Vintage Shopping and an Unplanned 8th Day in Paris: Itinerary Help?
Jul 22nd, 2015, 05:58 PM
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Vintage Shopping and an Unplanned 8th Day in Paris: Itinerary Help?
Here's the situation: I've been planning a trip to Europe for a while now, however this year I got outvoted and we went to explore the streets and scenery of South America. If Dad is able to get time off next summer (would be in June), I've been told we'll explore Europe. However, since he finds out he gets time off late-notice (around February), I am planning this in advance so I can book everything as soon as I find out. Currently crossing my fingers the stars will align so we can go! Hopefully I didn't bore anyone with that little disclaimer there.
About us: I will be 16, almost 17 when we take the trip. My brother will be 15, and my parents are in there late 50s, however we are all very fit and love activities like biking, hiking, skiing, etc. My dad has visited most places in Europe multiple times, as has my mum. All of us are avid history fans and enjoy art (although we don't want to spend the entire trip in art museums). Versailles is a must for me- I love French history and Marie Antoinette! We would love to experience good food while in Paris, however don't constantly want to be spending an arm and a leg at every meal.
As such, I've planned the following "rough" itinerary
Day One
Segway or bike tour around Paris
Notre Dame
Shakespeare and Co
Dinner at a nearby restaurant (staying the St.Germain)
Day Two
Louvre
Eiffel Tower
Champs Elysees
Dinner at?
Day Three
Girls day
- Stroll the Marais
- Vintage shopping
- Cooking class
Boys Day
- See the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
Day Four
Versailles (still need to plan logistics)
Dinner at? Cook in?
Day Five
Musee Rodin
Luxembourg Gardens
Stroll St. Germain
Dinner at Les Papilles
Day Six
- Take the 8 AM train to Giverny, arrive at 9 AM, opens at 9:30
- Visit the lily pond, then the gardens, then the house
- Lunch at Hotel Baudy
- Take the train back when done
- Dinner at Reed (make reservations)
Day Seven
Musee de Orsay
Grand Palais
Cruise along the Seine or stroll the Latin Quarter
Day Eight
Unplanned
A few questions...
- Any restaurant recs? We like places that serve good food but don't want to spend 200E at every meal.
- Should I do a bike tour while we are in Giverny?
- After this we will have a little under 2 weeks in the rest of Europe. I have been playing with going to Prague and Rome as well, although am considering ditching Prague and spending time in Provence. However, my mum has never been to Prague but she has been to Provence...
Not including the flight to and from Europe, our budget is around 20,000-25,000 USD.
Thanks for the help!
About us: I will be 16, almost 17 when we take the trip. My brother will be 15, and my parents are in there late 50s, however we are all very fit and love activities like biking, hiking, skiing, etc. My dad has visited most places in Europe multiple times, as has my mum. All of us are avid history fans and enjoy art (although we don't want to spend the entire trip in art museums). Versailles is a must for me- I love French history and Marie Antoinette! We would love to experience good food while in Paris, however don't constantly want to be spending an arm and a leg at every meal.
As such, I've planned the following "rough" itinerary
Day One
Segway or bike tour around Paris
Notre Dame
Shakespeare and Co
Dinner at a nearby restaurant (staying the St.Germain)
Day Two
Louvre
Eiffel Tower
Champs Elysees
Dinner at?
Day Three
Girls day
- Stroll the Marais
- Vintage shopping
- Cooking class
Boys Day
- See the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
Day Four
Versailles (still need to plan logistics)
Dinner at? Cook in?
Day Five
Musee Rodin
Luxembourg Gardens
Stroll St. Germain
Dinner at Les Papilles
Day Six
- Take the 8 AM train to Giverny, arrive at 9 AM, opens at 9:30
- Visit the lily pond, then the gardens, then the house
- Lunch at Hotel Baudy
- Take the train back when done
- Dinner at Reed (make reservations)
Day Seven
Musee de Orsay
Grand Palais
Cruise along the Seine or stroll the Latin Quarter
Day Eight
Unplanned
A few questions...
- Any restaurant recs? We like places that serve good food but don't want to spend 200E at every meal.
- Should I do a bike tour while we are in Giverny?
- After this we will have a little under 2 weeks in the rest of Europe. I have been playing with going to Prague and Rome as well, although am considering ditching Prague and spending time in Provence. However, my mum has never been to Prague but she has been to Provence...
