Something going wrong on an international trip is not inevitable. But it happens, and the travelers who handle it well are almost always the ones who thought about it before they left. The key is not to panic. Most of these situations have a path through them. The path is shorter and clearer when you […]
When Something Goes Wrong Abroad Read More »
Before You Go
I want to tell you about an afternoon in Paris that was one of the most stressful I have had on any trip. It ended well. That is Paris for you. The morning was Père Lachaise Cemetery. If you have never been, go. It is nothing like you expect. It is beautiful, almost park-like, completely
The Gendarme Afternoon Read More »
Stories from the Road
Spoiler alert: I am about to romance your senses with the rich, buttery perfection of a soufflé, and then rip it away. The restaurant where this all took place? It no longer exists. When I search online, I cannot find the reason they closed, just lots of lamenting about the loss. The story I have
Before you get to this list, make sure you have covered the universal apps that belong on your phone for any international trip. CityMapper, Google Maps offline, Google Translate camera mode, Apple Translate for conversation, WhatsApp, Wanderlog, and a few others are all covered in Apps I Never Travel Without. Those are the foundation. CityMapper
Before Paris, Do This on Your Phone Read More »
Before You Go
There is a window between now and when you board that plane where you have reliable wifi, full data, and enough time to actually learn how something works. Download these apps for international travel now, while you have all of that, not at the airport gate while the boarding announcement is playing. Download them, poke
Apps I Never Travel Without Read More »
Before You Go
Paris is one of the safest major tourist destinations in Europe. A few things about it are worth knowing before you walk out the door. Pickpockets Are Real, and They Are Very Good Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and the tourist areas attract skilled pickpockets. This is not a
Petitions, Protests, and Pickpockets: Paris Safety Read More »
Before You Go
Nobody expects you to be French. Paris is not asking you to pass for Parisian. What it does respond to is a small amount of effort, a basic level of awareness, and the willingness to meet the city where it is rather than expecting it to reorganize itself around you. These paris etiquette tips are
Fitting In in Paris Read More »
On the Ground
The big picture on handling money in Europe is covered in Your Card Will Work. Probably. A Guide to Money in Europe — ATMs over airport kiosks, notifying your bank, Dynamic Currency Conversion, never traveling with only one card. All of that applies in Paris exactly as it does everywhere else in Europe. What Paris
Everything That Costs a Coin in Paris Read More »
Travel Planning
We covered packing in our last newsletter before we left, one month out from departure. By that point everyone had the itinerary, the reservations were made, and the only thing left was making sure nobody showed up with the wrong shoes. That last part matters more than people expect. Shoes First. Everything Else After. Paris
What Goes in the Bag for Paris Read More »
Travel Planning
I have sat in a room full of adults being briefed on an upcoming international trip and watched people be genuinely surprised that England does not use American dollars. I share this not to be unkind, because it was a room full of smart, capable people who simply had not thought about it yet. It
Your Card Will Work. Probably. A Guide to Money in Europe Read More »
Before You Go
Every time I take a group somewhere internationally, I start communicating about preparation months before we leave. What stays constant is starting early, and making sure nobody arrives at the airport surprised by something that was entirely handleable from home. The things that trip people up on an international trip are almost never the things
Documentation to Sort Before You Leave the Country Read More »
Before You Go