ira

>Lyon, while quite different from Paris, is not different enough to warrant going there just for a free Hilton.<

I respectfully disagree.

See my trip report
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-europe.cfm

>My last thought is going to San Sebastian Spain for three- four nights....

Your last thought? It would have been my first thought.

KeppieAngel

ira - have you been to san sebastian, spain? I hear it is great. Is 3-4 nights in san sebastiaon too long?

For All: if you take a day trip via bus or plan an overnight to another country - what happens in regard to visa, passport, etc? I it easy to do this

StCirq

KeppieAngel, if you're American, nothing at all happens when you enter another European country. You just go. That assumes you aren't violating the tourist visa rules of no more than 90 days in the Schengen zone. There aren't even border guards or passport controls at the borders any longer - haven't been for years.

KeppieAngel

St Cirq - thank you.

can anyone recommend any hotels in San Sebastian or Stasbourg that aren't too expensive? Is two nights enough in San Sebastian? How many nights for Lyon and Stasbourg?
I have got the time (though money is of course an issue),I am travelig alone and don't want to lose the afterglow of the yoga retreat. Traveling all the way from Florida - I want to maximize my time adn conserve my energy as I do not plan on returning to France anytime soon.

kerouac

As much as I love Strasbourg, my attraction to Evian is mostly because it is a much smaller place, which forces you to relax rather than running around all over the place. And to see Switzerland sparkling across the other side of the lake at night is a fantastic reason to take the ferry to go see for yourself.

And dammit, I love being anywhere in the Alps.

StCirq

I love Evian too. It just seemed out of place in the city lineup. If the OP wants relaxation, it's a great choice.

KeppieAngel

after looking at the map and hearing your feedback - I can't decide, but now leaning to Evian or Strasbourg over Lyon because if I am so confused making this decision - how could i ever decide what to do in a city the size of Lyon? I just want to relax and watch the world go by...Last thought since Stasbourg looks like it is on the route back to Paris - shoudl I stop there for two nights after a visit to Evian.

my main concern is luggage - i will be away for three weeks and can't travel very light. is the train an acceptable method of transportion from Pau with more than average luggage requeirments.

StCirq

<<i will be away for three weeks and can't travel very light.>>

Why not?

KeppieAngel

StCirq I get your point - I will travel light.
If I squeeze in a couple of extra nights do you think it is redundant to go to Evian and Stasbourg or Evian or Strasbourg AND Lyon? is there really a big diffecne between Evian and Strasbourg? it seems Lyon in pretty wonderful. I still will have 5 nights in Paris.

StCirq

Evian and Strasbourg are apples and oranges. Evian's a small place where there's not a whole lot of sightseeing or other things to do - great for relaxing. Alpine...well, almost.

Strasbourg's a big city with an obvious Germanic influence and a ton of interesting sites to visit.

Apples and oranges. Read up on them both and decide which is more appealing.

Yes, Lyon is wonderful, and nothing like Evian or Strasbourg. Nothing redundant about going to two of those places, or all three.

kerouac

If you can go to all three cities, why not? But then don't complain if you are not able to relax -- there are multiple different things to do everywhere. And yes, Strasbourg and Evian are <b>extremely</b> different.

KeppieAngel

It seems Lyon is winning in popularity. Thanks for your feedback.

KeppieAngel

ira - if someone was paying for your trip would you rather go to San Sebastian or Lyon?

Last question to all unless any of you have additional input on choice of cities. What is the ideal 5 day itinerary when based out of Paris? Can you recommend great tour guides/companies that are avaiable in english that aren't too touristy? I am interested in the Louvre , a winery tour, a day of sightseeing in the neighboring area, great opera/jazz or dance and yoga classes/studios in english.

Namste,
KeppieAngel

KeppieAngel

Will teh weaterh in Evian be ok for the first week of october? is it feasable/worthwhile to spend a day in switzerland and possibly an overnight if staying in Evian? where would you recommend I visit in Switizerland? Does Strasbourg or Evian have a better position for taking day trips?

thanks again - i just took the leap and bought my ticket!

Judy

For a guide in Paris, I recommend Michael Osman. He can be reached at parisfind@aol

KeppieAngel

Judy, thank you - personal remcomendations always turn out to be so helpful.

Christina

I would presume Strasbourg would have to be better for day trips, but that's because it is a hub city with good rail connections. I don't even know how you'd get places from Evian, but mayb ethey have a train station. From Strasbourg, you can visit Colmar, Nancy, Metz, Mulhouse, Besancon, or I suppose Reims isn't that far by train, or some places in Germany or even in Switzerland (like Basel).

I don't understand what you want myself.

StCirq

I thought you wanted to relax. Now you're interested in adding even more destinations to your itinerary? I think you need to focus.

Basic research on Strasbourg and Evian should answer your question about day trips. One's a big city; the other's a town. Should be clear enough which offers the greater opportunities for day trips.

kerouac

Looks like travel fever is setting in. That can be dangerous for people who seem to have no idea of where they really want to go.

KeppieAngel

Oh boy - sorry if i sound confused - I am.
so many choices... so little time, torn between relazing and cramming it all in and $$$ - Please bear with me.

i feel hotel location and the property itself is important so that's what has got me hung up. The Hilton Strasbourg sounds like it is out of the way. The Hilton Lyon can not guaranatee a non smoking room and the Hilton Evian sounds nice but might be too slow for 4 nights.

are there any reviews available for theses specific hilton hotels other than those on booking.com/ tripsdvisor, etc that are worthwhile? some on the reviews are dated.