Susan

Vadim since you seem dead set on your plan despite what anyone advises I thought I would let you know that last Saturday it cost me less than11 Euros to take a taxi from Gare du Nord to the San Germain area. It therefore might be wothwhile to take a taxi to your hotel.

XXX

Well folks I guess Vadim has made up his mind, he does not value any comfort on a trip from what he says (I hope his wife agrees, don't think mine would). Let's all just let this poor guy go about his business and waste his money on a trip they probably won't even remember afterward. With his schedule I'd not bother with a hotel - just keep going for 4 days straight, apparently he thinks rest and sleep are a waste of valuable sightseeing time. Heck, if you don't sleep or bathe for a few days the world won't come to an end (but I don't want to sit next to them coming home <BR>

janis

How many of you want to bet Vadim has not shown this thread to his wife? Safe bet if you ask me. <BR><BR>Vadim - I don't know you and don't have any ulterior motive here - PLEASE listen to everyone! Sightseeing after landin in Paris or London is one thing. Afterall you could always go back to your hotel to freshen up. But you have it worked out so you will not be able to shower or freshen up until after a day of sightseeing, a train trip, a midnight taxi ride (or metro ride if it is still running when you get there) and hopefully a hotel room waiting for you.<BR><BR>That last is a serious concern - Paris hotels do overbook. And arriving that late you stand a moderate chance of your room being unavailable and you end up sleeping in a chair in the lobby. <BR><BR>The reason no one has given you suggestions for places to stay in Paris is because we REALLY want you to reconsider. <BR><BR>Print out this whole thread and show it to your wife - let her decide . . . . .

xxx

Janis, I think you've got it right! He is arriving on July 4th and doesn't even have a hotel room booked in Paris. Everything is up in the air. What if there is a strike or delay of some sort? Maybe he is just kidding and there is no trip planned.

Elizabeth

Vadim; Enjoy your trip. Im sure you will have a lovely time!

heyho

Vadim try out a trip on the London Eye while you're in London. <BR><BR>Its a short distance from Waterloo station, the trip takes about half an hour, you get to see a large number of London sights, and its actually quite restful.<BR><BR>PS I'd take a cab in Paris, unless you know the paris metro like the back of your hand.

Vadim

What is "London Eye"?<BR><BR>Of course, my wife did not see this thread. I said earlier that it is a present. She will only find out the destination in the airport. But I know my wife and know what she like

Vadim

BTW, the only reason I want to book a hotel is because we will be arriving in Paris at night. Usually we just arrive to the city and either go to a tourist center or, if we are in a car just search for hotel we like.

Oh

Oh my God -- this guy must be an absolute to travel with (or to have make your arrangements). He doesn't normally book hotels ahead of time and he assumes he wife will be delighted with this crazy schedule he has planned. Frankly I hope she bops him over the head and turns tail and runs. This plan isn't even romantic, it's nuts. As some one said earlier, non-stop traveling, sightseeing - no showering/clean clothes ... things could get a little ripe! There is comfort and there is stupidity, this one ranks in the stupidity column.

Oh

I meant absolute horror to travel with - but I suppose you all got the drift anyway.

janis

I originally thought Vadim was just clueless but with his heart in the right place. Wanting to treat his wife etc . . .<BR><BR>But he is being so stubborn in the face of a lot of very good advice - perhaps he is a TROLL.<BR><BR>Vadim: if you are for real - please show this to you wife. A surprise is all well and good, but most women want to dress a certain way in Paris and London and be prepared with all the necessities. You will need to tell her a lot to just make sure she has the right clothing, toiletries, etc. So surprise her - but NOT at the airport as you set out on this impossible trek. <BR><BR>Don't play "gotcha" with your wife's feelings. Haven't you noticed that most of those giving you advice are women? We know what we are talking about!

