Thanksgiving holiday to London/Paris

Old Aug 3rd, 2014, 07:40 PM
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Thanksgiving holiday to London/Paris

My husband and I are planning a Thanksgiving week trip with kids (ages 10 and 12). My original idea was to fly into London, spend three days (with 9:00 a.m. arrival, one day will be fully jet lagged) speaking English and adjusting, taking the Eurostar to Paris, and then 6 nights (5 full days) in Paris. Flying out of Orly and back home (Texas). This plan costs the same for transportation vs. the trip being straight to Paris. I have found some great options on vrbo for Paris, but am really coming up short on decent lodging options in London. My budget is $200/night (and I would prefer $150).

Here are my questions:
1. Should I just focus on Paris and forget the London portion (we will not make another Europe trip for at least 4-5 more years)?
2. Is $1150 about as good as I will find for airfare in mid-to-late November? I have been checking fares on ITA Matrix, following several travel deal blogs, and have just seen nothing (well- there was a Brussels fare for $850 that I was not ready to commit to at the time). Should I be patient and wait longer, or better I jump on the $1150?
3. Why are Paris vacation rentals so much more plentiful in desirable locations for so much less money than in London? I use VRBO/Homeaway- I find Airbnb less useful for family travel.

Thank you in advance for all your expertise. I have found it really helpful to read past threads and apologize if this is a question that has been asked and answered before.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2014, 08:04 PM
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>>3. Why are Paris vacation rentals so much more plentiful in desirable locations for so much less money than in London?
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Old Aug 3rd, 2014, 09:21 PM
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JanisJ- thank you for your response. The flight is out of Orly because we are connecting at LHR to then get a direct flight to AUS. Nicer to have the layover earlier in the flight pattern on the return flight, though this is certainly a matter of opinion.

I just learned something I did not previously know- BRitish Airways has a cheaper fare for under 12 years old (for our flights, $108 less than the adult fare). We will squeeze into the tiny seats in the 787 to get a direct flight from LHR on BA.

I do think a longer time in Paris will be better- there is that constant pull to squeeze in MORE that constantly needs to be checked by more rational outsiders (my husband being the one always arguing for less quantity and higher quality).
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Old Aug 3rd, 2014, 11:44 PM
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<My budget is $200/night (and I would prefer $150)> Don't expect much when you're trying to keep it under €150/night renting an apartment for 4 in Paris. You'll need at least a one bedroom, but two bedrooms with 2 baths, would be better.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 01:45 AM
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Agree that your lodging budget is very low for 4 people. In looking be sure you are in a decent, convenient neighborhood near at least some of the sights and also near a Metro. You don't want to spend your time trekking in from hell and gone.

And yes, Paris is cheaper than London and you will almost always get a better deal renting for a week.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 03:15 AM
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I would spend the whole time in Paris. Even if the flight is more money than traveling to London you will make up the difference in lodging costs.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 05:04 AM
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After spending way more hours than I would like to admit, I found a place 100 meters from louvre, 1 bedroom, 1 bath for 660 Euros/week (one benefit of going during low season, as this is a good reduction from holiday pricing). We choose to stay in one bedroom apartments when we travel over hotel rooms. So, we are very accustomed to that amount of space. Yes, a 2 bedroom would be lovely, but then we could not afford to go on our next trip.

I have never used VRBO internationally. I have used it extensively in the U.S. Aside from the usual precautions, is VRBO any more risky in Paris than anywhere else?
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 05:29 AM
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>>is VRBO any more risky in Paris than anywhere else?
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 05:37 AM
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Also meant to add -- as mentioned your budget is low . . . IF you want posh or if you use some of the rental agencies often recommended on here. Some (Paris Perfect for instance) handle upscale/beautiful/Expensive properties.

I've never paid more than €600-€750 for 1 bdrm for a week -- mostly in the 4th/5th/6th and mostly through vrbo or homelidays. You can pay hundreds per night of course, but isn't necessary.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 06:08 AM
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We don't need posh- I would love one of those Paris Perfect apartments- but I can live with this one:
http://www.vrbo.com/1008495a

Please- if you are looking in late November, don't steal it from me!

I would love some feedback on this choice... Are there major drawbacks to staying so near the Louvre? I know a lot of people prefer the left bank; is it difficult to cross the Seine?
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 06:21 AM
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Perhaps the link isn't working properly but the apartment that shows when you click 1008495a is not near the Louvre. It is over in the Marais or even considered Bastille area. I still think it would be probably be good especially as it is close to the Seine but use google maps and search nearby features to "walk" the streets and also to find "grocery" or "bakery" or "restaurant" or whatever you might need.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 06:46 AM
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Oops- that was a secondary option (though one I am definitely interested in).

Here is the one near the Louvre:
http://www.vrbo.com/6672661ha
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 07:17 AM
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You might not find that neighbor as residential as some but it would still be lively and convenient for sightseeing. And Monoprix nearby is handy for apartment living. Right near the apartment location don't miss the Museum of Decorative Arts in the same complex as the Louvre and the related book and gift shop.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 07:17 AM
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I think that's a nice apartment at a good price with good reviews. I don't see a real downside to the area. Just my opinion, of course.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 07:56 AM
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What are the drawbacks of staying in Marais? Would we feel like we are not near where we will want to be spending much of our time?

Thinking of this one:
http://www.rentparis.com/en/appartem...nt-martin.html
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 08:40 AM
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I hope you noticed that the apartment is on the 4th floor (5th floor US) and they don't list an elevator that I can see. So as long as you are good with walking up and down a lot of flights of stairs (with luggage and groceries) then it's OK. I wouldn;t take it - but I know some people don;t mind and your kids are old enough to climb the stairs.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 08:42 AM
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I would not want to stay 100 meters from the Louvre - too much traffic and the restaurants are more expensive (in general). There is no drawback to staying in the Marais; it's a charming area.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 09:47 AM
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I wouldn't want to stay near the Louvre, either (or almost any major museum in any city, for that matter). You are overthinking the location of a few days on a vacation in a city you don't know IMO. Marais would have drawbacks for some people (like me, I don't care for it), but others love it, so who knows how you will feel. Ultimately, the apartment matters more, and if it's in the center, proximity to a metro stop, that's about all that matters much. Just pick a place you think best in your budget.

$150 a night for lodging for a family of four in Paris or London is really low, unless you are cramming kids and adults into small studio or small 1 BR apartments. That is only about 100 euro a night. If you like that one for 100 euro, location should be fine. They say they welcome kids so guess they don't have a problem with that many people in it (and they advertise). It is only 48 m2, of course, so just know it is going to be small.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 03:12 PM
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I strongly suggest checking into VIP (www.vacationsinparis.com) if you are staying for a week in Paris. They have many rentals for 4 for under $200 per night. They also can give you good feedback on each particular property and neighborhood.

I used them last Thanksgiving, called with 3 particular properties in mind for the left bank (my strong personal preference for where to stay). We stayed in this one with a family of 4:
http://www.vacationinparis.com/listi...-of-st-germain

It was great- open loft for the kids, 1 and 1/2 baths (never underestimate the value of an extra toilet!), and incredible location.

I would echo the above comments- staying near the Louvre is not for me. I have a somewhat irrational negative reaction to the Marais only because of the constant hawking of it by a certain cult-like travel guru.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 06:27 PM
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Wow RoamEurope- great apartment! I appreciate the information and going to look into properties with vacation in Paris.
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