Advise Needed
Nov 24th, 2017, 08:21 PM
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Advise Needed
Hi All,
After all the useful feedback and lovely insights. Not really interested in museums - just 1 or 2 and would like to do things slowly rather than just rushing. Our tickets are finally booked.
Our tentative itinerary (self with hubby and two teenagers) is as follows :
Arrive in Brussels and proceed directly by direct train from Brussels airport to Brugges. Do we need to book these tickets in advance? Any advise please as to where at the airport can we buy these tickets?
Spend 3 nights in Brugges (earlier had opted for 4 nights but I think it would be too much).
Any mid-level B&B / hotel recommendations in Brugges?
Then proceed to Brussels. Spend 3 nights in Brussels.
Hotel recommendations in Brussels please?
Now we need the advise of expert Fodorites. We still have 8 more nights. We will be flying out of Paris. But Paris hotels are very expensive so we thought of just spending 4 nights in Paris and the other 4 nights somewhere in the middle which can be reached by trains.
We were initially looking at travelling to Cochem from Brussels via Thalys to Cologne to Kolblenz and then onto Cochem but there are nearly 3 train changes which I am hesitant to do with luggage.
Recommendations required for places close to Cologne where we can spend 3-4 nights and then proceed to Paris. Would prefer a small scenic town / village not a city.
Alternatively, we are okay with going to Paris directly from Brussels by Thalys and then moving to a small scenic village close to Paris which can be reached by local TER trains. Any advise please? Note we will not be having a car and will be depending on public transport.
Though, ideally I would prefer spending time in Germany in a small village/town before Paris.
Also, any recommendations for Paris apartments/hotels? I read somewhere that Paris apartment booking is in a state of flux and it could be a hit or miss and one needs to be very careful?
This will be our second trip to Paris so would like to do Musee d'Orsay and Chateau Fontainebleu.
Any advise ?
Kind regards,
SKPKCP11
After all the useful feedback and lovely insights. Not really interested in museums - just 1 or 2 and would like to do things slowly rather than just rushing. Our tickets are finally booked.
Our tentative itinerary (self with hubby and two teenagers) is as follows :
Arrive in Brussels and proceed directly by direct train from Brussels airport to Brugges. Do we need to book these tickets in advance? Any advise please as to where at the airport can we buy these tickets?
Spend 3 nights in Brugges (earlier had opted for 4 nights but I think it would be too much).
Any mid-level B&B / hotel recommendations in Brugges?
Then proceed to Brussels. Spend 3 nights in Brussels.
Hotel recommendations in Brussels please?
Now we need the advise of expert Fodorites. We still have 8 more nights. We will be flying out of Paris. But Paris hotels are very expensive so we thought of just spending 4 nights in Paris and the other 4 nights somewhere in the middle which can be reached by trains.
We were initially looking at travelling to Cochem from Brussels via Thalys to Cologne to Kolblenz and then onto Cochem but there are nearly 3 train changes which I am hesitant to do with luggage.
Recommendations required for places close to Cologne where we can spend 3-4 nights and then proceed to Paris. Would prefer a small scenic town / village not a city.
Alternatively, we are okay with going to Paris directly from Brussels by Thalys and then moving to a small scenic village close to Paris which can be reached by local TER trains. Any advise please? Note we will not be having a car and will be depending on public transport.
Though, ideally I would prefer spending time in Germany in a small village/town before Paris.
Also, any recommendations for Paris apartments/hotels? I read somewhere that Paris apartment booking is in a state of flux and it could be a hit or miss and one needs to be very careful?
This will be our second trip to Paris so would like to do Musee d'Orsay and Chateau Fontainebleu.
Any advise ?
Kind regards,
SKPKCP11
Nov 24th, 2017, 09:36 PM
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What time of year?
I'm sure you can buy the train tickets at the Brussels airport train station. I didn't arrive there but took the train to the airport to fly out of Brussels. I don't think the trains are reserved as I recall, so no worries about buying in advance (you might stand if the trains are super packed - but I doubt it).
Will you find enough to do for three nights in Brussels with teens? What are your plans? Brussels does have some champions, but I think there are more people who find it a tad dull - kind of a big city without a lot of charm. I spent only a night - near the Grand Place, which was lovely at night when all lit up - and that was plenty for me. You can certainly do day trips e.g. to Antwerp and Leuven, by train.
