Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Paris plus what other city? for a seven day trip in December

Paris plus what other city? for a seven day trip in December

Old Oct 20th, 2012, 03:36 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Paris plus what other city? for a seven day trip in December

We want to travel to Paris with our two teenage daughters in December. We have seven/eight days so we would like to spend three or four in Paris and then travel via train to another city for the last days and fly out from there.
Any suggestions for a good pairing of cities to do with Paris- in December?
batya2 is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2012, 03:41 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
London is easy on the Eurostar www.eurostar.com

You could also do somewhere like Strasbourg or a town in Germany or Bruges for great Xmas markets and atmosphere.

If you decide somewhere like London be sure to book your flights into one city and out of the other to avoid backtracking.
jamikins is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2012, 04:05 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Depending on your flight into Paris, I would definitely make it at least 4 in Paris. Your first day, while you can do things, it will be an "early to bed" to get you started the next day.
You may even be sorry if you don't spend all the days there, "perhaps" making one day trip to somewhere nearby--Versailles or a TGV to Dijon or Lyon.
Gretchen is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2012, 04:27 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With 7 days you lose the first and last to travel. So you have only 5. Stay in Paris. If you do have 7 days on the ground take the Thalys TGV to Amsterdam.
ParisAmsterdam is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2012, 04:34 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With 7 days, I would stay in Paris for the whole time, making a day trip or 2 to Chartres and Versilles for example. If you actually have 8 days on the ground, not including arrival and departure days, you could consider two or three days in Amsterdam, Bruges or Strausbourg.

We are huge Paris fans so we tend to spend a week or longer at a time. But if you would rather see more locations, I agree with the Eurostar to London. In that case, I would fly into London and out of Paris to avoid the high departure taxes at Heathrow.
mamcalice is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2012, 04:49 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I also would spend the week in Paris since there is so much to see and do there, especially if this is your first time to Paris. Make up a list of sights you want to see in Paris and see if it fits into 3-4 days.

If you absolutely need a second location make it some place close since you'll lose most of the day traveling. All of the above suggestions are good.
adrienne is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2012, 07:55 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,589
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Agree, stay in Paris and take a few day trips from there. Strasbourg would be my choice...maybe for a few days rather than a day trip. The Christmas markets there would be fun!

Certainly, Versailles is worth a visit and is very easy from Paris. Chartres, Reims, Fontainebleu, Vaux le Vicomte would all be good options....

But, a week in Paris will fly by and even if you don't leave the city, you will not even scratch the surface of seeing Paris (all the more reason to go back).

December with all the Christmas markets and the decorated store windows is a great time to be in Paris.
denisea is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2012, 12:24 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think London is a good idea and I would imagine the teens will like it.
Christina is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2012, 01:38 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Don't waste your time going to another country..Go to Versailles one day and do Paris..Lots to see, do, experience. Hop on Hop off and batobus (same ticket) will set the scene. take full advantage of this. BTW there is an infrequently museum/monument behind Notre Dame.. The deportation memorial from WWII. Have a great time..The City of Lights will be sparkling!!
amer_can is offline  
Old Oct 21st, 2012, 01:24 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I haven't been there but the suggestion of strasbourg sounds good!
You could also suggest to your daughters Nice, which would give you a good contrast. Its about 4 hours away on the TGV.
I'm sure you are aware Nice has good flight connections
theotherside is offline  
Old Oct 22nd, 2012, 03:53 PM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you for all the suggestions- we have decided to take the advice and say in Paris the entire time with day trips to Versailles and maybe one other. We can't wait.
batya2 is offline  
Old Oct 22nd, 2012, 05:10 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have spent a lot of time in Paris, and 7 days is not enough time to experience the city. The best thing about Paris is seeing it in a leisurely manner, sitting in the cafes and bistros. If you must leave the city, go to Versailles, as amer-can suggested. My late mother and I went there and took the wrong train and ended up in St. Cyr. It was something she spoke of until the day she died. We eventually made it to Versailles and had to relax at the McDonalds with coffee after getting lost.
DebbieMG48 is offline  
Old Oct 22nd, 2012, 08:02 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 7,960
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nice is actually 5 hours and 40 minutes away from Paris by TGV, its a whole day of travel really.
justineparis is offline  
Old Oct 23rd, 2012, 09:44 AM
  #14  
ita
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree, stay in Paris and take day trips. I haven't been to Chartres, but that would be first on my list for another trip. The best thing I have ever done in Paris is take a guided tour of Pere Lachaise Cemetery. It took several hours and was a wonderful history lesson of Paris. The guide planned the tour especially for us. If you are interested I think it was Insight tours. If you go to her website it will describe the tour we took.
ita is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
shellytn1953
Europe
20
Jul 22nd, 2016 07:52 AM
travelinjj
Europe
13
Jun 6th, 2013 06:42 AM
appletea
Europe
35
Jul 25th, 2007 06:48 AM
doogs
Europe
23
Jan 22nd, 2007 11:13 AM
bayareamama
Europe
6
Sep 26th, 2003 08:16 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -