duketennisgal

Hi, I'm new to the forums. I am currently planning my first ever European vacation and am extremely excited. Unforunately it isn't a very long vacation as we just don't have the ability to take off for as long as we would like, but I think for a first visit it will be a good start. My plan is to travel more frequently in the future!

As I said, it isn't the longest of trips and I know most people recommend staying in one city if we don't have a ton of time, however I have always wanted to visit Munich and Paris, so that's what we are going to do!

So far I have flights and apartments booked. I also have a few other small things taken care of. The itenarary is as follows:

The afternoon of October 5th, fly out of RDU, land in Munich around 8:30 am on the 6th. October 9th we will take the train from Munich to Paris, where we will stay until we fly back home late in the afternoon on the 14th.

My first question for the forum is about our Paris apartment location. The place is booked so I won't be changing locations, but I just wanted somebody to ease my fears about the location. I booked because the reviews were fantastic and the location seemed fairly central, but now I read so many bad things about the Les Halles area that I am concerned. The place we are staying is located on the corner of Rue Montorgueuil and rue Marie Stuart. Is the location safe? We plan to do a lot of walking and will possibly be walking around late into the evening, I am just worried that we are in a bad area after seing how close it is to Les Halles and reading so many bad things about that area!

Ease my concerns!

Also, if anybody has any insight on the location we are staying in Munich that would be great. Our place in Munich is in the Altstadt - Lehel neighborhood, in between Residenzstrase and Maximilianspl. I think it's a good area, or at least I hope so! I was trying to stay in the city center area!

I'll be posting more of my itenarary as I start doing more planning I'm sure. Thanks for any help you can give!

PalenQ

Any place in Paris is safe IME - some a little seedy at times but safe -pickpockets in metro stations and crowded areas are much more a worry. anyway my bag is trains and be SURE to book your Munich to Paris ticket way in advance for a deep discounted fare - maybe saving $100 or more for two over just walking up and buying a ticket = check both www.bhan.de/en - German Railways site and French railways - www.voyages-sncf.com to see which has the best discounts. discounted tickets however are train-specific and can't be changed mpr refunded in the case of France.

For loads of great info on trains and what to expect check these IMO superb sources: www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. Discounted tickets are sold in limited numbers and often sell out weeks early - early bird doth get the proverbial worm.

Ackislander

Your apartment is in a busy area where there will be lots of people around. Transportation will be good, not great, by my standards, but you are not likely to get bored.

duketennisgal

Thanks PalenQ, I have a reminder on my calendar for 92 days out for my train ticket. Supposedly that's when tickets for my date are first available for purchase. My plan is to purchase as soon as they are available as I've heard of the huge savings doing that!

apersuader65

You're on Rue Montorgueil, one of the many market streets. You're likely only to be bothered with potentially noise, but the other end of Marie Stuart is likely noisier. You'll be fine in this location, my wife felt comfortable enough to walk this area by herself in April. Les Halles shopping is under construction so it is not a complete nightmare with traffic.

You will acclimate or feel comfortable in a short amount of time.

Good luck and enjoy.

ssander

I think you will like R. Montorgueil with its markets. I concur that you'll have to walk several blocks for some of the more convenient Metro lines...but not very far.

The buses in Paris are generally very good, too, and you can download the route map here:

http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orie...ris_geo&fm=gif

(If the URL wraps and doesn't work with a click, just copy and paste into your browser.)

You will see several useful lines near your hotel.

SS

DebitNM

FYI - sometimes American credit cards don't work so well when buy foreign train tickets.

You should contact your credit card company and tell them that you are going to be making an online, overseas transaction to help avoid it being rejected.

If you end up wanting to book through SNCF, this site works really well with US credit cards and has same price as SNCF.

https://www.capitainetrain.com

DebitNM

I just noticed that capitaine also does German tickets as well.