Despite the luggage problem posted in a previous thread, I had a terrific time.

It was I think my 8th trip to London, and my 3rd time in Paris. I left on thanksgiving night, which was FANTASTIC. I had dinner with the family, headed for the airport at 6 and was on my way. I love flying Virgin..and I had the whole ac to myself! bliss.

Was staying at the Howard (solo on this trip) on Temple Place, which I always recommend to people. It's a bit out of my budget (I try to stay under $200 a night) at around $275 a night, but well worth it. Fantastic location on the Thames and a block from the Strand, so very easy access to theatres.

When I arrived on Friday I just relaxed..picked up a sandwick at Pret a Manger and hung out in my room before heading to the theatre. I saw "Bent" with Alan Cumming, which was excellent. The next day (Saturday) a friend of mine came up from Winchester to visit..we had lunch at Le Caprice, wandered around and shopped (my favorite store--Scribbler, next to Neal's Yard Dairy. Lots of fun greeting cards!), then saw Cabaret at night (our favorite musical--decent production, the lead was very good). Had a quick dinner at Joe Allen, then she crashed at my hotel with me.

Next day I was going to go to Paddington with her to see her off, but was just too exhausted since we were up all night watching DVDs, so I sent her on her way in a taxi. Met up with friend's at Johnson's Winebar (in the lobby of the Strand Palace of all places) before we all headed over to The Drury Lane Theatre to see Petula Clark in concert!

I've mentioned her before, I'm a huuuge Petula Clark fan (and one of her youngest, I just turned 22--my parents paid for most of this trip as a birthday gift) and often travel to see her in concert, but this was my first time seeing her in her home country. If you ever get the chance, GO SEE HER.

Spent some time at the after party, then headed back to my hotel. Had to wake up bright and early because Paris awaited me..

Made it to the Eurostar with no problems, grabbed a cab from Gare du Nord to my hotel with one slight problem--my hotel, Lenox Montparnasse is on Rue DeLambre in the 14th. The driver first took me too Rue de LONDRES..whoopsie. The lady at the hotel said it was a common mistake.

The hotel was very nice, with a cute little balcony. Several nice cafes and brasseries in the area, and free internet access in the lobby. i think I paid $110 a night. Well worth it..very close to two metro stations.

Since I'd been to Paris twice before, I really just went to LIVE and BE, and practice my french (I didn't speak any English at all the whole time--I was very proud of myself!!). Also Christmas shopping! Much more fun in Paris than tackling it here in NYC. The only "sights" I visited were the Cimiterie de Montmartre, which was a bit eerie because I was literally the only person there that morning! I love cemetaries. The most fantastic grave of all here is Dalida--a life size statue of her is at her tomb. Beautiful!

The other sight I checked out was the former home of Serge Gainsbourg, very close to Blvd St. Germain on Rue Vernuil (I may have spelled that wrong). Fans have graffiti'd messages and tributes all over it. It was very cool!

I also saw "Cabaret" in Paris as well, at the Folies Bergere. it was the Sam Mendes production which closed on Bway in 2004. Very well done, and it was a treat to hear my favorite show in French!

Oh--and I DID visit the Eiffel tower. It just looked so pretty I couldn't help it. I'd been up to the top before and didn't bother with that..I just wanted to be near it.

Paris was so empty, very very few tourists, but then again, I wasn't at many tourist sights. But there was almost no line at all at the Eiffel Tower, and this was at around 9pm..

Oh, and when I got back home, I had lost four pounds! I walked so much, and when I travel I really don't eat much, just one meal a day and a snack usually. I wish I could spend a month there!

And now I'm back..and depressed! But, I will be back in the UK next year. Despite having been there eight times, I've seen very little of the country. Petula is doing a tour in April, and I will be seeing a few of the shows so I will get to see more of the country (Manchester, Yorkshire..). I'm really looking forward to it. I'm very, very tempted to go to Paris again as well..


And I keep saying it, but this time I mean it: I am NEVER flying home from Heathrow again. God, it is just pure torture for me, and I generally LOVE airports (yes, I took the train from Paris to London and then on to LHR--this was long and tiring, but I wanted my frequent flier miles from Virgin)

CAN NOT WAIT to go back.

wow, that was SO not "brief", haha..sorry guys!

