Posts
871
Joined
6/25/2008
Location
Tempe, AZ
US
Edited Date/Time
10/3/2015 2:31am
My Wife & I are planning our 1st Europe trip next September.
Tentativly we will be flying into Geneva, driving clockwise thru Northern Italy & N/W France for two weeks.
We are more of the "off the beaten path" type of travelers. We may stop by Venice & definitely hit Monaco.
Neither of us speak a foreign language. My main concern is basic communication, ie: food, lodging, etc...
Any other tips, recommendations?
Anymore browsing websites, descriptions & pictures are not what they seem.
THX!
Tentativly we will be flying into Geneva, driving clockwise thru Northern Italy & N/W France for two weeks.
We are more of the "off the beaten path" type of travelers. We may stop by Venice & definitely hit Monaco.
Neither of us speak a foreign language. My main concern is basic communication, ie: food, lodging, etc...
Any other tips, recommendations?
Anymore browsing websites, descriptions & pictures are not what they seem.
THX!
It's a very, very interesting place, you'll have a blast.
unless you're talking to French speaking ppl.
To be honest I've always found them alright, I've spent about 6 months in France, and the only people who ever pissed me off were from my own country, the British.
The Shop
Also, when speaking english, avoid slang and contractions....no "won't" 'don't" "can't" "couldn't"...too confusing. Speak full words, slowly (but not like they're mentally handicapped) and clearly.
Start making it a habit here, to take there, to say hello to store keepers and restauranteurs. Especially in France, itis common and expected, to greet the store keeper "bon jour" "bonsoir" (learn the difference) as you enter, because traditionally, stores and restaurants are family owned and your entering is akin to entering their home, and you would never enter someone's home without saying "hello," would you? Learn to say hello as you enter and goodbye as you leave businesses, it's good manners, and the French (especially) are big on tradition and manners. It's just rude to walk into a store, ignore the shop keeper and walk out without never saying a word...how would you feel? Smile, say hello "in their language" and you will find them very friendly.
Be mindful of how you dress, not just for personal security, but so you don't stand out like a sore thumb. Sometimes it's so easy to pick out the American's because they either dress like slobs or dress loudly. Look at some photos and magazines from Europe and get a sense of their style, and try to mimic it as best you can with your own wardrobe. Again, it's the attempt to acclimate and blend in, rather than being an "obnoxious American" that will get you better service and help.
Lastly, one phrase I have always found the most important to learn, and can help you get away with almost anything is "where is?"
In German, it's "wo ist?" (in German, it's how it looks....woah ist")
In French it's "où est" (google translate will pronounce for you)
Geneva is basically, French, and crazy stupid expensive. But, make sure you go to the church, climb to to top of the tower, beautiful view, and also into the catacombs below....creepy cool.
I suppose your route is out Geneva, towards Mount Blanc and the Mount Blanc tunnel, through to Courmayer? If so, make sure you take the cable car up the Aguille du Midi (sp?).....it was closed for repair when I was there, but takes you almost to height of Mount Blanc, which is right near it...that is in town of Chamonix, just past the tunnel. The tunnel is freaky long, and has very strict rules to follow. It lets one car go every few seconds, and you MUST maintain "two blue lights" (light on wall) between you and car in front of you at all times. If not, you'll get a huge ticket on the other side. They're crazy strict, but it's because the tunnel is so long, miles and miles, that any crash could be deadly. The tunnel is so damn long, you start swearing it will never end, but it is super cool....you see all these safety shelters, and escape tunnels and all kinds of stuff, because the old tunnel did have a very deadly accident, so they rebuilt it will all kinds of safety in mind. You're a bunch of miles into a tunnel, and there's a fiery smokey crash, you can't escape it....it's too far, and the tunnel becomes a wind tunnel/vacuum of smoke (depending on which side you are) due to the heat. Read up on it. It's worth doing. Jacob Saylor and I, when in Geneva for SX, drove over there, when through tunnel, had real Italian pizza in Courmayer at Tunnel du Pizza (or something like that) and drove back.
Just do your research, and learn a few key phrases, and you'll do fine, and just be mindful to not stick out...blend, blend, blend
Since you'll be in northern Italy, Slovenia is right there. It's one of Europe's most underrated destinations. Beautiful landscapes, and a very dynamic capital with great people. Actually I generally prefer Eastern Europe to the west. Croatia and Hungary are also worth coming back for, if you don't have the time this trip.
It's great having your contributions to the board.........again.
How's that weight problem going for you?
Paris is Manhattan
If you can deal with and survive Manhattan, just think and do same in Paris, but make sure you dress well, Parisians dress well.
I saw a panhandler in a suit...it was older, and a little dirty, but by God, he was dressed well and in a suit, panhandling.
Like Manhattan, how you dress labels you with the locals
and EDM of course https://instagram.com/p/7wbVGfo25k/?taken-by=ryanvillopoto
I knew our itinerary would change after more research.
This is not set in stone, but probably 95% sure this is our new plan:
Fly into Barcelona, spend a couple of days there.
Drive to Monaco, 2 days.
Drive to Venice, 2 days.
Drive to Munich, 3 days.
Fly to London & spend 3 days there.
Fly back to Phoenix
While driving in Europe we will stop often & check out small towns & sights.
The coast drive from Barca to Monaco, is cool but it takes an age on the old road , pick some places to stop off, but avoid Marsellies and Toulon like the plague, they have no redeeming features, but Nice, Port Grimaud , and Monaco are all cool , but pretty expensive.
Not been to Venice , but my team mate is there now for a race and says its awesome.
Munich is a place we havent got to yet , but Germany is cool, lots to do , spend loads of time there Berlin is nice with loads to do , beaches by the lake and stuff.
London... well , it has stuff for sure , just depends what you are into culture wise really, 3 days isnt long in any of those places , but you will have fun in all of them
Post a reply to: Traveling thru Europe