Beth

I will be visiting Paris for the first time in October. I would like to take an orientation tour on the first day. Cityrama seems to run some popular bus tours. But what about their intimate 8-person mini-van tour? Has anyone taken this? Worth it? How long does it last and does it start at the place de pyramids like the others? Reservations needed?

Ross Thompson

I HIGHLY recommend taking a boat tour down the river around sunset on your first day. It's a great way to orient yourself -- most of the great tourist spots are visible from the river. The pictures that I took of the Eiffel Tower with the sun setting in the background are priceless. <BR> <BR>There is SO much to see in Paris. Do a lot of reading before you leave, create a list of places you want to visit, mark the places on a map. When you get there, WALK everywhere. You will discover things around every corner that are amazing, but unexpected. OK - if you find yourself far from your hotel and the end of the day, take the subway back. <BR> <BR>Have a great time!

marcie

Cityrama tours are very good, you can see lots in just a couple of hours and the view from the top of the double decker bus is excellent. Another tour idea that we enjoyed was private walking tours of the Montmartre and Marais districts by an english speaking woman. She does all areas. It was excellent value and she had very good local knowledge and gave us lots of info for touring other areas on our own. Email should you require her details.

Beth

Marcie - thanks for the tips. Have you had the opportunity to take the Cityrama 8-person mini-van tour (described as a more intimate version of the double decker bus tour)? Just trying to decide which might be better.

marcie

Beth, we had the opportunity to take the mini-van, in fact we booked it originally, but changed to the bigger bus as the view was so much better from up on the top deck - less craning of the neck involved. It's not an open top bus but is almost all windows wrapped right around. And there wouldn't have been more than eight people on it anyway. I guess my tip would be do as we did, go look and decide on the spot which you prefer.