Vigilance & Preparing for the Unexpected

Traveling is one of the only things that you can spend money on that makes you richer. Getting out of your comfort zone and jumping on that plane is exciting. It leads to new experiences, growth, friendships, cultures, and it’s well worth the money spent. However, always prepare for the unexpected and be vigilant in your travels.

Italy - Listening to that inner voice

It was May of 2012, and our first major trip to mainland Europe with a group of friends had just begun. It was a grand two week trip, visiting 10 different countries in hopes to see everything we possibly could. Departing from Geneva, Switzerland, we headed down to Milan, followed by a quick stop in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and then a visit to see the masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture, The Statue of David.

Several different times during the drive, the comment came up mentioning that “we should go see Rome”; although, the original plan would not allow time for us to make it that far South. And after Florence, the plan was to stay in a hotel in between Florence and Venice within the Emilia-Romagna region. However, after realizing we had a few extra hours of daylight, and Rome only being 3 hours away, we decided to forgo our hotel and find one outside of Rome. The following morning, May 21st, we all read the news that there was a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in the Emilia-Romagna region, followed by a 5.2 aftershock, where we were supposed to be, killing several and causing widespread damage.

Listen to that inner voice, as well as to those you may travel with, you may never know when a sudden unexpected change of plans may be for the best. (Mobile users: next story continued below picture)

Venice, Italy

France - Scope out those who can help

In research for your upcoming destinations, make sure you know areas that should be avoided, even if it’s only nighttime. You never know when you will enter a sketchy subway station, or a specific street that you don’t want to be on at certain times of the day. If it’s a touristy area, research the scams targeting unsuspecting tourists.

Having used Paris as a main base for a lot of travels over the past few years, I’ve learned a bit about the different scams targeting innocent people there. However, during one of my trips to Paris in 2017, I encountered something a bit unsettling, and for the remainder of my time in that specific arrondissement, I made sure to keep an eye on where different French police officers were, because you never know if people work in groups (some scams do).

I was not on a solo trip this time; however, whenever I take someone with me I am responsible and want to ensure safety. As we were walking down a street towards the line for the Catacombs of Paris, this man spoke English to us and said, “hello”. I responded quietly with a different greeting and nodded my head, don’t think it was loud enough for him to understand what I said, but I had the impression to keep walking and act normally.

It immediately occurred to me how odd it was to have someone to speak my native language first, as opposed to French. After walking a bit further along the crowded street, I turned around and noticed he was also looking back at us and then he turned away and we kept walking. I immediately scoped out a policeman nearby, followed by locating another one. That was the last I saw of him, and although I’m not afraid to fight back, it’s also important to locate those who can help you.

I do think he may have had ulterior motives, and was fishing further to see if we were tourists who spoke English. I can’t say for certain, but I really do think that was the case. Public areas are a lot harder for people to attempt things; however, that doesn’t mean they’ll follow you or work with a group. Stay alert, stay vigilant, and look for people or places that can provide help or safety in case you need extra help.

Paris, France

Secrets of the Paris Underground

Paris, the City of Lights, is fantastic global center of art, culture, food/cooking, and fashion. As a tourist, you can spend weeks at a time exploring the most well known landmarks, vast scenic views, châteaus, museums, and still never be able to see everything in its entirety. However, what about the lesser known destinations? There are many of these hidden gems spread throughout Paris, and only known by local Parisians. However, what many do not know, is that below their feet in the City of Lights, there is a network of tunnels that spread over 200 miles. Included within these tunnels are crypts, reservoirs, canals, bank vaults, cellars, sewers, and what I want to write about, the égouts de Paris (sewers of Paris), the catacombes de Paris (catacombs of Paris), and the Carrières de Paris (quarries of Paris).

Areas of the underground

• Égouts de Paris: Paris has one of the most remarkable sewer systems in the world, which dates back to the 13th century. There is a street level museum called the Musée des Égouts, which will take you down into the sewers. It contains a fascinating history of the construction, the troubles, and innovation up to modern days. Today, there are brave men and women who must venture into the Paris sewers, riding machinery, and using other forms of technology in order to keep the sewers operating smoothly. Unfortunately, many of these workers have a life expectancy with 10 years less than the average human due to the gases, and other lung affecting toxins. The museum is definitely worth a trip; although, I did walk out with a headache due to the smell, so a quick trip is best. Unfortunately, it is closed until 2020 for innovation.

