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Newbie needs itinerary advise -Options to pair with Paris. Please help!

Newbie needs itinerary advise -Options to pair with Paris. Please help!

Old Feb 19th, 2014, 10:49 AM
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Newbie needs itinerary advise -Options to pair with Paris. Please help!

Hello Guys, I’ve been reading different topics for over a week now trying to get ideas for my future trip but as of now, I need to start making decisions already. I feel your advice specifically as to my trip would be more helpful than keep reading similar topics/questions. Therefore I (finally) created an account and here I go on my first post/question: Husband and I will be traveling into Paris for about 2 weeks next June (arriving on 6/16 and leaving on 6/29). A little background on us: we were in Paris for the tiniest tease (1.5 days) back at the beginning of May 2012 (very cold for me lol) before embarking on a cruise out of Barcelona. Since then, Paris has been the only thing in my mind. We are into the ambiance, food, architecture, scenery more than anything in Paris (not big museum persons but are planning on visiting D’Orsay and possible the Louvre). We are in our mid 30s and leave in a very sunny city in the US so are very used to warm weather. Here is my dilemma. We have 3 possible scenarios on how to use our time. Scenario #1, spend the first 6 days visiting a couple of other cities, possible in Italy, and the full 7 days remaining in Paris. Scenario #2, use Paris as our base for the entire time and spend 2 days in Amsterdam and maybe 1 or 2 in Bruges and maybe a couple of day trips outside Paris. Scenario #3, take a cruise from the 6/16 through 6/23 leaving from and arriving to Rome and the rest in Paris –this last scenario leaves me with the least time in Paris; therefore, it’s my least favorite. Very important fact: We have tickets purchased already flying in and out of Paris. Any suggestions and/or advise would be greatly appreciated!
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 11:01 AM
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Or Scenario 4:

Rent an apartment, stay in Paris the entire time and get to know it a bit. Day trips when the spirit moves you: Monet's Garden in Giverny, Loire Valley Chateaux for a couple of days, Versailles, a wine tour for a day or 2 to Beaune in Burgundy, Fontainebleau, Chartres. And on and on. Stay put and pretend you're Parisians, biggest bang of all.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 11:13 AM
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Just go to Paris. And stay there the entire time
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 11:16 AM
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IMO, scenario 2 & 3 are bad ideas. Italy is really too far away - especially of you have to get back to CDG to fly home.

I would do a combination of 1 & 2, but I would stay in Bruges or Ghent, and Amsterdam.

I would land at CDG and immediately take the 4 hr train to Amsterdam. There are departures from CDG that leave every 2 hrs with a train change at the Paris Nord station.

Then I would take the 3 hr train to Bruges (train change). Departures every 2 hrs.

Then I would take the 2 3/4 hr train back to Paris (train change & many departures daily).

I like Antwerp as much as Bruges, and you could have zero train changes from Amsterdam & to Paris. Ghent has similar schedules as Bruges & Ghent is just as nice as Bruges & Antwerp.

IMO, none of these destinations are day trips. Amsterdam is a minimum of 3-4 nights, and Ghent, Antwerp, and Bruges are 2 night minimums.

Stu Dudley
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 11:23 AM
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Thank you for your reply MmePerdu. Definitely something to consider MmePerdu... I know there is countless ways to spend time in Paris. The initial idea was for this trip to be all about Paris. But then, you see a map and feel like you will be so close to other amazing cities (especially when you live in the US as the distances here are so long from a big city to the next) that perhaps would be worth to try. So, in your opinion, you don't think 13 days would be too overwhelming for an 'almost' first time couple in Paris?
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 11:25 AM
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<you don't think 13 days would be too overwhelming for an 'almost' first time couple in Paris?>

(not MmePerdu) but no I don't think so at all. I think it would be fantastic. I wasn't too crazy about Amsterdam so would be in no great rush to go there (again) myself.

Or you could fly between cities. I went to Venice & Paris one trip and that worked beautifully.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 11:35 AM
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Thank you Stu. I've been reading so much of your travel experiences and I feel so lucky to get input from you. I hadn't considered at all going to Amsterdam first but seems so convenient; I definitely wanted to end my trip in Paris. So, you would suggest train from CDG to Amsterdam (3 nights min.), train from Amsterdam to Bruges/Antwerp/Ghent (stay 2 nights min.) and then train from Bruges to Paris?
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 11:38 AM
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I think you should do option number one (full week in Italy, then full week in Paris).
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 11:39 AM
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Suze, Funny you mentioned Venice because we had also looked at taking a flight right after arriving at CDG to Venice. If I may ask, what is your age range and what was about Amsterdam that you didn't seem to like much?
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 11:42 AM
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I agree entirely, obviously, with suze that 13 days would not be too overwhelming. In fact, it's a wonderful opportunity to begin to lose that overwhelmed feeling that can come with trying to take in too many places in one go and also to begin a relationship with one of the great cities of the world. And begin what I see as a more evolved way of travel.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 11:44 AM
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If it were me, I'd plan for about 7-10 days in Paris, and then spend a few days in other parts of France. Maybe a few days in Normandy, the Loire, or someplace else that strikes your fancy. Or I'd spend the whole time in Paris and do daytrips. As mentioned there are lots you could do.

