First Trip to Europe (Paris)
Mar 20th, 2013, 06:00 AM
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First Trip to Europe (Paris)
My girlfriends and I are going to Paris in September (which I heard was a fantastic time to go). We initially planned to spend 4 nights in Paris and 2 nights in Amsterdam. However, I have a change of thought and have suggested flying into Prague for 2 nights on the front end of the trip and then spending 4 nights in Paris and then back home. Do you think it will be uncomfortable and/or crazy to do it this way, since the trip from Prague to Paris will be done by rail and the length of time on the rail is longer than the Amsterdam leg of the trip. Also, can you suggest somewhere to stay in Prague on a budget but safe ($150 US) per night.
Mar 20th, 2013, 06:06 AM
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If you would rather go to Prague then do it. Personally that sounds more appealing to me then Amsterdam. It's your trip and you aren't moving around too much IMHO.
I would check into flying. If you can work with the budget carriers they are often cheaper then the train!
I would check into flying. If you can work with the budget carriers they are often cheaper then the train!
Mar 20th, 2013, 06:19 AM
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I would honestly recommend Prague over Amsterdam as well.
That's not a slight on Amsterdam, but if you had to pick only one, then that's the way to go for me.
Carol is right about the cheap flights. Those SUPER Budget carriers are normally a lot cheaper than trains.
However, if you can get an overnight train in a sleeper cabin to Prague, then it's a neat experience, and if you factor in the fact that it's your hotel room for the night too, then the price difference isn't big anymore.
I can't help too much on the Prague hotel though. One time I went I stayed in a hostel and the other time we simply got off the train, talked to a guy holding a sign at the station and (really luckily) got an amazing apartment for a couple of nights for $15 per person.
That's not a slight on Amsterdam, but if you had to pick only one, then that's the way to go for me.
Carol is right about the cheap flights. Those SUPER Budget carriers are normally a lot cheaper than trains.
However, if you can get an overnight train in a sleeper cabin to Prague, then it's a neat experience, and if you factor in the fact that it's your hotel room for the night too, then the price difference isn't big anymore.
I can't help too much on the Prague hotel though. One time I went I stayed in a hostel and the other time we simply got off the train, talked to a guy holding a sign at the station and (really luckily) got an amazing apartment for a couple of nights for $15 per person.
Mar 20th, 2013, 06:41 AM
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I also hope you have booked hotel in PAris, September is a great time to go, but hotels fill up easily as its trade show and fashion season,, hotels have fewer vacancies.
I too would look at flying, look at Easyjet. Don't look at flying into Beauvais, look at flying into Orly or Charles de Gaulle.
I too would look at flying, look at Easyjet. Don't look at flying into Beauvais, look at flying into Orly or Charles de Gaulle.
Mar 20th, 2013, 06:48 AM
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I love Prague & have been there two times, but haven't been to Amsterdam, but would still choose Prague over Amsterdam. My daughter lived in Prague for a semester, & visited Amsterdam, and she liked Prague better.
We stayed at Pension Dietzenhofer in Prague both times. It's located in Mala Strana, which is quieter than Old Town or Wenceslas Square. It's located on the castle side of the bridge. we really like it there. The neighborhood is quiet, even at night, so if I were single, I might be a little nervous going back to my room alone at night. Nothing bad ever happened to us; it just seems lonelier at night. But because you will be with other people, I'm sure you will be fine.
We loved Paris, too. We stayed at Hotel Bonaparte on Rue Bonaparte, if you are looking for Paris hotel suggestions.
We stayed at Pension Dietzenhofer in Prague both times. It's located in Mala Strana, which is quieter than Old Town or Wenceslas Square. It's located on the castle side of the bridge. we really like it there. The neighborhood is quiet, even at night, so if I were single, I might be a little nervous going back to my room alone at night. Nothing bad ever happened to us; it just seems lonelier at night. But because you will be with other people, I'm sure you will be fine.
We loved Paris, too. We stayed at Hotel Bonaparte on Rue Bonaparte, if you are looking for Paris hotel suggestions.
Mar 20th, 2013, 08:22 AM
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I will definitely look into Easyjet. We will be finalizing the lodging by the end of the week. Thanks for that headsup on the trade show and fashion season, we will definitely get this confirmed by Friday. Also, can anyone shed light on Paris Rental Services and/or VRBO? We are looking to rent an apartment/flat from one of these sites. Are there any hidden fees I should look out for, other than making sure I have AC.
