PalenQ

Two weeks is plenty of time to see Edinburgh, London and Paris but not much else in between.

Edinburgh-London 5 hours by train
London-Paris 2 hours by Eurostar train

not much travel time if just going to those three cities - maybe do a day trip out of those bases - like to Salisbury and Stonehenge from London or to Reims for Champagne Cave tours from Paris

and Edinburgh to nearby Stirling or St Andrews or do a mini-bus tour of the Scottish Highlands. A couple of days in Edinburgh itself is enough for most but those short day trips are so sweet.

janisj

two hours to Paris STILL eats up most of half a day. Check out, travel to St Pancras, 45 min check in, train trip, travel from Gare du Nord to your Paris hotel, check in or leave luggage and return later to check in. You are probably talking close to 5 hours hotel room to hotel room.

Two weeks is <i>time</i> but not 'plenty of time'.

Mimar

PQ: << London-Paris 2 hours by Eurostar train >>

But you have to check out of your hotel, get to the Eurostar station early, and get from Gare du Nord in Paris to your hotel.

BTW if taking the Eurostar to Paris, get your tickets as early as possible. They get a lot more expensive close to your travel day.

I think the problem is your interest in biking in the countryside. That implies a leisurely trip. But you don't have much time and want to see some cities. In your itinerary I think skipping London is a good idea. Save it for another trip with more time in the English countryside.

carolyn

Oh, don't skip London. It's my favorite of the three. You can't do it all anywhere, but you can hit the high spots and you can just walk around and see lots of well known sights from the outside. Since you imply that you may not get back frequently, look at what travel guides call the Top Five or so and choose what appeals to you most. Then when you do go back, you can fill in some of the blanks.

reazon

Thanks to all! Better do this right; I'm going to schedule two weeks, maybe 16 days. That should work.

janisj

That's great -- It will be more enjoyable not having to rush from place to place.

PalenQ

PQ: << London-Paris 2 hours by Eurostar train >>

Yes that was the actual train time but Mimar is right in checking in at least 45 minutes early as required and getting to St Pancras International station, etc means all in all a half a day between your London digs and Paris ones.

Christina

You can go horseback riding in Hyde Park in London, actually. If you do this regularly, you know that is not cheap, however. They do provide boots and hats, which surprised me. I don't think they allow you to just rent a horse and go off on your own, perhaps liability reasons, you could book a semi-private ride, though, for the two of you (will be an escort). It's about 90 GBP per hour per person, and of course, is not countryside riding, but bridle paths in the park.

http://www.hydeparkstables.com/horse...-riding-prices

I've seen 3 major cities in only about 12 days and enjoyed it a lot, wasn't the horrors people say--I visited Dublin, Edinburgh and London, and spent a day in-between Edinburgh and London in the Lake Country. Flew between Dublin and Edinburgh. Had at least 3 full days in each, as I recall.

PalenQ

I've seen 3 major cities in only about 12 days>

I may have done even more - you do NOT have to stay a week or so in each place to fully get the get out of it - you could but to me more different cities the better with a stay of say 3 nights or 4 in tourist meccas - I get tired of large cities after a while - can be fatiguing with a laundry list of 'must see' sights, etc.

doloresmercado

Hi reason on..I havent read all the replies..but I have just been in Lon and Paris..and plan Edinburgh for next year.
YOU CAN DO BIKE tours on all 3 cities and are wonderful..you do a lot and with a guide... in Paris you have Blue Bike which I strongly recommend. I have just found there is another on Edinburgh and London also has them but wasnt keen on bike tours..Found LON too overwhelming... 3 star hotel at Kensington gardens breakfast included.. Hotel 43.
Paris one week EU 900 awsome neighbourhood HoteldelaPaix Eiffel.
You can make it in July if you want.
I did one week each city.
Lon dont miss Bath for the day and Windsor..take the train by yourself and buy the tkts at the entrance..dont take tours.
Trains leave from Paddington 15mins walk from Hotel43.

PARIS dont miss one day tour to Loire. The day trips visit 3 castles..and worth the trip even b a bus tour..Not keen on bus tours myself..rather do it solo..but unless you take the train to TOurs or Blois and take the shuttles..the bus tours are worth. Try tourisme france.
AND PLEASE do Versailles full day. Also take the metro but register on their page buy tkts online and book a guided tour...on a week day.

all the best.
cheers
Dolores

doloresmercado

reaso on

FLY TO EDINBURGH
Train Edinburgh to London 4 hours 100 pounds one way
Eurostar LON to Paris /2 hours..very enjoyable...less than USD 100
Arrives at Gard du Nord.
From Gard du NordTake the 42 bus to Central Paris for 2 Euros paid cash (I did it) . 30 mins drive
Take buses in Paris..all for 2EU...no need cards..pay cash
And take the bike tours!!!!!!!!

At HoteldelaPaix you have a bakery within 10 steps.. diary opened until 1am.. YES 1 am not 1 pm
Cafes open until late
Tour Eiffel 5 b;ocks from hotel
Bus 87 half block takes you to the Louvre along St Germain de Pres

I walked Paris by myself at 1230AM...(I am yr age)

cheers

doloresmercado

to fuzzbucket..
thank you info about the mystique biketours..will do it next year.. and one of the castles I had in mind
the famous châteaux of Vaux-le-Vicomte, Chantilly

While on Chenonceau I met a group of bikers doing the Loire!!

AMAZING idea!

PalenQ

The day trips visit 3 castles..and worth the trip even b a bus tour..Not keen on bus tours myself..rather do it solo..but unless you take the train to TOurs or Blois and take the shuttles..the bus tours are worth.>

http://www.accodispo-tours.com/

This is one company, of several, that has been in business a long time - take train to Tours and hook up with them at the station.