Shirley

Sandra Gustafson: Happy Fiftieth Birthday! What a great way to celebrate. February will be cold and rainy, but that shouldn't hold you back. Pack a warm, lined raincoat, a hat, an umbrella, a pair of comfortable boots, silk long underwear, plus warm sweaters and slacks and you should be fine. Nothing in Paris shuts down due to weather conditions, so all the museums and churches will be open as will the stores. On clear days, plan a trip along the Seine in a Bateau Mouche, take a walking tour, and sit in a cafe and watch the world go by. Remember, less is more...savor every moment and don't try to do it all. Save some things for your next trip. Bon Voyage.

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Madison, Wis.: I have never traveled to Europe, and am thinking of making Paris my first destination. I'm a female in my fifties with some physical limitations (cannot walk long distances). What would you recommend for places to stay, things to see, method of transportation? The one thing I do want to see is the Louvre. Also, do most people speak English or will there be language issues?

Sandra Gustafson: Paris is not known for its handicapped facilities and there is walking involved and stair climbing if you use the metro. I would suggest you stay central to your interests and that you take a taxi to get around. Yes, it will cost more, but I think you would be more comfortable.

Don't worry about the language. Hotel desk staffs speak English and most restaurants have someone who can help you order. Many menus are printed in English. Hotel de la Place du Louvre or Hotel le Relais Saint-Honore are two hotels close to the Louvre. There are many, well-priced restaurants in the area, and you are close to Angelina's, famous for its hot chocolate and mont blanc dessert.

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Plymouth, Minn.: My husband and I are taking our 2 teens (ages 15 and 18) to France next summer as a high school graduation gift to my daughter (who has taken 4 years of French language and loves it). We'll spend 5-7 days in Claviers in Provence and 5-6 days in Paris. Since my husband and I have been to Paris and seen many art museums, what are the must-do things that will not bore my two teens? Obviously some art museums are on the list, but we'll see many of them in the south of France also. Anything new and unique they would enjoy? My daughter really wants to see Giverny (we've seen it) and also Versailles--would these be boring for my 15-year-old son? And is the Moulin Rouge just too much for teens, or a classic French experience? In your opinion, what is the best guidebook out there for us?

Thanks!

Ellen

Sandra Gustafson: Your 15-year-old son will probably be more interested in Versailles than Giverny, but since your daughter has her heart set on it, you should go there, and perhaps he will enjoy being along for the ride. Malmaison, where Napoleon and Josephine spent many happy hours, is an interesting side trip as is Vaux le Vicomte and Fontainebleu, home of 14 kings of France. As for the Moulin Rouge, I understand the new show is great. With all the junk in the media and on the Internet, this will probably be tame by comparison.

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Dublin, Ohio: What do you consider the most charming hotel(s) on the left bank for under 200 euros? We'd like a room large enough not to trip over our suitcases all week, but not be a "Plain Jane" room, but be more in the Provencal style. (Does the Saint Germain de Pres fall into this category?) What are your favorite bistros withing walking distance of this area that we don't normally hear about or are worth all the hype if we do? --Carol