kvilia

I'll be very laconic since don't have much time.
Spent two weeks in London in Paris wih my son and wife. The trip was in general good, especially worth seeing Mona Lisa and French Open.
London was green, pleasant, and expensive as expected. Don't take Bus Tour but get the day pass and enjoy public buses on the front row of the top level. Looks like a lot of good restaurants, especaially in SOHO. We enjoyed Indian restaurant DELHI on Frith St for two days in a row. Lamb chope where to die for and the bill was 80$ for 3 of us with appetizers and beer for me. Whatever you do, don't miss Tower. Allow at least 3 hours and enjoy magnificent crowns of kings and queens and not only. Brits were not quite friendly, which came as surprise to me. I guess a "big city" syndrome.
Paris was extremely dirty and absolutely packed. Avoid May through September I assume. After spending 1 and 1/2 hours in line for Eiffel Tower, one thing I wanted to do was to puke from

ilovetulips

Kvilia, I just got back from Paris and Amsterdam last Friday and I didn't think the city was dirty at all. In fact, quite the opposite. We stayed in the St. Germain area but visited the Right Bank including the Marais, and the 2nd district. I came across dog poop maybe twice in 4.5 days. I expected Paris to be crowded because it is a such a big tourist city throughout the world, but the only place that the crowds were overwhelming was at the Louvre, but the museum itself is enchanting. I guess we all see things differently.

elaine

I'm sorry you had to wait in a long line for the Eiffel Tower; that is not something I would choose to do but I don't see it as Paris's fault.
It is regretful that Paris appeared dirty to you; it doesn't to me with the possible exception of one or two metro stations. I guess we visit different parts of Paris.
Crowded isn't a modifier I can disagree with, it's a big city and popular with tourists. I live in New York, so I'm familiar with that I guess.

I truly don't understand the first part of your header, but it sounds unnecessarily provocative no matter how I try interpret it.

elaine

I meant to add, the Eiffel Tower is the most-visited monument in all of France, so if anything there is going to have a long line most of the time, that'd be one.

suze

Sorry you did not enjoy Paris. But I don't think it is fair of you to say the entire city was "absolutely packed" if that is because you had to wait in a line of tourists at one of the biggest tourist sights in the world! My one summer visit was in August and I experienced neither of the problems you mention (filty or crowded). Although I am curious what made you want to puke?

kvilia

Look for part two if you want to decode the header. Paris was dirty. I did not say this about London if you noticed. I live in Tampa and it's much cleaner. Not bragging just stating the impression.

kvilia

Suze,

Standing in line for so long on the very warm day surrounded by hundrerds of people is not cool. I wish I had a reservation in the restaurant so I can avoid the line - could not leave because of my son. BTW, you can get a nice view of Jerusalem without waiting in line, some other cities, too. Just did not feel it was worth the effort.

suze

I understand, that's why we went to view the Tower from the grassy park in front, not wait in line to go up it.

My comment was only that this should really not be a surprise to anyone.

indytravel

FYI you can get a nice view of Paris without waiting in line. Sacre Coeur offers one.

WillTravel

I haven't tried this, but I know you can also get a good view (without a wait) from Tour Montparnasse.

Indygirl2

I always find it interesting how people's impressions of a given place can differ so much. I for one (and I'm not suggesting that I'm right and kvilia is wrong) found London to be dirty (since there's not a trash can in sight) and Paris to be relatively clean. Travel is such a subjective experience. Plus, cities aren't static; any given situation, place, attraction can differ from day to day, year to year, season to season. I'm getting ready to return to Paris for the second time. I loved the city so much after my first trip that I'm actually nervous that I'll somehow be disappointed this time. The weather or my hotel will be bad, etc. Can anyone relate to this?

By the way, Indytravel, I'm assuming you're from Indianapolis too. Nice to see a fellow Hoosier on the board.

Guenmai

I've been vacationing in Paris almost annually since the mid 70s and have never been up in the Eiffel Tower. Just view it from Trocadero...which in my opinion...is the best view anyhow. Happy Travels!

