I've been to Paris three times in the last five years, and every time I go to see David's "Coronation of Napoleon" at the Louvre. If I saw nothing else in the Louvre, I would see that. Go at opening to avoid the rush, and just stand there and try to take it all in.

Also Musee Jacquemart-Andre just off Bd. Haussmann, built in the 19th century - a private mansion.

Cross the Pont Neuff and enter the Square du Vert-Galant where Henri IV squired his mistresses. It's small but charming.

The digs of ancient Paris close by Notre Dame, descend the stairs and go back into history.

Bon chance!

Several items above that I would second: Churchill War Rooms, Saint Chappelle (!!), Ile de Cite and Ile St Louis (which may have been in mind when talking Bethillion ice cream), and a Siene river cruise. Add the top of Notre Dame.

These aren't hidden of course but there is a reason. Each is amazing.

And no, 1st class EuroStar is NOT worth it.

Globetrotter,
While in Barcelona, I recommend visiting the quieter neighborhoods of Gracia, Sarria & Les Pedrables. They are small neighborhoods within Barcelona, where families live, children play, etc.

Also recommend visiting Parc Cituidella, where you can see the magnificent La Cascada Fountain. First, go to see the Arc de Triomphe, then walk down the attractive walkway lined with nice lampposts & trees, then cross over to the Parc. It's a little off the beaten path but highly worth it. The Parc is across the street from El Born, so you can see both areas on the same day.

You can click on my name to read my trip report of Barcelona from last October.

I have been in Paris several times and the best thing I have done there is to take a guided tour of Pere Lachaise Cemetery. If you go alone it is a big mishmash, but a tour will give you the history of Paris. There are English tours provided by the city, but they were not available when we went in October. We arranged for a private quide and it was really worth it. I think the name was Insight tours. If you are interested and can't find it I can find the exact name for you.

How are you getting between these places. Sort of spread out. You'll spend some time in transit and lose probably a full day.

any input on wheter london pass for 3 days with travel pass is worth the value ?

globetrotter007--No

"<i> . . .london pass for 3 days with travel pass is worth the value</i>"

The London Pass is a ripoff -- and the travel option is so over priced it should be illegal . . .

janisj why is it a ripoff?

"<i>janisj why is it a ripoff?</i>"

OK -- the short answer:

The LP overwhelms you w/ "<blue>Look at all the sites you can see - all covered by the London Pass!!1</blue>"

But they neglect to tell you that is is next to impossible to get to enough of the biggies in the few days the pass covers to cover the cost. You'd have to go at a dead run and spend little time at each one.

They also neglect to tell you that there are sooooo many free sites that you might only pay for 3 or 4 sites during a full week.

And don't even consider the LP transport option. Highway Robbery.

If there are two of you traveling together, the 2for1 discounts are 10000% better deals than a London Pass. http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/

(for the looooong answer, do a search. There have been hundreds of threads about this)

I would devote a day for Versailles. We arrived there at 9:30 and left at 6:00 and yet, we didn't finish walking through the magnificent gardens...

janisj what are your thoughts about hop on-off bus in london and black taxi 2 hour private tours in london and lastly are any of the walking tours worthwhile? thanks

what is great whitin the national british museum ?

<i>what is great whitin the national british museum ?</i>

It looks like you should perhaps read a guidebook.

Time is short. You are seeing each of these cities for the first time. Now that you've gotten input here, do some research on your own. The British Museum has some of the most incredible artifacts in the world (Rosetta Stone and Parthenon sculptures to name a couple) and you wouldn't want to miss it.

You havae such a short time in each city that you don't have time for all the major sights let alone the obscure (otherwise known here as the "non-touristy") sights.

With (actually) less than 5 days in Paris, I would say Versailles should be left for another trip. This is beginning to sound like "greatest hits" record if asking "what is great about the X museum". Did we find out how they are travelling between cities.

I'll second Pere LaChaise, although I preferred doing it on my own with a good map of the cemetery, not with a tour. Either way, though, it would be on my "must do" list.

thanks for your tips I have read so many books and now realize that there is no time to even begin to explore these cities adequately in our alotted time. We have chosen to visit two or three sights a day to allow us the opportunity for informal walking tours and to explore some of the restaurants. All the more reason to be very selective ! The British Museum is one of our main choices.

We are flying to de gaul and the chunnel to london and heatrow to barcelona.

On the 29th of October Farruquito, one of the world's two-three most famous flamenco dancers, performs at Teatro Coliseum in Barcelona. Could be a huge excperience: https://www.servicaixa.com/nav/en/te...aya/index.html

Review from the premiere in Madrid some three weeks ago: http://www.flamenco-world.com/magazi...43c53119fd7494