Paris and London Christmas / NY EVE

Old Dec 7th, 2016, 05:28 PM
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Paris and London Christmas / NY EVE

Hi Everyone:

My mom and I will Hopefully be in Paris for 3 days Dec 25-27 and London 28-Jan 31 including NYEve.

Need some suggestions on:

1. Hotels near attractions.
2., Must See things to do in both cities.
3. suggestions for Christmas Day in Paris and New Years Eve events in London.

Thanks so much
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 06:09 PM
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Last time I was in Paris I stayed here. Had never stayed in this area before and ended up liking both the location and the hotel a lot:

http://www.hotellesdamesdupantheon.com/en/

P.S. Don't know if you and mom are sharing a room, but I was solo so everything felt roomy enough to me.

If you are sharing a room, I can recommend the Danube. Several years ago stayed here with a friend in a Prestige room--plenty big for a non-couple:
http://www.hoteldanube.fr/en/prestige-room

(In other words, Paris hotel rooms can be small.)

Christmas Day in Paris: walk to Place des Vosges, shop in the marais, visit http://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/en

Do a search here; there are several threads on Christmas in Paris.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 06:58 PM
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www.parisinsiderguide.com
List concerts, tours, dinners, etc.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 07:26 PM
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Restaurants open for Christmas.
http://goparis.about.com/od/foodandd...-Christmas.htm

Also, the Eiffel Tower is usually open Christmas and river cruises (including dinner cruises) are running - need reservations, of course.

Churches are open. Check times and arrive early for mass at places like Notre Dame. Some have concerts on the 26th.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 07:27 PM
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Events during Christmas
http://en.parisinfo.com/discovering-...stmas-in-paris
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 07:40 PM
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http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-new-years.cfm
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 09:51 PM
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It is very late to be finding hotels near or with views of the vestivities in London foe NYE and rates will be high.

I would just go to booking.com and see what is available
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 10:15 PM
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Agree with Janisj. TripAdvisor might also be helpful. As an additional thought you might need to get health insurance coverage for your Mom and possibly you as well for your trip.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 10:26 PM
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Expedia has a studio at the Citadines St Germain des Pres location for $154 Non refundable or $179 refundable on sale now. Great location on the Quai Des Grands Augustins on the Seine left bank next to the Pont Neuf. Easy walking distance to the Noter Dame, Orsay, Louvre and the Rue du Buci, one of my fav streets in Paris. An apartment hotel of 3 star quality. Good size studio apartment as opposed to small hotel rooms with kitchen and laundry facilities on site. 24 hour front desk.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 11:55 PM
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That Citadines is in a great location - across the river from the Louvre, walkable to Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle (if you want to go to a concert here). I'd snap that up right away.

Turning away from the river, you'll be smack dab in the Latin Quarter, where lots of things will be open. You'll probably be spending most of your time here.

You'll have to take taxis to get to the other attractions, since they aren't grouped conveniently in a single location. The city bus will be too much trouble.

I'd advise taking a ride on the HOHO bus, so you can at least get a glimpse of all that Paris has to offer. You can get off when you want to, but pay attention to the delays between pickup times. Google the website to get the maps and more information.
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Old Dec 8th, 2016, 05:52 AM
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Its 0600 and I am awake still on European time so I will post some more bits of advice. To clarify my aparthotel suggestion, there is a kitchen in every apartment and a laundry downstairs. Breakfast available downstairs for a cost but I would just go to Pauls on the Rue de Buci. I have stayed there at least 5 times and love the location and amenities. I tend to stay in 4-5 star hotels from the Westin-4S class.
Theatre is a major draw in London so if you are interested I would definitely go at least once. Prices are much cheaper than NYC and you can get deals at the ticket booth in Leicester Sq. My opinions on current productions in London:
1: Lion King: Although interesting theatre I found it boring. Maybe secondary to seeing the movie a million times.
2: Matilda: Me 6/10 my daughter 3/5. Probably being generous.
3: Wicked: Excellent
4:The play that goes wrong: Great fun if you like English humor.
5: Peter Pan goes wrong: see above. The play above is better.
6: Les Mis: Fantastic in the original run. Have not seen it for many years.
7: Phantom: See Les mis
8: Mama mia: Great fun, esp if you like Abba
9: Jerseyboys: Also great fun, esp if you like the 4S
10: Book of Mormon: Fun although a bit over rated in my book. language may be an issue for some.
11: Curious incident of the dog in the nighttime: Excellent
12:Mousetrap: a standard. Have not seen it in years.
13: Harry Potter: Quite good if you like HP. 2 part production so you give up your afternoon and evening one day. Difficult to get tickets but possible if you want to keep checking their website.
14: Loves Labour lost and Much ado about nothing will be RSC productions on during your visit. Have not seen either in their current production but have seen much theatre with the RSC and their Shakespeare is generally quite good. Go if you like comedy.
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Old Dec 8th, 2016, 01:38 PM
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OMG these comments have provided me with outstanding information.... TY soooooo much for taking the time to write ...

just one quick question:

I was born in Germany - but have Not been to Europe at all since.
From what I see in the movies and read - I feel like I would Love Paris and the French culture.

