Recently in the category : practical information

k&k tourist tips 100 -
what not to miss in Summer

Our final tourist tip, in show 100, covers what not to miss in Summer : restaurant terraces, Gay Pride (last weeked in June), Fête de la Musique ("Musical festival", 21st June), Bastille Day (14th July, big parades and fireworks all over France), Berthillon (ice cream on Ile-de-la-Cité), Paris Plage, summer sales (twice yearly sales start in July), spontaneous picnics on the Seine.
Outside of Paris : tour de France (July), hiking in the Alpes and lavender blooming in Provence.

k&k tourist tips 99 -
what not to miss in Spring

In show 99 we talk about the essential things to do in Paris in the Spring : the gardens (Jardin de Luxembourg, Jardin des Plantes), the museums (Musée Rodin, Versailles), eat chocolate (for Easter!), Nuit des Musées ("night of the museums", middle of May, museums open very late, usually until midnight) and café crèmes in cosy cafés.
Outside Paris : Monet's garden in Giverny (open April-November), Cannes Film Festival

k&k tourist tips 98 -
what not to miss in Winter

In show 98 we talk about what not to miss in winter : ice-skating (rinks set up at the Hôtel de Ville, Montparnasse and other places), Christmas markets ("marchés de noël" set up at various central locations in cities and towns all over France), mulled wine ("vin chaud", sold at any Christmas market), roasted chestnuts (sold on street corners in most cities), department store Christmas windows (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Bon Marché), fondue and raclette (just avoid the tourist restaurants), New Years Eve at the Eiffel tower, take advantage of the twice-yearly sales (usually the first week or two in January) and eat some galette des rois (king cake, sold in bakeries in January).
Outside of Paris - go skiing! Best time is February and March (outside of school holidays).

k&k tourist tips 97 -
what not to miss in Autumn/Fall

In show 97 we're starting our "what not to miss" series by talking about what you really shouldn't miss when travelling to Paris during the Autumn/Fall : Autumn colours (Père Lachaise Cemetery, Jardin de Luxembourg), Nuit blanche ("white night", where the museums are open late), Beaujolais Nouveau (the launch of the wine season, third thursday in November), Vendanges de Montmartre (eating and drinking to celebrate the grape harvest in Montmartre, October), Salons (food and drink expos happening most weekends in October, highlighting produce from all over France, check the Paris tourism office website for dates), mushrooms (after all, it's the season for it!).
Outside Paris : vineyards! the colours on the vines are magnificent! And you might as well drink something while you're at it ;)

k&k tourist tips 96 -
what to do with children

In show 96, we talk about some kid-specific things you can do to entertain the small childrens while you're on holiday : theme parks (Disney, Parc Asterix, Futuroscope), aquariums (CinéAqua at Trocadero, La Rochelle, Jacques Costeau in Monaco), zoos (Paris, Loire Valley), gardens and parks (Jardin d'Acclimatation, Luxembourg, Buttes Chaumont), kid-friendly museums (the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle with the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution and the Jardin des Plantes, Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie) and don't forget other activities such as boat and bus tours, the Catacombs (if your kids aren't prone to getting scared), the Sewer tour (if your kids can handle it - but what 12 year old boy wouldn't?) and Paris Plage.

k&k tourist tips 95 -
when you see it, get it

In show 95 we talk about the importance of getting things you need when you see them, because you never know when you might be in a position to get them again. this is particularly pertinent in the country, where access to certain things might be limited - whether it's petrol/gas/service stations, bakers, pharmacies, toilets, and even wifi access or Hennessy chocolates.

k&k tourist tips 94 -
what to do when it's hot

In show 94 we talk about what to do (and what not to do) when it's hot in Paris! Don't eat fondue &/or raclette - do eat some Berthillon ice-cream (on Ile-de-la-Cité). Don't take the métro - do take the bus (but not the batobus). Don't visit stuffy museums - do visit the parks and gardens (or if you really want a museum, go to the Catacombs). Don't sit in your airconditioned hotel room - do sit in the airconditioned cinema. Don't sit inside a restaurant - do sit on a terrace. And finally, don't go to Disney for your quota of screaming children and overpriced novelties - do go to Paris Plage.