"Just to live and be"... isn't that a great way to be able to do it?
Loved your report...you had fun.
And I'm sorry about the theft...depressing that that has to happen.

Hi MissZiegfeld

Glad you had a great trip! "Just live and be"-- that's my favorite way to see a city, also.

Johanna

<i>The other sight I checked out was the former home of Serge Gainsbourg, </i>

Incidentally, your hotel was very close to Serge Gainsbourg's grave in the Montparnasse cemetery. The grave is always covered with metro tickets, cabbage and Gitane cigarette stubs.

superheterodyne, when I was on my way back home that thought occurred to me! I went all the way up to Montmartre to see Dalida, but didn't walk a few blocks away from my hotel to see Serge! I'm glad to hear that fans leave tributes--I love to hear things like that!

Well, that's as good a reason as any to return to wonderful Paris!

<i>The driver first took me too Rue de LONDRES..whoopsie. The lady at the hotel said it was a common mistake.</i>

Yes - one that the same cab drivers no doubt make over and over.

Miss Zeigfeld, I noticed you stayed at the Howard. I guess that's the Swissotel, right? It must be fate that I checked your trip report right before I was about to post a new message about the Howard. Maybe you can help me out. I got a fantastic deal due to a glitch in the Howard's website. Staying there for 45GBP/night, plus VAT, no breakfast included. I know it's a lot less than their normal prices. But then I was reading on tripadvisor.com and lots of people are saying that there is no water pressure in their showers, to the point of it being barely a drip! So, needless to say, I am having second thoughts. I have another hotel offer (St. Margaret's) which I am debating taking, but it's a little homey-type place (probably not as nice, no ensuite bathroom), and is more expensive (67 GBP/night, brkfst included, VAT included). What would you say??

Hi SaraAllison, I'm surprised about the comments about water pressure--it was my second time staying there and I didn't have a water pressure problem either time--quite the opposite in fact, their showers are great! I'm wondering if the people actually knew how to operate the shower correctly--it's a bit different than here in the states. you control the water pressure yourself, as weak or strong as you want it. I'd ask the bellboy or something to show you how to use it if you aren't sure..

Love staying there, the staff really bends over backwards for you..and that is a GREAT rate. is that glitch still there?? i'm going to check and I'll book a few nights in April! lol

ttt

Thanks Miss Z, for getting back to me so fast. We will definitely hold on to our reservation and good price at the Howard. That glitch seemed to disappear a couple days after I found it (in October, I think it was). Another thing people at tripadvisor have complained of is the handling of the bill (lots of mistakes, apparently); but you obviously didn't have any such problems with them. I was feeling nervous that they might not carry thru with the 45 GBP rate, but I wrote and got extra confirmation of it, so I think we'll be alright! Thanks for posting!

Sorry, one last thing. We are not smokers and would be bothered by the smell in a smoking room. I requested nonsmoking, but I have no idea if I'll get it. I have a feeling I may be low priority, considering my &quot;glitch rate.&quot; Any thoughts? If I knew now that I would be put in smoking, it would be enough for me to cancel the room and stay elsewhere, even a B&amp;B for more $$.
We will be there Jan. 1-5, and don't want to have to cancel and track down a new hotel once we arrive (doubt anyplace would be open).

Sounds like a great time. Thanks!

I'm a smoker so I had a smoking room which I had requested--BUT, a friend of mine who didn't smoke was spending the night with me on Saturday, so I didn't smoke in the room until after she had gone on Sunday. She hates cigarette smoke and I had asked her about it at the time if she noticed anything, she said not at all.

I've stayed in some hotels where the smoking rooms were GROSS, and for this reason I usually get a non-smoking room and just go outside to smoke. The Howard is one that fumigates its rooms well, luckily.

I would call them a few days prior and confirm the non-smoking room, tell them you are allergic or something. In my experience, it's more common for smokers to get non-smoking rooms than for non-smokers to get smoking rooms.

have a great trip to london!

I too love Petula Clark, but alas I am not one of her younger fans. (My son is your age.) I remember as a child seeing her on the Red Skelton show.

I like your &quot;live and be&quot; trip report.