Tips for Visiting Paris on a Budget

Eiffel Tower
Image: pexels.com

Scott G. Sink draws upon more than 30 years of experience in his role as senior executive vice president and practice leader for the energy and marine division at the Birmingham, Alabama-based McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc. An avid traveler, Scott G. Sink enjoys visiting foreign countries with his family and counts Paris, France as one of his favorite destinations. 

Although Paris is regarded as a lavish city renowned for its palace hotels and gourmet restaurants, it is possible to visit the French capital on a budget. For starters, it's possible to find relatively cheap airfare if you book at least six months in advance. Resources like TripAdvisor and Epinions can also be useful in securing flight and hotel vacation packages. Once in the city, consider using public transportation. For instance, a 10-pack of metro tickets cost less than 15 Euro and can be used to travel throughout the city and its nearest suburbs as well as Disneyland and Versailles.

If you are so inclined to eat at reputable restaurants, stand and eat at the bar rather than wait for a table as sitting down to eat often comes with a surcharge. Eating outside at a patisserie or boulangerie is another alternative. 

In regard to lodging, consider more affordable districts outside of the heart of the city where it's possible to purchase rooms for as little as 28 Euro per night. Some hostels even include breakfast, which can help you save your money for attractions or other dining options later in the day. 

Paris boasts numerous free attractions, including Sacre Couer and the Notre Dame Cathedral. There's also free annual events like the Paris Music Festival, Open-Air Cinema at La Villette, and European Heritage Days.

Tips for Travelling in Rome

Birmingham, Alabama-based senior executive Scott Sink possesses more than 25 years of experience leading the Energy & Marine Division of McGriff, Seibels & Williams, a firm that specializes in developing insurance solutions for multiple industries. Outside of work, Scott Sink spends much of his time traveling overseas with his family. Some of their previous destinations include Okinawa, Japan, Paris, France, and Rome, Italy.

To truly enjoy a visit to Rome, visitors should employ the following tips in order to have the best experience.

1. Avoid Peak Travel Season. Rome attracts more than 4 million tourists every year, resulting in large crowds at many of the city’s most notable landmarks. However, visitor numbers fall during March, April, and August, making it an ideal time to travel. Additionally, crowds are sparser around outdoor attractions, such as the famed Trevi Fountain in the early morning or late evening.

2. Buy Tickets in Advance. Without proper planning, visitors may find themselves waiting in line for museum tickets for four or more hours. Many companies offer online tickets that include a skip-the-line option, where ticket holders can enter the attraction immediately with a tour group. Similarly, tickets for public buses should be bought in advance at designated convenience stores rather than while boarding.

3. Wear Comfortable Footwear. Rome is an extremely walkable city, but due to the prevalence of cobblestones, tourists without proper footwear can risk injury. The best options are sneakers or walking sandals with thick soles that can provide adequate support and absorb impact.

Tips for a Better Travel Experience in Rome

The recipient of a bachelor's degree in risk management and insurance from the University of Georgia, Scott G. Sink has served as senior executive vice president of Birmingham, Alabama's McGriff, Seibels & Williams since 1994. When he isn't working, Scott G. Sink enjoys traveling with his family and counts Rome, Italy, as one of his favorite destinations.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and you certainly can't see all the sights you might want to in a single day, either. That's why it's important to prioritize what you want to see and do while you're there, especially if your stay will only be a week-long or shorter. One of the more prominent tourist attractions in the city is the Colosseum, but it can take hours waiting in line just to see the ruins of its lower levels. Instead, you can ignore the crowds and still look upon it in awe from a distance while saving your time for other experiences.

If you are set on doing tours of well-known landmarks such as the Pantheon or the Vatican, visit late in the afternoon or first thing in the morning. Similarly, the Trevi Fountain is almost always crowded, but it will be less busy later in the evening. The Sistine Chapel is best viewed just before closing, as at this time the artificial lighting is shut off and the paintings on its ceiling can be viewed in natural light as originally intended. Other lesser known attractions and areas worth visiting include the Testaccio neighborhood, the Vatican gardens, Santa Maria della Vittoria, and the catacombs near Villa Ada.