Jamie

Will go to Paris the first time in April. I will get there 10 am on 4/18, and leaving for Rome on night of 4/22. Any suggestions on how I should make full use of these 5 days? Thanks.

Howard

I might suggest that you check out the major guide books. Most will provide suggested 3-day and 5-day itineraries. These should give you a solid starting point for your planning.

Bob Brown

Get three or four guide books, make a long list in priority order, and start going as soon as you get there.<BR>Five days is not enough, but go to it anyhow. You will be on the go, but you will enjoy it. After about the 4th day I run out of steam and need to loaf for a day. We did that by going to Giverny.<BR>Of course we went dashing off to the opera as soon as we got back!!<BR>

Jamie

Bob, I plan to spend 1 1/2 days in Venice after Rome. I guess it is not enough for Venice either. Do you suggest that it is better that I cancel Venice but stay in Paris for one more day? I don't like rushing.<BR><BR>Thanks.

js

First let us know what you are interested in For us museums are the things we put on the top of our list. For my sister sitting in a sidewalks cafee, for our friends visitng flea markets , for others maybe strolling in the parks or on the streets along the Seine. What do you want to do. This is why I always start my research with Frommer's (sorry Fodors) where in the beging of this travel guide I find a list of the best For example:<BR>Best museums, best hotels, best places to eat, best nightlife spots This helps me focus and make choice regarding to my own interests. Then I read about those choices, I get more ideas and more guides, work on my itinerary and then I search this forum and sometimes if I won't find the answer I will post my question but I try to be very specific.<BR>You do not have 5 full days in Paris because by the time you get to your hotel it will be probably noon, then on your last day you will need to be in the airport three hours before your international flight (unless you are taking a train but still you will need time to get there). I would suggest starting with Bateau Mouche

Jennifer

Since we're all so different, it's kind of hard to answer!<BR><BR>However, some gorgeous sites that I personally think everyone should at least see once while in Paris are:<BR><BR>The Arc de Triomphe -- one of my absolute favorite sites. Looking down the Champs-&Eacute;lys&eacute;es is one of my favorite sites in the world. In fact, I rented an apartment just off the Avenue just so I could see the Arc de Triomphe every day!<BR><BR>The Eiffel Tower -- not absolutely necessary to go inside, but it's cool close-up.<BR><BR>A river cruise on the Seine -- they're relatively inexpensive, and the sites are spectacular.<BR><BR>The bookinistes (book stalls) in the Latin Quarter by the River Seine. <BR><BR>Speaking of the River Seine, simply a walk along the River Seine -- especially after a busy, hectic day of sightseeing, it's a beautiful view and a great way to relax.<BR><BR>Unless food is nothing more than a way to energize your body, I'd suggest eating at one very fine French restaurant. It doesn't have to be expensive or haute cuisine.<BR><BR>One "garden" -- either the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Jardin des Tuileries.<BR><BR>Sacre Coeur -- I resisted going because I'm really not interested in churches, but the building (I've never even been inside) is spectacular as well as the views from on top. <BR><BR>There are just so many variables as to what make up our own personal lists. As others have suggested, I'd sincerely suggest leafing through a tourist book and deciding what looks best to you. Some think that a trip to Paris could never be complete without seeing Le Louvre. I liked the museum very much, but it isn't on my list of "must sees." But it will be on someone else's list.<BR><BR>I have one problem with Paris. There is simply too much there to experience during a lifetime! But it doesn't mean I won't keep trying....<BR><BR>Jennifer

Jane

We were in Paris in Sept....for 5 days...my best advise is to get a museum pass...gets you to the front of the lines for almost every famous museum/monument/art gallary...the line for the Louve was 3 hours and we waited 4 minutes to get through security...they come in various denominations of days and are available at the museums or in the metro....we also got a metro pass to allow us to get between places quickly and to save our feet...some days we we on them for 6-7 hours so appreciated being able to take the metro . Make sure you have good shoes as walking is mandatory.