France Summer Wardrobe

My lovely and talented wife is planning to spend 2 weeks in Europe (France,
Italy, Spain) with a tour group visiting museums, historic sites, etc. in
July. This will be her first trip to Europe, and she needs suggestions on a
few versatile (lightweight, packable, washable, etc.) wardrobe pieces to
pack. She could also use some advice on appropriate shoes that will be
comfortable enough for walking on all sorts of surfaces, yet look nice
enough to wear lunch or casual dinner in nice restaurants, etc. She's

julianne_x...

For shoes, I'd suggest Arche shoes, which are comfortable but feminine
and stylish, and tend to be compact. Zappos has many Arche styles, but
if she's going to be in Paris first and will have a chance to shop
they're less expensive there, or at least were when I was last in Paris
3 years ago. I think I bought some in Galeries Lafayette (a high end
dept. store), and also an Arche store which was near a very high end
shopping district--possibly the rue du Faubourg St-Honor=E9 area, can't
remember.

Nathalie Chiva...

One of the main Arche store is on Square des Innocents, right by the
Forum des Halles in Paris. And you're right, they are great shoes.

Nathalie in Switzerland

Julianne X

limited to one suitcase for the trip, so versatility and compactness are a
must.

Nathalie Chiva...

Two matching colors, no more. Think "onion peel": Lots of light stuff,
a light sweater, a heavy sweater, something for the rain - if it gets
slightly cold she can pile it up. Shoes: I like comfortable flat pumps
for walking around - but as someone said, Summer in Spain can be
really hot, so some nice looking flat sandals too. A pair of sneakers
is always useful. I find that 3 pairs of shoes are ideal on a trip -
allows for 3 different styles and allows you to rotate for comfort.

Nathalie in Switzerland

Also, she's curious about the best way to handle money and conversions
(credit card vs traveler's check vs debit card) and the availability of

Colin Forrester...

I would avoid travellers cheques altogether - although widely accepted,
the banking hours make their exchange more difficult, your hotel may rip
you off if you cash them there or the acceptance at the point of sale
will be limited.

iKitty...

... snipped ...

Are you thinking the travellers cheques would be US$ or the local
currency? If the local currency, I would have thought they would be
acceptable anywhere, as if cash.

Colin Forrester...

Travellers cheques (whether in USD or EUR) are not acceptable anywhere
as if cash.

Barbara...

Really? You'd better pass that on to all of the stores and cashiers
who accept them as such.

Colin Forrester...

We have our "anywhere's" mixed - the first use seemed to imply
"anywhere" as in "everywhere". I simply used the same form.

What I can say with absolute certainty is that travellers cheques are
not accepted "everywhere" in the EU as if cash - anymore than my USD
travellers cheques were accepted last year at a quaint inn in Vermont or
for fuel.

It is true that some large stores and chains will accept them as cash in
the UK, France and Spain - but few gas stations will accept them in
France, Spain or the UK. In fact few UK gas stations now accept personal
cheques in Sterling or any other currency now - only allowing payment in
cash or by card. Smaller retailers, except some specialist, will not
accept travellers cheques as cash either. This may be due to ignorance
on their part or their bank may charge them more to deposit them.

If we are helping the original poster we would advise cash (Euro's
mainly with some Sterling) and credit/debit cards. By the way some UK
stores will accept Euro's as cash (Marks & Spencer and Dixons spring to
mind) and many UK payphones accept Euro coins for payment. Depending
upon circumstance this can be a useful way of getting rid of such coins
before returning home.

Debit and credit cards are widely accepted of course at the point of
sale or at ATM's. If your card has a chip make sure you are prepared to
enter your PIN at the point of sale. In Spain you are normally required
to present your passport with your card at the point of sale, so carry
your passport with you.

internet cafes for checking/sending e-mail.

Colin Forrester...

Not as widespread as you might imagine. Some of them look rather seedy
and often cater for the immigrant population wanting to contact home.
That isn't a racist remark on my part - just a statement of fact. I
would advise against using cards for payment at such establishments,
particularly in Paris. Your hotel may well be the best place to browse
the net and read your email.

M Elizabeth...

Everyone has given some great advice on clothing and money. The one thing I
would suggest is calling the credit card company and letting them know that
an overseas trip is in the words so they won't be surprised by a bunch of
charges out of the country.

Jean...

sounds like a great trip, she will have a blast! Try looking at the
TravelSmith website or catalog...there are lots of pieces in there that
are mix and match, even sink washable for the next day. Also, Coldwater
Creek has some reversible pieces, dresses and skirts. Spain will be HOT
HOT HOT in July, but you are probably used to it being in SoFl.

Userb3...

Thanks for the great advice. I'll be forwarding it to her. But jst for teh
record, I'm from a small town near Memphis. Joe is from SoFL.

ATM's are the best way to go or debit cards. Make sure you call the
bank to see what the fees are, and be sure to have a 4-digit pin. I
just ran that by my bank (going to England in Sept)...to which they told
me "and if your 4-digit pin doesn't work just add
0-0-0-0 to it". Also, ask what is the daily allotment of withdrawls.
This will be your best exchange rate. Most credit card companies will
tack on a 3% (or better) surcharge onto each transaction.

re: cafes: might want to look here:

ahmward...

LL Bean has nice travel pieces too. She needs a lightweight sweater for
air conditioning or to cover her arms in a few of the churches.ATMs as
Jean said are everywhere so I usually go with no more than $200 in cash
and no traveler's checks. Rick Steves has excellent travel guides that
will tell her the very best places for ATMs and banking; they are so
specific they actually state walk out the main door, turn right and walk
ten steps ...

If she begins with four pieces, skirt, slacks, top, and lightweight
jacket she can base everything else around them. Chicos also has a
travel line of clothing. What she wants are items that can roll and not
wrinkle.

Will you be working in the fields during this time?