I am planning to go to Europe solo for the 1st time during the first 2 weeks of September. Should I spend 1 week in Paris, and 1 week in London ? Which first ? Flying from NY. I would like a few hotel suggestions for both. The Latin Quarter in Paris appeals to me from what I have read, I like to shop, cafes nearby, looking for a nice hotel $200 or under, any suggestions ? Thanks for you help !

Sounds good to me. I've been to both and could easily spend a week in each place. You could do more but it will make things more expensive. I found London more expensive than Paris for hotels. Sorry I can't help more, I haven't been for a while.

It's hard to answer since you haven't given us any real idea why ypou picked London and Paris as your first two destinations - - as opposed to Rome and Venice, or Madrid and Barcelona, or Bavaria and Austria.<BR><BR>If you chose these two because they're "the most famous" - - well, there's nothing wrong with that - - and if you have no particular affinity for France or england (i.e., more interested in one versus the other), then, your plan is okay, and I would go for England first (further north - - Paris might have better weather later in September).<BR><BR>But a good alternative would be to see only ONE country - - and see both city AND the countryside. Seeing the cities of Europe gives you a very incomplete picture - - just like with North America or other continents.<BR><BR>Or make it asymmetric - - 10 days in one country (five days city, five days country) and four days in the capital of the other country.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Dear Gretchen;I agree with Rex, unless you have some particular reson for wanting to see those cities I would suggest: Paris and Provence; Florence and Tuscany, London and the English couty side.<BR>If you would like to email me directly I have lots of great info. on Paris and Provence and Florence and Tuscany. What ever you need hotels; restaurants; shops etc.I'm sorry I can not help with England; it;s just not my scene.<BR>I would suggest doing some reserch; is there a city or country that you have always dreamed of going to? <BR>Happy trails to you what ever you decide.<BR>Sherri<BR>p.s. Sept. is the perfect time of year wherever you choose.

Gretchen - Here's my recommendation for a Paris hotel. It's the Hotel Millesime on Rue Jacob in the St Germaine area. Location is within walking distance of the Louvre, Notre Dame and Musee D'Orsay (this one is a little farther). There's a nice little cafe on the corner for morning coffee. <BR>The hotel staff was very nice and helpful. All spoke some English. There is a lift (small of course). A breakfast room downstairs (a little pricey). A nice little courtyard. In the hotel lobby there is a laptop computer with internet access you can use for a minimal fee (sometimes didn't work). And by the way, the keyboard on the laptop was different from the keyboards in the US. Some of the letters were in different places. Made for slow typing.<BR>Rooms were decent size and so was bathroom. We had street side room and it wasn't too noisy.<BR>Price was 185 Euro per night. I definitely recommend the hotel.

Which one first? depends on departure/arrival best plans. Is it easier/cheaper for you to arrive/depart in to London/Paris? Flying from NY... Which airport? JFK? La Guardia? Albany? Rochester? Syracuse? That sort of approach. <BR><BR>Hotel St. Christophe was a great hotel to stay in the Latin Quarter. If you do a search on this forum you will find plenty recommendations on that hotel and many other hotels in that area. Which area in London appeals to you? I have stay in Bloomsbury and also near the Victoria Station and recommend both. Next time in London, I would try Charing Cross/Notting Hill. Best of luck in your plans!

Gretchen,<BR>Well done. You will love it. September is indeed a great time to go.<BR><BR>Please have a search on this website for past postings on the subject. You can spend several days sifting through the information available. After that you could come back with some finely honed questions (not slagging the original questions here) for the group mind to ponder.<BR><BR>From my experience I have found that staying in the big cities is more fun when you are in the heart of it all. I love the museums (and food) in Paris so i stay on the islands in the river (Cite, Louis). If you go to http://www.ratp.fr/<BR> you will find a metro innfo site where you can print out maps and figure out a prime location (close to a metro).<BR><BR>For 200$/night in September you'll be living well. Do some major surfing and book it early.<BR><BR>Try to find yourself a few side trips -- castles, catacombs, small villages and such. Keep it to a one day or two day excursion if you want to maintain a base in the big cities.<BR><BR>London was never my favorite place, but it can be a great trip. Once again, do some research and plan out a few places to see and things to do. Get a copy of a tube (not "Haggis in a Tube &lt;tm&gt;") map and become familiar before you go.<BR><BR>Have a ball,<BR>Craig

up<BR>

I was in Paris and London in March. I spent 7 days in Paris, then 4 days in London. I would suggest visiting London first, then Paris. Take the Eurostar from Paris to London. It is so convenient. London is more expensive than Paris. Do all your shopping in Paris. You must see the great musems in London and Paris.<BR>

I also agree with Rex. If you can pick one country.<BR><BR>Here is my recomendation for a Paris hotel. H&ocirc;tel R&eacute;sidence Monge. Two years ago I paid $60 for a single and about $80 for a double. The rooms are small but clean. Julie at the desk was helpful. Located between Jardin des Plants and Jardin de Luxembourg. Many restaurents near by and a great mini-Supermarket across the street. Call to check on reservations and fax with credit card info to conferm.<BR><BR>H&ocirc;tel R&eacute;sidence Monge<BR>55, rue Monge<BR>75005 Paris<BR>T&eacute;l: 01 43 26 87 90<BR>Fax: 01 43 54 47 25<BR>Metro: Monge & Cardinal Lemoine<BR><BR>

Thank you ! After reading all your suggestions, I have decided to just do Paris, as this will be my first time to Europe. I am overwhelmed with hotel choices, and things to do and see. Will 10 - 14 days be too long to be at the same hotel in Paris, or should I switch after the first week ? I have seen good reviews of the following hotels, any comments ?<BR>Hotel de L'Abbaye<BR>Hotel D'Aubbuson<BR>Agora St. Germain<BR>Le Regent<BR>Artus Hotel (formally Buci Latin)<BR>L'Hotel<BR>Grand hotel des balcons<BR>Hotel St. Christophe<BR>

The Hotel Castex in the Marais has some very reasonable single rooms and is in a great location with lots of metro lines converging at the place de Bastille.<BR><BR>Paris hotels are much better value than London. I don't have a London hotel to recommend but you should try to find one that is very central to the sites you want to see. It's a big City. The big bus or original bus tours are very good for an overview. Enjoy. For a hotel in a different neighboorhood I highly recomment the hotel del'esperance.