Since 2015, INSIDR, a Paris start-up, has been helping travellers in over 30 countries plan their trips and one of their products is a smartphone. But it’s not just any mobile device. It’s your travel guide and concierge all in one packed with enough content and apps to make one’s journey just a little bit easier. I got to try out this great little (but powerful) device in Paris recently and I will be very honest and say I was duly impressed. The INSIDR smartphone in Paris is all about making travelling easier. How they get you your device and how you return it is pretty creative too.
Travelling can be a wonderful experience when you rent a car. But not always. After 30 trips to France, I guess it was time for me to have an awful experience. My roadside assistance experience in France was not just stressful, but a shock to my wallet. I have a little story nightmare to share with you about renting a car in France. Hopefully, you’ll never encounter the types of problems I did, but if you do, you’ll understand what to do to navigate the difficult task of renting a car and dealing with road assistance issues.
The French are sometimes unfairly accused of being stubborn, unfriendly, or difficult to deal with. And they love to debate. I can see this if you enter a store and do not say, “Bonjour”. You might not get any response and could even be treated with rudeness. Customs should be followed, no matter what country you are in. I get this and try not only to speak French all the time but also act politely and proper so that I don’t come across like that “obnoxious” tourist. During all my travels to France, I have never had a bad encounter with a native French person. That is, until a few years ago in Paris. I was put to the test and had a lovely argument in French.
One of Google’s experimental workshops, simply named “Area 120”, has recently launched a new travel tool and Paris is one of the 20 top travel destinations to be featured in the initial launch. This travel tool, however, has a twist. It’s not all about booking tours. There are lots of recommendations from locals and experts and one additional benefit that I’ll discuss later in this post. I am happy to announce that after almost 10 months of collaborating with Google, you can now find many of my France Travel Tips experiences on “Touring Bird”. Here’s what it’s about and how you can benefit.
I recently enjoyed my first Airbnb in Normandy and I have 3 insights into how you can make sure your stay is a success. I know I lucked out with the house I rented in Etretat. Up until now, I had rented self-catering accommodations via websites like VRBO or through Gites-de-France. But as everyone knows, Airbnbs are becoming so popular so I wanted to try it out. If you’re heading to Normandy, I would highly recommend you consider renting a place in Etretat.