fabbie

I will be in London and Paris for 18 days some of which are for day trips. I'm still deciding how many days each and which day trips it is my first time in Europe. I leave May 25 and plan to take the eurostart train to get to Paris. I think the number of days in each city will depend on what I would like to see and do but I haven't figured that out yet and would appreciate any suggestions. I'm also looking for a hotel in the main city most convenient to get around. I don't speak French. When I think of Paris I think of pastries so one of the things I'd love do is take a pastry class. I do have some experience in the kitchen but mostly savory dishes and I am no Julia Child so a beginner or semi immediate course should be fine but not anything more technical. I promised a friend I'd join the next 5K with her and so far she has not forgotten so any advice to help get me ready for that while in Europe is appreciated. It is my first K of anything. I don't plan to cut back on food, wine and dessert but I do need to vamp the exercise. I hate running but enjoy hills and incline. What I'd like to get out of the trip is to learn a little bit about London and Paris such as its architecture, history, art, food and hopefully meet some good people along the way. More importantly I need the time to myself to just be. My hotel budget is around $200/day. My food/pocket money for the day $100-$150. I can splurge a little here and there. What I definitely want to see in London is Westminster Abbey, National Gallery, Kensington Gardens and Big Ben. Try authentic fish and chips. In Paris I'd like to go inside Notre Dame, Louvre and I have a question about the Eiffel Tower. Has anyone climbed it? I've climbed it on my treadmill and want to do it in real life but I'm so scared of heights. Can someone tell me what the ascending stairs look like from the actual stairs? Are there shields on the sides or any cover so you don't see the bottom? That kind of defeats the purpose but wishing there's a way I can climb it without being too terribly scared. Any suggestions to maximize my experience is very much appreciated. Thanks.

muskoka

Please break up your post into paragraphs. It's much easier to digest that way. Thanks.

fabbie

Okay

I will be in London and Paris for 18 days some of which are for day trips. I'm still deciding how many days each and which day trips it is my first time in Europe. I leave May 25 and plan to take the eurostart train to get to Paris. I think the number of days in each city will depend on what I would like to see and do but I haven't figured that out yet and would appreciate any suggestions.

I'm also looking for a hotel in the main city most convenient to get around. I don't speak French. When I think of Paris I think of pastries so one of the things I'd love do is take a pastry class. I do have some experience in the kitchen but mostly savory dishes and I am no Julia Child so a beginner or semi immediate course should be fine but not anything more technical.

I promised a friend I'd join the next 5K with her and so far she has not forgotten so any advice to help get me ready for that while in Europe is appreciated. It is my first K of anything. I don't plan to cut back on food, wine and dessert but I do need to vamp the exercise. I hate running but enjoy hills and incline.

What I'd like to get out of the trip is to learn a little bit about London and Paris such as its architecture, history, art, food and hopefully meet some good people along the way. More importantly I need the time to myself to just be. My hotel budget is around $200/day. My food/pocket money for the day $100-$150. I can splurge a little here and there.

What I definitely want to see in London is Westminster Abbey, National Gallery, Kensington Gardens and Big Ben. Try authentic fish and chips. In Paris I'd like to go inside Notre Dame, Louvre and I have a question about the Eiffel Tower. Has anyone climbed it? I've climbed it on my treadmill and want to do it in real life but I'm so scared of heights. Can someone tell me what the ascending stairs look like from the actual stairs? Are there shields on the sides or any cover so you don't see the bottom? That kind of defeats the purpose but wishing there's a way I can climb it without being too terribly scared. Any suggestions to maximize my experience is very much appreciated. Thanks.

fabbie

Intermediate not immediate

janisj

>>I promised a friend I'd join the next 5K with her and so far she has not forgotten so any advice to help get me ready for that while in Europe is appreciated. It is my first K of anything. I don't plan to cut back on food, wine and dessert but I do need to vamp the exercise. I hate running but enjoy hills and incline. <<

It is very easy to run in both cities. Parks and riversides, etc. London is sooooooo easy to find running places -- Regents Park, Hampstead Heath, Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens, Greenwich . . . . etc.

