Help with Paris/Europe Travel Plans
 

I'm becoming overwhelmed here. I bought round trip tickets for my girlfriend for Christmas and I'm trying to nail down an itinerary to book early enough to get better rates. My travel dates and working itinerary are below. I've been reading tons of information and other posts but I'm in a stand still. Hoping to get more direct advice.

Travel 5/1 - 5/14 In and out of London (I know open-jaw was recommended here, but the rates didn't agree in this case, I needed to use United for benefit reasons, i.e. upgraded business class seats)

Arrive Day 2, immediately get on flight to Paris (cheaper and faster than Eurostar and it is only about a 3 hour layover)
Day 2 - 5 - Paris - Thalys to Amsterdam
Day 5 - 7 - Amsterdam - Night Train to Munich on 7th
Day 8 - 10 - Munich - Fly to London
Day 10 - 14 - London/Cambridge

How does that look? We originally tried to include Rome or Athens in this but decided we didn't want to travel more, nor wanted the spend the money on it and save it for another time as they are big cities that deserve more than a day.

Most importantly, and reason for posting, is I need to find the perfect hotel in Paris. I'm willing to splurge on the Paris hotel but the rest I'm going to try and keep around $200 a night. However, I'm looking for the best hotel in a prime location and I wouldn't mind a view. My budget is pretty flexible, but lets say it must be under $1500 total for 3 nights, but I'd like to keep it under, say, $1200. I was thinking maybe Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel with a Tower view (how good of one is unknown to me, anyone?). It will run somewhere around $1275 for the stay. But, are their better options around Champs-Elysees?

The thing is I'm planning on proposing to my girlfriend on this trip. My original plan was to stay at somewhere with an amazing private terrace with an amazing Eiffel Tower view and pop the question in private there over wine and relaxation and the night lights of the tower... But the only hotels, i.e. Shangri-La, that can offer such things are over $1k a night and it's just not something I'm prepared to spend after dumping a few grand on flight, an engagement ring, and the rest of the trip to budget for... So I'll figure something out on on that front later.

So I'm looking for advice on a hotel in Paris that is upscale, but not ridiculous, in a prime location for walking, and opinions from people who have stayed at these places recently and can speak from experience rather all of the information I'm finding on travel sites.

I'm thinking about utilizing Airbnb for Amsterdam and maybe London, location is the idea here, and we don't really care about luxury as long as it is clean, and I don't have to sleep on a twin bed (deal-breaker). I like to experience culture, but I don't want to slum it by American standards. Hotels in Munich seem pretty reasonable. I travel TONS in the US for work and have had great results from Priceline Express deals. Has anyone used this for European destinations with any luck good or bad? I'm not really a fan from European hotels I see online. Different culture I guess, but some look very tired and small.

If you have suggestions for hotels in the other destinations let me know. Please include the reasons you suggested it, and any issues you might feel the need to point out.

I plan on booking the travel listed within the next day as all the travel while there is running around $1250 USD total for both of us and I think that is pretty cheap. That includes most expensive option for night train (private room with bed and with shower) and good flight times on AirFrance. If you have suggestions please let me know.

I haven't made it through your whole posts yet -- but just to begin . . .

>><i>Arrive Day 2, immediately get on flight to Paris (cheaper and faster than Eurostar and it is only about a 3 hour layover)
Day 2 - 5 - Paris - Thalys to Amsterdam
Day 5 - 7 - Amsterdam - Night Train to Munich on 7th
Day 8 - 10 - Munich - Fly to London
Day 10 - 14 - London/Cambridge</i><<

What you really have is day 2 - 4 in Paris. And day 2 will only be a few jet lagged hours. So essentially 2 days for Paris

Days 5-7 in Amsterdam . . . which is 2+ a skosh days in A'dam.

Days 8-9 in Munich = 2 days in Munich

Days 10-13 for London and Cambridge which nets you 3.5 days max and probably less.

Fly home on day 14.

IMO not NEARLY enough time in London or Paris.