k&k tourist tips 93 -
what to do when it's raining

In show 93 we chat about what to do when it's raining and what not to do when it's raining. We highly recommend visiting museums and the grands magasins, and spending hours over lunch and coffee, but we highly recommend against buying umbrellas from street vendors, visiting versailles, the eiffel tower and any other climbable monument, doing the bateaux mouches and riding on the top of double-decker buses, or strolling in the park.

k&k tourist tips 92 -
prepare for public holidays

In show 92 we chat about public holidays in France : how to find out when they are, how to be prepared for a less than reliable public transport, the importance of double-checking opening times for the places you want to visit and what to do if you want to participate in any of the celebrations surrounding these holidays.

k&k tourist tips 91 -
Parisian views from on high, part 2

In show 91 we continue talking about seeing Paris from on high, and this time we focus on some of the lesser known locations - Printemps rooftop café, the top of Sacre Coeur, the top floor of Pompidou Centre, the hot air balloon in Parc André Citroën and the Observatoire de Paris.

k&k tourist tips 90 -
Parisian views from on high, part 1

In show 90 we talk about the best places to see Paris from above - the Eiffel Tower, the Montparnasse tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame.

k&k tourist tips 89 -
it's not what it used to be (tourist traps)

In show 89 we talk about some tourist traps that are not quite what they used to be, and in some places you end up paying more than you should for what you're getting : place du Tertre (Montmartre area, 18th arrondissement), the Moulin Rouge (Montmartre area, 18th arrondissement), the Latin Quarter (5th and 6th arrondissements) and the Champs Elysées (8th arrondissement).

k&k tourist tips 87 -
waiting in line is a cultural experience

In France, it's each man for himself when it comes to queueing up, and show 87 we talk about waiting in line and some strategies for coming out of this experience alive!

k&k tourist tips 84 -
power tripping

In show 84 we talk about travelling with electronic equipment, being aware of different voltages, having the right adaptors for the right countries and other tips about power, plugs and sockets!

k&k tourist tips 81 -
seeing stars in your hotel room

Star ratings and standards for hotels and other accommodations are different in France and all over Europe (especially in comparison to what you might expect back home). In show 81 we suggest that you double-check your bookings to make sure you're getting the amenities and services that you need.

k&k tourist tips 79 -
money, money, money : where to get it

In show 79 we suggest that you talk to your bank about overseas transaction fees and finding out the best deal for your travelling requirements, and we also chat about ATMs and how to get your money from the machines!

k&k tourist tips 72 -
innie or outie, where to stay

We discuss the merits of staying inside or outside the city in show 72 - is the difference in price worth the compromise on distance?

k&k tourist tips 69 -
French bathrooms 401 : finding toilets

In show 69 we discuss all the different possibilities for finding toilets in Paris - from sanisettes (street toilet cabins) to sneaking into cafés (not so recommended).

k&k tourist tips 65 -
beyond the guidebook

A good guidebook will get you a long way, but there are other ways to get even more immediate, up-to-date information, right from the source! In show 65 we share some of our favourite blogs and websites run by people living in Paris who talk about the places they like as well as things to do and see :

Secrets of Paris
David Lebowitz
The Paris Blog
Spotted By Locals : Paris
Gadabout

k&k tourist tips 57 -
emergency numbers you never want to need

We would hope that, when travelling, you would never ever need to call emergency services. But as we all know, knowledge is power, so in show 57, we give you information about French emergency numbers that we hope you'll never have to use.

k&k tourist tips 56 -
the office de tourisme is your friend

The Office de Tourisme (Tourist Information Office) is a powerful friend, even if you don't speak French, and in show 56 we tell you a few tales of how important the service has been in our travelling experiences.

k&k tourist tips 53 -
how to be suitcase savvy : what not to bring

Sometimes the most basic items can also be the most cumbersome. In show 53, we chat about what items you don't necessarily have to bring with you, which can also save you valuable luggage space!