>>I will be in London and Paris for 18 days some of which are for day trips. I'm still deciding how many days each and which day trips it is my first time in Europe.<<

Absolutely easiest choice is to divide up 50/50 -- or perhaps one more day in your arrival city since there will be jet lag/down time to deal with.

re the Eiffel Tower https://www.google.com/search?q=clim...wdCrQQ_AUIBygC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSiG7S_mbGY

janisj

This one shows it better because it is filmed more wide angle/landscape rather than vertical.

janisj

oops -- here's the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0yFlq-ZXo

Leely2

I've run in Paris a lot, but then I like running. So I don't know what to advise you, other than that for me, getting out in the mornings and going for a jog in Paris is a great way to see the city, very enjoyable. I usually run along the river, the Jardin des Plantes, the Bassin de l'Arsenal--really depends on where I'm staying. Check mapmyrun for routes that other folks have enjoyed. Here's one, no hills though:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/fr/paris-ile...-route-1818880

I was last in Paris in the summer of 2014, kind of solo: I was meeting up with friends. I stayed near the Pantheon in a single room with terrace. I had never stayed in that area before and I ended up liking it--quite convenient. The hotel might be above your price range, but it's worth checking because the single room with terrace is very Paris-fantasy charming:

http://www.hotellesdamesdupantheon.com/en/

There was a good thread here that I cannot now locate. A poster was going to Paris solo for the first time. Not his first time in the city, but first time without his spouse. He got great advice. I'll try to dig it up.

Haven't been to London in over 15 years, so no help there, I'm afraid.

nytraveler

Sorry - but the Eiffel Tower is not a good idea if you are scared of heights. The stairs have open fencing along both sides and you can easily see out a well as down to the ground (that's the point really). Not even sure if you would be happy on the observation platforms which are open/outdoors.

Suggest you read a coupe of good guide books in pick out more things that you want to see and do.

Also, note that pricing on the eurostar rises a lot as you get closer to the day of travel. You should be buying a ticket now for the most savings.

Leely2

Since nytraveler brought up guide books, I really like the Michelin Green Guide for Paris.

And check out some of Fodor's poster FrenchMystiqueTours' threads on bicycle trips outside of town. They all sound wonderful to me.

Here's a thread on day trips from Paris:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-446088-2.cfm

fabbie

No the Eiffel Tower climb is not going to work thanks for bringing the pictures and videos to my attention that's not going to be enjoyable for me. I was deciding between the Michelin Green Guide or Rick Steves I will get the former. I really like the hotel a lot. The Superior Balcony room is over my budget but so nice might be worth it. I do not know when I'll be back in Paris so I'm going to live it up. I need to read about the Left and Right Bank if you have input about the difference. I appreciate the links, suggestions and route map I jog on flat and fast walk the hills.

The hotels in London are more expensive than I thought with the conversion. I will increase budget to be closer to a garden or park to jog in the morning or late afternoon before dinner. I saw a post by someone doing "tea time" in London and that inspired me. I haven't done that in years. Is there one fitting for a solo person? And a broadway show. Has anyone been up the London Eye the big ferris wheel? Thanks

jent103

It's a "West End show" in London (there's no Broadway), just FYI. Tons of threads here about current theater (theatre) offerings.

Lots of people have done the Eye. Do you have specific questions? I'm not afraid of heights so I can't tell you how it would work for someone who is. The pods are very stable - you're not swinging around like at a fair Ferris wheel, and there's room to walk around inside the pod - but you are definitely up in the air.

Re: the Left/Right Bank in Paris, tourists stay on both sides - either is fine. Some people have a preference for one or the other but it's just personal preference. The closer to the Seine you are, generally speaking, the more convenient for the tourist sites (also good to be close to a metro stop).

