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Hello all,
I am trying to get some suggestions regarding a trip that my husband, I and another couple will be going on in September. We recently booked our plane tickets and are now working on lodging, transfers, activities, etc. We're mostly in our late twenties and somewhat active.
Paris: We will be arriving in Paris at about 6AM, Sunday September the 19th (the other couple will be arriving sometime on Friday, 9/17).
We would love to stay in an apartment, and have been trying to e-mail as many places as we can. Do you have any suggestions for websites that we should look into? If both couples stay together we want two bedrooms each with a bed and two bathrooms that is close to the center of the city. We would also like air conditioning and a washer/dryer, but those are optional. We would like to stay under $2000/week. We don't seem to have much luck with finding a place like this so we have also been looking at separate studios, hotels and hostels. If we stay separately we would like to stay under $150 or about 120 euro and the other couple less than 100 euro.
We don't have a particular itinerary planned for Paris yet but we would like to do a good mix of museums, cathedrals, parks, shopping (or hanging out at a bar for our husbands), river/walking or biking tours and of course restaurants. I have read that it’s a good idea to try to plan out days around certain sites, if you have examples that would be nice. Specific sites that we have talked about so far are the main sites including the Eiffel tower, Louvre, Notre Dame, Musée d'Orsay's, and possibly the Palace of Versailles. We are also thinking about renting a car for one day to drive to Normandy to see the D-day beaches and museums. We haven’t decided which sites to go to specifically yet. Is this possible as a day trip and what sites/museums would you recommend there? We were hoping to do this on our own, but another option might be a guided bus tour.
We are planning on flying from Paris to Mykonos on 9/24. I don't have my heart set on that island in particular it just seem like it is hard to flight to Paros or Naxos where we wouldn't have to collect our luggage and check in again in Athens. Is 2 or 2.5 hrs long enough of a layover in Athens for a flight booked from Paris to Mykonos?
We plan to stay in Mykonos for 3-4 nights and would like to stay somewhere between the beach and city center. We would especially like somewhere with a pool and bar. I don't know if air conditioning is a realistic goal here or not. We have the same budget as listed above for Paris. I think here we just want to relax on the beach or snorkel if possible. We'll probably also do a daytrip to Delos.
We plan to leave Mykonos for Santorini on either the 26th or 27th. We will probably try to take the high speed ferry. Is there is anywhere that is in our price range here (under 120 euro) with a view? I think we would prefer to stay in Oia here, but I realize we may have to increase our budget in this location. I guess there is still no word on when Akrotiri will be reopening.
We will catch a plan back to Athens either the night of the 30th or the morning of the 1st. We will either be staying 2 or 3 nights in Athens and both of us have flights out fairly early on 10/3. That leaves us about 2 days in Athens. There is so much to do here. I guess we will spend some time at the plaka, see the acropolis and go to the national archeological museum. Is there anywhere to stay in Athens under 120 euros that is safe and convenient to the major sites?
Any suggestions are welcome. The only thing that is set right now is our plane ticket into Paris and out of Athens.
Thanks!
Suggestions for trip to Paris and Greece
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For apartments, I recommend either Haven in Paris (www.haveninparis) or Paris Perfect (www.parisperfect.com). Both offer quality apartments, along with exceptional service. While in Paris, check out P.S. Privé (www.psprive.com), who offer Paris "experiences" like private dinners, market tours, cooking classes, wine pairings, fashion events and the like. Maybe take a photo tour with Randy Harris (www.phototoursinparis.com), or a tour of the Marais with Eye Prefer Paris (www.eyepreferparistours.com). All of these will give you a taste of the real Paris.
While on Santorini, definitely stay in Oia. It's worth the few extra euros, but it won't cost as much as you think. I stayed in the Chelidonia Villas (www.chelidonia.com) and it was wonderful. Rose and his German-born wife are the perfect hosts, and the views over the caldera will leave you breathless. If you don't have your heart set on Mykonos, you can fly direct to Santorini from Athens, or take the high-speed ferry there, as well. Or shorten your stay in Mykonos and spend more time on Santorini. I think it's a far more interesting place.
Your trip sounds amazing. Have a wonderful time!