I plan on booking the travel listed within the next day as all the travel while there is running around $1250 USD total for both of us and I think that is pretty cheap. That includes most expensive option for night train (private room with bed and with shower) and good flight times on AirFrance. If you have suggestions please let me know.>

seems like you got a great fix on it - you are booking thru www.eruostar.com and www.thalys.com I expect as these have the cheapest rates and www.bahn.de/en for the CNL train discounts? Just to check. And for general info on those trains check out these IMO superb sites: www.seat61.com - goo dinfo on discounted tickets; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. There is no railpass that would be on use to you and your plans.

Too much in too little time. I would suggest instead of focusing on finding the perfect hotel, you refine your itinerary. You're not accounting for packing up, travel time, and unpacking time anywhere. I wouldn't want to be hauled around like this on a trip where I was being proposed to. I realize you have the best of intentions, but your logistics need some serious work.

You really have enough time for a nice visit to Paris and the proposal, a couple of days in Amsterdam, and 5 or 6 days in London w/ a day trip to Cambridge.

(A night train isn't romantic BTW - you'd likely arrive in Munich exhausted and grumpy)

Congratulations! Sounds like a great trip and Paris is perfect for a wedding proposal. I would agree with the above suggestions that you drop one city from your itinerary. Logically, that would be Munich, because the others are in closer proximity to each other.

All those cities can be great for a romantic trip, if you have the time to explore and get to know them a bit. With two weeks, three major cities and Cambridge is just right, and you could always do a quick overnight to Normandy or the Loire Valley from Paris if you want a taste of the French countryside, which I would recommend.

Have a wonderful time, whatever you decide.

Wow! What a trip! I would suggest you wait until the last night to propose. You may find out some dealbreakers when dragging your GF around on a trip like this....

Seriously, please follow everyone's advice and cut out one location. Munich does seem to be the outlier (although I am a huge fan of Munich). And I agree with janisj, a night train is not all that romantic and you may get up tired and grumpy the next day. In addition, you will be in Munich during the Spring Beer festival (think mini-Oktoberfest) Apr 25 thru May 11 and hotel rooms will be jacked up during this time. Or you could cut out Amsterdam instead of Munich if you are really set on the night train and have already booked the trip back to London from Munich.

Spend more time in Paris- take all of the days you cut out from Munich or Amsterdam. Take a day trip to Versailles. And a suggestion for the proposal location. There are several restaurants IN the Eiffel Tower. Choose one of those, make reservations, and propose there in the evening. You will have all of Paris to look at and remember instead of just one view of the Eiffel Tower. Incidentally, I would not stay in the area around the Champs-Elysees. I have stayed there several times but I enjoyed my vacations more after I branched out into the Latin Quarter, 5th or 6th Arr. The public transportation is so good in Paris that hotel location isn't a real issue.

As far as hotels go, you can stay at some pretty good hotels for the budget you have. Also, do you have any hotel points you could use in one or more of these cities? I have had pretty good luck with Booking.com- just be aware they are in the Priceline family. And I have used Priceline - I once got a Marriott for under $100 per night DURING the Oktoberfest in Munich maaaaany years ago. Sad to say no such luck nowadays....

At any rate, have a wonderful tri[p!!!

((B))

Hotel Eiffel Trocadero is across the river and up a hill from the Eiffel Tower. It's one of the few hotels that has an unobstructed view of The tower. I've been at Trocadero Square at sundown when the strobe lights start up, and the sight is incredible. It's priced around 250 Euros.

See: http://www.hoteleiffeltrocadero.com

Most of the hotels in the area are down side streets, and you cannot fully see The Tower from them.

Congratulations on your finding a life partner.

When you add the time (and cost) to get into Paris from the airport to that three hour layover, flying from London to Paris may not be better than Eurostar. The train would be more comfortable and relaxing. Double check that plan to be sure.

Agree with others to drop something. Travel less - see more. Of course, you know your GF, or should. Is she the type to race all over or does she enjoy walks and romance?

You are counting several days twice, giving the same day to two different locations. That does not work. Times are quite rushed.

