London & Paris in Winter
Aug 14th, 2019, 08:07 AM
#21
And for my itinerary in UK, I am planning 2 nights in London and then travel out to the west for 4 nights in Cheltenham as a base.
And then travel out for day trips to Cotswold, Stratford upon avon, maybe Oxford and then Bath. Do you suggest we drive or just take the rail/train?
And then travel out for day trips to Cotswold, Stratford upon avon, maybe Oxford and then Bath. Do you suggest we drive or just take the rail/train?
Not a great idea IMO -- in fact a pretty bad plan. Unless one is at a fancy country house hotel for a Christmas package with lots of festivities on site, exploring the Cotswolds in the dead of winter might not be much fun. If the weather is dreadful -- or even just a bit wet you really won't be able to see/do much.
Stay in London and do some day trips by train if the weather is decent-ish.
Re tickets: You can get half price, partially discounted, and full price tickets at TKTS in Leicester Sq - a one-stop shop so to speak. Don't go to other 'discount' ticket agencies. BUT Christmas is a very popular time for theatre goers, so if there is a particular big time show you want to see you should book it now or within the next month or two from the theatre's own website.
Aug 14th, 2019, 11:45 PM
#22
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Oops, I forgot to mention that we have a total of 9 nights in England. The plan is 2 nights in London, 4 nights outskirts, and back to London for 3 nights. As 9 nights seem too long to be in London itself, i am planning to do some days outskirts.
Aug 14th, 2019, 11:52 PM
#23
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What does “outskirts” mean?
Unless your decision is driven by budget, 9 nights really isn’t too long for London. You can stay in one place and do day trips, if you like, but honestly, I’ve been to London for a total of 2-3 weeks at this point, and I still haven’t seen everything on my list.
you could do 6 nights in London, and 3 in York or Bath. Personally, I’d pick York. I’ve been there before Christmas and loved it.
Unless your decision is driven by budget, 9 nights really isn’t too long for London. You can stay in one place and do day trips, if you like, but honestly, I’ve been to London for a total of 2-3 weeks at this point, and I still haven’t seen everything on my list.
you could do 6 nights in London, and 3 in York or Bath. Personally, I’d pick York. I’ve been there before Christmas and loved it.
Aug 15th, 2019, 12:10 AM
#25
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easy train ride
https://www.visityork.org/explore/must-see-york
But I loved the Minster. That and the perky peacock coffee shop (housed in a medieval tower) were worth the trip for me. I’m unsure if your dates, but there’s a good Christmas market as well.
i agree with everyone else on the Cotswolds. .and oxford/Bath/York are great by train. I think parking would be an expensive hassle.
Last edited by marvelousmouse; Aug 15th, 2019 at 12:13 AM.
Aug 15th, 2019, 05:49 AM
#26
Staying in London twice bookending another city on such a short trip makes no sense -- you are wasting essentially a full day checking in/out/moving hotels. Just a bad use of time. Keep ALL your London days together. Nine days is definitely no too long for London but staying maybe 6 or 7 nights in London and 2 or 3 nights somewhere else is fine -- Just NOT split into 3 stays. Two nights in York or in Bath or in Oxford or anyplace could be great and the rest in London . . .
Aug 15th, 2019, 06:41 AM
#27
Basically stay in the cities in this month.
Train to Oxford, York, possibly Bath (never that excited by Bath) stay in the centre, everything is laid out around you, go to local concerts, attend a chapel service, visit worldclass Museums (well in Oxford x2 and York x1 for railways) visit ancient buildings, eat cake and generally enjoy. In the winter you want two nights toget the best out of it.
Train to Oxford, York, possibly Bath (never that excited by Bath) stay in the centre, everything is laid out around you, go to local concerts, attend a chapel service, visit worldclass Museums (well in Oxford x2 and York x1 for railways) visit ancient buildings, eat cake and generally enjoy. In the winter you want two nights toget the best out of it.
Aug 15th, 2019, 09:59 AM
#28
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I would definitely do London together, take the Eurostar to Paris and fly home from Paris. You will not regret going that route. Enjoy your trip.
Paris is wonderful at Christmas (and before) and there are many things to enjoy. You can certainly enjoy the Christmas markets and your kids might enjoy the ice skating rink at Hotel de Ville. The store windows at Galleries Lafayette and Printemps are always popular and so creative.
We always enjoy a food tour with Paris by Mouth - a great introduction to the arrondisement you will explore on the tour and to an assortment of French cheese, pastry, charcuterie, chocolates etc...a bit of everything (and wine, of course, if you want it and no problem if you don't).
https://parisbymouth.com/food-wine-tours/
You might consider Vaux le Vicomte as it will be decorated for Christmas.
One look at that:
Paris is wonderful at Christmas (and before) and there are many things to enjoy. You can certainly enjoy the Christmas markets and your kids might enjoy the ice skating rink at Hotel de Ville. The store windows at Galleries Lafayette and Printemps are always popular and so creative.
We always enjoy a food tour with Paris by Mouth - a great introduction to the arrondisement you will explore on the tour and to an assortment of French cheese, pastry, charcuterie, chocolates etc...a bit of everything (and wine, of course, if you want it and no problem if you don't).
https://parisbymouth.com/food-wine-tours/
You might consider Vaux le Vicomte as it will be decorated for Christmas.
One look at that:
Sep 9th, 2019, 11:09 AM
#30
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I love Trainline. The app is simple to use and when we have been due refunds, they come through fast. You can use for train tickets across Europe.
https://www.thetrainline.com/
https://www.thetrainline.com/
Sep 12th, 2019, 03:08 AM
#31
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Definitely visit Hyde Park Winter Wonderland in London!! It's just feels like a fairytale being there. Also visit Nothing Hill.
The itinerary itself looks pretty good.
I really doubt that someone would let you leave your luggage at their house, maybe look up some places dedicated to that.
The itinerary itself looks pretty good.
I really doubt that someone would let you leave your luggage at their house, maybe look up some places dedicated to that.
Sep 13th, 2019, 03:04 PM
#32
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As a rule of thumb, the best site to buy train tickets is the site of the railway operator, in this case www.eurostar.com
More information: https://www.seat61.com/London-to-Paris-by-train.htm
More information: https://www.seat61.com/London-to-Paris-by-train.htm
Last edited by BDKR; Sep 13th, 2019 at 03:06 PM.
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