k&k tourist tips 51 -
avoiding disappointment or know the hours of operation

If there are places that you simply must see in your travels, in show 51 we tell you how to avoid disappointment, or why it is a good idea to know the opening and closing hours of the places you want to visit.

k&k tourist tips 48 -
essential equipment for travelling in france

Sure, it's important to make sure you have your toothbrush and a fresh pair of undies when you're on a trip, but there are a couple of items that should have an even higher priority in your list of things to pack when you travel around France... You'll have to listen to show 48 to find out what they are!

k&k tourist tips 45 -
french bathrooms 301 : tokens and turkish toilets

Whilst it seems we're obsessed with toilets, it's not actually the case - we just want to make sure you know what you're in for! In show 45, we talk about the occasional need for a toilet token and we lament the existence of turkish toilets.

k&k tourist tips 44 -
accomodation explained

We talk about the different types of accomodation you can get in France in show 44, and discuss the pros and cons of each one : hotels, chambres d'hôtes (b&bs), gîtes (self-catering accomodation), hostels and réfuges.

k&k tourist tips 31 -
French pharmacy factoids

We hope you won't need to visit a pharmacy or a chemist whilst you're travelling, but just in case you do, in show 31 we cover a few tips on visiting such establishments in France.

k&k tourist tips 29 -
how to be suitcase savvy : wardrobe tips

Travelling with a luggage limit? Listen to show 29 for the one and only packing tip you'll need to keep yourself looking fabulous from start to finish of your trip!

k&k tourist tips 27 -
French bathrooms 201 : the dame pipi

We revisit the French bathroom in show 27, with a discussion of an important figure in many public facilities in France : the "dame pipi".

k&k tourist tips 20 -
locate local knowledge

Get the lowdown on what's happening in town by asking the people in the know - it's all in show 20!

k&k tourist tips 19 -
scheduled downtime

Travelling can be exciting but exhausting - it's important to make sure you schedule some quiet time to recuperate in between all your adventures! We talk all about it in show 19.

k&k tourist tips 17 -
hotel rooms : size matters

In show 17 we talk about why, when traveling in France, you shouldn't be surprised to find yourself in a hotel room that is the size of a shoebox.

Vote for k&k tourist tips on Podcast Alley!

k&k tourist tips 16 -
french bathrooms 101

The French bathroom can sometimes throw the unaware traveller into a quandry, as they're faced with some differences that they may not necessarily see in their home country. In show 16 we tell you some of the things that you could expect to see in a French bathroom.

k&k tourist tips 15 -
train toilets : when to go... and when not to...

One of the best ways to travel around France is to take the train, and sometimes when you're on a long trip you may find that you need to use the facilities. But be careful! There are some rules about using train toilets in France, so you'd better listen to show 15 to find out what they are!

k&k tourist tips 14 -
the body bubble : leave it at home

The concept of personal space in France is very different to what many travellers are used to (ie. it's practically non-existent), and we talk all about this and more in show 14.

k&k tourist tips 11 -
existing electronically could save your life

Listen to show 11 and find out why it's a good idea to keep a copy of your passport (and your hotel reservations, train and plane tickets, etc.) somewhere online when you travel.

k&k tourist tips 9 -
fashion or function : the footwear debate

We discuss the topic of appropriate footwear in show 9 - why there are times you should favour comfort and practicality over anything else when you're considering what to wear on your feet in a city like Paris.

k&k tourist tips 8 -
know what's on before you go

In show 8, we talk about how to get the most out of your trip by knowing about what's happening in your destination before you leave home (festivals, concerts, etc.), and we also talk about ways you can find more information when you actually do get to France.

k&k tourist tips 1 -
guide books are your friends

In show 1 of k&k tourist tips, we have a chat why it's a good idea to have a decent guide book when you're on holidays.

k&k tourist tips 100 -
what not to miss in Summer
k&k tourist tips 99 -
what not to miss in Spring
k&k tourist tips 98 -
what not to miss in Winter
k&k tourist tips 97 -
what not to miss in Autumn/Fall
k&k tourist tips 96 -
what to do with children

FAQ - contact katia and kyliemac - site map
All content on this site is copyright Katia & Kyliemac (2008-forever) unless otherwise specified