Kostroma

I'm in the preliminary planning stages for a two week trip to London/Paris in April of 2006. Right now, I'm just researching the logistics. I know that a lot can change in almost 2 years, but I'm just trying to get oriented.

I've never flown before, so I have some questions regarding flights. I'll be flying out of Seattle and I'd like to go nonstop. I know that I will not feel like transferring planes once I get settled in and comfortable. As of now, I think that BA is the only carrier that offers direct nonstop service to London. Is that right?

Does BA ever offer deals on Business Class and if so, where can said deals be found? I know that people have been able to find great bargains on coach class, but I really don't want to go coach, particularly for almost 10 hours. Also, how far in advance should a flight be booked?

Now onto hotels. I know from reading here that most hotels in London and Paris are convenient to public transport, but I have little idea where to situate myself in either city. I'd like to stay near the station or stations that would offer the most convenient access to most of my "must-sees". Would someone please be so kind as to help me orientate myself?

In London, I was thinking of staying near the Victoria Station because it seems to be within walking distance of several of the attractions that interest me and if I'm reading trains schedules aright, a good origination point for out of London proper attractions. My "must-sees" for London are the Royal Mews, Horse Guards, Westminster Abbey, Banqueting House, Big Ben, Parliament, Hampton Court,Tower of London, London Eye, and Windsor Castle.

I have no idea of where to stay in Paris, as most of my time there will involve trips out of the city. While there, I'd like to visit the Arc De Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, Chantilly, Bayeux, Chateau Guillame, and Versailles.

My hotel budget is no more than 200 Euro per night. I don't want a full service 5 star, but I don't want a bare bones type place either. I'm a points member of Starwood, Holiday Inn, Marriott, and Hilton, so I would appreciate recommendations in those families of hotels.

I know that I probably forgot something, but answers to these queries will at least eliminate some of my overwhelmed feeling.

Thanks

highflyer

In Paris,Hotel Napoleon may fit your budget and is steps from the Arc de Triomphe.It has a lovely old French feel to it...it has it's own website hotelnapoleon.com.

In London try searching the websites of the hotels that you have points with ...see what you like the look of. I wouldn't worry too much about being close to Victoria Stn particularly just find somewhere central and close to a tube station

Windsor Castle is a daytrip away preferably by car

StCirq

It really doesn't matter where you stay in Paris, as there are métro and bus stations galore and there is no one single area that's close to all the "main sites." Just do some research here and elsewhere and decide which bank you'd prefer to be on and then you can narrow it down from there.

I'm not sure I understand your Paris plans - are you planning to do day trips to Bayeux and Chantilly and Versailles (wnat/where is the Château Guillaume)? If so, I'd suggest you pare that list down, as this is your first trip to Paris. There is so very much to do and see right in Paris that I don't think you'd want to sacrifice 2-3 days out of a first trip to going outside the city.

You'll have no problem finding a good hotel in Paris for 200 € or less. Do a search on hotels Paris here and you'll find dozens of good suggestions.

MFNYC

Most hotels and airlines don't post rates more than 1 year in advance. As for flight info, you can check schedules now just to get an idea. I don't know off hand what kind of flights are available from Seattle. If there aren't direct flights, don't worry, it's not that complicated. The luggage will be taken care of, all you need to do is depart and change gates (assuming any connection would be in the USA). I don't know about discounts for business class, but BA does have occasional sales. Starting about a year in advance, you should check fares on sites like expedia, and by calling the airline directly. They do fluctuate quite a bit. Last fall we booked an APril vacation (NYC - Madrid - London - NYC). BA and Iberia were both having sales. We booked this 3 leg journey for < $400pp. A week later it quadrupled and stayed that way.

As for hotels, you should check the hotels where you have points first. ALso keep in mind that London is quite pricey. You will most likely get more for your money in Paris with regard to both hotel and food, but then again, in 1 1/2 yrs that may change.

There are many hotel recommedations here. STart by text searching "Paris and Hotel", also do "paris and neighborhood" and do the same for London. There are many nice areas withgood hotels to stay in both cities.

Katiebug

Kostroma: My husband and I are going to London & Paris this May, 2005. I booked our flight last month - United airlines, San Francisco direct to Heathrow. I paid full price for coach tickets & we're upgrading to business class with frequent flyer points (that we earned from using our United Mileage Plus credit card).