Realistically:
Day 1, Overnight flight to London
Day 2, arrive London, fly (with 3 hour layover) or train to Paris, transfer to hotel. You will be exhausted and jet-lagged. Don't plan on major sightseeing this afternoon. This is a travel day, not a sightseeing day.
Day 3, Paris
Day 4, Paris
Day 5, Paris (do a day trip to Versailles)
Day 6, Travel to Amsterdam, 1/2 day from hotel check out to hotel check in, so 1/2 day in Amsterdam
Day 7, Amsterdam
Day 8, Amsterdam
Day 9, travel to London, minimum of 1/2 day for travel
Day 10, London
Day 11, Day trip to Cambridge
Day 12, London

This leaves only one day over. Add it to Paris or London, perhaps another day trip from one or the other, or add the time to some small town in Belgium or the Netherlands.

The other option would be skip Amsterdam, but include Munich.

Day 14, fly home.

With the time available and the fact that tickets are bought, I'd stick with just London and Paris with maybe a day trip thrown in. Good plan to get straight to Paris so you have less travel to get to your return flight. Take the Eurostar back to London.

It's not the Shangri-la but the Pullman Eiffel Tower has both the closest view of the ET and balconies as well. The balcony rooms are nice by all accounts. We've stayed there and the non view room we had was fine. I can tell you though that the views from the front rooms are spectacular as I've also stayed at the Mercure next door in a room with a view. You can almost reach out and touch the tower.

Play a day trip while in Paris by ear--IF you feel you want to leave for a whole day and give up other things to do and see.
I agree with paring down the destinations. You won't be sorry--and you will come back!!
DS proposed to his wife at the top of the Eiffel Tower on our family trip. The idea of a hotel with that view is super!!
And don't forget to buy a significant souvenir of Paris to remind you of the day!!
We celebrated our 20th anniversary in Paris with our then teenage kids and let them help us choose a set of china at Villeroy and Bosch (20=china anniversary).

(A night train isn't romantic BTW - you'd likely arrive in Munich exhausted and grumpy)>

isn't romantic to some perhaps many but to others it can be - I've taken zillions of night trains all over Europe and rarely have I arrived exhausted or grumpy but fresh and ready to go - it depends obviously on how well you sleep and the type of accommodations you book.

But I would not rule out the efficacy of such a train because of some folks personal animosity against overnight trains which is perhaps in some cases based on very little experience with them but rather repeating what is a Fodor's mantra - again often I suspect by folks who rarely take them and then make such a sweeping statement that IME of zillions of trains has not been true of me or the other passengers in the compartments to the large part. So it is a person thing and how well you sleep but with a hubby or wife or gal and guy friend in a private duble with some vino (bring anything you want onboard) it can indeed be romantic.

Indeed one of my friend claims his first kid was conceived on the Paris to Venice night train!

But PQ -- the OP is a young man in love and about to propose . . . you on the other hand are an old fart ;)

(Your friend is probably blowing smoke)

Wow. Great replies. I'm impressed with the quality advice but I think I may have left a few details that may explain the extra destinations. You should be impressed I can write this much on a phone.

My girlfriend spent a semester in London and during that semester spent some time in Paris and a few Italian destinations. So when we talked about the trip Amsterdam and a German city (she speaks a little German from college) were the first two suggestions as she hasn't been there. I'm not to worried about myself as I will be back. So we may be able to get away with 2 days in London and Paris as I would like to see a few sights but not worried about getting it all right now.

Also, my family has hosted exchange students for many years and I want to visit a few that were my brothers years ago as I have never been to Europe and they always come here. A good friend of mine attends Cambridge on his, like, 5th PHD. He has promised me some exclusive student access to a talk or some restricted spots he says would be beautiful for a proposal, but my girlfriend has been there too.

Another student is going to meet us in Amsterdam or Munich out of Frankfort and another one in Munich out of Austria.

GREAT to know something will be going on in Munich while we are there. That is a great plus.