Normandy is beautiful - and of course, there's the WWII history. But, Normandy is really best done with a car. I found it very easy to drive there - and I was nervous about it. I wouldn't do Normandy in say January, though - probably poor weather. You could train to Normandy and rent a car there and take the train back to Paris - that's what I did.
I spent just a night in Cochem - it's a beautiful little town in a pretty area. I didn't visit on the same trip that I visited Belgium, though. Doing a quick check on the Bahn website, I do see a one-connection train option via Luxembourg City (longer than the options with more changes but easier). No discounts available on that one, though.
How about Alsace - Strasbourg/Colmar? Not much further to the Black Forest in SW Germany. I imagine the train connections to get down there are even worse. easyJet has cheap flights between Brussels and Basel - and you could train to Freiburg from there and use that as a base (I did that without a car). But I'm not sure if flying is even worth the trouble or saves much time. You could stop in Alsace on the way back perhaps.
I'm sure you can buy the train tickets at the Brussels airport train station. I didn't arrive there but took the train to the airport to fly out of Brussels. I don't think the trains are reserved as I recall, so no worries about buying in advance (you might stand if the trains are super packed - but I doubt it).
Will you find enough to do for three nights in Brussels with teens? What are your plans? Brussels does have some champions, but I think there are more people who find it a tad dull - kind of a big city without a lot of charm. I spent only a night - near the Grand Place, which was lovely at night when all lit up - and that was plenty for me. You can certainly do day trips e.g. to Antwerp and Leuven, by train.
Normandy is beautiful - and of course, there's the WWII history. But, Normandy is really best done with a car. I found it very easy to drive there - and I was nervous about it. I wouldn't do Normandy in say January, though - probably poor weather. You could train to Normandy and rent a car there and take the train back to Paris - that's what I did.
I spent just a night in Cochem - it's a beautiful little town in a pretty area. I didn't visit on the same trip that I visited Belgium, though. Doing a quick check on the Bahn website, I do see a one-connection train option via Luxembourg City (longer than the options with more changes but easier). No discounts available on that one, though.
How about Alsace - Strasbourg/Colmar? Not much further to the Black Forest in SW Germany. I imagine the train connections to get down there are even worse. easyJet has cheap flights between Brussels and Basel - and you could train to Freiburg from there and use that as a base (I did that without a car). But I'm not sure if flying is even worth the trouble or saves much time. You could stop in Alsace on the way back perhaps.
Nov 24th, 2017, 11:00 PM
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You have to look for a 13-digit registration number on any website you consult.
If you do not see it, it is an illegal apartment.
For just 3 or 4 nights in Paris, I'd recommend a hotel.
I don't know why you would spend time outside of Paris, taking the TER trains.
But if you really are sold on the suburbs - which can take a lot of time, breakdowns and such - here's a good website to consider:
http://www.thelocal.fr/20170207/seve...tially-move-to
If you do not see it, it is an illegal apartment.
For just 3 or 4 nights in Paris, I'd recommend a hotel.
I don't know why you would spend time outside of Paris, taking the TER trains.
But if you really are sold on the suburbs - which can take a lot of time, breakdowns and such - here's a good website to consider:
http://www.thelocal.fr/20170207/seve...tially-move-to
Nov 24th, 2017, 11:00 PM
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You have to look for a 13-digit registration number on any website you consult.
If you do not see it, it is an illegal apartment.
For just 3 or 4 nights in Paris, I'd recommend a hotel.
I don't know why you would spend time outside of Paris, taking the TER trains.
But if you really are sold on the suburbs - which can take a lot of time, breakdowns and such - here's a good website to consider:
http://www.thelocal.fr/20170207/seve...tially-move-to
If you do not see it, it is an illegal apartment.
For just 3 or 4 nights in Paris, I'd recommend a hotel.
I don't know why you would spend time outside of Paris, taking the TER trains.
But if you really are sold on the suburbs - which can take a lot of time, breakdowns and such - here's a good website to consider:
http://www.thelocal.fr/20170207/seve...tially-move-to
Nov 25th, 2017, 08:32 AM
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If you are not a museum person, why bother going to even one?