I've been looking around for hotels and other options for quite some time now. I had planned a trip last year, but due to an emergency, the trip was canceled, so by the time this trip arrives, it will be almost two years in the planning. We decided that since we have a week in London, a little more than a week in Paris, and a few days back in England after Paris, we are renting an apartment in both London and Paris. I've done a lot of research on apartments (through this forum & beyond) and feel pretty confident with our choices (although I have seen more recommendations for firm in Paris than I have for the firm in London). Here is where we'll be staying (still in the process of reserving in London, Paris is secured):

http://www.aplacelikehomelondon.co.uk/prop18.html
http://www.parisperfect.com/0-bourdo...urdonnais.html

The London apartment is appx. $166. per night (based on a week's stay), the Paris apartment is appx. $155. per night (again, week's stay). Both apartments include tax & utilities (excluding phone) and have a washer & dryer, kitchen, are nearby markets, shops, restaurants, public transportation, etc..

In London, we too, want to see many of the sites you mentioned, however, from what I understand, with public transportation, it's not a big deal to travel from Chelsea (where we'll be staying) to the areas you are speaking of. Last year, I had reserved the Victoria Station area, but since we have the extra time this year, and can easily find an apartment for 7+ days, we'd much rather go for that option.

In Paris, we're staying in the 7th. I really like the idea of being able to be RIGHT THERE with the Eiffel Tower. (Just my personal dream.) Also, I've heard a lot about the area, markets, cafes, safety, etc. We like night life, but I'm not so sure I want to stay in the night life for a week. I think I'd rather visit, in other words. Again, from what I understand, it's no big deal to use public transportation.

After that, I'm not sure where we'll be going for the last four days in England. I'm thinking maybe Windsor, or the Cotswolds, if that's not too far to go for just 3-4 days. I'm still working on this part. Last year, we were planning on spending about 5 days in the Cotswolds (Chipping Campden - at a hotel called Eight Bells). If we decide to go to the Cotswolds again, I imagine we'll stay there.

If you have any questions... I'm by no means a pro on the issue, but I'll help in any way I can.

Good luck planning! Most of all, have fun with the planning & don't get yourself too stressed out or obsessed with it (as I did last year).

P_M

I don't know what your flight budget is, but for April 2005 the lowest BA fare for a business class ticket is now pricing about $9,400 RT. Even if they were having a half-price sale, that would still be too rich for my blood. The only reason I am pointing this out is that you said you have never flown before, and sometimes people who are not seasoned travelers do not realize how much more it costs to fly business class overseas as compared with coach. If you can afford business class or get a good sale price, that's great. If not, an alternative you might consider is Premium Ecomony. It's not as nice or as expensive as business class, but will give you a bit more legroom.

I think Victoria Station is a good location for London, and you will easily find a hotel there within your hotel budget of 200E, which is rougly 138 in sterling.

travel52

We have flown BA from Seattle to London (destination Rome) twice. It is a 9 hour non stop flight that leaves around 6:30pm. Rates change from minute to minute. I was on line to book our last trip, and in the time it took to call my husband to confirm the dates, the price went up $75.00. I also wanted to fly with more leg room than coach, but when checking the prices it was almost triple to upgrade.We just couldn't afford it or justify using the money on the flight rather than "fun when we got there". We have gotten an Alaska VISA card to use with our Alaska Air miles so we can hopefully fly business class in April 2006.

P_M

One other thought--when you spoke of your hotel budget, you spoke only in euros and not pounds. Many people who haven't travelled before think that the euro is used all over Europe, but in case you aren't aware, the UK still uses the Pound Sterling, not the euro.

Kostroma

Chateau Guillaume(please forgive my earlier typo) is William the Conqueror's birthplace and is located in Falaise.

British and French history from the early medieval period through the Napoleonic era has been a primary interest of mine since middle school, particularly the Norman era, the Tudors, the years leading to and through the French Revolution, and Napoleon. This trip is mostly about indulging that passion and seeing some of the places that I've only been able to read about. I know that it's not feasible to see every important site from those time periods in a two week trip, but I picked the places that interest me the most. Horses are my other passion, which is my reason for wanting to visit Chantilly. I suppose most first timers to Paris don't spend half the trip outside of the city, but I have very particular interests.

I am doing board searches and my own research, but I do need a little extra help. I'm usually very good with maps, directions, and such, but Paris and particularly London are not as straightforwardly laid out as, say, New York. I'm sure my questions re:lodging will be more specific once I study maps of the respective cities more, but meanwhile, I'm open to suggestions.

suze

I have flown British Air Seattle to London 4 times. It is a non-stop leaving Seattle ~6PM and arriving London Heathrow next AM. Check the itinerary because BA is also now using the other London airports i.e. Gatwick.