I do worry about travel wearing us out. That's why I am splurging on every effort for comfort including lay flat beds on the flight over and a private bed cabin on the night train. Hopefully this will help? I still think we will be tired so I agree first 2 days will just be travel. And I didn't intend in implying counting travel days as full days, just noting when we will be where.

I like to hear that about the Pullman Hotel as it fits pretty good. I might go with that unless someone recommends against it. My budget will allow a upgraded deluxe room with a view, just short of a suite if I book soon.

Thank you for the feedback on Priceline as well. I have about 25k points left over from when I lived in a Crown Plaza for 4 months but that isn't going to be of much use.

Thanks again people. Keep it coming.

I'd like to hear if anyone keeps with their strong recommendation of cutting a city with the new info. Or is it make degraded to a mild recommendation.

Also, my girlfriend is probably expecting it to some degree as it has been a long time coming. I know she has asked some friends if they think I will propose. I just hope she isn't motivated enough to find this post. Ha.

I was thinking maybe doing it at the United Club at IAH when leaving or possibly waiting until the end or on the way home to throw her off, but that might disappoint her as well. Putting my own desire to torture her over the punctuality.

Our family has for years made little trip packs, or goody bags with magazines, new paperback books, candy, gum, small games, little wrapped gifts & toys for the kids when they were little, etc. You could make a little goody bag for her with favorite candy, a new paperback set in Paris or London, etc. perhaps a little bride's planning guide, plus the latest copy of Bride's Magazine. Give it to her after your plane takes off, and after she looks through the bag, follow with the ring. Just a thought, but only if you think it is something she would like. Secretly, after you board, give the flight attendant two lovely glasses and ask them to bring Champagne when she/he sees you give your GF the ring.

Make yourself a trip pack too - just for fun and as a reward for being a thoughtful guy.

But PQ -- the OP is a young man in love and about to propose . . . you on the other hand are an old fart>

Well yes about moi! But what a novel thing - book a private compartment on a night train and pop the question then a bottle of Champagne - they will probably arrive exhausted like you say from a lack of sleep but for a good reason!

Point is you cannot simply make a blanket statement about night trains -like you did IMO (A night train isn't romantic BTW - you'd likely arrive in Munich exhausted and grumpy) - that sound 100% guaranteed to end up like that as many folks I know simply have way different experiences. You shuld not extrapolate your night train experience - which I assume is limited in practice - to everyone - I have no problem saying those who are light sleepers may - and AI often do but to throw the baby out with the bathwater...

well, congrats - and thanks for starting a thread which is a little out of the ordinary.

as a seasoned traveller you'll know how tiring it can be, you don't need us to tell you that. And I like the mix of places - not just sticking to the tried and tested London-Paris-Amsterdam combo.

I can't really say much else except that by the time you get to Paris, your poor girlfriend is going to be on tenterhooks - will he? won't he? - that unless you get that proposal over soon, the moment may lose something. So don't leave her in suspense for too long.

hope you have a great trip!

As cute as proposing on the plane is, a view of the Eiffel Tower is unforgettable. DS and DDIL "collect" Eiffel Towers now. Just another thought. No matter where it will become a part of family lore!!

Best to leave out Munich, as much as it is a favorite of mine!

I'd switch out Munich for Belgium. One my favorite trips were London-Paris-Belgium (Brussels+Bruges)-Amsterdam, all super easy by high speed train. Belgium has the best beer, chocolate, fries, and waffles anywhere! Truly underrated.

OK - you have explained all the jumping around and it makes a lot of sense (sort of ;) )

But maybe consider if you want to drag her around all over heck and gone on <i>this</i> particular trip? Maybe it would be better to simplify/slow down and soak up/enjoy the surroundings and the romance and leave visiting all old friends/haunts etc another trip? The Cambridge visit does fit nicely - but the others not so much.

If you decide to leave things as is -- you will have a great time I'm sure. But you will be running a LOT and packing/moving/checking in/checking out a LOT.

First of all thanks again for this awesome source of information. It has really helped a lot. Wish I would have posted sooner.

