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Bonjour! My Whirlwind 13-Day Adventure in France & Switzerland! 🇫🇷🇨🇭
Hey everyone! Just wanted to give you a quick rundown of my 13-day trip exploring 3 awesome cities in France and 2 in Switzerland! Get ready for some serious wanderlust!
1. Paris: Oh là là! ✨
- The Journey: I flew VNA (Vietnam Airlines) from Hanoi to Paris early in the morning. Unfortunately, the line for non-EU passport holders was INSANELY long - almost 4 hours! But honestly, Paris was so amazing, I totally forgot about the wait! =))
- Accommodation: I booked my stay with the amazing Phạm Tú Linh! Seriously, HIGHLY recommend. I stayed at their place for the first 4 nights and the last 2 nights of my trip, and they were super cool with me leaving a suitcase there while I explored other cities.
- Why Linh Rocks: They're incredibly helpful, attentive, and the place is spotless! Plus, they have a kitchen and laundry facilities, which was a lifesaver since I'm not a huge fan of Western food. I usually only ate out once a day, and the hosts often cooked Vietnamese dishes and invited me to join them! Being my first time in France, having a trustworthy Vietnamese host made me feel 1000x more secure!
- Location, Location, Location: The apartment is right next to tram T9, making getting around a breeze. My host even lent me a travel card! If I ever go back to Paris, I'm definitely staying there again! 😍 Free advertising for the best host ever! :))
- Getting Around Paris: I bought a €12/day travel pass on the Bonjour RATP app. Honestly, I didn't find the metro and tram system as confusing as people say. I just used the app to search for routes, and knock on wood, I didn't get lost or take the wrong train once! 🤪
- Food: Okay, I'm a die-hard Vietnamese food lover, so I mostly just ate Western food for the *experience*. Like I said, I needed my daily dose of Vietnamese food to survive! 🍜
- Pastries though... Oh my god. The pastries in Paris are INSANE. I could walk into any bakery and everything was delicious! Still craving them! 🥹
- Parisian Vibes: I've heard people complain about Paris being dirty and smelly. But honestly, I didn't think it was that bad! =)) Of course, it's not as clean as Singapore, but it was definitely cleaner than Vietnam 😞. And the "smell" is only in certain areas, not the whole city! =))
- Final Verdict: Paris is absolutely gorgeous and totally worth visiting! 🤪
2. Safety in Paris: A Reality Check (But Don't Panic!) 🚨
- Heard the Horror Stories? Before my trip, I read SO MANY stories about pickpockets and theft in Paris that I was terrified! Felt like 99% of visitors get robbed!
- My Experience: In reality, it wasn't as bad as I expected. HOWEVER, you absolutely need to be vigilant! I always wore a Uniqlo fanny pack across my chest with my wallet and phone, and I constantly checked my bag on public transportation. My phone has a wrist strap, and I always wrapped it around my wrist when checking maps or filming videos. I also made sure to scan my surroundings for potential threats.
- Unexpected Danger Zone: Funnily enough, I spotted a potentially shady situation not in France, but in Switzerland! 😲 On the train from Interlaken back to Basel, two guys suddenly sat opposite me and looked super suspicious. I had a bad feeling, so I took my suitcase to the lower level and stood ready to exit the train. The two guys followed me down, and when the train stopped in Basel, I paused to see what they were doing. Just then, security grabbed one of them! I didn't know what was going on, but I ran! 🏃♀️
3. Language & Money Matters in Paris 🗣️💰
- Language Barrier? I'd heard that French people don't like speaking English. But luckily, everyone I met was super nice! Restaurant staff and shop owners usually spoke English to me right away. So you can definitely get by without French! 🥳
- Payment Methods: Almost 100% of places in Paris accepted credit cards/Apple Pay, so I didn't need to exchange much cash.
- Tipping: Is it mandatory? I'd read mixed reviews about tipping etiquette. But my friend who lives in France told me it's not necessary, and you only tip if the service is exceptionally good. I never tipped and didn't experience any issues.
4. SIM Card Woes & Viettel to the Rescue! 📱
- Orange Fails: I bought an eSIM from Orange France, but it wouldn't activate! 😭 Luckily, Viettel came to the rescue! Roaming worked perfectly. My friend's UK SIM wouldn't roam in Switzerland, but as soon as I arrived in Basel, Viettel sent me a text with instructions on how to choose a network for seamless roaming! 🤪
5. Metz: Fairytale Charm! 🏰
- Easy Travel: I took a train from Paris to Metz (about 1 hour). Metz is a small city, but I absolutely loved it! It felt like something out of a fairytale.
- Quick Trip: I only stayed in Metz for one day, but the riverside restaurants were amazing, with great views and delicious food. The people were nice, and I heard that white wine is famous and affordable there.
6. Strasbourg: Christmas Vibes (Sort Of!) 🎄
- Train Time: From Metz, I took a train to Strasbourg (about 2 hours). Strasbourg is more well-known for its Christmas markets, so it wasn't as special during my visit.
- Tourist Hub: Strasbourg is busier than Metz because it's a popular tourist destination. While taking photos near the cathedral, a woman dressed like a Dutch girl with a white painted face tried to hug me! I managed to avoid her, but it was a reminder to stay alert no matter where you are! =))
7. Basel, Switzerland: Just a City (But Still Cool!) 🇨🇭
- Seamless Transit: Another train ride from Strasbourg to Basel (about 1.5 hours). Basel is really "just a city" - it doesn't have many distinctive features.
- Everyday Life: But it's interesting to see the normal life of a typical Swiss city. And it's EXPENSIVE! Everything in Switzerland is 2.5-3 times more expensive than in France!
- Sunday Fun: I was in Basel on a Sunday, so most supermarkets and restaurants were closed! =)) It was like experiencing life as a local! :)). Swiss chocolate is delicious - definitely try it and buy some as souvenirs!
8. Interlaken: Breathtaking (and Freezing!) 🏔️🥶
- Cold & Beautiful: Interlaken is stunningly beautiful, but SO COLD! Like being inside a freezer! =)) But the air is incredibly clean.
- Cozy Stay: I booked a cozy Airbnb with a lovely host. (I can share the details if you need them!)
9. In Conclusion: An Epic Adventure! 🎉
Overall, I had an amazing trip! I was lucky to have such trustworthy, nice, and supportive hosts. And thankfully, I managed to avoid being robbed and returned to Vietnam safe and sound! Wishing you all equally fun and amazing trips! 😍
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