I'll try to answer part of your questions:

1) If you want to be able to call your kids occassionally, then a callling card is good. If you want them to be able to reach you, then a cell phone would be best. If your carrier in the U.S. uses GSM, then you could buy a Sim card in France and that would be the cheapest for the cellphone.

2) Check the charger for the camera as well as the fan. If both say 110-240V then all you need is the two round pronged adapter. If not, you might need a converter. (Remember, voltage in Europe is different than in the U.S. )

3) The consensus is that the best exchange rate is using the ATM's in Europe. Some people, like me, like to have some currency when arriving but get most of the rest at the ATM. (Make sure you tell your bank and credit card company's that you are going to Europe or they might freeze your cards.)

4) Can't help in regard to the sever tours--never taken them. With so much else to do in Paris, it hasn't been high on my list.

If you plan to make a lot of withdrawals while you are there, then note that most ATMs won't let you draw more than $250 a day. We were trying to pay by cash to get better hotel deals but ran into the problem of not being able to get enough money out.

3: See "Graffiti Wall - Money/Communications - ATMs - Minimizing Fees" elsewhere on this web site. I go every summer and never take any European money with me. Someone mentioned dealing with limits on ATM withdrawals. I go to my two different financial institutions from which I take 2 separate DEBIT cards and ask them to raise my limit for the month I am going to be gone. Never been turned down. Usually get $1000/day. I spent the month of May in France and took a RS tour during that time and had no ATM problems. Happy travels

If the charger (and more likely) the fan need a converter as opposed to an adapter, I wouldn't use it. Converters are usually pretty heavy. Try to buy a new one that works on European current.

In Paris, I never had a problem getting the equivalent of $500 at ATMs. You should be able to get euros from an ATM at the airport when you land.

Sewer tours - no, there are many more interesting things to see and do. How much free time will you have in Paris?

We were able to 'rent' a global phone from our phone company for our 9 days in Europe. There was a minimal delivery charge to our house, then we just had to pay for the usage. It worked well for us.

We did the Sewer Tour; I wouldn't pay extra for it, but if you have the Paris Museum Pass (which is great)then it doesn't cost any extra. We were only there for about 15 minutes, but you can stay much longer if it at all interests you.

I always go to my bank and have my withdrawal limit raised,, that takes care of the problem. I only every bring about 100 euros with me for first day etc. I then use an ATM,,, I take out my limit and keep it in the hotel safe, or if travelling , in my moneybelt. I keep one days spending money in my purse /wallet. On RS tours you will buy your own lunch, and 1/2 your dinners.

Stacy,

It would help to have a bit more information about the "brick-type charger" for your Camera. Specifically, you need to check the Input Voltage ratings on the device. If you could post that information, it would be easier to offer suggestions.

Rather than taking a Fan for white noise, you might consider one of the electronic machines that are designed for that (check Magellans as I believe the have units). The Fan is very likely only designed to operate on 115 VAC, which means you'll have to pack along a Voltage Converter which will add to your packing load.

I would NOT recommend taking a large sum of cash. While this may avoid a few fees, I believe the difference will be minimal as you'll still be paying exchange and still paying the Bank for the conversion. If you have any left over, you'll pay again when you convert it back to U.S. currency. I'd suggest taking some "travelling funds" (perhaps €100 or so) and then just using your ATM card as required. It's a good idea to have a "backup card" as well. Note that your travel funds MUST be in a chequing account with a four-digit PIN.

Regarding the Cell Phone, it would help to know if you have a Cell plan at home, and if so which network is it with? A few options you could consider:

• Rent a Phone from Cellular Abroad, Call In Europe or other firms. Use text if possible as it's a lot cheaper. Be sure to review their rates so that you're clear on the costs.

• Buy an unlocked quad-band GSM Phone off E-Bay and either use a "Travel SIM" from one of the above firms, OR buy a PAYG SIM when you arrive in France.

As you'll be on a RS Tour, I don't believe that a Calling Card would be the best option. You'll be "on the go" lots of the time and except for the "free days" you won't have much time except in the Hotel at night (which might work OK with the time difference). BTW, which tour are you taking?

Happy travels!

I would not recommend a calling card, unless you enjoy standing on random street corners and shouting over traffic noise to make calls. And with the pervasiveness of cellphones, there are far fewer pay phones around.
Here is my suggestion. First, have the grandparents get on a cheap international plan; they can call France for pennies a minute on most plans. Next, you need a cellphone. If you have a T-Mobile or AT&T quad-band phone such as the Razr and get it unlocked, it will work in Europe. Otherwise see if a friend has an old one they can loan you for the trip (unlocked, of course). Or you can buy one on eBay for around $10-$20. Then in France buy a SIM card. With a SIM card calls to the US are about 50 cents/minute, and incoming calls are free. So when you have time to talk, simply call home (or send a text message, even cheaper) and have them call you right back; then talk as long as you want.

As to expenses, Ricks site says to plan for about $100 a day in expenses per person. I think that is a little high, but I would think $100 per couple would be reasonable, more if you're a shopper. Remember you're buying 1/2 your meals, your own wine at the tour-paid dinners, snacks & water, admission to places not covered by the pass they give you, etc. I would not go to my local bank and change this much money. On the other hand, many people (me included) like to show up in Europe with some Euros in their pocket to buy a snack, take the Metro, etc. I would suggest changing about $100 into Euros to get you started, then use ATMs for the rest.

Wall sockets in France use a 2-prong round type plug; you can find a picture of them online so you see what I'm talking about and buy them at many travel stores, amazon, etc. Make sure your camera charger says it works on 120-240V or you will fry it.

I went to the Sewers too, and it wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be. So for a first trip to Paris, I'd probably skip it.

I bought about 200 Euros from my bank before the trip. I also asked my bank (B of A) which ATMs I could use without a service charge and they told me "BNP Paris". Sure enough, no service charge, just exchange rate. Using an ATM to get cash was EASY as long as you let your bank know you'll be traveling overseas.

Never did the sewer tours but if you like to go underground seeing the Roman ruins (same plaza as Notre Dame) was really cool.