For London hotels, if you plan to take the Tube from Heathrow into the city, it would be convenient to stay at a hotel near the Piccadilly line (dark blue on the Tube map). If you plan to take a car service, that advice doesn't really apply!

janisj

>>Is there one fitting for a solo person? And a broadway show. Has anyone been up the London Eye the big ferris wheel? Thanks<<

Anyplace you go to tea will be fine for a solo (as will any place you eat any meal)

I've been on the Eye 7 or 8 times. The Eye will be easier for you that the ET -- the cars are completely enclosed and substantial. There is a sturdy wooden bench in the center of the capsule so you don't have to be near the glass if you don't want to. But there is really no sense of movement at all (no swinging like on a Ferris Wheel). You walk straight on and walk off -- no climbing into a car or anything similar -- nothing at all like a Ferris wheel.

I have one friend who is scared spitless by any heights at all. Even escalators are uncomfortable for him. I took him/his wife and another couple to London and tried to get them to ride the Eye -- no takers so I said fine, I'm riding it and will see you in an hour . . . Randy screwed up his courage and (very reluctantly) decided to join me. Upshot -- he sat on the bench for about 4 minutes, looked around and saw there was nothing scary happening, he then plastered himself to the windows and took about 100 photos . . . and when we 'landed' he went into the ticket office to buy two more tix so he could take his wife up.

They even have wedding receptions and champagne parties on the Eye . . .

janisj

>>The hotels in London are more expensive than I thought with the conversion.<<

OH -- re hotels in London . . . the 'conversion' (exchange rate) is actually very good right now though it did bounce up a couple of ¢ over night. Up thread you said your budget is $200 per day which is almost £140. You won't get posh for that but you certainly can get a nice place. Especially if you are willing to pre-pay.

Booking.com will usually have some great pre-paid deals.

suze

My favorite things in Paris were found just walking the city. I used a paper street map from the hotel lobby that had all the monuments, parks, major sites marked on it.

Each evening we'd plan a walking loop for the next day to see a few of them, allowing lots of time for sitting in sidewalk cafes drinking wine.

I enjoyed the Luxembourg Gardens and the Tuileries very much. Same for the Louvre, from the exterior and a quick walk thru the public spaces. Notre Dame also from the outside.

For me seeing the Eiffel Tower from the ground was plenty, I never even considered going up it. on that same day we walked thru the 7th arrondissement past the Arc de Triomphe then circling back to the 5th (Latin Quarter) where I stayed.

One thing I did not do that I would try to include next time is some kind of cruise on the Seine. And maybe a hop on hop off bus tour at the beginning of the trip to see a larger geographic area of the city than I did on foot (and metro).

Belinda

Here's what I'd do if I were you with the Paris portion. Rent an apartment in Montmartre for a week. You like inclines and hills; the 18th is perfect for you! And it's incredibly charming. I use feelslikehomeinparis.com They have several one bedroom flats that would be perfect for you. (They are also really good at providing you with any kind of information that you might require, which is why people always suggest first timers get a hotel - for the support and advice.) AND they are partnered with Cookin With Class, so you get a 50% discount on their cooking classes! They do have a pastry class as well as a number of other options in case you start feeling a bit lonely.

People may tell you that the 18th is too out of the way, and people who don't know it well might say it's a bit grungy. But that's just not true. The #80 bus stops right outside my door and it's a 20 minute ride to anywhere I could want to go. The metro station is a block away. My neighborhood itself is really charming and has everything (not touristy!) that I could possibly want in terms of shops, restaurants and things to do.

I love both London and Paris but right now I think my inclination would be to spend more time in Paris than London. I also find it more affordable. The apartments I'm suggesting are well within your budget.

StCirq

I agree with Belinda. Or else, rent the place that we do from our friend in Ménilmontant, which will send some people into paroxysms, but is cheap, spacious, well equipped, and has the most marvelous terrace where you can sit every evening and enjoy the flowers and shrubs and sip on a bit of LIllet. The 96 bus takes you everywhere, and there are two fabulous markets nearby. And it will cost you 400 euros a week, not 200 euros a night. You can run in the Parc de Belleville - lots of hills. The owner is a sweetheart, and the place has everything you might need, including free wifi. And did I mention the huge outdoor terrace?

suze

Your budget is plenty generous. You've no worries there.

rialtogrl

A good place to look for London lodging deals is londontown.com. I got that tip here on fodors (thank you to whoever posted about it!)