Mar 20th, 2013, 08:25 AM
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For cheap flights: http://www.flylc.com/directall-en.asp
Beauvais is not as convenient as Orly or CDG but may be worth it compared to the cost and time of a train ride.
Beauvais is not as convenient as Orly or CDG but may be worth it compared to the cost and time of a train ride.
Mar 20th, 2013, 08:44 AM
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Hotel Diana is cheap and has a/c and excellent location , may be booked up though.Hotel Saint Peirre is cheap and clean, has a/c excellent location ( close to Sorbonne) on a quiet street but 20 feet to busy fun areas.. both hotels will have SMALL rooms compared to what we consider normal,, head up about that.
VRBO is wonderful or not, depends on the owner of the apartment you rent, that's the thing with rentals by owner. Suggest you short list and post the ones you are considering, many people have either stayed in them or can see things on an ad that you might miss, it constantly happens, people don't notice some fine print etc.
You can also look at VIP(Vacations in Paris).
I've used Parisbestlodge but hes likely full already .
VRBO is wonderful or not, depends on the owner of the apartment you rent, that's the thing with rentals by owner. Suggest you short list and post the ones you are considering, many people have either stayed in them or can see things on an ad that you might miss, it constantly happens, people don't notice some fine print etc.
You can also look at VIP(Vacations in Paris).
I've used Parisbestlodge but hes likely full already .
Mar 21st, 2013, 07:49 AM
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We are looking at these four:
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p970880
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p950526a
http://www.vrbo.com/360900 ====$154.91 niteUS - 5 nite min. no mention of cleaning fee/security depo
http://www.vrbo.com/3015369ha ==== $167.82 ngt.US – 5 night min. $51.64 cleaning fee/damage dep. $258 US
From what I've read both rentals by owner and property manager can be a headache. I would hope we can avoid the headache.
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p970880
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p950526a
http://www.vrbo.com/360900 ====$154.91 niteUS - 5 nite min. no mention of cleaning fee/security depo
http://www.vrbo.com/3015369ha ==== $167.82 ngt.US – 5 night min. $51.64 cleaning fee/damage dep. $258 US
From what I've read both rentals by owner and property manager can be a headache. I would hope we can avoid the headache.
Mar 21st, 2013, 11:05 AM
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Will there be 3 or 4 of you staying there? If it's the latter I'd eliminate the HA 950526 right off the bat as at 25 SM it's just too small. Even if you think it'll be just a place to get horizontal for a few hours. It's a nice looking place with decent amenities but it will get smaller very quickly.
The VRBO 3015369 is listed as being both 30 and 40 SM - hmm. And it seems very sparse with minimal amenities. Notice that there's no photos of a "kitchen" either.
Of the four I think either the VRBO #360900 or the HA 970880 are preferable. Even though there's no photo of the bath or indication of a clothes dryer I tend toward the 360900 simply because it's larger and has a separate bedroom. I note that the owner accepts credit cards but if the gap between payment via CC and actual visit is too long your card protection is zip.
We've found the best way to avoid problems is to establish a dialog with the owner/manager. A few email inquiries asking for details about the place and the terms usually give you a feeling for what you'll run into. Do they respond promptly and answer your questions fully? Also, an inquiry on one of the other travel forums about the place(s) you're considering will be useful. And, finally, what apartment sites have you already searched? There's scads of them out there.
Good luck with your planning - sounds like a fun time!
The VRBO 3015369 is listed as being both 30 and 40 SM - hmm. And it seems very sparse with minimal amenities. Notice that there's no photos of a "kitchen" either.
Of the four I think either the VRBO #360900 or the HA 970880 are preferable. Even though there's no photo of the bath or indication of a clothes dryer I tend toward the 360900 simply because it's larger and has a separate bedroom. I note that the owner accepts credit cards but if the gap between payment via CC and actual visit is too long your card protection is zip.
We've found the best way to avoid problems is to establish a dialog with the owner/manager. A few email inquiries asking for details about the place and the terms usually give you a feeling for what you'll run into. Do they respond promptly and answer your questions fully? Also, an inquiry on one of the other travel forums about the place(s) you're considering will be useful. And, finally, what apartment sites have you already searched? There's scads of them out there.
Good luck with your planning - sounds like a fun time!