Jocelyn_P

From Indygirl2:

"I'm getting ready to return to Paris for the second time. I loved the city so much after my first trip that I'm actually nervous that I'll somehow be disappointed this time."

I ABSOLUTELY know what you mean! I went to Paris for the first time with a girlfriend in Feb. I loved it so much that I somehow convinced my husband to go back with me next week and I'm so nervous that it will be a different city in the tourist season.

kvilia,
I find it amusing that you compare Paris to Tampa.

By the way, here's Part II, copied from a separate post:

... from the top. I truly believe it's a tourist trap unless there is nobody in line at all.
Versailles was packed as well, still worth going. Enjoyed Louvre and especially Museum D'Orsay and Rodin museum - fantastic. I thought Cluny was a waste unless you specifically know why you're going there. It was 85 degrees in Paris and it was hell since almost all the shops, restaurants, and inexpensice hotels lack AC - book tables outside when it's warm! BTW, Hotel De France Invalides was great - very nice owners, great service. Do not get rooms facing the street - very noisy, and if it's hot, you're either sweating all night or listen to the street. Can't sleep in both cases. Now is the time to satisfy your curiosity. I was really looking forward to dine in Paris, and studied this board for restaurant tips. First dinner was at Bistro Du 7th or smth like that near Ecole Militair. Disappointing is the word. Duck was mediocre, and antrecote with fries could not compete even with In-n-Out burger. Next day PASCO in the same area. DELHI in London offered lamb chops 10 times better for the half price. Finally, Chez Matre Paul. Run away as fast as you can. I'm not even going to start, just let you know we sent the deserts back - first time in my life I had burnt creme brulee! At the same time the restaurant was full of americans obviously happy with food. Felt sorry for them and the spoiled evening. Two good restaurants were le p'tit crocquet and Le Florimond. Both were ZAGAT rated and I will never go to the unrated restaurant again unless someone takes me. One more thing. If you really want to have a great food in Paris, look for gastronomic restaurants but expect to pay over 45 EU per person. Hope it helps and have a great journey wherever you're going!

Ilia

indytravel

Hey Indygirl2! Nice to have you here too. Though I live a little south in Brown County I usually commute to Indy for work.

I see you posted on the Indy GTG thread. I'll be there. Hopefully you can drop in.

kvilia

Joselyn,
Thanks for copying part II - I should've attached it to the same message, my fault. Don't get me wrong, I'm not comparing Tampa to Paris, no way. I lived the good part of my life in Moscow and know what the big city is. I guess I'm not used to the cans and garbage and dog's poop any more (spoiled by living in States?), especially trying to enjoy a sandwich in one of the Paris squares, streets, etc. Paris is a great city, and I did enjoy it, just those inconviniences were quite noticeable. One more thing to add: Parisians were friendly and helpful for the most part, which was nice.

Indygirl2

Indytravel, I was planning to go to the GTG but then had to schedule some repair work on my home. I'm trying to figure out if I can rearrange it, but June is so jam packed with stuff. I barely have a spare day. Perhaps I'll be able to make the tail end of the GTG. Do you think anybody might be willing to share a cell phone number with me (for this purpose only) so that I can check whether the party has broken up?

BTW, I used to work in Brown County--in between college and law school. I miss it and Bloomington (I lived there for 8 years) so much. How lucky you are to live there!

Kate

Betsy

I guess some travelers see the cup as half full, while others see it as half empty.

On another note, if you haven't been to the top of the Tour Eiffel at twilight to see the lights come on in Paris, please go!

Betsy

I guess some people see their travel cup as half empty, while others see it as half full.

On another note, if you haven't been to the top of the Tour Eiffel at twilight to see the lights come on in Paris, please go!

indytravel

(sorry about the little side track here kvilia)

Indygirl2 I'd share mine but I'm still blissfully cell phone free.

Perhaps if you post the request on the GTG thread someone can help.

Leona

Kvilia,

You should have been more laconic and left out the part about Paris..you must be a new poster & don't yet know that if you trash Paris on this board, you get slammed.

If you can't say something (everything) nice about Paris, better to say nothing at all!

Just fyi, I love Paris & can't wait to go back, but if I didn't, I'd lie about it!