I hinted to my GF about taking of Amsterdam or Munich and she didn't seem too thrilled about it so I'm going to leave it as is. Paris (she's been) > Amsterdam > Munich > London

I agree, I really want to see Belgium as well. I have a college friend there too. But of course there are a lot of cities that I will have to wait on for my next trip. I wanted to see Ireland on this trip too, but that will also have to wait.

I ended up taking the advice from one of these replies and going with the Hotel Eiffel Trocadero (THANKS BAMAMAN! And Roll Tide!) over the Pullman Eiffel Tour Hotel. The Pullman was a little cheaper, but I was a little concerned about the serous renovation they are currently in as some of the recent reviews have said they don't even have the lobby or restaurant available, much less any of the top floor rooms. I called them and they assured me it would be done in April, but as a project manager I know how that goes. I've read nothing but good things about the Trocadero except that the rooms were small, but I booked the Eiffel View Suite which is the same size as the room I could afford at the Pullman. It was also closer to Champ Elysees. And my GF had mentioned liking smaller boutique hotels over chains. Hopefully this was the better choice, but it is done now. I was able to find it on a discount to get into the highest end of my budget. (1200 Euros, I threw in an extra 100 bucks)

I then made a quick choice for Amsterdam and went with Boutique Hotel View because it was in a good enough location, good reviews, with a view of a canal, small 16 room hotel, and very cheap. 248 Euros total.

So I am going to find something for Munich and London next. Going to try for something in Mayfair - Soho (Priceline box so AREA with a big AREA) for London. Is this preferable? I'm probably going to mess around with some Priceline bidding on this so I can recoup my big spending in Paris. I'm probably going to book this for the entire stay and go to Cambridge for a night, or as wanted, with just my backpack instead of everything. (Which we are planning on just 1 checked bag for both of us BTW)

Anyhow, as for the proposal... I have to find a way for it to be a surprise. She's been hinting at getting married for so long she expects it. We took a small trip to Ft. Lauderdale last summer and she was thinking it might happen then. (According to her friends) I still like utilizing the Eiffel Tower it as it will be a reminder of how sweet I am every time she see's it. We just got back from seeing Monuments Men at the theater and she was all "We are going there!" in the theater. I'm not usually the sappy type, and I don't like the idea of doing it the same way 1 in 10 people in the world have done it. So I'm a little doubtful. I may just carry it with me and do it when something feels right... and if it doesn't... on the way home. I'm planning on dinner on the Eiffel Tower one night. Is this actually good or just a pain?

THANKS AGAIN! Let me know if anyone has suggestions on Munich or London hotels, or suggestions about MUST SEE (TOP PRIORITY) things I can fit in this high-travel-low-time trip, or suggestions on the proposal, or comments about the hotels and travel I've chosen.

Well, I warned you about jacked up rates in Munich during your dates. I just checked Booking .com and Marriott and it looks like they have doubled their rates. (Compare 3 nights starting 5/5/2014 vs 5/19/2014). So now you are $300-$500 per night for a decent hotel.

You could stay in a smaller town around Munich and catch the train for a day trip or two into Munich- There are several nice hotels in Garmisch that I have stayed in which have a few rooms left at reasonable prices- Garmischer Hof is close to the main drag and the casino. And is only 5-6 blocks from the train station, while the 4 Seasons is very close to the train station. Garmisch is a nice town to relax and unwind for a couple of days - but does have some worthwhile sightseeing like the Zugspitz, hightest mountain in Germany.

And having a dinner in the Eiffel tower is a little work (make reservations from your hotel) but it will be worth the effort.

I hope you and your BTB enjoy your trip!!!

((B))

Please don't wait until the trip home to propose!! It will be SO wonderful to travel around with that ring on her hand to reinforce the whole trip. Our son didn't tell us when or where he was going to propose (if you recall we were all on a trip together) and it was mid-week. We met for breakfast at our usual café and she had her hand extended the whole time!!
Just a thought. I am cyberly excited for you!!

