janisj

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.

Wyered1

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.

Travelforbeer

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!!!

Gretchen

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!!

PalenQ

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?

Rich

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

Rich

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

annhig

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?

janisj

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

annhig

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.

Wyered1

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!

Judy

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!

Wyered1

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.

janisj

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.

janisj

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.

PalenQ

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

Elainee

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.

janisj

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 . . . .