The other option no one has suggested, is you could spend part of the time in London. Its such an easy train ride, if you wanted to include another city it would make for a nice contrast.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 12:06 PM
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hmmm... let's see, I was ~45 years old when I was in Amsterdam (just once). It was OK, interesting to kick around for the 4-5 days I was there solo. Just kind of a normal boring but pretty large metropolitan city (with canals and lots of bikes).

Now VENICE... Venice is ***WOW***. Absolutely magical. I've been twice. Again I was in my mid-40's those two trips.

The trip I did that paired Venice & Paris was a 3 week one. Flying into Geneva for 10 days with friend who lives there. Then an overnight train to Venice for 5 days. Then an overnight train to Paris, 5 days in Paris. Flying home from Paris.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 12:35 PM
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Another scenario would be to get to really enjoy another part of France for a number of days. I'd suggest either Normandy or Provence.
If it's Normandy then rent a car and drive through Normandy for 6 days.
If Provence, take the TGV from CDG to Avignon and rent a car for touring for 6 days or so.
I still prefer staying in hotels in Paris, and since this really is just about a first trip, you will have the hotel desk to help with questions.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 01:16 PM
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I"m not sure I've synthesized all this, but I'm biased as I would never consider a cruise so I'd never pick that one.

YOu cannot do day trips to some of those places from Paris, are you aware? YOu can't visit Bruges that easily by a day trip (it is possible, but I wouldn't).

A lot of people on Fodors just tell people to spend all their timein Paris but many people would probably prefer seeing something else. I wouldn't recommend someone who had never been there spend 2 weeks in Paris as their only trip the first time. I wouldn't recommend anyone do that, in any city -- what if you don't like it that much? You've spent a lot of money and time and missed out on other things. If you spent a week (which is much more time than many people spend in some huge city) and like it, you can always plan longer trips later on.

When you say only Paris has been on your mind for 2 weeks because you love everything about it so much, never having really been there for long -- did you spend that 2 years studying French? I just don't think you can really enjoy a city as well or participate much if you don't study the language, and if you don't, then you aren't really that interested in it or France per se, just the idea of it.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 01:34 PM
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The first time I went to Venice I bought an air/hotel package and extended it to 2 weeks. It was wonderful. I knew in my heart I'd love Venice and did. I spent several days doing day trips around the Veneto and couldn't have been happier. I think she does know she's going to love Paris and seriously doubt she'll be sorry staying.

My first trip to anywhere outside the western US was when I took a job in Paris when I was 20 (sorry if I've said this before). My point is, I was poorer than I was used to being, didn't have a concierge to consult when I had a question and yet, amazingly enough, had the experience of a lifetime. Knew it then and know it now. I do know that some can afford a nice hotel and like the help available. But don't discount the possibility that even someone new to a city will have a wonderful adventure compounded by the experience of living much as a resident lives and figuring things out themselves. My greatest adventures have been done that way, not facilitated by a staff of helpers. There are styles of travel for everyone. No one's style is for everyone.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 02:10 PM
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I too would recommend staying in France the entire time, but split the time between Paris and someplace that is more rural and a contrast. Normandy and Provence would be good choices, but there are many beautiful places in France to choose from.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 02:45 PM
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I want to clarify something. I didn't say I wanted to do Amsterdam and Bruges as day trips (I said 2 days in Amsterdam and 1 day in Bruges -now I know I need a bit more than that as a minimum)

Christina, thanks for your reply. When I said 'Since then, Paris has been the only thing on my mind', I meant to say that since that very brief visit to Paris back in 2012, all I've ever wanted, is to go back for more. I thought we'd be able to go back the year after, but last year was not possible for us. The little I saw before made me fall in love with Paris and made me want to come so badly for a real taste of the city. And this is what I'm hoping for on this trip.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 02:46 PM
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>>So, you would suggest train from CDG to Amsterdam (3 nights min.), train from Amsterdam to Bruges/Antwerp/Ghent (stay 2 nights min.) and then train from Bruges to Paris?
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 02:47 PM
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<The little I saw before made me fall in love with Paris and made me want to come so badly for a real taste of the city. And this is what I'm hoping for on this trip.>

That's why I'd really consider staying the two weeks all in Paris. Maybe even rent an apartment.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 03:01 PM
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I think it's safe to say that Scenario #3 -the cruise and then Paris- is no longer an option.

Now we must decide whether to do Amsterdam-Bruges-Paris OR just do Paris And Avignon or Provence or Normandy. I will research these 3 regions. I'm leaning toward the second option but have a feeling DH will prefer the cities... oh boy!

Thank you everyone for taking the time to add your input.
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