Hi everyone--
Although I just returned from Italy a few months ago, I have been bitten by the "europe Bug" and cant wait to go back--I have managed to get a week off in January and would like to surprise my husband with a "surprise" trip for his birthday--I figured the Eiffel Tower looks the same in July and January and the airfare is VERY reasonable--So--3 days London---3 days Paris---Just seeing the Major sites and absorbing the culture of the cities--what do you all think?? Am I crazy?? If not--What are the Must Sees iyo--I also plan on taking the chunnel--any advice would be greatly appreciated----ladybug

Hi ladybug,

Great idea. Dress warmly.

Will you fly into one city and out the other? If not, keep in mind that you will lose a day in traveling back and forth.

You might want to consider six days in either London or Paris, with one or two side trips.

Have you checked the miniguides to these cities on fodors.com? They suggest 3 day walks.

Have fun.

PS,

Harrods sales dates are Dec 30 to Jan 25.

Sure, you won't see everything in each city in three days....still, go for it! A great idea. Gee, now, if there was only some way you could convince my wife to do the same thing!

ladybug - sounds wonderful.

Ira has a good idea - it would be great if you could fly into London, Train to Paris, and fly home from Paris. That cuts down travel time, and may not be much more expensive than r/t from either city.

London: 3 days, some ideas
Tower of London and Tower Bridge
Westminster Abbey
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
British Museum
A play
St Paul's Cathedral
Explore and shopping - Covent Garden, Harrods, Oxford St., Notting Hill, etc
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (if you are into Shakespeare like me)

Paris: 3 days
Eiffel Tower
Walk the Champs Elysees
Arc d'Triomphe
Louvre
Musee D'Orsay
Sacre Coeur
Notre Dame

Hope this helps a little! I was in England last January, and am going to Spain this February, and I don't think I am crazy - so neither are you!

Karen

I THANK YOU all for your reassurance, and prompt response to my worry!!!! Yes I will be flying into London leaving Sunday eve--arriving Monday early AM (~ 7am) That will be day 1-So I plan on getting some sleep on the plane--Im pressed for time so i dont want to waste my days --Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday LONDON--leave early Thursday for the 3 hr Chunnel ride--arrive Paris early afternoon--Thursday Friday Saturday Paris--Depart Sunday am to home--
I have learned from this forum that most sites are open in London during this time--what about in Paris--anything that I should avoid due to closing in the winter--
I plan on looking at the 3 day walking guides on this forum to get some more ideas--
What about the hop on-off bus ticket for 3 day London --is this a must??
Any favorite resturaunts near the Eiffel Tower--thats where I would like to take my husband on the night of his birthday-- Thank you in advance for all of your insight!!!!!!Ladybug

I almost forgot--thrilled to hear Harrods will be having sales during my visit--Who doesnt LOVE a good London Sale!!!!!Thanks Ira!!

Hi Bug,

The Jules Verne restaurant at the top of the Eiffel Tower comes well recommended. (It's not cheap).

Thanks Ira--Its probably going to be an expensive nite--but the only nite that I plan on really splurging--

I have noted some postings on the hotels that I have chosen--and other input is greatly appreciated. In London Hotel Thistle Victoria
Paris Hotel K & K Cayre Thanks! Ladybug

Hi

I don't think it is crazy going to Paris...I have been there with my wife and I think that we spent about 10 days there and we had a wonderful time. We are thinking about going there again in December I have posted trip reports from our trips to London and Paris on my homepage www.gardkarlsen.com by the way

ira: you say that the Jules Verne is recommended and that it is not cheap. How much are we talking about for 2 people (approx. of course)?

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

Hi Gard~ Thanks for the Info--I plan on visiting your website today--good question btw--because everyone's interpretation of "expensive" may be a little different~~btw--I am planning a trip to Norway for this July~all of my grandmothers family live there~I cant wait to visit with them and discover my Nordic roots!!!!!!Ladybug

Hi

July is a nice time to visit Norway...the days are long and the sun doesn't set before 10-11 at night. If you are coming to the Stavanger area I recommend that you visit Kjerag or Preikestolen (Pulpit rock). I have posted some pictures of these places on my homepage

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway
www.gardkarlsen.com

Sounds like fun!

One suggestion, since you are going to hit the ground running and want to get full value out of your first day in London.

The last week or so before you leave, shift your schedule forward a few minutes each day, until you get up about the same time that it will be in London, on the day you depart North America.

I have done this on my last two trips and was able to sleep some on the airplane and enjoy a full day and evening the day I arrived.

To get the most out of your time in London, figure out what locations (hotel, museum, theater, etc) you will be traveling between and visit http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/use...T2?language=en
It will give you exact dirrections for tube & bus routes and transfers.

I print these out in advance and when I am running late or a little disoriented it makes all the difference in the world.

Keith

Gard and Keith~
thanks for the info--Yes I do plan on getting started on my sightseeing as soon as we arrive--I will try that "fooling your internal clock thing" sounds like a good idea--

When going to the Eiffel tower--do you prefer day visit or night visit--will it be open in January??? Ladybug

Go for it. We did London/Paris four nights in each city...flying to Paris from London. Have you checked out the rate compared to the chunnel? We were
there in late April/early May and were able to enjoy sitting outside at the cafe's...the only thing I would miss going in January. I have the "bug" like
you do...can't wait to get back to Europe. We think alike...our Paris/London trip was my husband's Christmas gift...I was tired of giving
socks and underwear (he's a man of few wants and needs). Enjoy!!!!

What do people think of the bateaux mouches (the river boats) for dinner in Paris? As I recall it was a fun splurge, but it was a while ago...

Hi Gard,

Jules Verne is up there with Taillevent, Tour d'Argent and Alain Ducasse.

Ladybug,

If you are planning on going there fax for reservations now. See http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/pratique/resto/

Thanks everybody!!! Ira thanks for the site--I will try to arrange ahead of time!!!! CHeryl--I too will miss sitting outdoors of the cafes--that is one of my favorite memories from Italy--I guess I will just have to change gears and enjoy the warm and toasty pubs!!!! Any more must sees--Kaudrey thank you for your list--very helpful--Ladybug

Hi ira

You say that Jules Verne "...is up there with Taillevent, Tour d'Argent and Alain Ducasse". I'm sorry, but I don't really know these resturants so it would be great if you have some sort of price indication

Regards
Gard
www.gardkarlsen.com

I did 3 days in each city once.

In London, with good planning and a boatload of youthful energy, I saw (I mean really toured) the Tower of London, the British Museum, Kensington Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. I walked by, or hung around, but never "toured" the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Shakespeare's Globe, and London Bridge.

In Paris, we "really toured" the Musee D'orsay, the Louvre (okay, you can never really full tour the Louvre--but we spent a decent chunk of time there), Ste Chappelle, Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower. We went inside Notre Dame and some crypt thing near there but didn't stay long.

By getting up early, really planning everything out and eating on the run alittle bit, you can see a lot more than you think. Make note of opening and closing hours--it took a long time to see the Eiffel Tower, but since it's open at night it didn't waste any time we could've been somehwhere else. Of course, if you'd rather relax a little nmore, then just prioritize and pare your list of "must-sees".