I think doing things slowly rather than rushing is a personality trait instead of the venue. One can rush through 1 museum in unfocused manner instead of taking time visiting 3 museums focused only on key items of interest. I do not extrapolate my home city museum experience when traveling to other locations. I am not a museum person at home. The home city museum is small, boring, and very expensive.
>>> small scenic village close to Paris which can be reached by local TER trains.
What is your reason for considering this route? While there are "small" villages near Paris, they are not that close. If you don't live in such a place at home, you might not be aware of the reality of living in such a place. If you are considering day tripping into Paris during the day, you will be in a train during the rush hour unless you are willing to forego visiting places at opening times before the mass tour buses descend. You will also be heading home with other commuters which off course can be avoided by having dinner in Paris an head home later in the evening.
If you are considering commuting on the basis of cost, there are many moderately priced superbly located hotels in the smack in the middle of Paris without any of these commuting downsides. These places don't have budget for marketing to put their names on booking sites. People on this forum can suggest many if you can focus on where in Paris you might want to locate yourself and mention the price range you consider "expensive" and the time period (which impacts the lodging cost.)
Communities just outside the Boulevard Périphérique circling Paris are not "villages". Their main attractions are lower rents while close enough to Paris. They are hardly scenic from a tourists' point of view.
I think doing things slowly rather than rushing is a personality trait instead of the venue. One can rush through 1 museum in unfocused manner instead of taking time visiting 3 museums focused only on key items of interest. I do not extrapolate my home city museum experience when traveling to other locations. I am not a museum person at home. The home city museum is small, boring, and very expensive.
>>> small scenic village close to Paris which can be reached by local TER trains.
What is your reason for considering this route? While there are "small" villages near Paris, they are not that close. If you don't live in such a place at home, you might not be aware of the reality of living in such a place. If you are considering day tripping into Paris during the day, you will be in a train during the rush hour unless you are willing to forego visiting places at opening times before the mass tour buses descend. You will also be heading home with other commuters which off course can be avoided by having dinner in Paris an head home later in the evening.
If you are considering commuting on the basis of cost, there are many moderately priced superbly located hotels in the smack in the middle of Paris without any of these commuting downsides. These places don't have budget for marketing to put their names on booking sites. People on this forum can suggest many if you can focus on where in Paris you might want to locate yourself and mention the price range you consider "expensive" and the time period (which impacts the lodging cost.)
Communities just outside the Boulevard Périphérique circling Paris are not "villages". Their main attractions are lower rents while close enough to Paris. They are hardly scenic from a tourists' point of view.
Nov 25th, 2017, 10:53 AM
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It's Bruges. Or Brugge. Depending on the language. But not Brugges. Three nights there would be too much for me. Why not more time in Brussels? It's not the awful place a lot of people make it out to be.
And it's Fontainebleau, not Fontainebleu - there's nothing blue about it..
Hotels in Paris don't have to be expensive, and spending time "somewhere in the middle," whatever that means, isn't going to cut down much on your expenses; it's just going to add to your commuting time and be a hassle. A "small scenic village" just outside Paris is as much of a pipedream as the same outside of New York or Detroit. Get an affordable hotel IN the city.
And it's Fontainebleau, not Fontainebleu - there's nothing blue about it..
Hotels in Paris don't have to be expensive, and spending time "somewhere in the middle," whatever that means, isn't going to cut down much on your expenses; it's just going to add to your commuting time and be a hassle. A "small scenic village" just outside Paris is as much of a pipedream as the same outside of New York or Detroit. Get an affordable hotel IN the city.
Nov 25th, 2017, 11:01 AM
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greg: <i>If you are not a museum person, why bother going to even one?</i>
I am not a "museum person" either - but I still go to the occasional museum and sometimes enjoy them. When I say I'm not a "museum person," that means I don't want to spend my entire trip in museums, as some people do. For example, when I visited St. Petersburg last year, I managed to get to both the Hermitage and the Russian Museum even though I was there just under three days. But I spent only a few hours in each. By contrast, a friend who visited a few months later spent two DAYS in the Hermitage alone.
I am not a "museum person" either - but I still go to the occasional museum and sometimes enjoy them. When I say I'm not a "museum person," that means I don't want to spend my entire trip in museums, as some people do. For example, when I visited St. Petersburg last year, I managed to get to both the Hermitage and the Russian Museum even though I was there just under three days. But I spent only a few hours in each. By contrast, a friend who visited a few months later spent two DAYS in the Hermitage alone.