"it just seem like it is hard to flight to Paros or Naxos where we wouldn't have to collect our luggage and check in again in Athens" Depending on connecting flights it could be faster to go to either Paros or Naxos instead, if that's what you're considering. Only Olympic Air flies to these 2 islands so check their website. If you're flying from Paris on the same airline that flies from Athens to Mykonos, Olympic Air or Aegean Airlines, your bags will be checked through and you really only need an hour to make the connection (assuming your arrival from Paris is on time).
If you want seclusion on Mykonos check out the Mykonos Thea Studios and Suites. http://www.greekhotel.com/cyclades/myconos/agios-sostis/thea/home.htm
In Oia check Old Oia Houses, Villa Kallisti, Lauda Hotel, Delfini Hotel, Casa Sofia, Fotinos Houses, Lucky Homes and Thea Studios. A/C is fairly standard now, but ask just to be sure.
Akrotiri is still closed.
In Athens check the Metropolis Hotel, Amazon Hotel, Pan Hotel, Ormos Hotel, Hermes Hotel, Tempi Hotel, Athos Hotel, Cecil Hotel and Attalos Hotel.
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Thank you all so much for the information. I think that we have narrowed down out choices in Paris and we will be booking an apartment there soon. I think we're leaning towards the Marais area.
I'll keep looking at the flights to Greece. The Mykonos Thea Studios and Suites does look like a nice option if we decide we want seclusion in Mykonos. Its been interesting working on a trip with another couple and making all these decisions together.
Just curious- sierrablue65 Why do you say Santorini is more interesting than Mykonos? Is there more to do there or just a more pleasant place?
Hi Zileah!
Don't get me wrong. I loved Mykonos. But it couldn't compare to Santorini for me. It may have been unique to my experience, but I thought the people of Santorini were more conversant and generous. The view looking down on to the caldera can't compare to anything else, particularly when sitting on the front porch of your own villa with a glass of surprisingly good Greek wine. I spent five days there with a friend, and my usual limited with small islands is 3 days. I still wasn't ready to leave. So take my "interesting" comment with the knowledge that it was colored by my own personal experience ... and I can't wait to hear about your own.
By the way, good choice on the Marais. Let me know if there's anything you want to know about Paris. As a part-time resident (soon to be full-time), that's one area I can definitely help with.
Bon voyage!
Paris is more or less easy to decide which places to visit and most of them are famous. The idea to stay closely to Champs Elysee is great but I do not know if it is affordable. Check the website of hostel bookers where you can find very cute 2 star hotels near a metro station. I had booked such a hotel some years ago for 3 persons and it was clean and centrally located. I cannot recall the name of it but I think that you can find a lot of them.
As far as Mykonos is concerned, I think that it has amazing beaches and you will find plenty of clubs for nightlife! I can propose you a guide with descriptions on the beaches of Mykonos as well as its villages, attractions and nightlife: http://www.mykonos-hotels.info/mykonos-travel-guide.asp
There is in fact a lot more to see and do on Santorini besides sunbathing, shopping and partying in expensive bars and discos. There are archaeological sites, caldera/volcano cruises, private charter sailing cruises w/BBQ, hiking trails, museums/exhibits, wineries with or without organized tours, traditional villages, live music venues and an outdoor cinema at Kamari Beach.
In Paris, I would recommend not staying near Champs Elysee. The Marais, Latin Quarter and St Germain, are IMHO more interesting places to stay.
For appts., also look at Venere.
Zileah,
Delta and Olympic Airways are partners, so you may very well be able to fly from Paris and connect to one of the islands ( as long as Olympic flies there) without retrieving and re-checking bags in Athens.
Oh, and by the way, I also prefer Santorini to Mykonos. I've traveled to a lot of places, but nothing compares to that stunning view of the caldera, a swim off the pier in Amoudi Bay, then dinner at one of the very low-key seafood restaurants at the edge of the water. AHHHH...
However, if you're young, and into heavy duty partying, you may love Mykonos. A lot of people do, although my daughter, who's 22, wasn't really into it at all. My husband and I prefer hikes, visiting archeological sites, quiet dinners, tours of the island and vineyards, etc. That might be too middle-aged for you!!
Here are two of the apartments that I am strongly considering for Paris. Has anyone had any experience with these websites? Do they both look like they are in pretty good locations? Thanks!
http://www.parisleftbankrental.com/apt/grenelle.html
http://studio.provaction.com/paris_apartments/rentals_marais/1_bed_belleyme.php
Those are both very small apartments, though in good locations. This would only be for you and your husband, right -- not for both couples together?