8 days Europe (1st time) - Australian Couple. Need help with everything!
Jan 11th, 2014, 02:25 PM
#41
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Emma - I had a brief visit to Paris (3 nights) and Barcelona (3 nights) last year.
PARIS - we stayed at a really central hotel which was walking distance to the Louvre and the Champs Elysees. We pre-booked dinner at the Eiffel Tower and the late show at the Moulin Rouge before leaving home. We walked EVERYWHERE - down to Notre Dame, along the Seine, though little streets and had coffee in cafes. We spent four hours in the Louvre - with pre-planning as we had definite things we wanted to see. We even fitted in a visit to Paris Disneyland.
BARCELONA - Again we stayed at a central hotel on the Ramblas. We took the HoHo bus to the Sagrada Familia and although we didn't pre-book tickets (advised) we only had to wait 20 minutes and were in. We pre-booked a tour of Camp Nou (home of FC Barcelona) as we are mad football fans and the HoHo bus also stopped here which was very convenient. The rest of the time we just walked down to the port area and made sure we had some Tapas and Sangria at one of the many cafes nearby.
I think Paris/Barcelona is a great choice. Vueling airlines has really cheap flights between the cities which you can get for as low as 60 euro if you book in advance. Hope you have a great time!
PARIS - we stayed at a really central hotel which was walking distance to the Louvre and the Champs Elysees. We pre-booked dinner at the Eiffel Tower and the late show at the Moulin Rouge before leaving home. We walked EVERYWHERE - down to Notre Dame, along the Seine, though little streets and had coffee in cafes. We spent four hours in the Louvre - with pre-planning as we had definite things we wanted to see. We even fitted in a visit to Paris Disneyland.
BARCELONA - Again we stayed at a central hotel on the Ramblas. We took the HoHo bus to the Sagrada Familia and although we didn't pre-book tickets (advised) we only had to wait 20 minutes and were in. We pre-booked a tour of Camp Nou (home of FC Barcelona) as we are mad football fans and the HoHo bus also stopped here which was very convenient. The rest of the time we just walked down to the port area and made sure we had some Tapas and Sangria at one of the many cafes nearby.
I think Paris/Barcelona is a great choice. Vueling airlines has really cheap flights between the cities which you can get for as low as 60 euro if you book in advance. Hope you have a great time!
Jan 11th, 2014, 06:00 PM
#44
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"our plans were to simply go to the Eiffel Tower for Dinner and The Lourve and the rest of time walk around and experience the city, possibly few train trips"
Some thoughts:
My favorite experiences of the Eiffel Tower are from a distance -- views from the river or from the opposite bank or from pretty much anywhere from which one can see it.
I did not go to the Eiffel Tower during my first 5-day visit to Paris. I did go toward the end of my 2nd (longer) trip to Paris. I was very glad to roam around it's base -- I found it fascinating to see the structural details close up. But my trip to the top was one of the most unpleasant of all my travel experiences -- and I've been fortunate enough to travel fairly extensively. Trust me, you do NOT want to know the details! And honestly, the views were, IMO, not all that great, even at sunset (which is when I was there). By all means, go to the top if you want to, but if you are willing to spend the money to have a dinner IN the Eiffel Tower, then consider using that money instead for a meal at one of the many restaurants in Paris where you can get a truly delicious meal, leaving enough to have a glass of wine at an outdoor cafe with a view OF the Eiffel Tower.
The Louvre can, of course, take weeks, so go prepared with an idea of your priorities.
I don't know anyone who would disagree with the conclusion that walking around Paris is a delightful thing to do. Enjoy!
With the time frame you are considering, I'm not sure you have time for any day trips.
Some thoughts:
My favorite experiences of the Eiffel Tower are from a distance -- views from the river or from the opposite bank or from pretty much anywhere from which one can see it.
I did not go to the Eiffel Tower during my first 5-day visit to Paris. I did go toward the end of my 2nd (longer) trip to Paris. I was very glad to roam around it's base -- I found it fascinating to see the structural details close up. But my trip to the top was one of the most unpleasant of all my travel experiences -- and I've been fortunate enough to travel fairly extensively. Trust me, you do NOT want to know the details! And honestly, the views were, IMO, not all that great, even at sunset (which is when I was there). By all means, go to the top if you want to, but if you are willing to spend the money to have a dinner IN the Eiffel Tower, then consider using that money instead for a meal at one of the many restaurants in Paris where you can get a truly delicious meal, leaving enough to have a glass of wine at an outdoor cafe with a view OF the Eiffel Tower. The Louvre can, of course, take weeks, so go prepared with an idea of your priorities.
I don't know anyone who would disagree with the conclusion that walking around Paris is a delightful thing to do. Enjoy!
With the time frame you are considering, I'm not sure you have time for any day trips.
Jan 12th, 2014, 03:55 AM
#45
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The lunch at the Eiffel Tower IS a delicious and memorable one, just to be clear. And I do agree that the view of the Tower from say the champs de Mars always thrills me.
The Champs is a sterile shopping street of great fame and now little charm.
The Champs is a sterile shopping street of great fame and now little charm.
