Paris and Amsterdam July 2013 trip

Old Jun 20th, 2013, 12:59 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Paris and Amsterdam July 2013 trip

Hello,
I am a student. I will be travelling to Paris on 30th 2013 July for some business event. I will be engaged in the event activities till 5th July 2013. They have indicated that I will get to see some attraction in Zone 1 of Paris (Mostly Eiffel tower only). My visa expired on 10th July. I was planning to tour in Paris on 5th evening, 6th and 7th, leave for Amsterdam on 7th night and tour in Amsterdam on 8th entire day. I have to catch my flight, scheduled for 10th July from Paris only, so was planning to return to Paris on 9th evening.

My am not that enthusiastic to see museums, Disney land and places of historic significance. I want to see and explore big cities, some cool places, coffee shop (if I go to Amsterdam), good architecture etc.

Should I stay in Paris and see things around or stick to Amsterdam+Paris? I will be travelling to Europe for the first time! What do you suggest?

Thanks!
Billybb is offline  
Old Jun 20th, 2013, 01:06 AM
  #2  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I forgot to add- I have company of few good friends.
Billybb is offline  
Old Jun 20th, 2013, 02:16 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If I were you, I'd stay in Paris for the entire trip since you'd be losing time taking the train to and back from Amsterdam.
There is really a lot to see in Paris, even though you're not interested in museums.
You can wander around Paris with your friends, sit a cafes and watch the world go by, chill in parks, go out at night, ... It'll be fun
Steph4 is offline  
Old Jun 20th, 2013, 02:19 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,492
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
I'd even look at a few day trips out of Paris, say to Strasbourg or Reims (where the champagne comes from)
bilboburgler is online now  
Old Jun 20th, 2013, 02:28 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you so much for your reply! It seems that I will chuck the Amsterdam+Paris plan.
By the way, for Amsterdam I was planning a night trip by bus, so I can sleep all night not wasting my time.
Billybb is offline  
Old Jun 20th, 2013, 05:12 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I will highly appreciate some more comments before taking the final decision.
Please do suggest!
Billybb is offline  
Old Jun 20th, 2013, 06:32 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,492
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Billybb the great thing about your dates and Paris is that many Parisians will be on holiday, so that will make the place a bit more laid back, I think le plage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris-Plages will be there by then so a good place to chill out and roller blading is busy

Amsterdam is great but it is not Paris, while some of the population will be on holiday the great thing about the netherlands is the little towns and canals and getting into the country, that is not to knock the museums of Amsterdam but you are not that excited by museums.
bilboburgler is online now  
Old Jun 23rd, 2013, 12:58 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,823
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
the fact that many Parisians are on holiday also means many shops, businesses, galleries etc will be closed for the summer.

Laid back as in: empty. There is a reason for Paris Plages: to give the disadvantaged youth of Paris something to do over summer.
menachem is offline  
Old Jun 23rd, 2013, 01:51 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks!

Summary and few queries:

So as stated above, I have "5 full days" starting from 5th July 3:00 PM. During my business event, I will be seeing- Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, Seine river cruise and Champs-élysées. I confirmed these.

I am interested in:
1) Exploring some cool places with remarkable architecture like Notre Dame, Catacomb, La defense etc. (I know only these! please feel free to add more!),
2)Night clubs (I am sure both Paris and Amsterdam have plenty of good clubs),
3) Other cool tourist places which college students would generally like to see.

I am not very much into (Will go only if they are extraordinary):
1) Museums and Art galleries,
2) Disney land (I have been to Universal Studios, Wonderland (Canada) etc, so I\it seems that Disney land is for kids, and I am not that much into cartoons, plus they don't have many rides!

I was thinking about going to Amsterdam because it has:
1) Good Coffee shops (I will graduate next year and want to enjoy my college time and bachelorhood)
2) Beautiful city architecture
3) Relatively safe at night (I am a nocturnal creature )

So how would you suggest me to plan my travel in remaining 5 days? Paris+Amsterdam?, only Paris, Paris +other?

Thank you so much for your valuable reply! I really appreciate it, and I will plan my trip accordingly.

--
A student who will travel to Europe for the first time.
Billybb is offline  
Old Jun 23rd, 2013, 03:24 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 42,600
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
The Louvre in Paris and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam are two of the MOST extraordniary art museums ANYWHERE. BUT if you aren't "into" museums I'd spend my time doing other things. Just because people tell you you should BE interested in these places doesn't make it so. You have lots of time ahead of you to develop those interests as you mature.
Dukey1 is offline  
Old Jun 25th, 2013, 11:09 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
cool!
Billybb is offline  
Old Jun 26th, 2013, 03:54 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>>>Laid back as in: empty.
ParisAmsterdam is offline  
Old Jun 26th, 2013, 04:20 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What do you suggest ParisAmsterdam?
Billybb is offline  
Old Jun 26th, 2013, 11:03 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,823
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not empty of tourists of course, but you'll find many business have closed, and non-tourist areas are quieter.

Here's Rupert Twiss, visiting Paris in july and august, but in 1792

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20304...-h/20304-h.htm
menachem is offline  
Old Jun 26th, 2013, 11:05 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,823
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Richard, not Rupert. hmmm. He saw a guillotine execution and riots in the Tuileries. Wonderful trip.
menachem is offline  
Old Jun 26th, 2013, 09:50 PM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Appreciate your replies. So Paris or Paris. + Amsterdam?? It is not very clear from your replies.
Billybb is offline  
Old Jun 27th, 2013, 01:57 AM
  #17  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i have to board flight to Paris tomorrow! Please let me know
Billybb is offline  
Old Jun 27th, 2013, 02:06 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Billy - why dont you just go with the flow and see how you feel? If you do go to Amsterdam I would head there first thing on your free days and then head back to Paris for the final couple of days to catch your flight.

Enjoy!
jamikins is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PhillyFan
Europe
11
Jan 22nd, 2014 11:49 AM
sharich
Europe
6
Apr 21st, 2012 02:56 PM
leSenator
Europe
5
Apr 28th, 2008 06:15 PM
LauraD
Europe
23
Jul 16th, 2004 04:58 PM
lucky03
Europe
12
Mar 28th, 2003 04:18 AM

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 -