Winter, despite representing a painstakingly long, often melancholic and forceful entry into the new year, means a blank canvas of travel lays before us. To cure the post-holiday blues, we immediately begin thinking about our next getaway or at least dreaming about one. For many, a first, second or twentieth Paris adventure is on the horizon but with it arises a few concerns.
How much French do I need to know? Will it rain everyday? Will the French be rude (yes, that question still comes up)? Can I get around by foot? Enthusiasm for a foreign destination can quickly dissolve if certain travel fears aren’t placated before take-off but I think it’s necessary to go a step further. When people tell me they felt disappointed by their experience in Paris, I try to get a sense for what they had imagined. Often, disproportionate expectations are at the source of the problem. The reality is, the city is imperfect and unable to entertain the idealized fantasies most of us are guilty of having.
In an effort to control feelings of disappointment, it’s important to manage expectations. For Paris, keep these things in mind:
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