Hello all, I am new to the forums, as well as just opened a travel blog of my own. Anyway, I've read many peoples blogs on these sites and almost everyone travels around on their own. Well, I have a trip booked next Feb to Europe as part of a tour/package deal. It honestly sounds fabulous and even meeting the other travelers on the trip sound cool to me also, part of the experience. Anyway, what do you all think about tour groups ?? The main reason I went through a group is it seems cheaper overall, I only have limited time in Europe (2 weeks) and want to see as much as possible. Plus I am worried about the language, being I only speak English. The cities I am going to are London, Paris, Rome.
Any thoughts are welcome !
Reply to this I did do a few group tours during my travels around Europe, but not many. If you're going to visit something very extensive and overwhelmingly historic and grand like Auschwitz or Versaille, you know like a important landmark, I'd go with a tour. I traveled all the time by myself in Europe and I think traveling by yourself is part of the fun; I think you get to experience these countries and this part of the world better and you can take your time visiting what you want to see.
In regards to language, you are going to three very big tourist destinations, there should not be too many problems, but definately take a good Italian/English and French/English dictionary with you. In Rome, not being able to speak Italian shouldn't be too bad (I didn't go to Rome when I went to Italy, so I don't know) but as many people who go there who are from the US or from some other English speaking country go, using your English shouldn't be a problem...I went though Italy just fine without knowing Italian, but I also spoke Spanish and Spanish is very useful in Italy if you can't speak Italian. In Paris, though, you NEED to know French. A lot of people in Paris do speak English (If you went beyonnd Paris yeah not knowing French isn't going to help you) but definately learn some important phrases because the French prefer to speak their own langauge unless necessary, but if they notice that you are having problems speaking the language and they know English they will talk with you in English. Here are some French words you should know while in France:
Bonjour: Hello
Au revoir: Good bye
Merci: Thank you
De Rien: You're welcome
Je voudrais...: I would like
Je cherche...: I am looking, I look
Fromage: cheese
cafe: expresso
grande ou petite creme: a cafe au lait
pain: bread
voiture: car
car: another name for bus
carte: menu, and can also refer to a map
droit: right
gauche: left
gare: train station
J'ai besoin: I need
billet: ticket
prix: price
vetement: clothes
etudiant: student
musee: museum
These words are just to get you started but definately pick up a good phrase book. Well good luck with your trip and enjoy yourself, you should have some fun! The group should still be fun, but eventually try to go back to Europe on your own but hopefully this trip will help to introduce you to traveling in Europe. have a great trip!
Reply to this Thank you ! I had planned to bring a few phrase books just in case, that way a simple, "thank you" for the french or something. It wont be perfect but I think they admire if you at least try to speak their language. I cant wait !
Reply to this Yeah just try your best to pronounce French words as best as you can. Be sure when you walk into small stores like a boulongerie (because I'm sure that you're going to want to try an eclaire or something like that) be sure to say at least Bonjour/Au revoir (hello/good bye) say your Merci and de rien when you need to (please/thank you) and to ask if someone speaks English say this: Parlez-vous anglais? Yeah, they'll admire you at least if you try and just trying to speak French should be enough. Remember to be patient too...the French like to take their time and they don't like to be rushed, so pace yourself wisely when you're separated from the group to look around or something. Well I'm happy for you and enjoy your trip! Paris is one of my favorite cities in the entire world! I've been there several times and I can't get enough of it! Have fun, enjoy yourself and good luck!
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