Rick Steves - Rick Steves Paris 2019

Montmartre

PARIS 2019

Travel is intensified livingmaximum thrills per minute and one of the last great sources of legal adventure. Travel is freedom. Its recess, and we need it.

I discovered a passion for European travel as a teen and have been sharing it ever sincethrough my tours, public television and radio shows, and travel guidebooks. Over the years, Ive taught thousands of travelers how to best enjoy Europes blockbuster sightsand experience Back Door discoveries that most tourists miss.

Written with my talented co-authors, Steve Smith and Gene Openshaw, this book offers you a balanced mix of Paris blockbuster sights and lesser-known gems. Its selective: Rather than listing dozens of neighborhoods to explore, we recommend only the best ones. And its in-depth: Our self-guided museum tours and city walks provide insight into Paris vibrant history and todays living, breathing culture.

We advocate traveling simply and smartly. Take advantage of our money- and time-saving tips on sightseeing, transportation, and more. Try local, characteristic alternatives to expensive hotels and restaurants. In many ways, spending more money only builds a thicker wall between you and what you traveled so far to see.

We visit Paris to experience itto become temporary locals. Thoughtful travel engages us with the world, as we learn to appreciate other cultures and new ways to measure quality of life.

Judging by the positive feedback we receive from our readers, this book will help you enjoy a fun, affordable, and rewarding vacationwhether its your first trip or your tenth.

Bon voyage! Happy travels!

Paristhe City of Lighthas been a beacon of culture for centuries. As a world capital of art, fashion, food, literature, and ideas, it stands as a symbol of all the fine things human civilization can offer. Come prepared to celebrate this, rather than judge our cultural differences, and youll capture the romance and joie de vivre that this city exudes.

Paris offers sweeping boulevards, chatty crpe stands, chic boutiques, and world-class art galleries. Sip decaf with deconstructionists at a sidewalk caf, then step into an Impressionist painting in a tree-lined park. Climb Notre-Dame and rub shoulders with a gargoyle. Cruise the Seine, zip to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and saunter down Avenue des Champs-Elyses. Master the Louvre and Orsay museums. Save some after-dark energy for one of the worlds most romantic cities.

This section will help you get started planning your tripwith advice on trip costs, when to go, and what you should know before you take off.

Five components make up your trip costs: airfare to Europe, transportation in Europe, room and board, sightseeing and entertainment, and shopping and miscellany.

Airfare to Europe: A basic round-trip flight from the US to Paris can cost, on average, about $1,000-2,000 total, depending on where you fly from and when (cheaper in winter). If Paris is part of a longer European trip, consider saving time and money by flying into one city and out of another; for instance, into Paris and out of Rome. Overall, Kayak.com is the best place to start searching for flights on a combination of mainstream and budget carriers.