Not including the flight to and from Europe, our budget is around 20,000-25,000 USD.
Thanks for the help!
Jul 22nd, 2015, 06:22 PM
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If it were me, I'd leave day eight unplanned. You will have no problem filling it.
I was in Paris 9 days on my last trip, I had nothing planned, had a list of a few things and filled every day and could have easily stayed another 9 days,
I was in Paris 9 days on my last trip, I had nothing planned, had a list of a few things and filled every day and could have easily stayed another 9 days,
Jul 22nd, 2015, 09:39 PM
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Whoa, very impressive for a 16 year old. You seem to really have a thorough idea of what you want to see and how to plan a trip with plenty of space in between. When I got to Italy, I was 20 and planned things by the seat of my pants. While I wouldn't really do anything again over since I had a lot of fun, I am still a bit envious of your foresight! I certainly missed a couple of things in certain destinations just due to poor timing/logistical planning. Sorry I don't really have much of a contribution. I just wanted to applaud your efforts and wish you the best.
Jul 23rd, 2015, 12:20 PM
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wow, I am really impressed, also, you put a lot of adult planners to shame. Where did you get those resto recommendations? Just kind of odd for a 16 yr old to come up with Reed (or anyone for that matter, except Canadians).
In any case, I agree that you might just leave day 8 as unplanned, that's what I do when I have a long trip like that, just leave the last day as a "mop up" day. There may be something you really want to do but haven't time, or just souvenir shopping, etc.
I have a couple comments or suggestions on your plan. First, Shakespeare and Co isn't really a big site, so that won't take much time at all. It's an English language expat bookstore and not very big. Presuming you don't need to buy any books (and why you'd buy them there instead of at home, I don't know), you may just want to look at it, I guess, due to its history. but it's near Notre Dame anyway, so no harm. I don't know how long your bike tour is, I presume a half day at most, so you probably will have extra time and could do some trolling around St Germain that day.
Given your interest in Napoleon and history, I strongly recommend the military museum at Les Invalides (not too far frm Eiffel Tower). YOu don't really have much extra time in your schedule, however (except free day) as you wouldn't want to do that the same day as some other major museum. It's not far from the Rodin museum, however. Not only is Napoleon interred there (which is not of much interest to me), their displays of all the wars is very very good, so you could focus on the era of your interest (I've gone there just for WWII as they redid that section a few years ago). see http://www.musee-armee.fr/en/english-version.html
in particular, this is the dept you want http://www.musee-armee.fr/en/collect...1643-1870.html
Rhe Grand Palais is not really a site to visit unless there is a special art exhibit going on inside, and often they can have long lines. There isn't always an exhibit there. Unless you just want to see the outside, of course. It is a grand area near the most beautiful bridge, also. I don't think you can even go in it except for special exhibits or events, but I"m not sure.
In any case, I agree that you might just leave day 8 as unplanned, that's what I do when I have a long trip like that, just leave the last day as a "mop up" day. There may be something you really want to do but haven't time, or just souvenir shopping, etc.
I have a couple comments or suggestions on your plan. First, Shakespeare and Co isn't really a big site, so that won't take much time at all. It's an English language expat bookstore and not very big. Presuming you don't need to buy any books (and why you'd buy them there instead of at home, I don't know), you may just want to look at it, I guess, due to its history. but it's near Notre Dame anyway, so no harm. I don't know how long your bike tour is, I presume a half day at most, so you probably will have extra time and could do some trolling around St Germain that day.
Given your interest in Napoleon and history, I strongly recommend the military museum at Les Invalides (not too far frm Eiffel Tower). YOu don't really have much extra time in your schedule, however (except free day) as you wouldn't want to do that the same day as some other major museum. It's not far from the Rodin museum, however. Not only is Napoleon interred there (which is not of much interest to me), their displays of all the wars is very very good, so you could focus on the era of your interest (I've gone there just for WWII as they redid that section a few years ago). see http://www.musee-armee.fr/en/english-version.html
in particular, this is the dept you want http://www.musee-armee.fr/en/collect...1643-1870.html
Rhe Grand Palais is not really a site to visit unless there is a special art exhibit going on inside, and often they can have long lines. There isn't always an exhibit there. Unless you just want to see the outside, of course. It is a grand area near the most beautiful bridge, also. I don't think you can even go in it except for special exhibits or events, but I"m not sure.
