historylight

I am hoping that someone can give me the advice or comments on what we are looking for.

We are going to take an overnight trip from London to Paris. We have been looking at Evan Evans, Britain Shrinkers, Golden Tours & others.

What we want is the first day being escorted or partially escorted and the second day on our own. Some of the above companies provide different trips and different prices and I would just like to get input or feedback from those you have done this or heard about it from others.

Golden Tours has one with standard class on the train, a sightseeing tour with a guide, a Seine cruise, & to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel tower, and a 3 star hotel. That is $383 (US Dollars) per person. Britain Shrinkers & Evan Evans has a similar one but it has the Sofitel (4 star??) and it is closer to $500 per person.

Any feedback or comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

taggie

My advice is to go to Paris on the Eurostar on your own and book your own hotel - there are lots of excellent ones recommended on this site. Once in Paris you can take a guided bus tour of the city, go on a Seine boat and go to the Eiffel Tower plus other sights like Notre Dame - without paying the extra cost of an escorted tour and with the benefit of doing it all on your own schedule.

ben_haines_london

If you choose independent travel you can have more time in Paris for less cost if you go out by boat overnight, spend a night there, and come back by boat overnight. On most evenings you can leave London Waterloo at 1930 (1832 on Sunday), reach Portsmouth at 2109, sail from the Continental ferry Port in a two berth cabin with P & O Ferries at 2230 or 2245, reach Le Havre Quai de Southampton at 0645 or 0700, pick up sandwiches and coffee, leave Le Havre station at 0754, and reach Paris at 0956. Back it is Paris 1930 or 2004, Le Havre 2140 or 2210 to 2330, Portsmouth 0545 (which feels like 0645) to London. The ferry service web site is at www.aferry.to/p-and-o-ferry-portsmouth.htm/. You cut out two nights London hotel bills.

I think that you can set up your first day’s touring if you e mail the small agency Inside France. Web site http://www.rail-canterbury.co.uk/. E-mail [email protected]/. Phone 0044 1227 450088. 29/30 Palace Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2DZ.

[email protected]

janis

Ipersonally would not do an overnight to Paris on an organized tour. Not even if it was cheaper -- which it wouldn't be if you plan ahead and get excursion fares on the Eurostar.

(Ben's idea of ferry/train travel might be worth looking into - I personally LOVE the super fast Eurostar - but some prefer doing it more leisurely)

Paris has so much to see/do I would HATE to be regimented into a guided tour even if it was only one day.

Go to Paris for sure - but go it on your own and do exactly what you want when you want . . . . .

ira

Hi HL,

I calculate that your trip to Paris would cost about $275 pp (two in a room) if you did it yourself.

Plus, you would get to decide what you wanted to see and when and where you wanted to stay.

Eurostar tickets are at www.eurostar.com. Also check www.raileurope.com.

For help with Paris, see
Paris Superthread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34519236

historylight

I guess my hestitation for the do it all on your own is that neither of us speak French and I am worried we would be a little overwhelmed.

Whats your take on this?

Thanks again!

janis

I go to Paris and do not speak French (not anything I am proud of). I have absolutely no problem - I stumble along and always remember my merci's (thanks) and and my sil vous plait's (please) and about 50 or 60 words I've picked up along the way.

If you get any travelers phrase book so you can read at least parts of menus and basic directions you would have no problem whatsoever.

And even if you can't even manage that much, you will be fine - all the major sites have guides (printed and audio) in English.

Barb_in_Ga

I agree with Taggie that you should do it on your own, and take a bus tour of key sites, and a Seine cruise. If one full day is all you want to allow, those 2 activities will allow you to see or drive by many of the key sights. Some recommend the Seine tour at night, but I have done it once at night and twice during the day, and far prefer the day trip. The Eiffel tower would be a good thing to do at night. Your lack of French will not stop you from enjoying these key tourist activities, although the more you use the polite phrases, the more gracious will be your reception. On my first trip to Paris, I did not brush up on my high school French, but still managed to have a very fine time. I did decide to learn a little for the next trip, as we went to the 24 Hours of LeMans, and I found in smaller towns having the language skill really was a help. I have taken the Eurostar between London and France, and it is not hard to then take a metro or taxi to a hotel. Have fun--Paris is fabulous, even when you are just getting a little taste!

ira

>neither of us speak French and I am worried we would be a little overwhelmed.<

Oh, pish, tosh.

Bon joor, Madam/M' ssyuh

Kell e le pree, sill voo play?

Ooh e le toilette?

Mercy

Aw vwahr

That should be sufficient.

The public toilettes in the streets cost 0.40E and do not take 1E coins. Make sure you have change.

We always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 rue Bonaparte. 125E - 160 dbl w/bkfst.

Tel 33 1 43 26 97 37
FAX 33 1 46 33 57 67

It is about 1 blk from the Metro St. Sulpice stop on the number 4 line. You can get there directly from the Gare du Nord.

Metro and bus directions are at http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/index.php

Enjoy your visit.