Awesome info. Couple of things to add...

by PAK, Friday, May 18, 2018, 10:15 (2904 days ago) @ Jay

Check your passport! I thought for SURE that mine was good to go, but it expired in December. Same for several of my family that are going with us. Thankfully we have enough time to get them renewed.

Credit cards often have foreign transaction fees. It may be worthwhile to apply for a card that doesn't have them. Cards that offer extra cash back for travel always seem to have no foreign transaction fees.

Most countries have pay as you go phones available which are an alternative to activating your phone for international use, which can be expensive. Google maps allows you to download maps for offline use, which will be convenient.

I'm a big fan of packing a power strip when I travel. Most hotels were designed before the days when everyone had multiple things that need to charge overnight.

Thanks for the guidebook recommendations. I know my mom got one already but I may pick one up as well.

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Complete thread:

PAK, travel followup - Jay, 2018-05-18, 08:23
- Just wanted to thank you all for another great thread. - PAK, 2018-05-19, 12:59
- sights: must-do's - Jay, 2018-05-18, 12:20
  - Have you been to Giverney? - Jack, 2018-05-18, 13:27
    - haven't, but going this summer - Jay, 2018-05-18, 14:59
  - re: The Louvre - MattG, 2018-05-18, 12:27
    - And there's the Rubens room - Jack, 2018-05-18, 13:30
- a book and a movie (fixed video) - Jay, 2018-05-18, 11:25
  - Music rec: buy an Edith Piaf collection - HCE, 2018-05-18, 13:33
- UK-specific tip - they... replaced? all their money? - MattG, 2018-05-18, 11:06
  - Is money from 2013 still good? - CK08, 2018-05-18, 12:28
    - Not the pound coins or 5-pound notes. - MattG, 2018-05-18, 12:45
      - You can put those old notes in a decoy wallet!! - Jack, 2018-05-18, 13:20
  - Not true with the coins. They're still perfectly good - Jack, 2018-05-18, 11:09
    - OH NOW ITS ON. They are not legal tender - MattG, 2018-05-18, 11:41
      - Ah, but that article says you can still exchange them - Jack, 2018-05-18, 13:11
        
        Well, yes. That’s what I originally said :) - MattG, 2018-05-18, 13:28
        
        I have an easier method - Jack, 2018-05-18, 13:33
- Awesome info. Couple of things to add... - PAK, 2018-05-18, 10:15
  - Also, we booked a hotel in the 1st Arr. - PAK, 2018-05-18, 11:31
    - can't be more central than that - Jay, 2018-05-18, 12:21
      - Normandy Hotel on Rue de l'Échelle - PAK, 2018-05-18, 13:08
        
        Angelina is right around the corner - Jay, 2018-05-18, 14:58
      - If? Hah! - Greg, 2018-05-18, 12:35
        
        Let me guess. Fideaux? - Jack, 2018-05-18, 14:59
    - Worth it. - MattG, 2018-05-18, 11:48
  - Some notes - Joe I, 2018-05-18, 11:05
    - Adding, macaron - Joe I, 2018-05-18, 15:37
    - I'll second the Rodin museum. I thought that was the - BillyGoat, 2018-05-18, 11:13
      - Agreed. It's worth it for The Gates of Hell alone - HCE, 2018-05-18, 11:22
      - Agreed, and it's also right near Les Invalides - Jack, 2018-05-18, 11:21
        
        Yep. It's pretty amazing. - BillyGoat, 2018-05-18, 11:30
      - it's the next must-see after the big 2 - Jay, 2018-05-18, 11:21
  - good tip on temporary phones - Jay, 2018-05-18, 10:25
    - If you have T-Mobile ONE, it works in any country for free. - MattG, 2018-05-18, 11:02
- "Don't bring any expensive jewelry." - Grantland, 2018-05-18, 10:09
- transpo tips - Jay, 2018-05-18, 10:04
  - For pickpockets, use a decoy wallet - Jack, 2018-05-18, 10:55
    - easily defeated by decoy pickpockets - Jay, 2018-05-18, 12:27
      - Damn! - Jack, 2018-05-18, 13:19
- On medications - ReginaldVelJohnson, 2018-05-18, 09:43
  - good point, I think basic allergy stuff may not be OTC - Jay, 2018-05-18, 10:05
- That is a terrific checklist, Jay - Jack, 2018-05-18, 09:26

the Polo Grounds

Awesome info. Couple of things to add...