| Airfare | | | | the elevator -- and a good way to work off all |
| First, make sure that you're flexible. You can find | | | | the croissants and baguettes I can never get |
| some great bargain airfares that won't be | | | | enough of when I'm in Paris. |
| advertised by the airlines if you simply join the | | | | Once you begin strolling around Paris, you'll find |
| popular travel forums and log on regularly. The | | | | endless possibilities. There is wonderful |
| people who post in these forums are incredibly | | | | architecture to discover with a self guided walking |
| helpful, often posting fares that sell out before | | | | tour. There are many wonderfully talented artists |
| the search engines pick them up. Create a | | | | setting up shop along the banks of the Seine and |
| membership id, and post questions for the forum | | | | around Montmarte. Even just sitting on the grass |
| members, make yourself known. You'll pick up | | | | at the foot of the graceful Eiffel Tower, holding |
| lots of tips from seasoned travelers who love to | | | | hands with the one you love is an experience |
| share their experiences. I recently purchased a | | | | you'll cherish forever, and it's completely free! |
| roundtrip airfare from Florida to Paris for under | | | | Dining |
| $400 all inclusive, due to the helpful suggestion of | | | | Since you're staying in an apartment, you have |
| a fellow forum member! | | | | the advantage of a small kitchen. You get the |
| Lodging | | | | wonderful experience of shopping in the local |
| I would highly suggest renting an apartment in | | | | markets, and bringing home some fresh local |
| Paris. You'll have much more room than you | | | | produce and meat or game. It's easy to prepare |
| would in any but a five star hotel, with the added | | | | a simple meal with a little meat, a couple of |
| benefit of a kitchen with a refrigerator and stove. | | | | potatoes and fresh vegetables and a few fresh |
| If you shop around carefully, you can find a | | | | herbs. Add a loaf of bread and a bottle of French |
| beautiful one bedroom apartment in the heart of | | | | wine, and you'll have a very romantic dinner in |
| historic Paris for under $100 a night, all inclusive. | | | | your own pied a'terre. |
| Having a kitchen will allow you to keep simple | | | | Pick up some prepared souffles from your local |
| food on hand for snacking, and it's wonderful to | | | | boulangerie, and heat them up in the morning to |
| get up in the morning, prepare your own fresh | | | | enjoy with your fresh coffee and some local fruit, |
| coffee, and sit on your balcony and watch the | | | | while you watch the sun rise over the tops of the |
| sun rise over Paris, while still in your pajamas. | | | | buildings surrounding you. Or stop downstairs in |
| Another benefit of having your own apartment is | | | | the local cafe and order a basket of fresh bread |
| that most include a washer and dryer, so that | | | | with a cup of coffee as you lean against the |
| means you can travel very lightly and do a quick | | | | counter, as the locals do. |
| load of laundry one evening, midway through your | | | | While you're out and about, grab a sandwich |
| trip. | | | | made with a crusty baguette and fresh cheese, |
| Getting Around | | | | or a delightful croque monsieur, which is sort of |
| The absolute best and easiest way to get around | | | | an inside out grilled ham and cheese sandwich. |
| is the Metro. There are metro stops everyplace; | | | | These can be purchased everywhere for around |
| it's clean, safe, and easy to navigate. Stop at any | | | | $3. Add a bottle of wine, head to the park, and |
| Metro station information window, and pick up a | | | | have a leisurely lunch while you people watch. |
| free Metro map, buy a carnet of tickets (ten | | | | Another romantic option is to sit along the banks |
| tickets) for about $14, and you'll be on your way. | | | | of the Seine while you enjoy a sandwich |
| Sights | | | | purchased from a sidewalk vendor. Just |
| An endless amount of fun can be had for under | | | | remember, if you sit down at an outdoor cafe, |
| $20, even in the capitol of haute couture and | | | | you can't bring your own food- you'll need to |
| high-end cuisine. | | | | order theirs. However, lunch time options are |
| The Louvre offers reduced ($8 per ticket) prices | | | | very inexpensive. |
| Wednesday and Friday nights and free admission | | | | Don't forget to try a delicious crepe while you're |
| to those under 26. It's free on the first Sunday of | | | | in Paris - the vendors prepare them in front of |
| the month. | | | | you, and will fill them with your choice of filling; be |
| The Musee d'Orsay drops its prices on Sundays | | | | sure to try a fresh crepe dripping with nutella... |
| and Thursday evenings, and it's free on the first | | | | This delightful concoction will only cost about $2 |
| Sunday of the month. | | | | most places. |
| Centre Georges Pompidou is also free on the first | | | | With all of the money you've saved, you'll be able |
| Sunday of the month | | | | to splurge for that very special dinner you've |
| Stop by a newsstand for a 55-cent copy of a | | | | always dreamed of, watching the sun set from |
| weekly publication named Pariscope. It provides | | | | high in the Eiffel Tower, as the ever so |
| lists of free cultural events, gallery exhibits and | | | | professional waiters cater to your every wish. |
| church concerts. It's all in French, but easy to | | | | The only concern you'll have is making your dinner |
| translate | | | | reservations far enough in advance! |
| The Opera Garnier has cheap seats available on | | | | There are so many ways to have a fabulous |
| the day of a performance, and churches hold free | | | | affordable trip to Paris, if you just take a little |
| classical concerts, usually on Sunday afternoons. | | | | time to plan in advance. Go join the travel forums, |
| Walking up the Eiffel Tower is cheaper than riding | | | | and starting planning for the trip of a lifetime! |