Off to Paris for the first time ever Dec. 20th - meeting up with my fiance and his family late in the evening Dec. 21st and staying until the 27th.
I%26#39;m staying at Hotel Muguet (thanks to its amazing TA reviews) that first night - just a jaunt from the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arr. I know I%26#39;m going to be overwhelmed and thrilled and nervous that first day and a half by myself, but I%26#39;m ready for pretty much anything.
I%26#39;m looking forward to just walking around wherever I want to go, writing and taking pictures.
My question is, how can I take advantage of traveling alone? Which activities are best experienced solo, and which ones will make me wish I had someone to share them with? Any advice is much appreciated.
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Hi Rachael, I hate having to see museums at the pace of other people, whether they want to rush past something I want to ponder, or the other way around. If there some museum that you really want to see at your own pace, go to that on your day alone. Likewise if there is something you want to do that you think it is likely one of the others in your group will want to veto.
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Obviously shopping for lingerie, shoes, handbags, scarves, bijoux and other female necessities is best done solo.
And I really enjoy just walking around on my own with no fixed goal - dropping in to see a %26quot;no-name%26quot; church, checking out a secret alley, following my instinct, eating and drinking and resting when it suits ME - without having to negociate it first with someone else. Exactly as you put it yourself. You will love it so much.
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I love some solitude when traveling and guard it jealously. Faux%26#39;s suggestions are very good but Gitte%26#39;s approach really mirrors my own. In fact I will often arrive a few days ahead for that very purpose
I love to just soak up everything with every sense. As much as I enjoy being with DH or family, the solo experiences are much more intense!
You%26#39;re lucky to get that time ~ I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll be happy for it!
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I%26#39;d say just following your curiosity and going where ever it might take you. If you see an interesting leaflet for an exhibit or movie, a quaint looking shopping area or just want to sit and watch people bustling with their holiday shopping as you sit inside a cozy cafe... that%26#39;s when it%26#39;s downright luxurious to be on your own. As far as the traditional %26quot;sights%26quot; go, it%26#39;s impossible to be there alone, though some do lend themselves to more quiet contemplation such as the churches and museums. Otherwise, you%26#39;ll have lots of other tourists around you. Plus, I%26#39;m sure those are the things your future in-laws are going to want to see as well. Find your own little secret Paris to carry with you in your heart until you can get back.
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You should go up the Eiffel Tower WITH your fiance. An evening visit would be the most romantic seeing all the lights of the city and it being so close to Christmas. It should hopefully not be so busy in the evening too.
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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;My question is, how can I take advantage of traveling alone? Which activities are best experienced solo, and which ones will make me wish I had someone to share them with? Any advice is much appreciated%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;
How well do you know your fiance??...Then do some of the things that you know he%26#39;d hate but that you love. As noted, if shoe shopping, cosmetics, second-hand books, etc with you is something that he hates, then try that. If you love Etruscan art and he%26#39;d rather take a nap; then do that. Lingerie shopping on the other hand may be something that he%26#39;d love to do with you.
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My husband is not a very adventurous eater and I am, so on my solo trips I find places he would never eat, and eat there. Also he%26#39;s a bit on the large side, and I%26#39;m not, so I also go to places where he would not feel comfortable. (Not that I%26#39;m saying your fiance is large.) And he can%26#39;t walk as fast as me and hates popping in and out of small shops. So, I go for long striding walks along the Seine, through parks and into all the small shops that interest me. And I do cover some ground.
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I can spend hours in front of just a few pieces in a museum so that is where I head when husband is otherwise engaged.
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Such good advice all around - thanks so much! I never used TripAdvisor until I started planning this trip, but it%26#39;s been so helpful, I think I%26#39;m becoming addicted! I can%26#39;t wait to report on the trip and post some pictures.
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Rachel --
I travel alone most of the time - my best suggestion is to consider a cooking class - you%26#39;ll have great fun and have a meal to show off when you get home -
I can%26#39;t take a class when I%26#39;m on the road alone because my husband loves to cook - so it wouldn%26#39;t be fair - but I would dearly love to.
Bon voyage
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