Yes, we are really confused! This October, 4 of us including myself will be going to London and Paris. Can anyone out there, tell us of a cheap, n safe place to stay during our vacation in London and Paris! And what we can do or see in October. Thanks. Mariel

I you don't know why you are going to London and Paris, I really think you should stay home.

I agree with the above. London and Paris are grand cities of the world filled with history, culture and art. If you know nothing of this, the US school system has failed. If you can read, take a book out of the Library. But it may be better for you to stay home.

If you are serious E-Mail me, I will see if I can help

Hi, Mariel--I think it's perfectly reasonable to be a bit confused: London and Paris are such fascinating cities, packed with things to see and do, that it can be a bit overwhelming trying to narrow down your options.<p>

Do see some of the big attractions--Notre Dame, the Louvre, Pere-Lachaise cemetery, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and the British Museum leap to mind--but also spare some time to just wander the streets. Unlike many US cities, these European capitals beg to be explored by foot. <p>

Involve yourself in the life of the city: Spend an evening in a pub or cafe, go to the theater (London's West End offers world-class productions for half the price of Broadway), or even see a movie--activities that will make you feel more like a resident, less like a tourist.<p>

As for places to stay, try going to our Hotel Finder, accessible off the home page, where you can search for hotels by price, location, and features.<p>

Hope you have a wonderful trip.

I can't believe the responses this question has
gotten! This is supposed to be a place to ask
questions and get help, not insults! Grow up. Maybe
this is Mariel's first stopping place in her
research of London and Paris, and look what snobs
you have made the people who patronize this board
out to be. Yes, I remained anonymous, because I
don't want the likes of you contacting me. You are
not the class of people I want gracing my screen and
I don't have time for hate mail, but Mariel, this is
a great place to start. Go back to the info on your
select cities on this page, and select London and
read up on it, and then Paris and read up on it.
Then go to the alta vista and excite search engines
and enter London and see what you get, and Paris and
see what you get. This whole concept is an on-line
library, and I wish you the best. Don't let these
jerks get to you.

London and Paris are wonderful cities that you can visit any time of year and have great experiences. Both have so much history, and we have heard about them in school and in literature all our lives. It is exciting to finally get to see those places. London in October may be cool and rainy, so concentrate on museums and galleries (some of the best in the world). Don't forget shopping, and Buckingham Palace, and take in a play or two. Markets are great fun, too. In Paris you can also spend lots of time discovering cafes and quaint restaurants in the Les Halles and Latin Quarter districts. Museums and galleries offer days of interesting diversion. Don't miss the Notre Dame cathedral, and nearby is a flower and bird market. The metro is the greatest way to get around and explore. Have fun, and enjoy two of the world's greatest cities.

I'll be in London for the entire Fall semester and I found, from an 8 day visit this past March, that all I will need is a copy of TIME OUT Magazine and FODOR's London. TIME OUT is published weekly, is available everywhere, and is on line at www.timeout.co.uk. The mag.is an essential guide for all activities;clubs, galleries, food,cultural events. The mag is important because things are in constant flux in London, like most places, and you'll want to see and do what Londoners and informed travellers are doing, not just the 'interesting-but-dreary-after-a-day' mill of museums and palaces. Old Compton Street in SoHo is a MUST for its intense concentration of restaurants and street cafes in the heart of London.
Fodors London provides the most sane and substantial guide to lodging(prices,ratings),walking tours,etc.
Paris--it's been yeeeaars for me.
(No, I don't work for Time Out or Fodors)

Thank you all for the respond. Appreciate it. Mariel.

Mariel,
Tried to send personal e-mail, but message bounced. I'd love to help you, having spent some time in both cities. Please contact me.

Sandra

Too bad you got a few nasty messages in the begining. That is why Americans have such a bad rep when traveling. Paris and London are Great places to start. I have a couple of hotels for you to check out. First London: The Cromwell Crown Hotel at 139-141 Cromwell Road Tel 0171-370. It is in Central London at the Glouster RD stop. It is a tourist class hotel and a cheap price but a great nice, safe neighborhood. It is close to Harrods, a few Museums, and Hyde Park. Also Hart's, an all night music playing food store if you get hungry at 3 in the morning. That area has a ton of small hotels. Also you can take the Tube from Heathrow to Glouster Road
direct. Saves money and it is easy! Go to Camden Market if you are there on the weekend. It is wild. You take the North Line to Camden Town stop and follow the crowd. It is a fun Funky area. In Paris I stay at a small Hotel in the 9th district. It is the Hotel Athena at 16 Rue Papillion. Tel:33-47-70-56-43 they only speak french. It is clean with either a bathroom in your room or in the hall and about $55-60 a night. The metro stop: Cadet. It is not too far from Sacre Couer. While in Paris you have to eat the crepes. They are to die for. I always go to the food markets on the left bank if I am on a budget because the restarants are so expensive. Have a great time and just get out and explore!

Great choice of cities! You won't regret it but remember
that you won't be able to see everything. You'll have to
save some things for your future trips. Hit your local
bookstore and read, read, read. Check with a local travel
agency and see if they have a video lending library and
get a video on both cities. Some video rental stores also
carry them (i.e. Hastings) and that will give you a good
overview of what there is to see and do. Purchase a Time Out Magazine
at a local bookstore and peruse it thoroughly and a lot
of your questions will be answered. Remember that what thrilled
me about London may not be your "cup of tea." There are plenty
of tours available once you arrive and take advantage of a
ride on the red double decker bus which will help you get your
bearings and show you a few of the sights. If you're still
confused please don't hesitate to email me. I have visited
London 15 times and worked there for a short while and I'm
still making new discoveries. Have a great trip!

I would just like to point out to Peter the ignoramus who wrote response 2 that not everbody is from the US this person is clearly from Singapore and I am from Asutralia. Thanks to everyone else I'll be visiting both Paris and London in October advice has been very useful.

Hi, can anyone out there with some economic background tell me why the American dollars buys so little in London. I had to spend $1.55 to buy a Bristish pound. It became impossibly expensive to stay there. When I went to Holland I would spend $500 and get $1,000 guilders (approx.) What is the difference. Is our dollar devalued in London and the guilder devalued to our dollar? Thanks

I was in Paris in late March and have to recommend St. Chappelle. It is a little off putting having to go through the metal detector and wait in line to get inside the church but it truly so beautiful. Go early, when it opens and be one of the first to enter and commune with the stained glass, carved and painted wall panels and detailed floors.

No one tells you that transferring in the Paris metro can be quite a haul around. Be prepared. They are great, convenient, clean, and sometimes a really long walk from one line to the other.

London and Paris are ok but if you really want to have fun, come to Dublin. There are more Londoners coming to Dublin for weekends away etc, than there are Londoners in London.
I also hear prague is excellent for nightlife. check it out.

London and Paris are ok but if you really want to have fun, come to Dublin. There are more Londoners coming to Dublin for weekends away etc, than there are Londoners in London.
I also hear prague is excellent for nightlife. check it out.

London and Paris are ok but if you really want to have fun, come to Dublin. There are more Londoners coming to Dublin for weekends away etc, than there are Londoners in London.
I also hear prague is excellent for nightlife. check it out.