• Catacombes de Paris: The catacombs are one of my favorite parts of Paris. I have spent quite a bit of time researching these and learning more about this 200 mile network beneath Paris. The catacombs are connected to the quarries; however, there is only a small section opened up to the public. In 1774 one of the quarries caved in, swallowing a house along rue d'Enfer, which is now a crossing Avenue Denfert-Rochereau and the boulevard Saint-Michel, and is the location of the public catacombs. The catacombs/quarries contain over 6 million bones of people living in Paris. See my video below of my first trip into these catacombs, and the history behind it. These are three methods to get into the catacombs:

  • Wait in line: This is what I did the first time, and it is not a great way to spend time in Paris. You will most likely wait up to 2 hours standing in line. Make sure to pack an umbrella if you suspect rain.

  • Skip the line: Buy your tickets online for the time and day you want to go. This is what I did the second time I returned to France. I skipped the 2-hour line, and was one of the first down into the catacombs. You can buy tickets here, http://catacombes.paris.fr/en. This tour can last 1 1/2 hours.

  • Restricted access tour: There are areas within the public catacombs that are not accessible unless you have a guide. This includes the Sacellum Crypt, the Sculptures room, and more. This tour can last over 2 1/2 hours down in the catacombs. There are ways to get these tickets, and the best way I have found is through https://www.viator.com. You can search for Paris Catacombs restricted access, and you will find guides that will unlock these areas for you.

• Carrières de Paris: I have also spent quite a bit of time researching the quarries beneath Paris, searching for entrances and maps, which I am unable to share publicly, first because I don’t want to get in trouble, and second because people go searching for them and put themselves at risk. (I will share a small snippet below to give an idea of what one of the maps are like). It is illegal to enter the quarries, especially since you can spend 10+ hours underground, and even more if you get lost. The entire network has not been fully mapped, and those who do venture into them, the cataphiles, often finish, update, or create their own maps. If your light stops working, you run out of water, or you run out food, you may never make it out again. It is highly dangerous, with deep wells filled with water, pits, and collapses. There is a special police force who enters the catacombs, who not only tickets people, but helps rescue if someone has gotten lost. They are known as the cataflic. If you’re interested, there are plenty of videos on YouTube, even people who have been lost for a few hours under Paris.

Catacomb adventures

Snippet of the public catacombs in orange, and catacomb/quarry tunnels branching off.

Secrets of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris has been widely referred to being one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Both the outside and inside is beautiful, with large stained glass windows, Gothic art, statues, and a treasury.

When I first visited Notre-Dame in 2012, I did not realize that there was a special tour that went up into the bell towers. The doorway is on the northeast side (to the left around the corner from the main entry), which take you up spiraling stairs all the way up to the top. You're given the opportunity to see some of the best views of Paris, including the gargoyles all along the cathedral, and a stop in the very top to see the church bells.

Tours begin at 10 AM; however, by that point, the line is normally very long and sometimes stretch around the cathedral. So you can either arrive very early and wait in line for a couple hours, or you can use an app to reserve your spot in line and be one of the first to go up.

In the Google Play store or Apple Store, search for DuckTheLine (or Jefile, as it was originally called). This app will let you reserve your spot in line and the time you choose. It allows you to start reserving beginning at 7:30 AM, and must be done on the day of visiting. If you don’t have a Paris Museum Pass, the cost will 10€, which you can use either cash or credit card to purchase. Enjoy!

Secrets of the Vatican

The Vatican City, the seat of the Roman Catholic church, is the world’s smallest independent nation-state. Famous baroque artwork, statues and sculptures, within the Sistine Chapel, Vatican museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and St. Peter’s Square are just a few of the sights to behold here.

What you may not have known is that underneath the Vatican lies the Vatican Necropolis, a complex of pagan mausoleums, and the tomb of the apostle, Saint Peter. You can actually visit these tunnels, the Necropolis, and see St. Peter’s Tomb on a guided tour; however, only 250 people are allowed to enter per day. You must obtain permission from the excavations office before you can enter, must be flexible, as there are many days that tours aren’t given, and photography is strictly not allowed.

What do you gain from this tour? An incredible hour and a half tour of archaeological finds, excavations, mausoleums, tombs, and artifacts, which ends at the burial place of St. Peter, including what are believed to be his bones.

For further information on reservations, click the excavations source link at the bottom of this post.

St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City

Secrets of the Louvre

The iconic glass pyramid is the main entrance to the Louvre. For a first time visitor, you'll definitely want to see it, and walk around it. If the line is short, you may want to enter this way. However, lines have been known to take up to two hours to get in. Did you know that there are secret entrances into the Louvre? These secret entrances can cut a two hour wait down to a five minute wait.

The entrances

• Pyramide du Louvre: Main entrance

• Palais Royal Musee du Louvre: This entrance goes through the mall to the inverted pyramid.

• Porte des Lions: As of June 2018, this is opened back up to regular ticket holders.

• Passage Richeliue: This is for tour groups only, or those who have annual memberships. 

• Carrousel: You can re-enter at this location if you already have a ticket, and it's also a quick way to exit. The stairs come up next to the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel.