SamanthaNH

Hello,

My husband and I are (finally) planning our first trip to Europe. We would appreciate recommendations from any experienced travelers. We don't get much time off from work so we'd be looking at 5-7 days. As far as budget, we'd like to be somewhat careful with expenses but have some flexibility (i.e. 3 star hotel is adequate).

So far, we typically hear the following from friends and family:

London - fabulous
Paris - beautiful but unfriendly
Rome - not a favorite

I would think that 1 country would be best - 2 at most. Is that sensible? Paris & the Normandy coast are appealing. We're also tempted by Switzerland and Scotland but are open to anything.

The last bit of commentary that may help with making recommendations - we're foodies and wine lovers. Also, we'd prefer a moderately paced trip and probably would limit driving to a minimum (or stick to railway travel).

Thank you for any help you can offer!

rj007

London is my first choice. I love Paris and Rome. Since you mentioned food and wine I would say Paris or Rome. Because you have such a short amount of time I would concentrate on one city with one day trip. This will whet your appetite for future trips. Enjoy your trip.

beachbum

"...we'd like to be somewhat careful with expenses..." "Paris & the Normandy coast are appealing." "...we're foodies and wine lovers..."

These all point clearly to Paris. No reason to look further, and forget Normandy. There's plenty to do/see/eat/drink to occupy the relatively short time you're there. And, the part about Paris being unfriendly, not true.

suze

Paris is fabulous, I did not find it to be unfriendly. It was my first trip, I did relatively little planning and don't speak French. And for food and wine lovers... it's fantastic even on a budget. You can more easily find a sweet 3-star hotel in Paris that will be much nicer than similarly priced one in London.

Carla

If you are only picking one country go to France. The food is wonderful. The scenery in the is beautiful and more diverse than you think. Public transportation is pretty good. The TGV will get you from one end of France to the other quickly and comfortably.

maryanne1

Definitely France and if you only have 5-7 days you could spend it in Paris. We spent 6 days in Paris and found plenty to enjoy. A day trip to Versailles on a short train ride would be a good way to get out of Paris one day. If you want to go farther I would suggest the Loire Valley by train and then do a castle tour for a day. Or pick up a car there and explore the area. This would be a 2-3 day trip.

alexandria

We were just in Paris and found the people to be very friendly.
We have found that the best way to travel for short trips is to go to one location and take day trips. We usually research which sites we want to see during the day and we reserve dinner reservations in advance. We called the concierge and faxed a list of choices that friends and fodor's recommended. This allowed us the comfort of not wasting time during our stay and having great meals with a variety of settings.
Paris is beautiful. Take an evening boat trip to see the sites lite up.

We also loved Rome. Wonderful food and great sites to see. We have friends in Rome so we cannot compare. We had a great time in London.
If you go in the summer be sure to get an airconditioned room. When we checked into London, we upgraded to the air comditioned room. After long days of walking it would have been touch to be in a room with just a fan.

Good Luck.

ekellyga

Before my first trip to Paris, a friend told me that the French are not unfriendly if you avoid just walking up to them on the street or in a shop and start speaking English to them. He advise to learn a few simple phrases..the most important being "excuse me, I don't speak french. Do you speak English?" We learned how to say that in French, and had NO problem with anyone being unfriendly.

amwosu

Only go to one country and confine yourself to one area to really enjoy yourselves. If you want to do a city, go to Paris. If you want to be more "in the country" go to Normandy.

This summer I spent ten days in Paris (not enough time at all) and six days in Normandy. They are two totally different kinds of trips. In Paris, I felt the need to cram in as many museums and "important" sights as possible. In Normandy I had a car and roamed more casually.

I suggest you fly to Paris, drive to Les Andelys for your first night then start in a town on the eastern edge of Normandy such as Honfleur and work your way west through Trouville, Deauville, and visit the DDay Beaches with a guided tour out of Bayeux (I liked www.battlebus.fr). On the way back to Paris stop at the Peace Museum in Caen then stay overnight in Vernon or Giverny. Leave Paris for another time.

Driving is easy except in Paris. And in Normandy there are so many English tourists who ferry across the channel that the area is very English language friendly.

RufusTFirefly

We loved Rome--sure can't beat the number, variety, and quality of sights. Plus wonderful neighborhood restaurants.

Audirennes

Hello Samantha!!

I agree with most of the threads concerning Paris...Definitely, go to Paris...You will not regret it...I don't think Paris is unfriendly...that is not what I felt when I visited it! I spent mant times in Paris and each times were great! However, that is right that French people prefer when you try to speak even 2-3 words in French to explain that you can't speak French: Bonjour, excusez-moi mais je ne parle pas francais. Parlez-vous anglais? they will feel better with you because you have made an effort...and then they will try to explain you in English what you need...Try to talk to young people in the street when you want to know something,in general they all know a few words of English!
If I only had 5-7 days, I would stay in the same city, less tiring...and you can really visit most things than spending times in travels.
My favourite hotel in Paris is Hotel Saint Dominique( www.saintdominique.com), in the 7th, a 2 star hotel with a lot of charm...and not far from a lot of tourists attractions! Enjoy your trip in Paris!

mamc

Another vote for Paris. I have never encountered unfriendly people in Paris - in fact, much as I love London, Paris has always seemed more welcoming to me. Paris is beautiful, the food and wine are wonderful, the hotels charming. It is easier to find a charming, reasonable hotel in Paris than in London and even Rome. There is so much to do in Paris that 5-7 days will only scratch the surface and you want to leave time to simply enjoy your surroundings. Stick to the city with perhaps a day trip to Versailles or Chartres. You don't say what time of year you plan to travel. If you have a choice, I would suggest early May or mid-September.

ira

Hi Samantha,

>Paris - beautiful but unfriendly

I fear the you have been misinformed.

Paris, by all means.

Infotrack

I love Rome above all. So many things to see of historical signficance, and it is an easy city to get around in. Give Rome another look.

--Marv

SuzieC

If you think you'll only have one chance ever to go to Europe. Go to Paris... <GRIN> I think. Then you'll get hooked, read this board to often and start thinking... oooh...that sounds good. I'll go there next..and then there...and then over there...!

julie_Colorado

I'm a foodie too - so I prefer Italy, France, Spain. I love Scotland and Switzerland - but not for the food. Do you prefer big cities to small - and what do you want to see and do? I might go to the south of France (fly to Nice) or a smaller city like Sienna (fly to Florence). I love Paris as much as the rest - but it's a very different feel than the small villages. Also, what month are you travelling?.. and where are you flying from?.. If you want a large city - I may suggest Rome as it gives you (I think) more diversity in the ancient to the modern - with breathtaking art and wonderful food. Given your very short time - coming from NY area opens up more possibilities than coming from California or a small city airport.

tcreath

Rome is one of my favorite places, and I wouldn't rule it out based on the experiences of family members/friends. The sites of ancient Rome are unbeatable, the food wonderful, the people warm and friendly. I was just there in March for the first time and we are already going back in December. Can't wait!

That being said, while I love Rome I probably wouldn't recommend it for a first trip to Europe. I haven't been to Paris (yet) but I've been to London and we had an incredible time. Many recommend Paris for a first trip, and the recommendations above sound terrific.

Good luck and congrats on your upcoming trip!

Tracy

AisleSeat

I often see people saying things like, "you could spend a lifetime and not experience all the wonders of Paris, London, or Kalamazoo." Unfortunately we don't all have a lifetime. We are like you and planning a 5-7 day trip. You can see and experience a lot in a short time and then go back sometime in the future to linger over the parts you particularly enjoyed. London, Paris and Rome are the crown jewels of Europe. You should start with those and on a 5-7 day trip you have time to do two of them quickly. Because they are a little closer together and you said Rome is not a favorite, make it a few days in London and a few days in Paris. Lots of connecting flights or the Eurostar chunnel train to make the connections fast and easy. Get a list of the big sights to see in each place and you will have a trip filled with top-shelf experiences. Enjoy your trip.

SamanthaNH

Thank you to everyone who posted. We have decided on Paris with a day trip to the Loire Valley (guided tour). We looked up the Hotel Saint Dominique and that looks good as well. Normandy is still on the maybe list. Now, I can't wait until next September!!

travelbunny

..sounds great but with your short trip (and 5-7 days is short), limit yourself to Paris and the Loire..If you insist on another site too, chose a quick trip of less than an hr from Paris. I love Normandy (but perhaps like Brittany better), but in your short visit stick to Paris with the 1 day tour of the Loire..Hope this will be the first of many trips for you.