Nov 25th, 2017, 02:03 PM
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Was in Brugge a few weeks ago and spent 3 nights there but also headed out to Ghent on a day trip. I stayed at the Hotel Botaniek. Great location, close to the fish market and the "picturesque bridge". You could walk everywhere and there a a couple of buses you can take from the TS to get within a few feet of the hotel. Box of Belgium chocolates were a special treat and the breakfast was wonderful, especially the breads that they had. Innkeeper is wonderful as I had issues with the ATMs and he offered to help me with funds since Brugge was the first stop of a 15 day trip.
Stopped in Antwerp for the day on the way to Brussels which you might consider although a nice town could be skipped if you had other plans.
Paris: we always stay in the Marais at the Hotel Jeanne d'Arc, 3 Rue de Jarente. Lovely innkeepers, great breakfast, fabulous location, close to a Metro, grocery, and right in the heart of the Marais. Old building, quirky stairs, small elevator, very Parisian. Lovely!
Stopped in Antwerp for the day on the way to Brussels which you might consider although a nice town could be skipped if you had other plans.
Paris: we always stay in the Marais at the Hotel Jeanne d'Arc, 3 Rue de Jarente. Lovely innkeepers, great breakfast, fabulous location, close to a Metro, grocery, and right in the heart of the Marais. Old building, quirky stairs, small elevator, very Parisian. Lovely!
Nov 25th, 2017, 10:40 PM
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Thanks for the valuable feedback.
I was looking at spending the last 3 nights in Paris itself preferably the Latin Quarter.
We need to fill the nights between Brussels and Paris so was looking for a small town where we can take things slowly and at the same time not get too bored.
Thanks for the hotel recommendations. I will check out the websites.
Just need to understand - if we take an apartment for a week in Paris from Airbnb would it show the 13-digit registration number o the website?
Yes we have planned a day trip to Ghent from Bruges.
Also, we plan to be there around last week of April - first week of May 2018.
Kind regards,
SKPKCP11
I was looking at spending the last 3 nights in Paris itself preferably the Latin Quarter.
We need to fill the nights between Brussels and Paris so was looking for a small town where we can take things slowly and at the same time not get too bored.
Thanks for the hotel recommendations. I will check out the websites.
Just need to understand - if we take an apartment for a week in Paris from Airbnb would it show the 13-digit registration number o the website?
Yes we have planned a day trip to Ghent from Bruges.
Also, we plan to be there around last week of April - first week of May 2018.
Kind regards,
SKPKCP11
Nov 25th, 2017, 11:08 PM
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If you do not see the 13-digit registration number on AirBnB, it is an illegal apartment. That's all you need to know.
If you are on a tight budget, you might not be able to afford an AirBnB with 2 bedrooms in the 6th arrondissement.
Try the 11th or 12th.
I would suggest you choose an Adagio or Citadines apart'hotel.
There are kitchens and laundry facilities. Adagio is probably the cheapest option.
Or, if you don't want an apartment, the Ibis Pantin comes to mind.
You will be bored silly in the suburbs, by the way...
If you are on a tight budget, you might not be able to afford an AirBnB with 2 bedrooms in the 6th arrondissement.
Try the 11th or 12th.
I would suggest you choose an Adagio or Citadines apart'hotel.
There are kitchens and laundry facilities. Adagio is probably the cheapest option.
Or, if you don't want an apartment, the Ibis Pantin comes to mind.
You will be bored silly in the suburbs, by the way...
Nov 25th, 2017, 11:11 PM
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>>> Just need to understand - if we take an apartment for a week in Paris from Airbnb would it show the 13-digit registration number o the website?
The requirement starts from Dec 1. There are only a handful of listings with the registration number at airbnb site. You look at the first part that generally describes the property. It is usually under "The Space" section and you have to expand it by clicking "+More"
Examples of listings with the registration numbers:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6762635
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/11940008
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13502016
The requirement starts from Dec 1. There are only a handful of listings with the registration number at airbnb site. You look at the first part that generally describes the property. It is usually under "The Space" section and you have to expand it by clicking "+More"
Examples of listings with the registration numbers:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6762635
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/11940008
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13502016
Dec 1st, 2017, 04:52 AM
#15
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Hi All,
We will be going at end April - beginning May 2018.
