<p>I am so excited for you!</p>
<p>Check with the Marriott in Paris about the rate they might offer you on cash advances on your bill. The rate might be better than using a cash advance from the ATM. Worth asking!</p>
<p>The view from the top of the Musee d’Orsay is BREATHTAKING.</p>
<p>I’m leaving in 2 weeks for our long awaited Empty Nest trip and am getting very excited. Went out this weekend and spent a lot of money on my new stylish wardrobe!!! And found some really good looking flats with good support (Clark’s and Aerosoles) that I need to break in. </p>
<p>We are going for 3 weeks and have gorgeous apartments in Paris (arrival ) And Rome (departure) and everything’s open in between.</p>
<p>Clark’s ROCK. My new resolution is that’s all I’m wearing for the rest of my life. My feet agree with them.</p>
<p>I’m soooooo jealous, coralbrook! Ahhhh…Paris to Rome…you poor thing!</p>
<p>Got my banking done. Opened a new travel account with debit card. Didn’t want to use my regular debit card tied to all of our accounts in case something strange happened. Got some euros and pounds and now I am set!</p>
<p>Same empty nest trip for me (Paris and Rome). Do tell about your “new wardrobe” and comfy shoes. I think I need both!</p>
<p>Ahhhh…thanks chefmom!!! What a great link! :)</p>
<p>Valleymom, I just started a new thread with my comfortable walking shoes and links. You really need to try the Clarks, they are so comfortable.</p>
<p>I got this Chico’s catalog in the mail and saved it and walked straight into Chicos and handed this to the lady and said “I want this outfit”. Needless to say I did not look anything like the model when the outfit was put onto my body. I wanted the carbon blue sweater wrap thing really bad, but it was short in the back with the ‘ruffle’ landing right at my butt. Can you say “not flattering” ?? </p>
<p>But I did end up with a different gorgeous cashmere blue sweater and the pants in the same color. That is what caused me to have to buy the gorgeous little blue shoes I highlighted in my other thread.</p>
<p>[Shop</a> Chico’s Catalog - Chico’s](<a href=“http://www.chicos.com/store/browse/catalog.jsp?icid=SH-View_Catalog]Shop”>http://www.chicos.com/store/browse/catalog.jsp?icid=SH-View_Catalog) </p>
<p>For Europe… just buy the most flattering basic black things you can and then spice them up. In fall/winter that is what they are all wearing.</p>
<p>Sorry, you have to go to the very last page of the catalog from the link above. Where the lady is sashaying around in the carbon blue outfit. </p>
<p>First, I am not going to hobble around Europe in those high heels! What was I thinking? I got there and the wrap was not flattering and it was like… how can I keep my hands free with this thing hanging everywhere?? </p>
<p>But they were having a 40% off everything in the store sale so I did end up buying these:</p>
<p>White NO IRON top - this top does not look good on their website but is extremely flattering. I tested the No Iron, scrunched it up in the bag and pulled it back out. This can go over everything and dress it with really cool scarves.</p>
<p>[No</a> Iron Collection Tops for Women - Women’s Tops - Chico’s](<a href=“http://www.chicos.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=8&pageId=1&productId=570074984&viewAll=&prd=Effortless+Cotton+Lenae+Top&subCatId=cat6419301&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=5&catId=cat40002&cat=Tops+Featured+Collections&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=]No”>http://www.chicos.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=8&pageId=1&productId=570074984&viewAll=&prd=Effortless+Cotton+Lenae+Top&subCatId=cat6419301&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=5&catId=cat40002&cat=Tops+Featured+Collections&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=)</p>
<p>I also found this soft soft soft black cashmere cardigan at Macy’s that had a very unusual back that was incredibly flattering (5’6", hips wider than shoulders, pear shape body) Once again, you would never guess but if you are near a Macy’s you should try this on. It was marked $189 in store and I was choking, but it was 25% off that to make it about $135 and then I had 20% off coupon. Total cost for a timeless cashmere was $110!!!</p>
<p>[Charter</a> Club Sweater, Long-Sleeve Open Ribbed Cashmere Cardigan - Sweaters - Women - Macy’s](<a href=“http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/charter-club-sweater-long-sleeve-open-ribbed-cashmere-cardigan?ID=916949&CategoryID=260&LinkType=&swatchColor=Admiral]Charter”>http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/charter-club-sweater-long-sleeve-open-ribbed-cashmere-cardigan?ID=916949&CategoryID=260&LinkType=&swatchColor=Admiral) Navy#fn=SWEATER_STYLE%3DCardigan;;Cashmere%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D67%26kws%3Dcharter%20club%20cashmere%26slotId%3D19</p>
<p>Just make sure you slip a silk cami or long sleeve silk underwear top into your suitcase. Even in the fall, there can be a dampness in Europe that can chill you to the bone!</p>
<p>Thanks Kajon! Got my layering pieces! We will be in London first for 5 nights so I am prepared for the cool, damp weather. Am so glad we added an extra day and night to explore Paris.</p>
<p>Hi NorthMinnesota. I just returned from 10 days in Paris and saw most of the items on your list above. We did the evening river cruise that starts and ends near the Eiffel Tower, very cool to see the tower in sparkle mode. Ste. Chapelle is currently under renovation and there is scaffolding inside all along one side of the upper chapel with the famous stained glass, so that was rather disappointing. There is a huge line to get into Notre Dame at most times. We did a guided tour at Musee d’Orsay that was well worth the extra money. An art historian took us all around to the most famous paintings and explained their significance to Impressionism. We had lunch at the cafe at the d’Orsay that was good.</p>
<p>Love Paris. If you are only there for a short time – and especially if weather is sunny and bright – try the Fat Tire Bike Tour. It was a trip highlight when family went to Paris a few years back.</p>
<p>[Paris</a> Day Bike Tour | Guided Tours | Fat Tire Bike Tours - Paris](<a href=“http://paris.fattirebiketours.com/tours/paris-day-bike-tour]Paris”>http://paris.fattirebiketours.com/tours/paris-day-bike-tour)</p>
<p>Thanks for the heads up bookiemom. Too bad about Ste. Chapelle. I really want to visit d’Orsay! Did you go to the top for the view?</p>
<p>marlene…weather looks like it will be gray and rainy but still holding out hope for some sunshine!</p>
<p>Paris can be quite beautiful in the rain.</p>
<p>Note to travelers: pay in LOCAL currency, including your credit card charges. We had to remind establishments to do that, as they will try to get you to charge in USD and make $$ on the conversion. (Plus your credit card will convert back and charge you another conversion rate. The difference can be several percent of your bill.)</p>
<p>We use Capital One Venture card - no foreign transaction fees for credit card use internationally. But, there will probably be a foreign conversion fee - I need to check.</p>
<p>Thanks CD! I hadn’t thought of that!</p>
<p>Have been downloading some walking podcasts. Anyone have some favorite walking tours or travel apps?</p>
<p>Rick Steves has good audio walking tours of London & Paris that you can download as podcasts to an MP3 player. You will also need to get a podcast app (free) to listen to them - link to the app is included on the pages below:</p>
<p>[Britain:</a> London Audio Walking Tours by Rick Steves](<a href=“http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/0602/britain_downloads.htm]Britain:”>http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/0602/britain_downloads.htm)</p>
<p>[France:</a> Paris Audio Walking Tours by Rick Steves](<a href=“http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/0602/france_downloads.htm]France:”>http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/0602/france_downloads.htm)</p>