Mom says she is excited to see London.

I need to book the Eurostar from Paris to London and was very surprised by the prices $272 per person.

What Day shall we come back from Paris to London

We arrive Dec. 24 late at night in Paris

Dec 25, 26, 27 Paris (considering 25 some things maybe closed)

Do we leave on the 28th AM towards London or morning of 29th.

28,29,30, 31 london
Flying back Jan 1

on the Am of 29th eurostar first class is $233 and on the 28th its $272 for 2nd class

I know I would like to visit the eiffel tower, the art museums and shops,
Mom wants to do a Hop on Hop off bus tour of both cities.

In London- we def will do one of the shows listed (TY Mjs) the NYE river dinner cruise, Hop on Hop off tour and I was hoping to see the guards changing - not sure if that could be part of the hop off hop on tour.

so 28 or 29 leave for London from Paris based on ticket price and goals for sightseeing.

Please LMK thanks so much <3
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Old Dec 8th, 2016, 06:03 PM
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Eurostar tickets go on sale 3 months in advance and the cheap tickets are usually sold out pretty quickly. But look at trains at different times - since the prices vary - unpopular time like very early morning may be cheaper.
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Old Dec 8th, 2016, 10:11 PM
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Stay in Paris the 29th. Take the earliest Eurostar back to London.

You will need to be at Gare du Nord about an hour before check in time for your train. You will have to fill out embarkation cards before you can enter the gate - bring a pen. You will have to go through Passport Control and an airline-security type system before you can access the Lounge.

There are places to get something to eat and drink, and at the back of the Lounge, you'll find an ATM, where you can get British pounds. Don't forget to notify your bank at home - before you leave - about your travel dates, or your cash and purchases will be denied as fraud.

You only have 20 minutes to board and get off Eurostar, so you will have to hurry. Store your luggage on the racks above your seats, or in the racks situated at the ends of each wagon.

Follow the TAXI signs and wait your turn in line.

Expect the trains - even 1st class - to be crowded, since this is the winter sales period in London and many people go shopping.
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Old Dec 9th, 2016, 12:39 AM
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Lilly, since you're late booking tickets and cheap ones have sold out, might as well go first class.
Book theatre tickets for London now, if there's anything you really want to see.
Hop on hop off bus? Waste of time and money in London if you ask me. Get an Oyster card, load it with some money and use the regular busses or the underground. You can get stuck in traffic, and spend a long time on that bus with nothing to see. With an Oyster card, it will only cost you 6.50/day to travel in central London.

Changing of the Guard is very busy, you need to get there early and will not necessarily see much. Google it, and see if you really want to go there.

Have you booked that NYE dinner cruise yet?
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Old Dec 9th, 2016, 07:15 AM
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fuzzbucket wow thank you so much for that detailed info, I have to Print it.

sooo helpful

what I was saying was Dec 25-28 in Paris leaving the 28th or leave 29th in Am

so Paris Christmas Day and 2 days or christmas day and 3 days.


Tulips -- TY so much....I was going to book the Viatour NY cruise for London, but others were really against via tour and Idk other tour companies i can book from here?

as far as shows.. we saw there were a couple in Paris (Moulan Rouge and a swan one) do you recommend that one or Les Misérables in London?
We do have these shows in Toronto - close to us and NY city --not sure how different it would be in London given the limited time? Please LMK thank u

NY traveler - thank you
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Old Dec 9th, 2016, 08:44 AM
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Viator doesn't run any tours, so refusing to buy a tour through Viator doesn't make a lot of sense, it's just a website that lists tours you can book and makes it easy to find options.
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Old Dec 9th, 2016, 09:40 AM
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Since Paris is now your first stop after a long and probably tiring trip, I'd choose not to book any shows in Paris.

You'll be jet lagged and your daytime activities may leave your Mom tired in the evening.

Better to book something in London when you'll be a bit more rested.
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Old Dec 9th, 2016, 10:25 AM
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Evening theatre will not take anything away from your visit. Would try to see something not easily seen in the US.
Consider one of the two RSC Shakespeare comedies. You won't see the Royal Shakespeare Company in the US. It was a performance of 12 night by the RSC that started my interest in theatre.
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Old Dec 9th, 2016, 10:37 AM
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Moulin Rouge might not be your cup of tea. It's a Las Vegas style show, the performers are topless, and it's not what most people expect - it's nothing like the movie "Moulin Rouge". It is also expensive and you don't get a choice of seats unless you pay for VIP seating. I wouldn't bother.
No idea what "the swan" show is. But I wouldn't bother with any shows like this in Paris.

Instead, book the dinner cruise on the Seine. You'll enjoy yourself much more there.

I saw a great musical in London last year during the holidays - "Kinky Boots". Uplifting, very funny, just the thing to chase away any holiday blues.
Les Miserables is also good, but a little gloomy for my taste.
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