It is ~9 hour flight. I have always purchased ticket directly from BA by phone or website and paid ~$1200USD for coach RT (but this included one other stop each trip such as Amsterdam, Paris, or Geneva).

Yes BA is the only nonstop to London from Seattle. There are carriers with nonstops but destination Copenhagen or Amsterdam. Other daytime flights would route you thru JFK or O'Hare (for example) which I definitely would *not* do myself.

I am not aware of any deals for business class unless its using mileage points. And actually I would be VERY interested to know of the "great bargains on coach class" because I have never heard of this for the BA Seattle/London daily flight.

rkkwan

British Airways have a product between economy and business, called "World Traveler Plus". It has wider seats, more recline, and more legroom than coach, 8-abreast on 747 and 777, vs 10/9. Prices are a few hundred over regular coach, but is still about half that of true business class (Club World).

elaine

HI

Welcome to European travel! Another planner I see, and 18 months out!

If you haven't already, click at the top of this screen on Destinations to get lots of basic info on London and Paris.
The following is a Paris Superthread from this forum that has many links to info
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519236

Buy two maps at your local bookstore or at amazon.com Streetwise Paris and Streetwise London. I also very much like the Paris MapGuide and the London Mapguide, which have both more details on their maps, and also basic tourism information and lists of popular sights.

I have long files on London and Paris, if you'd like to see them, email me at [email protected] Your email has to allow large attachments.

P_M

rkkwan wrote: "British Airways have a product between economy and business, called "World Traveler Plus".

This is the class of service I was referring to in my first post, only I called it "Premium Economy." It's actually the same thing, but BA calls it "World Traveler Plus." Just wanted to avoid any confusion.

Kostroma

Wow! So many helpful replies posted when I was typing my first response.

MFNYC: I had thought about flying into Paris and out of London since it's more important to me to have a nonstop on the way home than on the way there. It would also save me the back and forth trip across the Channel. Since I could transfer to Paris from either SFO or LAX, which are both easy trips from Seattle, I may just do that.

katiebug: Getting obsessed with the planning is half the fun. This trip will be about 4 years in the making by the time I take it. An unexpected health problem with my mother in the spring of '03 caused me to have to push back all of my planned trips by about two years. I will definitely look at the apartment option and I will definitely ask more questions as my itinerary gets clearer.

P_M: Their business class prices are too rich for me as well. What I'm worried about primarily is leg room. I've heard that BA coach class is particularly cramped. I'm a tall girl (5'11&quot and I don't want to be scrunched up for such a long period. Would premium coach class be roomy enough for someone of my height?

Thanks to everyone!

Kostroma

BTW, I do know that Britain still uses the pound sterling, but it skipped my mind while I was typing. Maybe I'm trying to block out the exchange rate.

MFNYC

Open jaw tickets (flying in and out of different cities), general cost not much more than round trip. We've done this several times and always had great fares.

P_M

Premium Economy will definitely be more comfy for you on the long flight. I have only flown Premium Ecomony once but that was because of a free upgrade. (Long story how I got it) As a little shrimp of 5'3, I would not have paid extra for it, but a person of your height would probably think it's worthwhile. If you look at BA's web page, there is a section describing the different classes of service. This will give you a lot more detailed info on the coach vs. World Traveller Plus.

StCirq

Since you want to visit Falaise and Bayeux, perhaps you should arrange your trip so that you take a ferry or hydrofoil (do they still have those?) across the Channel from London to Normandie. That would eliminate backtracking from Paris to Normandy and then back to Paris. It's not as though you can just zoom out of Paris and visit Bayeux - it's not really a day trip, especially if you were going to combine it with Falaise. Just a thought........

SuzieC

As to your interest in Napoleon (as it is also one of mine) you might consider Josephine's and Napoleon's home (and still the homebase of the Napoleon Foundation) at Malmaison at Ruilly (spelling?) a wee bit north of Paris (easy by train I read here...)

Kate_W

World Traveller Plus (BA) and Premium Economy (Virgin) are great - definitely worth the price (between 1/3 and 50% more expensive than a discounted economy class ticket).

I know you don't want to connect, but you should also research the prices of flying out of another nearby city - like Vancouver BC or San Francisco. Turn the connection into a one-night or weekend stopover and it's not such a hassle.

In London (where I used to live), I preferred to stay in the West End (around Oxford Street) between High Park (to the West) and the British Museum (to the East). You can walk to a lot (shopping, nightclubs, restaurants, the parks, museums) but you're a little bit removed from "tourist" central, but still close to what you want to see.