Let's Go Europe 2019. Harvard Student Agencies

sticker, will refund the VAT for goods leaving the country. Be sure to ask at the counter for specifics, and to save receipts for any goods for which you hope to claim a refund.

       SAFETY AND HEALTH

      Drugs and Alcohol: Though there is technically no drinking age in Denmark, there are purchasing ages, as well as laws aimed at preventing minors from getting alcohol. You must be 18 to be served in a bar or restaurant, or to purchase anything stronger than 16.5% ABV in stores. To purchase beverages weaker than 16.5% in stores, you must be 16.

      BGLTQ+ Travelers: Denmark (and Copenhagen in particular) is very liberal in terms of BGLTQ+ rights. Hostels, restaurants, and nightlife establishments are very friendly towards the BGLTQ+ community, and cities like Copenhagen and Aarhus have extensive BGLTQ+ nightlife scenes.

      FRANCE

      France is like the popular student with prime real estate on the third page of the high school yearbook. The nation has been involved in so many of the major world events you learned about in world history that you can’t turn a corner in either its vibrant metropolises or idyllic country villages without bumping into something historic. World War II comes to life in Normandy, the extravagance that provoked the French Revolution can be found at Versailles, and the jaw-dropping wealth of the upper class in the South is extremely prominent. The French capital, Paris, is renowned around the globe for its fashion and food. In more recent years, Paris has been affected by the tragedies of the 2015 Charlie Hebdo shootings and 2017 attacks at Notre Dame and the Champs-Élysées. France has been at the center of global news networks battling political unrest, inequality, and international conflicts. The nation, throughout its conflicts and challenges, preserves its pride in being a center of history where life revolved around family, friends, food, and other simple pleasures that make life worth living. En bref, as the French would say, they work to live instead of living to work.

      In the world’s yearbook—not just your high school’s—France would win superlatives like “Best Dressed” and “Most Likely to Become a Movie Star.” It’s a center for all the finer things in life: art, music, film, and food. It’s a country that made the definition of chic from the cosmopolitan center of Paris to the beaches of Saint-Tropez to the small towns of Aix-en-Provence. Explore the beautiful country from the misty farms and orchards of the north to the dramatic cliffs and crystal blue water of the Riviera. To travel in France is truly to wish you were French.

AVIGNON

      Coverage by Julia Bunte-Mein

      Avignon is a tranquil, medieval city in the Provence region of southern France that is a calm respite from the more bustling cities in France. Take a deep breath in this lavender-smelling walled destination and explore the Palais des Papes, Gothic cathedrals, and other Roman relics (all the sightseeing will, admittedly, take no more than one afternoon in this quaint town). You may be quick to say that you only need one day in Avignon, but its charm will grow on you and, if you stay a few nights, you’ll experience its wild side. Avignon changed hands from conqueror to conqueror for thousands of years and once held an extreme amount of power as the seat of the Catholic Church in the fourteenth century. Today, the town is definitely tamer; there’s no threat of the Roman or French empires invading, but you might have to look out for the breezy winds of Provence, known as le Mistral, which are fierce, unruly, and biting. Stay for a while, discover the history, and get to the nitty gritty of the subtle, understated culture of Avignon.

       ORIENTATION

      The medieval, walled city of Avignon is dense and easily navigable on foot. Le Gare Avignon Centre, the main train station, sits just outside the towering wall. To enter the city, simply walk through the gates, Porte de la République. The main street, Rue de la République, runs straight through the city and is lined with commercial stores. At the end of the street lies Le Place de l’Hortage, the largest (but still pretty small) square in Avignon. Keep going up from there, past the carousel, to the massive Palais des Papes. This is a huge complex that connects in the back to the beautiful gardens, Les Rocher des Doms. At the far end of the gardens is a lookout that has a steep staircase down to ground-level where you can access le Pont d’Avignon over the River Rhône.

       ESSENTIALS

      GETTING THERE

      Avignon has a small international airport (AVN), but flights may be cheaper out of nearby Marseille (MRS) or Montpellier (MPL). From Marseille, you can access Avignon via an easy train or bus ride. Trains arrive at Gare d’Avignon-Centre, which is just across the street from Avignon’s old-city gates. TGV high-speed trains service the city from Gare d’Avignon TGV, which is a 5min. train ride from Gare Centre (€1.30).

      GETTING AROUND

      Avignon has local buses running along the outskirts of the medieval walls, but everything you want to see is inside the walls and easily walkable. Use the blue line (#5) to get to the Fort Saint-André, which is 3km outside the city (€1.40 single journey).

      PRACTICAL INFORMATION

      Tourist Offices: 41 Cours Jean Jaurès; 04 32 74 32 74; open M-F 9am-6pm, Su 10am-5pm; www.avignon-tourisme.com.

      Banks/ATMs/Currency Exchange: BNP Paribas (39 Rue de la République; 0 820 82 00 01; open T-F 8:15am-12:15pm and 1:30pm-5:30pm, Sa 8:15am-12:30pm)

      Post Offices: La Poste (4 Cours Président Kennedy; open M-W, F 9am-6pm, Th 9am-12:15pm and 2pm-6pm, Sa 9am-noon)

      Internet: There is free Wi-Fi in tourist offices, as well as many surrounding cafés and restaurants.

      BGLTQ+ Resources: www.gay-provence.org has tips on accommodations, restaurants, events and nightlife.

      EMERGENCY INFORMATION

      Emergency Number: 112

      Police: For non-emergencies, call the local police at 04 90 16 81 00.

      US Embassy: The closest US consulate is in Marseille (12 Bd. Paul Peytral; 04 91 55 09 47; M-F 9am-noon and 2pm-5pm).

      Rape Crisis Center: Rape Crisis Network Europe (www.inavem.org; 01 45 88 19 00).

      Hospitals: Avignon Central Hospital (Centre Hospitalier Général, 305 rue Raoul Follereau; 04 32 75 33 33)

      Pharmacies: Pharmacie Des Halles (52 Rue de la Bonneterie; 04 90 82 54 27; open M-Sa 8:30am-12:30pm and 2pm-7:30pm)

       ACCOMMODATIONS

       AUBERGE BAGATELLE ($)

      25 Allée Antoine Pinay—Ile de la Barthelasse; 04 90 86 71 35; www.auberge-bagatelle.com

      First things first, Bagatalle is primarily a campground, where many families stay in RVs or young people pitch tents. The hostel is definitely a large step up from sleeping outside, but it only comes with the bare minimum (no large storage lockers or blankets). White linoleum floors, happy-go-lucky murals, and bright bubble lettering on the walls makes it feel like it’s designed for young kids, but many ignore this because of the ridiculously cheap prices. From its location across the river, you’ll have great views of the old city at night.

       i Dorms from €13; towels included; wheelchair accessible

       POP’ HOSTEL ($$)

      17 Rue de la République;