• Being prepared is the easiest way to avoid problems while traveling.travel image by Anton Gvozdikov from Fotolia.com
  
  A visit to a the big cities such as Paris or New York is guaranteed to be an adventure as well as a cultural learning experience. Both cities have a wealth of activities, tourist sites and food to sample. With a few tips you will be able to get the most out of your experience in each metropolis.
  
  

Navigating the Cities

• The most efficient way of seeing and getting around large cities like Paris and New York is to bring along a guidebook with maps and suggestions, tourist locations to visit and suggested daily itineraries. Guidebooks include short descriptions of the main areas to visit, providing you some background before visiting. Often, a guidebook will make itinerary suggestions based on how much time you have. The most beneficial element to these guidebooks is the detailed maps that are included. Some even include language chapters with common phrases in French or English.
  
  

Budgeting

• Depending on your budget, it may be worth your while to stay out of the city center and near the subway line -- the Metro in Paris. Both New York and Paris have extensive subway lines that shuttle commuters in and out of the city core. The further you are out of the city's central area, the more inexpensive the accommodations and hotels become. If you are staying a week, purchase a subway pass and use it to visit most of the sites in the city or you can inquire at the subway ticket booth about special day passes. This is a cost effective way of seeing city sights and saving some money.
  
  

Safety

• With all travel, safety is one of the most important elements to consider, especially in large metropolises like Paris and New York. If you are concerned about carrying your passport around with you take a photocopy instead, leaving the original at the hotel. It is also important to carry a small booklet with the address and phone number of your country's consulate. Carrying the emergency numbers of your banks is useful if your credit or debit card gets lost. If you are worried about carrying money or credit cards, buy a money belt, which hides under your clothing.