I will be there about the same time as you and I can tell you that lodging seems high for that time (higher than when I pass through London in early April.) Not sure if its just more expensive then, or if the good deals haven't come up yet.

justineparis

No Fabbie would likely do best in a more central area.. remember.. this lady seems a bit nervous of her first solo trip..lets make it easiest for her.. somewhere she does not have to ride the metro to get almost anywhere on.. but rather can just wander out her door and be there.

I stayed have stayed in quite a few areas.. all have pros and cons.. and all areas have quieter and noisier areas.. so no one can pronounce " that area is _____" and be completely accurate.

I think you could look at these hotels.. of course here are many others.. but these are in decent central areas and are in your budget range.. plus I have stayed in them so not just making up a list from google .

Keep in mind, hotel rooms in Paris are smaller then you are likely used to..
And I personally do not go by décor.. I want clean, air conditioned , and good area.. so if your priorities are different keep that in mind.

Hotel Des Grand Hommes - good location , right across street from Pantheon, also check sister hotel prices.. Hotel Pantheon. Staff are super nice and your worry ( stop it.. lol) about not speaking French will not be a problem at that hotel .

Hotel Le Regent- this hotel is one of my faves.. nice staff and best of all.. decent sized bathrooms.. You will love the location in the 6ht. just around corner from tons of cafes, markets and shops.. lovely area to wander around alone in the evening..Standard rooms are very small.. we stayed in a deluxe because I was splitting the bill with my friend.. but standard room should work fine for one person.

Hotel De la Place du Louvre.. now , unlike those two.. which are left bank, this one is right bank in the 1st, but I love the location.. its only a block from river. and the Pont Neuf.. so easy wandering into left bank if you wish. Right beside the Louvre. and just across street from the church Eva Longora got married at..lol but on quiet street. staff super nice . and speak English.. and rooms were decent sized.. I have stayed there a couple times. I much prefer the one level rooms as in the two level rooms ( they call them duplexes) they put the bathroom up steep stairs..did not like that.. but their regular rooms were fairly big of price and area ..

Hotel Royal.. this one is in the 14th.. I liked it , but you will be jumping the metro a bit more to cover some basic sites..
Hotel Brighton.. nice hotel but now priced way out of my range.. and the area is a bit crowded and bland for me.
Hotel Eugenie. I still stay here sometimes.. but its not one I recommend a lot for Americans because they seem to worry more about fancy décor.. this hotel is basic, clean and in super central area.

I agree that I find finding cheaper hotel rooms in London more challenging.. I have hit a dud or two for sure.. or paid more then I wanted to.

See what price you can get for a single at the Nadler.. its a really nice hotel.. comfy duvets.. great area, walk to two musuems , Natural History and The Victoria and Albert museum ( which I totally recommend.. love it.. ) two grocers in immediate area.. and two tube stations.. so super easy to get around.. nice safe area. And bonus .. each room has a mini kitchenette so you can save some money by making light meals. there is so much good take out and heat at home food in the grocers in London.. you would wonder why any one would cook.. lol

We have also stayed at the Celtic ( will be there this May too) and love it.. older fashioned rooms.. some with private bathrooms ( which is what we book) and some with shared .. totally clean and cute hotel, family run, great included breakfast.. and great area..

Place not to stay..

Studios2let. .near Euston Station.. area was great but place was horrible only place I have regularily criticized .. This is an example. We ran out of toilet paper. Maid is in hallway with her cart. We say we are out of tp and she looks at us like we are nuts.. then rustles around in cart and hands us HALF a roll of paper.. half a roll.. and says "that's all I got". Room was tiny beyond tiny.. I could shut the door while sitting on toilet. .but hubbys knees were jammed up against closed door.Room got dam hot.. and there was a pub across street.. so nosey till after 11 or 11.30.