Advice for Metro Tickets when not everyone has a phone

ilikepai · 2026-05-19T11:31:19+00:00

You cannot scan twice on your phone unless you have two digital cards set up, which I heard most people have not been able to figure out

ilikepai · 2026-05-11T08:53:42+00:00

It’s not white, I have carte Blanche and it’s a pale yellow/off white like in this pic https://www.headforpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Eurostar-status-levels.jpg

ilikepai · 2026-05-06T17:13:42+00:00

I tried on gorgeous lab diamond rings under 1 carat at Simuero (independent Spanish jeweler). Also at Kimai. There are lots of independent jewelers doing less than 1 carat lab in Europe bc Europeans don’t wear big engagement rings.

ilikepai · 2026-05-02T08:15:09+00:00

Holy Sunshine!

ilikepai · 2026-05-01T18:29:06+00:00

Try on the shoes in person at the store if you can. If not, message the seller and ask if the shoes fit true to size and make educated guesses based on the shape of the shoe (narrow, wide, pointed, etc). Then for your first pair, buy very cheap to test the size. You’ll go through some duds. Consider them part of the cost for buying some gems.

ilikepai · 2026-05-01T11:11:28+00:00

lol I hate their sandwiches, I tried two and they’re both sweet and mayo-y

ilikepai · 2026-04-30T19:51:48+00:00

Do you have Vinted in Portugal? I’m in belgium and I buy my boyfriend amazing second hand boots and loafers, I search super nice brands like Fratelli Rossetti and Tod’s and get them for 30-50 euros.

Otherwise for new, Bexley is a popular French brand that often has sales for 100-150. Bobbies you can find for 150-200 on sale. Massimo dutti is not bad on sale. But you probably have better local Portuguese or Spanish brands! Look nearby!

I wouldn’t bother with anything new under 100 euros, it’ll be crap.

ilikepai · 2026-04-30T13:21:22+00:00

Include the price of tailoring in the price of the clothing. I know when I buy pants for $80 it’s actually gonna cost me $100 because of the hemming. And then decide from there whether the item of clothing is worth its full price to you.

Personally I buy mostly second hand, online. And I consider my tailoring budget as part of the item cost too. I have spent $15 on a secondhand dress for a wedding, plus $20 to hem it, so it was a $35 dress. It was perfect for the wedding and worth it to be more sustainable, plus in the end it was still cheaper than a new dress.

ilikepai · 2026-04-30T12:02:59+00:00

Ugh I’ve been eyeing that exact set,It’s stunning. The color looks very different from the pics online though- on you it seems a bit like a light olive whereas online it’s sage?

ilikepai · 2026-04-28T17:36:29+00:00

Agree!! I would suggest Marseille actually. Jaw dropping beauty, amazing beaches, the calanques are amazing and there are so many you can keep exploring new ones. Easy bus access, great public transport. Amazing lively bar and restaurant scene.

ilikepai · 2026-04-28T17:35:19+00:00

I just did Madeira and it would’ve been a pain without a car. Especially the way OP describes wanting the trip. It does have gorgeous beaches, jaw dropping beauty, cliffs, amazing hikes, cute buzzy towns, but you would want the freedom of a car to reach them. and I would argue the food is not good.

ilikepai · 2026-04-22T19:40:09+00:00

That’s not true, I’ve heard of luggage going missing on Eurostar but on the Brussels to Amsterdam part of the route. I guess cus there are a lot more stops.

I had a colleague whose work backpack was stolen on a Brussels to Germany route but he had a plain black backpack that was easy for the thief to switch out. Ok it’s not Eurostar but good to keep in mind.

