TheBobs

My husband and I are planning a trip to Europe this winter landing Dec. 25 - leaving Jan 4

So far our rough itinerary is London Dec. 25-Dec. 28 / Paris Dec. 28 - Dec. 31 / Amsterdam Dec. 31 - Jan. 4

We're a little worried from reading that Dec. 25th and 26th (potentially though the 28th) a lot of things will be closed in London due to Christmas and Boxing Day and we won't be able to do a lot of things there - should we rearrange our itinerary - maybe even change the cities?


The current plan is to spend New Years Eve in Amsterdam because from doing a little searching it appears to be the most fun of the 3 - i do think we have too many days allocated to amsterdam so maybe we'll do a day trip to a nearby city like brussels or something if possible

Please throw out any suggestions for just about anything - including things to do in each of the cities or potentially an alternative itinerary. This is our first trip to Europe so any advice would be helpful.

Give or take budget for everything minus airfare is $3-4k.

Thanks!

kerouac

I believe there is not much transportation operating in England on December 25 and 26. No such problem on the continent.

Cholmondley_Warner

It's not an exaggeration to say that London is closed on Christmas day. Boxing day is fine - but some publicly owned things will be shut.

I can't speak for the other places.

yk

Please read this thread: "London Christmas Help"
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35154819

There is NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION in London on Christmas Day, except for coach buses that connect Heathrow with Paddington. The OP in the other thread I linked had trouble finding a car service that would take her from the airport to hotel on Chirstmas Day.

So please, try not to ARRIVE in London on Christmas Day.

PalenQ

You can save a ton of money on both your Eurostar tickets if taking the train (2 hrs) London to Paris

and the Thalys train Paris to Amsterdam

do not just show up as you could literally pay hundreds of bucks more

much cheaper tickets can be had but only if you book far in advance.

TheBobs

Thanks for the responses.

We are open to changing around the order of the cities. What about doing Paris 25-28, Amsterdam 28-1, London 1-4?

Does anyone have any suggestions on areas to stay in the cities and must see things?

PalenQ

The week between Christmas and New Years Day in Amsterdam is the busiest of the year Amsterdammers tell me

If you do not have a hotel reserve now and many may not take less than a bit longer booking. People flock from all over Europe to help the Dutch ring in the New Year and the whole week in between the inner city is thronged.

yk

So you'll have a total of 14 full days on the ground.

$4000 divided by 14 = $285/day

If you're lucky, you may be able to find lodging for $150/night, which leaves you $135 per day for everything else: transportation, admission fees, and food for TWO people. Your budget is a bit tight, IMO.

You might be better off just sticking with 2 cities - that way, you can rent an apartment for a week in each city. An apt usually costs less than hotel rooms, plus you get more space AND you can prepare breakfast in the apt (and cook other meals there too if you want) which will save some $. Also, with just 2 cities, the transportation cost will be cheaper. It's not cheap to take the Eurostar between London/Paris, nor the Thalys between Paris/A'dam.

hetismij

Places like Anne Frank house, Van Gogh museum and the Rijksmuseum are open on Christmas Day (afternoon), and December 31st. The Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum are closed Jan 1st.
This may affect the order of your visits.
If you wish to visit Brussels as well (which seems like at least one city too many too me) you should do it between Paris and Amsterdam if you are going by train between the two. You could do a day trip out from Amsterdam to another Ducth city or to see the windmills r whatever.
Remember it gets dark about 4.30 pm at that time of year.

TheBobs

It's actually only 10 full days on the ground so $4000/10 = $400/day

yk

You're right. I messed up counting with my frozen fingers.

With only 10 days, trying to see 3 major cities on your first trip to Europe is not ideal. In addition, it'll take at least half a day each time you move, so you're left with 9 days for 3 cities.

janisj

11 day really equally 9+ days for real sight seeing.

Your first day will likely be a jet lagged fog and should be reserved for light sightseeing, early dinner, and early to bed.

You last day isn't really a "day on the ground" since you have to pack and get to the airport.

And w/ EVERYTHING closed in London on Dec 25 and many things closed on Dec 26 and Jan 1 - you won't have much time to see things in London. No division will be ideal over that week.

Paris is much less of an issue over Christmas. If it were me - I'd do Paris Dec 25 to Dec 29 or 30. Take an evening Eurostar to London and spend Dec 30 - Jan 4 exploring London. (or substitute A'dam for London - though I'd personally choose London)

You really do not have time to visit all 3 cities over the holidays.

TheBobs

Thanks for the feedback. It was really helpful. I think we are going to do Paris Dec 25-30 and London Dec 30-Jan 4.

Does anyone have any recommendations for what part of London to stay in?

janisj

Absolutely any part of central London is good. One consideration might be which airport you are flying out of because some neighborhoods are more convenient for getting to different airports.

The most central/nice areas would include South Kensington, Westminster/Victoria, Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Covent Garden and Bloomsbury/Russell Square. Some areas to generally avoid (though they are not terrible) include Earls Court, Paddington, Kings Cross.

The poshest neighborhoods tend to be Mayfair and Knightsbridge - though there are posh hotels in most areas.

yk

Other sections of London you may want to avoid are:
"The City" - it's the financial district, which will be very dead during the time you'll be visiting
"Docklands" - far out from tourist sites with the exception of Greenwich.

Some other good areas you may come across are Marble Arch, Regents Park.

I'm not a fan of Notting Hill because I don't find that area too convenient.

TheBobs

After reading the advice given here and doing a little more searching we have the airfare and hotel booked - thanks so far for the help and keep the recommendations coming =]

leaving Dec. 24 - arriving just before noon in Paris on Dec. 25 - leaving London Jan. 4 just after noon

Paris hotel: http://www.hotel-paris-familia.com/

London hotel: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...arriott-hotel/

The Paris hotel is very reasonably priced and has great reviews on TripAdvisor and a few other sites. The London hotel choice was easier because my husband had plenty of hotel points to use and it appeared to be in a decent area and very nice.

Any good eating spots or relaxing places to have a glass of wine/beer after a long day nearby?

Any New Years Eve suggestions for London? We'd like to have a beer in hand if possible but don't want to be in a club - or somewhere outdoors watching fireworks.

TheBobs

I meant we'd like to be outside watching the fireworks if possible...

janisj

Those are both great picks. The Grosvenor House is a large well known, large posh place. It is on Park Lane across from Hyde Park but not really in a lively area - it is quite a walk from most anyplace. Is it the only property where your points are useable?

A couple of other Marriotts you might want to check out are County Hall - right on the river w/ amazing views of Big Ben/Parliament and next to the London Eye. And Renaissance Chancery Court which is a wonderful hotel.

janisj

If you are at the County Hall - you can watch the fireworks right from your hotel room - which is better than most of the options.

TheBobs

The Marriott hotels that are reasonable to use points for are the following:
Grosvenor House
London Marriott Hotel Kensington
London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale
London Marriott Hotel Regents Park
London Marriott West India Quay

Does one of those stick out as a far better location - due to the way Marriott does rewards they are actually all of the same point value currently and we can change to any of them.

The County Hall one won't let you use points for the days we'll be there - I imagine due to the great location for New Years.