Darker cells are stronger weather or travel-fit months. The second row is crowd pressure.
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Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
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Quick answers
When is the best time to go?
Start with April, May, June, September & October. Choose August only with a written reason.
Is this a good honeymoon pick?
Romance score 96/100 sits next to crowd 86/100 — read both.
How crowded does it get?
On red months, empty midday or change region.
What should I budget per day?
Use bands in EUR. Mid is the baseline. Not a live fare.
Do I need a visa?
Schengen short-stay rules apply for many passports.
How many days do I need?
Countries breathe at 7–12 days, honeymoon islands at 5–8. Continents: pick one region.
The table starts at patisserie.
A short phrase (bonjour) is the door to etiquette.
Food
- patisserie — patisserie is a coordinate on the Paris table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
- market lunch — market lunch is a coordinate on the Paris table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
- wine bar — wine bar is a coordinate on the Paris table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
- steak frites — steak frites is a coordinate on the Paris table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
- cheese course — cheese course is a coordinate on the Paris table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
Etiquette
- Greeting — bonjour — always first
- Sacred sites — Cover shoulders and knees; read no-photo signs before the caption.
- Tipping — Tipping customs differ; read whether service is already on the bill.
- Queues — Skipping a queue is not a time save; it is a scene you cannot unshoot.
Festival notes
- May holidays — May holidays lands in May — transport and beds move together. Lock dates first.
- Bastille / summer nights — Bastille / summer nights lands in July — transport and beds move together. Lock dates first.
- back-to-Paris — back-to-Paris lands in September — transport and beds move together. Lock dates first.
- lights and markets — lights and markets lands in December — transport and beds move together. Lock dates first.
Phrases
- bonjour — bonjour: always first. Timing beats accent.
- terrasse — terrasse: outdoor table. Timing beats accent.
- metro — metro: core network. Timing beats accent.
- fermeture — fermeture: August close. Timing beats accent.
Culture is a speed, not a checklist. Slow is more accurate.
When to goPlacesHow to travelCultureCostHoneymoon notesToday