london four days, paris two days, return london
 

I will be traveling to london for 4 days with my daughter (33 years old)and we want to go to paris for two days, returning to London.
total days seven.
My daughter's first time in Europe.
I have been to London and paris in the past.
what are the best things to do and places to stay
We will be taking the train to Paris and back.
Leaving from boston.
Maria

Okay, I'll go first...

Time of year you are traveling?
Budget for hotels?
You've been before but have no idea what to see?
What are your interests?
Do you like museums, strolling about aimlessly?

We need a little bit more info and you need to get a good guidebook and review it in order for us to help you make plans.

The folks here will be more able and willing to help you once you give us a bit more info.

If you haven't already bought your ticket, have you considered an open jaw ticket, i.e., flying into London and out of Paris? Would save you half a day of travel, and would probably cost the same or less once you subtract the return price on Eurostar.

Wow, never thought about the jaw ticket.
Great idea.
Will do that.

We will be traveling second week in Sept.
We like to shop, museums,walk a lot.
Price range for hotel about 150 to 200 a night.
So, 3 nights London and 3 nights Paris.
Want to see a show in London.
Take in sights in Paris.
we love great dining!
Thanks so much.
Maria

Also, want would be the best day trip from London to?
Also, Paris to?
Tx,
Maria

Paris day trip - Monet's Garden. Very easy to do by train, all details on this website.
http://giverny.org/gardens/fcm/visitgb.htm
We had a lovely lunch in the Hotel Bawdy in the village, if you go make sure your walk out the back of the hotel to see the artists studio and the pretty garden.

In London we stayed at the Morgan Hotel http://www.morganhotel.co.uk/ which is right behind the British Museum, very clean, good breakfast and we walked every where from there.

We loved Jersey Boys and Priscilla, but there are lots of shows, google London Theatre and see what is going to be on in September.

Here is my trip report from last year, we had a week in London then caught the Eurostar to Paris.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-5-weeks.cfm

Happy travels.

I don't think you really have time for a day trip from either, but if you really want to, Oxford is an easy trip from London, and Maudie's suggestion of Giverny is good.

3 nights London is only 2.5 days. If you take a day trip out of London, that only leaves you 1.5 days in London to "shop, go to museums, walk a lot." Are you sure you want to do that, particularly since this is your daughter's first trip? I recommend spending the whole 2.5 days in London itself.

The Morgan Hotel, mentioned above, is in Bloomsbury, which is a good central location. There are several hotels in that area that fit your budget. Two others to consider, along with TA reviews:

Ridgemount Hotel: http://www.ridgemounthotel.co.uk/
Celtic Hotel: http://www.stmargaretshotel.co.uk/W_e_l_c_o_m_e.html

TA reviews for both hotels:
http://goo.gl/qDu97
http://goo.gl/WmgEg

My favorite hotel is the Strand Palce, primarily for the location. It's right behind Covent Garden, and a short walk to many sights in London including Trafalgar Square, River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Millenium Wheel, to name a few. Links for the hotel and TA reviews:

http://www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk/
http://goo.gl/S1Lil

I often find better prices for the Strand Palace on this site than on the hotel's website:
http://www.wotif.com/?country=GB

For things to do in London, take a look at the weekly magazine Timeout London. It is available at almost any newsstand in London and online:
http://www.timeout.com/london/

Since you like walking, take a look at London Walks:
http://www.walks.com/

Since you like shopping and walking, do you like street markets? If so, take a look at these:
http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/markets.htm

Happy travels!

eurocheapo.com/london
eurocheapo.com/paris
easyjet.com LON CDG cheaper quicker than train for me
ihg.com for super central hotels based on budget
Intercontinental Crowne Pllaza my fav from 130 euro or so
Open jaw tend to be lots more than RT but if price is similar
that would be better. Chunnel train sort of expensive longer
but seat61.com good info on that I always fly.

parisvoice.com londontown.com for current events

Happy Planning!

The Crowne Plaza Paris République and Crowne Plaza London Kensington hotels.http://www.hotelinteractive.com/arti...rticleid=13256 Pick upthe ihg.com Visa CC no foreign exchange fees 60000 points with first use for free stays in great areas I just did.

I agree that you probably should not consider day trips within such a short period. Unless...there is something that you MUST see, something that you have been dreaming of, that is outside of the cities.

There is much to see in both places, and you will not be able to cover it all.

I also like the bloomsbury area of London. Easy access to Heathrow. I walked from my hotel to St Paul one day, Covernt Garden, Trafalgar Sq next.

In both places, with such a short time, you might want to consider a bus tour just to see the main sites, then pick a few to see on your own. Another option is walking tours, good value:

www.walks.com
www.paris-walks.com


Some Paris hotel ideas

Right Bank Hotel thread:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=35162716

Left Bank Hotel thread:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=35162713

I use Londontown .com for hotels I prefer the Millenium Kensington Or Baileys , right next to each other, Great Transportation and lots of services close by.Also walking distance to great shopping along King's Rd if you want to walk rather than taking the 49 bus. Walk to Harrod's <V&A, and Natural HIstory museums.

You also have a very good selection of B&Bs in London, another good alternative.

Definitely buy open jaw tickets and fly OUT of Paris to avoid the higher departure fees from London. This type of ticket usually costs less than a simple return to London.

No time for day trips LOL

Thanks for all the tips.
Will think about everything
Maria