Arranging itinerary slightly, feedback?
Mar 24th, 2016, 04:47 PM
#1
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Arranging itinerary slightly, feedback?
Hi, in light of recent events I'm thinking of rearranging part of our upcoming trip. Please don't bash -- we *are* still going, just rearranging a bit. The amount of travel time is similar, just a couple hours longer this way by the time you add in travel to an airport, checking in 2 hours early, etc. This way, instead of flying into Frankfurt and staying in Frankfurt city center, we'll stay mostly in Strasbourg.
Friday night
- take 8pm Eurostar to Paris, arrive ~11pm
- check into Paris hotel near Gare du Nord
Saturday
- breakfast by the Eiffel Tower or in Jardin du Luxembourg
- take the 1pm train to Frankfurt, transfer to Wiesbaden to stay with friends
Sunday
- day: Wiesbaden with friends
- evening: train to Strasbourg, check into hotel there
Monday
- kiddos split off for a day at Europa-Park
- husband and I relax in Strasbourg
- spend the night in Strasbourg
Tuesday
- everyone explores/relaxes in Strasbourg
Wednesday morning
- take the early morning train to Frankfurt for flight to London, then home
I'd prefer to fly out from a different airport, but to drop *just* that Frankfurt-London leg of the flight would cost us over $2,000 (thanks, British Airways), and if we are "no shows" for the Frankfurt-London leg they'll cancel the rest of our trip home.
Friday night
- take 8pm Eurostar to Paris, arrive ~11pm
- check into Paris hotel near Gare du Nord
Saturday
- breakfast by the Eiffel Tower or in Jardin du Luxembourg
- take the 1pm train to Frankfurt, transfer to Wiesbaden to stay with friends
Sunday
- day: Wiesbaden with friends
- evening: train to Strasbourg, check into hotel there
Monday
- kiddos split off for a day at Europa-Park
- husband and I relax in Strasbourg
- spend the night in Strasbourg
Tuesday
- everyone explores/relaxes in Strasbourg
Wednesday morning
- take the early morning train to Frankfurt for flight to London, then home
I'd prefer to fly out from a different airport, but to drop *just* that Frankfurt-London leg of the flight would cost us over $2,000 (thanks, British Airways), and if we are "no shows" for the Frankfurt-London leg they'll cancel the rest of our trip home.
Mar 24th, 2016, 10:07 PM
#2
Well, you will have much better luck finding breakfast near the Luxembourg gardens rather than near the Eiffel Tower. I would like to point out, however, that the breakfasts are much better and also much cheaper in the places facing the Gare du Nord. Lots of competition (there are about a dozen cafés in a row) and lots of travellers seeking a "proper" breakfast.
Mar 25th, 2016, 04:39 AM
#4
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As said there are cafes across from the Gare that you can eat on the terrace. We usually go to that area to eat mussels at one of them.
You could buy some croissants and go sit on the Champ de Mars and look at the Tower.
One half day in Paris?
You could buy some croissants and go sit on the Champ de Mars and look at the Tower.
One half day in Paris?
Mar 25th, 2016, 06:35 AM
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You are going all the way to Paris for half a day and then heading all the way back to Wiesbaden, very near FRA, and then after a day there you are heading down to Strasbourg (which is under 3 hours by TGV from Paris)? I think this is pretty crazy!
If the Eiffel Tower is an absolute "must" , would your Wiesbaden friends consider joining you in Strasbourg? That would give you a few more hours in Paris at least!
Strasbourg is very beautiful and if you were to drop Paris, for something different, and spectacular, you could go to Nancy. Place Stanislas is a stunning 18th century square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Nancy also has spectacular art nouveau architecture
If the Eiffel Tower is an absolute "must" , would your Wiesbaden friends consider joining you in Strasbourg? That would give you a few more hours in Paris at least!
Strasbourg is very beautiful and if you were to drop Paris, for something different, and spectacular, you could go to Nancy. Place Stanislas is a stunning 18th century square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Nancy also has spectacular art nouveau architecture
Mar 25th, 2016, 07:09 AM
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Thanks. Paris isn't a must, we've been there before, I was just trying to break up what would otherwise be a long train ride. I'm still sorting out our options, but I'm excited about the prospect of having more time to explore Strasbourg.
Feedback appreciated!
Feedback appreciated!
Mar 25th, 2016, 08:10 AM
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I'm even more confused: long train ride to where?
Is the Eurostar booking new ? Can't you fly to somwehere in south-western Germany, or Basel (with Easyjet) or Strasbourg itself?. It takes under 3 hours from FRA or Stuttgart airport to Strasbourg (quickest connection is little over 2 hours) bahn.com gives you the times
I'd say stay in Alsace and visit Nancy (which is capital of Lorraine). Nancy is less well-known but really worth a visit
http://en.nancy-tourisme.fr/
http://www.tourisme-alsace.com/en/strasbourg-tourism/
The Alsace Wine Route has very pretty villages if you have time http://www.tourisme-alsace.com/en/strasbourg-tourism/
Is the Eurostar booking new ? Can't you fly to somwehere in south-western Germany, or Basel (with Easyjet) or Strasbourg itself?. It takes under 3 hours from FRA or Stuttgart airport to Strasbourg (quickest connection is little over 2 hours) bahn.com gives you the times
I'd say stay in Alsace and visit Nancy (which is capital of Lorraine). Nancy is less well-known but really worth a visit
http://en.nancy-tourisme.fr/
http://www.tourisme-alsace.com/en/strasbourg-tourism/
The Alsace Wine Route has very pretty villages if you have time http://www.tourisme-alsace.com/en/strasbourg-tourism/
Mar 25th, 2016, 10:03 AM
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Lynda_Berlin, thanks for the links. I'm a little confused at this point, too.
Originally we were going to fly from London to Frankfurt, but I'm uncomfortable being in a major city airport right now, so I was mulling over taking the train instead. It's a long trip by train from London to Frankfurt but we already have commitments to meet up with friends near there on the first two days.
I'm leaning toward skipping Paris and either braving the long train ride or, as you suggested, flying into a smaller airport instead.
Thanks again for the links -- I'll check them out.
Originally we were going to fly from London to Frankfurt, but I'm uncomfortable being in a major city airport right now, so I was mulling over taking the train instead. It's a long trip by train from London to Frankfurt but we already have commitments to meet up with friends near there on the first two days.
I'm leaning toward skipping Paris and either braving the long train ride or, as you suggested, flying into a smaller airport instead.
Thanks again for the links -- I'll check them out.
