I'm planning a two-week trip to Europe with a friend (ex-girlfriend no less), and we were thinking about going to Paris and one other destination.

My first question is: How many days are truly necessary to enjoy Paris?? We will probably want to at least take a couple of day trips outside of Paris. Will 8 or 9 nine days be enough figuring 2 or 3 day trips??

My next question: What are some of your suggestions for a secondary destination to pair with France?? If we spend 8 or 9 days in France that will leave 4 or 5 days for the other destination.

I've been to Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands and loved them all.

We're most interested in culture, food, people, scenery and nightlife.

Any thoughts??

You don't say when you are going. By chance it is the summer, the French Riviera isn't a bad option. We had a great time in Cannes last summer. However, I know there are many other lovely beach towns in the south.

Both Brugge and London are easily reachable via the Eurostar. London, in particular, would provide a nice contrast to France and an easy way to unwind at the end of your trip, since the language makes it so easy to navigate.

I think you can easily get a good overview of Paris in a week.

Have a great trip!

I think you should consider taking the Eurostar train to London.

I just got back from a three-week European trip that included 4 days in London and 5 in Paris. London was absolutely fabulous! It turned out to be my overall favorite city (out of London, Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome and assorted day trips). There are just tons of things to do there with many of the best things being free!

In 4 or 5 days you could do a lot and get a great taste of this great city!

Jennie

Sorry

Forgot to mention that we're looking to go in May (cheaper airfare).

MelJ

I was considering London, and even more so after I found a flight from JFK-LON for $328 then LON-CDG for $108.

Places I was considering (other than London) were Switzerland (what's the skiing like there in May?), the Amalfi Coast (not sure if it's sensible for only 4 or 5 days) and Amsterdam.

Other parts of France or Amsterdam. What about flying over to Italy or Prague?

Amsterdam is about a 3 hour train ride and a great place to visit for a few days.

A couple of ideas - we did a week in Normandy and a week in Paris this past August. The year before, it was Munich and Rome. A week in Paris is fine - day trips to Versailles, Giverney, general touring and you'll easily take up the week. Normandy was an easy week - with a little more time in that area, I'd have gone up the coast to Honfleur, etc and then into Belgium/Brugges, Ypres. You could also go up to Baden Baden, the spa, Black Forest, etc. Lake Constance would be beautiful that time of year - Lots of options - will you drive or take trains?

Just re-read your post, traveling with an ex-girlfriend? Perhaps Vienna. Freud established some good clinics there should you be in the need after 9 days.

francophile

I would really like to visit the Amalfi Coast (the last time I was in Italy we went to Rome and Florence), but being that Paris/France will be our main destination I wasn't sure if 4 or 5 days on the coast would be enough.

Ryan

that's hilarious. Thanks for the laugh. I've been to Vienna and I love it there.

cmeyer54

We will be traveling by train for the day trips and either fly/train for the secondary destination.

I think we want to go outside of France for the secondary spot. I've been to both Munich and Rome -- they were both wonderful. I've also been to the Black Forrest.

I think it will come down to the Amalfi Coast, Switzerland or Amsterdam.

And the correct answer is...London.
Read <i>A Tale of Two Cities</i> before you go.

oops

forgot to include London in my list of finalists.

London
Amalfi Coast
Amsterdam
Switzerland

Eight or nine days in Paris might be good for one day trip, no more, in my opinion. We skiied the glacier in Zermatt in June one time--wasn't great skiing, needless to say.

The Normandy suggestion is a good one. I would also recommend the city of Angers. It is only about a two hour train ride from Gare Montparnasse in Paris and you should be able to find a hotel within a couple of blocks of the train station in Angers. There is the Chateau of Angers near by and the old part of the city is also within walking distance. Great shopping and there are a couple of beautiful gardens there. I had a hotel two years ago about three blocks from the train station and a block from the chateau and it was only $23 a night including breakfast. E-mail me if you would like the name and telephone number of the hotel.

It seems that the difference in prices for flights or trains for Paris-London is not that big.

I found a LON-CDG flight on expedia for $108. According to the Eurostar web site, a train ticket for London-Paris is 65Euro.

Any reason I would take the train over the flight other than slightly cheaper price??

One thought - the train takes you into and out of Waterloo station (another way the french are reminded that Napolean lost)from France and I believe you come into or near Gare Du Nord in paris. So, you're fairly close to the cities with the train upon arrival and would not necessarily have to take a cab (more expense) from an airport to your hotel.

The train goes from a central area in London to a central area in Paris. The same cannot be said for planes.

The Amalfi coast is great but too far from Paris in my opinion, I'd opt for one of the other 3 of your finalists.

Hi Kelston,

I think that the Amalfi Coast is too far from Paris to be a good idea. Save it for when you do Italy.

I agree with either Amsterdam or London. Both nice places to visit for a few days. London, of course, needs a week to be seen properly, as does Paris.