Independent travel: your own among strangers, or feel free

But since I am easy to lift, fearless and open to everything new, without hesitation, I agreed to fly with her to Paris - to fulfill her childhood dream. From Chelyabinsk we went to Yekaterinburg - to the Consulate of France. The visa application process took about one hour. About two weeks later, the courier delivered a response.

 

 

 

 

In order not to stand in huge queues for tickets, electronic tickets for visiting attractions were purchased via the Internet in advance: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and others. Electronic tickets saved us not only time and nerves, but also money.

 

In the same way, they rented an apartment in Paris and bought plane tickets, as well as ordered the services of a Russian-speaking guide at a very affordable price. They flew to France with a transfer in Moscow. And finally, we found ourselves in a charming spring Paris.

 

 

 

 

The world center of culture, art, fashion and cooking is very hospitable, leisurely, gentle, filled with history and atmosphere of romance.

 

Residents of Paris without exception, regardless of nationality and social status, cultural and polite people, very responsive, ready to help, explain and show the way. On a tour of the city, we were helped by a guide with whom we agreed in advance.

 

 

 

 

 

We visited all the famous sights of Paris: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur and others. We walked down the Seine. We admired the flowering cherry trees among the majestic architecture.

 

We got up at 5 a.m. and walked through the charming streets. We moved for the most part on foot, and returned for the night without feeling our feet, already in the dark. Tired and content, I couldn’t believe we were here in Paris right now.

 

 

 

 

To go to Paris and not taste its cuisine would be a crime. The city has a great many chic restaurants, cozy cafes and colorful bars.

 

Nothing prevents you from shopping in stores and cooking yourself. Most experienced travelers are advised to do so, because the products there are inexpensive, at the same time of excellent quality. We tasted oysters, a great variety of cheeses, incredibly delicious wine and fresh pastries. It's delicious!

 

 

 

 

Having explored Paris along and across, bypassing groups of organized tourists who are quietly in the capital, we decided to go to Normandy - on the Atlantic coast. In two hours by train from the cold, icy winds of Paris, we came to the warm Rouen - a city full of history, monuments and legends.

 

 

 

 

We spent a magical and unforgettable week in France. They returned to Chelyabinsk with a transfer in St. Petersburg. There we had seven hours of free time, so we hired a taxi and went to the city center, walked along Nevsky Prospekt.

 

So, having the most modest finances, not planning anything in advance, without much preparation, quite spontaneously my friend and I conquered Paris and realized her cherished dream.

 

 

 

 

There were no travel agencies before, people did. They wrote a vacation application, bought train or plane tickets and went to new cities and countries. In the modern world, with literally unlimited possibilities, it is a sin to sit on the couch and wait for the time to travel.

 

Documents for registration of passport and visa You're able to file on your own. Airplane tickets, various museums and attractions, a hotel room, hostel or apartment, a personal Russian-speaking guide can easily be booked much cheaper in advance online, without leaving home. If you have a credit card, it is possible that you have already accumulated enough miles and the flight will cost a pittance.

 

In the suitcase, you do not need to tamp super-dressed clothes and a ton of cosmetics, but just take the most necessary and comfortable: shoes, light and warm clothes, soap, toothbrush, paste, a small jar of shampoo, comb, mirror, cream.

 

Check the currency you will have to use in another country. Many take two bank cards and cash in rubles and currency. After planning your future expenses, set aside some money just in case. Get the necessary vaccinations. Get international health insurance.

 

 

 

 

While on a trip, go to an online cafe, write to your loved ones where you are and how you are doing. Live in a foreign country like a local: go to supermarkets, bakeries - so you will not only save, but also really feel the taste of local products.

 

Be open to new experiences and they will not disappoint your expectations. Do not be afraid to try new things, go your own route, put aside the guidebook and communicate with people.

 

Couchsurfing is very popular nowadays. That is, you pay for flight, food and entertainment, and you will be allowed to live completely free of charge - for conscientiously looking after someone else's house and pets.

 

Not inferior in popularity to couchsurfing and wuffing - economic ecotourism. You go as a volunteer to a farm, for 4-6 hours of work you get shelter and food, and a lot of new impressions, the opportunity to tighten your language skills, make friends, have fun and get acquainted with the country.

 

 

 

 

Of course, traveling “savage” is much cheaper and more exciting. You decide where and when to go, make changes to the route according to your whim.

 

Private guides Take a modest fee for an individual approach, show the most unexpected corners, tell something new, advise the best and cheap hotel, help overcome the language barrier.

 

 

 

If you hire a Russian-speaking driver with a private car, you will get one shot to kill two birds with one stone - ride with the breeze and learn a lot about the country and customs. In an independent trip, you can fully feel yourself among strangers, live the weekdays and holidays of people of another country and go beyond your capabilities.

 

Text: Yulia Shchepeleva (the article is based on a story by Yulia Kochkina)

Photos: Yulia Kochkina