But if one proposes on a trip and the other party says not right now - that would put a damper on the rest of the trip - be sure the answer will be yes.

And in this day and age why can't females propose as well?

We saw a guy proposing on one of the dinner cruises on the Seine . . She seemed to be over the moon!

I proposed to LB in the middle of the Tower Bridge in London . . looking towards Parlament

But if one proposes on a trip and the other party says not right now - that would put a damper on the rest of the trip - be sure the answer will be yes.>>

there doesn't seem to be much doubt about that, Pal.

and yes of course she COULD propose, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen, does it?

like I said - an old fart :)

Talk about a buzz kill . . .

Do the deed in Paris. BTW - I probably wouldn't dine at Jules Verne. Either at a grand restaurant w/ lovely atmosphere, or perhaps at Ciel de Paris -- since the view is OF the Eiffel Tower, not FROM the Eiffel Tower.

http://www.cieldeparis.com

wow, looks like a beautiful place, jj, and of course you get the view of the tour eiffel not the view from it.

I know that lunch is probably not what the OP is after, but so far as I'm concerned that dejeuner gourmand is a steal at €30 for 2 courses or €39 for 3.

I went with the Hotel Krone in Munich. $380 USD total (two nights) for the stay and is right next to the grounds for Springfest. Hotel might not be great, but I think this will do just fine. Check it off the list. Pretty good reviews for the price point.

We plan on doing a 4 hour bike tour and possibly going to see a concentration camp while there (depending on time), and the rest of the time will be Springfest. Excited.

Probably going to Priceline bid in the Mayfair Soho for London and then I'll have a hotel for the entire trip.

Proposal: Funny comments. No, there is no chance she says no, but I wish there was (to make me sweat). She has threatened to propose, but I'm old school I guess and told her I'd leave her if she did, and didn't have a big diamond to give me. ;)

Thank you very much for the restaurant suggestion. That may be a better deal. I'm afraid the actual Tower might be a painful tourist waiting in line ordeal.

I kind of wish I would have added a day to Munich now, knowing about Springfest. But... I guess I will return anyway. It is definitely a big plus as I was originally worried Munich would be a lower point in the trip.

ON TO LONDON RESEARCH!

If you dine at Jules Verne there is a separate elevator to the restaurant.....waiting is not an issue. You can book on line if you decide to do that. We had lunch there last year and it was an excellent, but costly, meal! But it is certainly something you don't do every day and could provide quite a memory for you both!

London is turning out to be a problem. Very expensive. Seen a lot of questionable hotels. Seems like star level means absolutely nothing here. There was a 5 star hotel that looks to be a scam on Priceline so bidding is out of the question.

There is a 4 star hotel, in Westminster, with an 8 or better rating from users, for 150 USD on express deals and I think I might go with that. There is also a 5 star with a 9 or better rating in Soho-Mayfair for 212 USD. But I'm feeling cheap as I doubt either is exactly stellar.

Go to Londontown.com and search . . . I use Priceline occasionally in London but would not for this trip.

BTW - star level doesn't mean much anywhere in Europe. The stars simply tell you the sorts of amenities (off a specific list) - not the quality. But stars are more descriptive in London than in say, Paris.

Do NOT use Priceline for the Westminster zone!!!!! It used to be my go-to zone. But several years they re-drew the borders and it now includes the area around Vauxhall. I can almost guarantee that '4*' is the Park Plaza Riverbank and it is not in a convenient area.

Meant to add -- I'd probably be happier in the Soho '5*' because the zone doesn't have any bad areas.

$150 is low even for priceline for a '4star' in London.

Soho no bad areas - well it you do not consider the rows of porn shops bad...

Do not go to a concentration camp. I really, really understand why everyone should go but she could spend the next two days crying like I did. NOt on this trip...on your next one. The Memorial to the Deported behind Notre Dame in Paris is extraordinary. But maybe too sad as well.

PQ: No there are no bad areas in Soho -- especially if one is talking about bidding for a PL 4 or 5 star hotel in Mayfair/Soho . . . .