Go Vadim

When did Fodors start recruiting for the "Vacation Police"?!<BR><BR>GIVE THE GUY A BREAK!!! He didn't ask you to comment on his plans, he didn't ask you to berate his choices, you have NO CLUE who he is, what he's like, what his wife's like, etc. <BR><BR>You are judging him based on what YOU'RE like, so you've written your responses in the usual pontificating, oratory manner that we're all used to reading on this forum (even the post about "what time is it in Paris" got SIX FREAKIN' REPSONSES!!!). <BR><BR>Could people PLEASE answer the questions and STOP pressuring people to take the same kind of vacations they do? It's like watching 3rd grade all over again -- bullies on the playground. It's not your job to bully someone into taking a vacation that they do not want! YOU DO KNOW KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR VADIM (or any one else).<BR><BR>And thanks to the posters who DID answer the questions.

Vadim

"go", thanks for your support.<BR>For the others I explain again: the only difference between staying in London and going to Paris is 3 hrs train ride during which we would eat and, may be sleep. I don't see a problem with putting fresh clothes on in the plane before arriving and I don't understand why after taking shower before flight you must take it again right after it. And after 8 years of marriage I think I can definitely pack my wife's clothes for 4 days trip. If your husbands cannot do that I don't even know what to say about them.<BR>I don't see any non-stop traveling in my plans whatsoever. <BR><BR>Please, just answer my questions.<BR>

Millie

Folks, this character must be a troll. No one could be this dense, it has to be someone trying to get us all riled up over his crazy plans. If (and it's a big IF and a big stretch of my imagination) he is not a troll he should just pack his wife's clothes and go off on this crazy trip. It's nice that he needs no sleep, no shower, no nothing, which all leads me to say "troll".

go Vadim!

I would love a surprise weekend where I didn't even have to pack!!! I'm sure that if your wife is as relaxed about travelling as you are, you will have a great time. After all they have shops in Paris, I believe, where she can pick up anything you've left out. Your schedule would tire me out, but what a great idea. Let us know how it went, please!

Vadim

What do you mean by a "troll"? I do not know what it means other than a mythological big creature.<BR><BR>I will definitely write here how it goes.

Leah

I have a friend whose husband surprised her with a weekend getaway to Paris for their 20th anniversay. The flew from Houston and had a total of 3 nights in Paris. I thought it sounded like a long way to go for a short trip. She thought it was the most romantic and wonderful thing her husband ever did for her and she had a wonderful time.

barb

I concur - one city ...otherwise you risk jet lag and or possible weather delays which could ruin your trip. While everyone says Paris - and I agree both cities are truly amazing. Remember both will be hot, expensive and have tons of tourists milling about. What are your hotel price ranges? Some of the cheaper priced rooms will be cramped by US standards.

tom

Leah: Yes a romantic three day weekend in ONE city would be fine. But DID YOU READ what his plans are? Overnight flight, arriving in the morning, sightseeing all day, train, getting to Paris in the middle of the night and NO SLEEP for approximately THIRTY-FIVE+ HOURS. That is not romantic.<BR><BR>If I pulled this schedule on my girlfriend I would be looking for a new one (and not by my choice)<BR><BR>VADIM, Brother, Take her to one or the other city. She will love you for it. However, if you make her stay up for the best part of 2 days before she can rest or shower YOU WILL PAY (and I don't mean $$$)

XXX

Listen to the people, Vadim. The last poster was right on (so were all the others for that matter). Take her to one city, let the girl get a little rest and let her enjoy where she is. This whirlwind trip may sound good to you, but no one else. I cannot believe she'd be happy going to Paris or London with whatever clothes you packed for her as well. Most women put a lot of thought into their wardrobe (read this Forum if you are not convinced, half the questions are "what should I wear in Paris", "what should I take", etc. Women care what they wear and how they look. No one looks good after a 8 hr flight, a full day of sightseeing, jet lag tossed in, a train ride, then a taxi to a hotel that may (or may not) have held your reservation for arrival after midnight. You wife would be one of a kind if she really approved of all this. I can't imagine one women I've known that would think it was fun.