Returned 6/30/06 after a great trip. Thanks to all the Fodorite's for your help. Now I'd like to add a few hints to help others with the same destinations.
British Airways helped us plan the economy trip. Was frustrated when we could not book seats for the ORD to LHR segment before 24 hours in advance of flight. Did arrive early and my daughter and I were bumped up to club class. Not hard to take...slept all the way over. We were assigned a bulkhead on the return without asking!
We were booked into the Bonnington (HOlborn station, British Museum, Coventry Gardens)in London and Duminy Vendome (Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Opera, Tulleries) in Paris. Old, but clean with helpful staff and great locations.
Thanks to Robespierre for the info on the Oyster pass. Very easy to buy, use, and add more pounds. We topped it out on 2 days and rode at no cost for the rest of the day.
Atm's were MUCH more cost effective than the credit card.
Recommend the guided tour at Westminster Abbey. Took us into areas not available to audio tours. 4 pounds.
The TKTS booth was a great help with 1/2 price seats... Mamma Mia and Les Mis.
We had good tours on Evan Evans (Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor) and Cityrama (Versailles). The Versailles tour was on Sunday..very crowded, but all the fountains were on display and music made a great experience.
We were bumped up to first on the Eurostar (someone was really watching over us!)..not worth the extra! Have travelled standard on this train also. In both classes there is NO help with the luggage. Train was delayed and we were too frazzled to take advantage of some of the hints I had noted from other's advise. Just took a taxi from the station and planned from there.
The batobus on the Seine for 2 days was great. At 13 Euro a good value. Took the hop on-hop off bus for the last day. Good for my daughter who had never been to Paris
Museum Pass is not worth the money unless you are going to spend all your time visiting the sights available. We found that it took a lot more time getting around in Paris than we had anticipated.
Thanks again for all the help!

thanks for sharing these tips. I will consider a guided tour of Westminster when we return to London this summer. We did a self-guided visit and I'd love to see more of this fascinating place.

Have you time-travelled? You said you returned June 30 this year.

That aside, seems like someone really was looking out for you! Thanks for the tips, I will be heading the same places in August.

OKAY, so I did a typo....should have been 6/20/06. Chalk it up to residual jet lag!

Do you mean the Verger's tour at Westminster Abbey? That is a great way to see it. But they do book up quickly so best to e-mail the Abbey or get there before opening time so you are at the front of the line and can get to the Vergers' desk before they are full.

Lucky you, getting upgraded -- twice!

Good tips... and sounds like you had a blast.

I love London! It's my favorite city!!!

Cheers - Anne

www.acrossthepondtours.com

OK - annabanana, call me a skeptic. But you have just registered this evening and already recommended this tour company 4 times. hmmm

Could be legit but looks sorta fishy. Just an FYI in case - advertising isn't allowed on the forums . . . . . .

Yes, it was the Verger's tour. It was about 10:30 AM and we just went to the desk where the Audio was situated and saw the sign for the tour. We were the last 2 as it is limited.
Also, wondered about the tickets for Les Mis since we went to the TKTS booth about 2:00 PM on a Friday. Had seats in the stalls.

ttt

Annabanana most likely is the the manager of that company (Anne C.)...does seem as though she's advertising...

but onwards...thanks for the tips..I think we'll definitely get the Oyster pass and glad to know it's so easy! Thanks!
Tara