We will be spending
3 nights at Bruges
3 nights in Belgium
4 nights in Cochem or Beilstein
4 nights in Paris
We will be using public transport everywhere.
In case we decide to stay in Beilstein, how does one reach using public transport? Any info is welcome please.
Also, when we reach Cologne, can I buy the regional ticket to reach Cochem/ Beilstein which is valid for four adults. Please advise.
Kind regards,
SKPKCP11
We will be going at end April - beginning May 2018.
We will be spending
3 nights at Bruges
3 nights in Belgium
4 nights in Cochem or Beilstein
4 nights in Paris
We will be using public transport everywhere.
In case we decide to stay in Beilstein, how does one reach using public transport? Any info is welcome please.
Also, when we reach Cologne, can I buy the regional ticket to reach Cochem/ Beilstein which is valid for four adults. Please advise.
Kind regards,
SKPKCP11
Dec 1st, 2017, 07:14 AM
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In case we decide to stay in Beilstein, how does one reach using public transport? Any info is welcome please.>
taking Mosel public buses to Cochem or other rail station. Pretty easy but slow -I'd stay in Cochem or other town with rail service if basing it.
For lots on trains and booking your own -www.thalys.com; www.seat61.com didactic info on getting discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
6 nights in Blegium could be cut and add more to Paris and do day trips from it to many neat places - Reims, Chartres or even D-day beaches in Normany or Mont-Saint-Michel all easily done by train and bus.
taking Mosel public buses to Cochem or other rail station. Pretty easy but slow -I'd stay in Cochem or other town with rail service if basing it.
For lots on trains and booking your own -www.thalys.com; www.seat61.com didactic info on getting discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
6 nights in Blegium could be cut and add more to Paris and do day trips from it to many neat places - Reims, Chartres or even D-day beaches in Normany or Mont-Saint-Michel all easily done by train and bus.
Dec 1st, 2017, 03:01 PM
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Beilstein is a tiny town - very cute and worth seeing - and it has a "cult" following because of the Hotel Haus Lippman establishment. But it has few diversions and it's a completely impractical travel base for train users. Do you really want to board a bus first over 4 days every time you want to use the train to take an outing? Suggest you stay in one of the towns with a train station instead. Cochem works well and has a very broad spectrum of lodging choices. That way you can visit Beilstein by boat (one hour from Cochem) or by bus (if you prefer buses to boats, and you'll have to use the bus only on one day.) You'll find it much easier and faster to get to other places. If for some reason you don't like Cochem, Bullay, which besides being on the main Mosel train line also lies on an offshoot train line to Traben-Trarbach is in a scenic and convenient location as well - I've stayed there a couple of times - once in a private B&B and another time at the Hotel Mosella. Bullay is only 10 minutes by train to Cochem and surrounded by beautiful hiking trails.
Bullay: http://szfoto.de/files/river/2006.07.02_mosel.jpg
Scene upstream from Bullay: http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/64234594.jpg
Hotel Mosella: http://www.hotel-mosella.de/en/hotel.html
https://www.vacation-apartments.com/...y/results/map/
A few of the vacation apartment offerings in Bullay:
Hotel Mosella: http://www.hotel-mosella.de/en/hotel.html
Bullay: http://szfoto.de/files/river/2006.07.02_mosel.jpg
Scene upstream from Bullay: http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/64234594.jpg
Hotel Mosella: http://www.hotel-mosella.de/en/hotel.html
https://www.vacation-apartments.com/...y/results/map/
A few of the vacation apartment offerings in Bullay:
Hotel Mosella: http://www.hotel-mosella.de/en/hotel.html
Dec 1st, 2017, 03:04 PM
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Neef is another small wine town you might consider. It's just downstream from Bullay.
There are other towns too. Here's a Mosel train line map showing the towns with stations between Koblenz and Wittlich.
http://www.vrminfo.de/fileadmin/data...ennetzplan.pdf
There are other towns too. Here's a Mosel train line map showing the towns with stations between Koblenz and Wittlich.
http://www.vrminfo.de/fileadmin/data...ennetzplan.pdf
