appears.

How to:
1. Calling home from your cell—dial +1 and (10 digit number). 1 is the country code for the U.S.
2. Home calling your cell—+(country code) and the number (France is 33 and England is 44)
3. Calling locally (say a hotel in Paris)—just dial the number
4. Calling each other mobile to mobile—just dial the number

If you have any other service, you might call to clarify.
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Just a Few More Tips...

Some last minute tips...

--Keep $100 or so hidden in your wallet or a secure place for an emergency.

--Check your ATM/debit card (especially if you just got a new one) before we leave to activite it. Remember there is a transaction fee each time you use it, so in Europe avoid a lot of fees by not drawing out a lot of small amounts, but a subsantial amount at a time. It also saves time by not having to stand in the line at the ATM. Know your ATM code before you leave! Just a note: when I contacted my bank to tell them to expect foreign transactions in France and England, I found out that my ATM card is no longer accepted in Italy, although I used it there 2 years ago. Just check to make sure yours is good in the countries we are visiting.

--Wearing slide-on shoes at airport check in will save time and hassle.

--Also at the metal detectors, you may want to empty your pockets before you get there into a ziploc bag including your keys, coins, wallet, jewelry, cell phone, and belt. Just put the bag in the tray and it keeps your belongings together and speeds through security.

--Also to save time, try to print your boarding pass at home before heading for the airport. If it will not print, then try printing at the kiosk in the airport lobby. However, if you are going to check baggage, then you must go to the check in counter anyway.

--Have your boarding pass and passport ready at security...it saves time.

--Avoid the seduction of watching in flight movies all night. Hours of cinema might sound tempting, but sleep will undoubtedly prove more rewarding. We have a full day of excitement when we land in Paris. But if you do watch in flight movies, then here's what's playing...Last Chance Harvey (to Paris) and Fool's Gold (from London). Choose the month and route traveling from the drop down menu.

--During the flight do isometric exercises, eat light meals, and keep hydrated, but avoid sugary, alcoholic, or cafeinated drinks.

--Travelers to Europe can recoup a percentage of purchase price on goods in the form of value-added tax (VAT). If you are going to purchase a substantial amount, then it might be worth your while.

--Just like makeup and toiletries, carry-on food should be contained in a clear, quart-size ziploc bag if you want to zip through security. Try to get snacks in packages of 3 ounces or less. But you won't need a whole week's worth of snacks. Try those at various stops to get a more authentic taste of our destination...just imagine all the pastry shops in France!

--Don't forget an extra outfit, including toiletries, underwear, and socks in your carry-on in case of delayed baggage. And try packing one set in your roommate's bag...precautionary.

--Bring a large ziploc bag. If small items need washing, put them into the bag, add some soap (shampoo even), shake it up--holding the top closed and voila! Your own little agitator. Allow time for drying. We are in some hotels 2 nights.

--If you carry a small backpack for sightseeing on a day trip, then take twist-ties to secure the zippers together to help prevent pickpocketing.

--Remember that water is free with meals as it is in the states. If you request bottled water, wine, or soft drinks, you will be responsible for payment at all meals.

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Double Decker Buses in London

We have a 24-hour pass on a hop on, hop off double decker bus in London with a Thames River Cruise included. We will be using Big Bus Company.

Big Bus Tours of London offers free walking tours and the free Thames River Cruise. Click here for a full explanation of all the bus tours. The Royal Walking Tour, The Beatles Walking Tour, and Ghosts by Gaslight Walking Tour are the 3 walking tours. And here is their downloadable map!
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Ferry to Portsmouth

Passports says that generally they use the Brittanny Ferry for their tours that will take us from Caen, France to Portsmouth, England. Scroll down to "Caen - Portsmouth" and look on June 21.

You will see on the day-to-day itinerary there is much to see and do on June 21 before departing France, so chances are we are on one of the later ferries that looks to be leaving around 4:30 p.m. and arriving 5-6 hours later in Portsmouth. At least that is what the schedule suggests.

That would be the Mont St Michel channel cruise ferry with a ship diagram. It has 2 cinemas, a bureau de change (to change money), 460 reclining seats, restaurant, self service food, bar, among other amenities. Shopping is also available and they accept either euros or British pounds.

On this day, lunch will be provided and we are on our own for dinner on the ferry.

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