marysmommy

DH and I would like to spend a week and a half next summer traveling to London and either Paris or Dublin and environs. Not really into Paris, but feel we need to check if off our list. Dublin is a bit more interesting to us, but wonder if we are missing a good oppty to see Paris instead.

Budget isn't really a concern, we'll be using Starwood points for the hotels and plan to splurge on air upgrades and restaurants.

Any and all advice is most welcome, particularly on which airlines, airports, best dates to travel, must-sees, etc.

Thanks!

Sarvowinner

<<Not really into Paris, but feel we need to check if off our list.>>

Almost speechless.

Go to Dublin

LittleA

Easy - Paris. Paris is my favorite big city in the world and while I love, love Ireland, Dublin offered nowhere near the history and culture of Paris. You could easily do your whole trip in and around Paris and just scratch the surface.

Why those choices by they way? How about 4 nights in London, 3 in the Cotswolds or other countryside village area and maybe a few nights in a place like Cambridge - that would give you a short, but relatively well rounded view of England in a nut shell. Alternatively, you could do 4 nights in Paris, 3 nights in Bruges, Belgium (my fav small town) and 4 nights in London - all connected by the Eurostar (more or less)

suze

I would never go somewhere I'm not interested in just to check it off an imagined list. Of course you are missing an opportunity to see Paris, but if you're not "really into" it, why would you bother?

janisj

Of all the major cities in Europe - for most visitors Paris would be 1, 2 or 3 on the must see list. Dublin - probably middle of the pack or a bit below.

But that doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't choose Dublin. I personally can't see it but you apparently have some 'vision' of Dublin that Paris doesn't meet.

For me - my 3 favorite cities are London/Paris/Edinburgh - I wouldn't substitute Dublin for any of them.

My guess is 80% or 90% of Fodorites would choose Paris over Dublin for a once ever trip. But we can't choose for you.

izzie2

I would choose Paris, I LOVE it and can't wait to go back! London is my first love, it was my first European city, but Paris is a very close second. And you could take the Eurostar from London to Paris. Dublin just doesn't compare to either of them! But on the other hand.... like Suze says, why go someplace just to check it off your list? Follow your heart!

jamikins

Go where you want to go!

I would definitely pick Paris. I've spent a lot of time in Dublin due to work and it is one of my least favorite cities in Europe (in fact now that I have changed jobs I will likely never return). But thats just me. I would spend the rest of my life in Paris!

But definitely spend your money going to the places that interest you!

norween

If you are not interested in Paris, why go there?
Chose Dublin.

alanRow

Getting between London & Paris is one of the easiest international trips you can do - just get the Eurostar from St Pancras. You can even do a daytrip and be home in time for the last Tube.

But as you aren't interested in Paris then Dublin is the obvious - go to the National Museum and drool over the Celtic gold

ira

HI mm,

>Not really into Paris, but feel we need to check if off our list.<

Go to Dublin.

You will absolutely hate Paris.

It's full of foreigners, traffic, strange smells and odd foods. It's also dirty.
The French can speak English, but refuse to.

Enjoy Ireland

marysmommy

>Not really into Paris, but feel we need to check if off our list.<

Oh brother. Probably should have taken more time to write that sentence. I was asking for it. Let me explain further: neither of us have been to Paris yet, but we're certain it is just as fabulous as everyone says. We are not afraid of "foreigners, traffic, strange smells, and odd foods," or dirt for that matter. We just know for certain we want to do London and thought we'd ask Fodorites about the possibility of another city/country on the same trip. We are also both of Irish descent, so at some point, Ireland needs to happen.

Thanks for all the great ideas and enthusiasm for Paris. We love the idea of the Eurostar. Also, thanks LittleA for the other ideas outside of London--those sound wonderful!

kleeblatt

Paris for the architecture and museums.

Dublin for the music and daytrips.

If I were going with a man, I think I'd have more fun in Dublin.

nytraveler

Personally I love Dublin and think it's underrated by a lot of people who talk about nothing but the irish countryside ( a lot of mud and sheep - granted pretty but IMHO Dublin is way more interesting). However, Dublin is nothing compared to Paris IMHO.

But what matters is what YOU want to see. I would allow 3 days for Dublin - you can really see everything easily in that time and the rest in London. If you have a negative view of Paris you may hate it (not sure why but we're all different) and why avoid a place you really want to see?

suze

I'd either do all 10 days in London, with day trips. Or 3 Dublin/7 London as suggested immediately above.

Amsterdam is another city that combines nicely with London (distance wise).

There's no rule says people have to go to Paris, if they are not drawn to it for whatever reasons.

Kate

Well, personally, I wouldn't put Dublin anywhere near the same list as Paris. Coming from London myself, I find Paris much more culturally distinct and absorbing. And there's so so much more to see. Whereas Dublin, in some ways, feels like a small London - similar architecture, same language, pub culture etc. I would choose the London/Paris combo simply because I think you'd get more bang for your buck in terms of varied experience.

But if you have a yearning for Ireland, go! Paris will still be there (and you can always take a daytrip on the Eurostar from London if you want to whet your appetite).

ira

Hi MM,

>We just know for certain we want to do London and thought we'd ask Fodorites about the possibility of another city/country on the same trip.<

Hmmmmm, that does make a difference.

A week each in Paris and London is a very good introduction to Europe.

OTOH, since Ireland calls you, I suggest that you go there now. Paris will still be there later.

Enjoy your visit.

Mimar

First of all, I'm not so fond of Paris. There's lots to see there, and I can see it's a beautiful city, but it feels distant and kind of grandiose. But going back next spring; we have family there.

The conventional wisdom is that Dublin's OK, but the countryside is beautiful and more fun. So conceivably you could save Dublin for part of a larger Ireland trip.

I'd combine a week or so in London with some time in the English countryside, also very beautiful. If you're urban people, smaller cities like York, Bath, and Oxford have lots of interest. These are easily reached by train.

marysmommy

Thank you so much for all this great advice! Fodors has never let us down. Looks like we need to plan two trips, which is even more fun!

Any must-sees? Great restaurants?

Thanks again!