Just Back...
 

Just returned from a wonderful trip to London and Paris.<BR><BR>Paris- the musee pass is well worth the money! Go to the museums early. Have lunch at the Jules Verne on the second level of the Eiffel Tower ($50 but WELL worth it). Do have hot chocolate at Angelina on Rue Royal. Walk everywhere. There's a little restaurant on the Ile de la Cite (latin quarter side) by the Pont Neuf "Dany's" that we ate at 4 nights out of 8 - the food was wonderful! Saw three chateau - Versailles (the carriage ride through the gardens was wonderful), Fontainebleau, and Vaux le Vicomte (by candlelight). Rented a car - there are no lanes in Paris and it's everyone for themselves - what an experience. Drove to Colleville Sur Mare - very emotional. Giverny - the smell was other-worldly.<BR><BR>London: Must eat at Goya - Spanish restaurant across from the Victoria Coach Station. Fish & Chips on same street (opposite side) toward Ebury Road. Tower was everything I thought and more. Many, many walks. Tea at Fortnum & Mason, the Ritz, and Savoy. Shopping at Harrods. Changing of the Guard. Three plays - Kiss Me Kate, Mousetrap, and Phantom (all wonderful). Pubs with jacket potatoes for a break.<BR><BR>Any questions?

Yes, Violet, I have a question. Why weren't you more specific in your title????<BR><BR>Mr. Question

Violet: has Goya moved? It was on Lupus street just down the way from Pimlico tube station. I love it too - a great place for tapas late night after the theatre.

Good gracious, Mr. Question. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the question mark this morning?

Welcome back Violet-<BR>You drove in Paris? I'm impressed, I thought the Rome drivers were insane, but in Paris it was beyond crazy--our shuttle van got into an accident the morning I arrived in Paris (no one injured).<BR><BR>Did you purchase your tix to the plays in advance (at home) or did you purchase in London? I'm heading to London (with mother) in October and plan to catch a show or two. Thx

janis - don't know where it used to be but it's just off Buckingham Palace Road on the street that is Elizabeth Bridge one direction and ??? the other. Wonderful tapas. Must be the same place.<BR><BR>annette - believe me...it was crazy. my sister was hanging on for dear life - she was scarier than the traffic. we purchased our tix on-line. probably should have got them at Leichester Square. live and learn.

<BR> I am always more intrigued by brief or vague post titles. I reckon Mr. Question must be too, or he wouldn't have read Violet's post. I applaud your element of mystery, Violet.

Maybe a Londoner can clear up the Goya mystery . . . .<BR><BR>I was there just last October. It was where it has always been - on Lupus Street just down from Belgrave Rd. Is there perhaps a 2nd location nearer to Victoria?<BR><BR>

Londoner to the rescue! :)<BR><BR>There seems to be two restaurants. One on Lupus Street and one on Eccleston Place, close to Victoria Coach station. <BR><BR>Here's the website:<BR>http://www.goyarestaurants.co.uk/<BR><BR>Hope that helps!<BR><BR>Karen

Thank you Karen! I usually stay in Pimlico and the Lupus st Goya has become something of my late night hangout and I am glad to know it is still there. Didn't know about the one in Eccleston place. I am sure I must have walked past it once or twice but have never noticed it.<BR><BR>The one on Lupus has a tapa bar on the ground floor with outdoor seating when it is warm (and not so warm) and a pricier restaurant on the lower ground. The tapa bar serves very late so it is a great place to eat close to "home" after the theatre.<BR><BR>I'll have to look up the other branch next time in London.

Also, your hotel concierge can get you theater tickets. Harrod's has a ticket office too.

While we're on the subject of tapas, has anyone eaten at the tapas bar in Harrods.. I was very tempted but it was a bit on the pricey side for me that day.

We had tapas for lunch at a little place in a basement in The City after we'd been to the Tower of London. I'll have to find the receipt, but it was quite delightful.