1. A large part of the local malls and shops open around 10:00 and work until 18:00 - 20:00. Some shops close for a small lunch break. Saturday is usually considered a short working day, and Sunday is a day off.
2. Tourists, who plan to make purchases that exceed 330 Euros, are recommended to make a special document called Detaxe. When you are leaving the country, this document will be used to return 13% of the sum of your purchases.
3. The locals are not very good in speaking foreign languages, so tourists are recommended to take a French phrase book to their trip. By the way, sometimes local people are wary of the Americans and British, as well as people who try to talk to them in English. Many citizens will pretend that they do not understand English. However, visitors who try to speak their native language will surely gain great respect among the locals.
4. The majority of restaurants and cafes of the city have many visitors after 20:00, so travelers are recommended to come early for dinner in order to be able to find a table. As a rule, tables in luxury restaurants are traditionally booked in advance.
6. Motorists should not forget that children under the age of 12 are forbidden to sit on the front seat. Traffic rules violations are due to large monetary fines. This concerns not only drivers but also pedestrians.
7. The restaurants, which menus have «service compis» mark, add service charges to the total bill. Otherwise, visitors should not forget to leave a waiter a tip of 5 - 10% of the total order. Do not forget to leave monetary rewards to taxi drivers and maids in your hotel.
In the picturesque historic district you will find Best Western Bordeaux - Bayonne Etche-Ona. A building occupied by the hotel is a priceless historical monument that has retained its … Open
9. You may see special signs near many restaurants and cafes. They indicate the average cost of meals. Budget travelers are recommended to choose numerous cafes, the choice of dishes in which can easily compare with many popular restaurants.
10. Phone calls to other countries are better to be made from special telephone tubes, which can be found near all major shopping centers and government agencies. They use plastic phone cards and usually offer the most advantageous tariffs.