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Your Insider’s Guide to Paris: Book it Now

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Bonjour! If you’re thinking about going to Paris. Do it. Having just returned from a second visit within the past five months, Paris is open for business. I’m not saying there aren’t risks. Simply living in today’s world involves risks that I don’t need to tell you about. But based on my on the ground intelligence, if you travel like a local, then your chances of being in the wrong place at the wrong time is reduced by several degrees of magnitude. It’s not hard. Be polite. Try to speak as much French as possible, leave the baggy shorts, t-shirts, and “I’m an American” weekend look at home. Think about how you would dress for a special weekend in the city with your spouse and you’ve started off on the right foot.

But, before you begin your life changing journey to the city of light, here’s some quick tips on your itinerary. If you’ve ever considered booking Business Class to Paris then you know it’s quite possible your first mortgage was less, by a lot. You can really be rolling the dice too on the type of seating arrangement you’ll get depending on the carrier. Your best bet hands down is booking with Air France. And to me, the best value, if the word value can be used, is arriving in Paris Premium Economy and returning Economy. Compared to a roundtrip Business Class booking, it’s less than a quarter of the cost and you’re not giving up much in terms of necessities. On the way over you have first class seating so you can sleep, and a regular seat on the way home where you don’t really need the added luxury. Believe me, after a week in Paris, you’ll be happy to be saving some money somewhere.

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Which brings me to a luxury that is worth every penny and that is the VIP meet and greet, from First Limousine, where a happy attendant is waiting for you at the gate, as if you’re related, ready to make this a trip you’ll soon not forget. Don’t ask how much it costs. Just book it. As you roll your-tired-self off the plane at Charles de Gaulle between 8am and 9am you’re certainly not on your “A” game. And that’s where your greeter takes over. Need I say more? If you ever wondered what it feels like to be shuttled through the side-door of customs, this service is for you. No waiting in the cattle herd maze with tired Americans and every other international travelling caravan jockeying for position. Your vacation just got off to an unimaginable start making you feel like kissing the ground with your good fortune. What a way to start your first day in France. Oui?

Lucky for you, you can learn through my experiences, good and bad. And believe me I didn’t come up with this on my own. Get a head-start and contact Tara Hyland at Tara Hyland Travel. You’re on your way to seeing Paris safely and having the experience you deserve. Don’t let time pass you by. Book it. You won’t regret it. And stay tuned for more of my insider tips including what happens right after you say goodbye to your VIP greeter. Life is good!

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E.J. Smith - Your Survival Guy

E.J. Smith is Founder of YourSurvivalGuy.com, Managing Director at Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd., a Managing Editor of Richardcyoung.com, and Editor-in-Chief of Youngresearch.com. His focus at all times is on preparing clients and readers for “Times Like These.” E.J. graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with a B.S. in finance and investments. In 1995, E.J. began his investment career at Fidelity Investments in Boston before joining Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd. in 1998. E.J. has trained at Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, NH. His first drum set was a 5-piece Slingerland with Zildjians. He grew-up worshiping Neil Peart (RIP) of the band Rush, and loves the song Tom Sawyer—the name of his family’s boat, a Grady-White Canyon 306. He grew up in Mattapoisett, MA, an idyllic small town on the water near Cape Cod. He spends time in Newport, RI and Bartlett, NH—both as far away from Wall Street as one could mentally get. The Newport office is on a quiet, tree lined street not far from the harbor and the log cabin in Bartlett, NH, the “Live Free or Die” state, sits on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. He enjoys spending time in Key West (RIP JB) and Paris. Please get in touch with E.J. at ejsmith@yoursurvivalguy.com To sign up for my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter, click here.

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