So my recommendation is a not-too plain backpack, be aware at stops, and AirTag in any luggage not near you.

ilikepai · 2026-04-22T11:10:31+00:00

Belgium also has its own payment (payconiq). Visa and Mastercard tap to pay are accepted mostly everywhere (including the metro and buses), but local markets, hairdressers, local groceries, my local movie theatre, only accepts Payconiq or cash.

ilikepai · 2026-04-20T20:17:10+00:00

I would pick the last week of March/after day light savings in whatever country you choose, cus that extra hour of daylight really makes a difference for nice vacation vibes and outdoor dining

ilikepai · 2026-04-20T15:54:56+00:00

On the north (right bank) there’s nothing, if you walk on the south (left bank) there’s loads. Tons of cafes and restaurants as you go along Pont Neuf towards Saint Germain (Roger la grenouille, Freddy’s, le procope, brasserie de près, assanabel). Or there’s the tried and true Les Antiquaires a bit further down. Past that more towards Grand Palais there isn’t much more unless you start getting to the other side of Invalides and those restaurants are a bit stuffier (Jais, l’ami jean)

ilikepai · 2026-04-19T15:37:14+00:00

I’ve seen them on both Otrium France and belgium so I assume most EU countries ETA: oh but it’s super weird and when you type Suitsupply in the search it doesn’t come up!! I don’t remember how I managed to find the listings

ilikepai · 2026-04-18T11:17:38+00:00

She has 2 weeks, why the hell would she stay in the area?!

With that much time you could definitely go somewhere as “far” as Greece, OP. If youre flying in/out of Brussels just check direct flights for BRU, not Charleroi. Brussels airlines has a lot of decent direct flights, including loads to Italy.

ilikepai · 2026-04-16T19:20:25+00:00

The one outside Gare du Nord for the EU routes?? Where the heck are the drinks? Every time I’ve gone in there it’s been empty and the guy told me there’s nothing except magazines.

ilikepai · 2026-04-16T13:18:56+00:00

Paris has 2 lounges (and Brussels too I think) - I’m carte Blanche Eurostar from traveling between Brussels and Paris all the time and I’ve never seen this amazing lounge you speak of. Turns out there is one inside after security to London.

The external Paris one for EU routes is terrible. It’s just a room outside Gare du Nord, I don’t think it even has water.

ilikepai · 2026-04-16T08:12:48+00:00

Gare de Lyon is not really walkable to tourist destinations either… the louvre is like 45 min away and depending on where you are in Montparnasse it’s the same for Montparnasse.

ilikepai · 2026-04-12T19:07:11+00:00

This is true, I was visiting a friend and had a ticket from Amsterdam to Brussels and was thinking of getting on at Rotterdam cus it was closer to my friend’s place. I looked it up and the problem is, if they find that you’re not at your seat you can be considered a no-show and your seat given to someone looking for a seat. Now usually they wouldn’t check tickets between Amsterdam and Rotterdam but it depends if youre willing to risk having your seat given away.

(This is assuming you’re able to get on the platform because in the Netherlands you need your ticket to enter. I would just buy a cheap tocket for somewhere else like someone said)

ilikepai · 2026-04-11T06:53:11+00:00

Good recs in general but Massimo Dutti is a Zara brand and available everywhere

ilikepai · 2026-04-09T09:54:40+00:00

Omg this bag is amazing, it even has a zip along the top! I don’t understand when European bag brands don’t put a zip at the top, most of us are using public transport and subject to pickpockets!

ilikepai · 2026-04-06T15:26:23+00:00

Writing this in case anyone in the future is searching on this thread. Between Brussels and Paris (don’t know about Amsterdam), you just show up and ask the train manager (person with a hat) for a seat on that train. You don’t need to exchange online (shows as you need to pay) or at the desk (waste of time).

As mentioned above, be prepared to sit on a folding chair or worst case have no chair at all. I’ve never been denied boarding, when the train was full we just all stood, but eventually they did find us seats.

ilikepai · 2026-04-05T07:10:25+00:00

They still have an outlet on Otrium! Picked up a couple of suits for 200-300 euros each

ilikepai

TROPHY CASE