Paris and London
 

Details: 3 adults, No kids.
Dates: March 22-March 29 (This means I'm on a plane essentially the 22 and arrive in Paris the 23 and am on a Plane the 29 and arrive back in LA on the 30)
This is my first trip where I am planning out all the details. I have never been to either location. I understand logistically I will NOT be able to see everything. Obviously for a first trip I'm thinking about the BIG stuff and a few little off the beaten path.
I just need a few pointers:
What is the weather like during the end of March into the beginning of April?
Any cultural or Big events happening around this time?
What's transportation like in terms of getting from Paris to London?
Any Must Do itinerary items?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I want to get planning (flight and hotels) finalized by the 16th of February.

Please and Thank You
Micky

You basically have 6 days to see Paris and London. Fly into one and out of the other. Take the Eurostar between cities.

You need a good guidebook to plan 2.5 days in each city to take the best advantage of your short time. Use trip reports on this forum and the "Destination" tab above. Everybody has must dos but since you have not been to eithr city be sure to do research to see what yours are. Mine are Ste. Chapelle, the Musee D'Orsay, the Orangerie and Notre Dame in Paris. We like the Left Bank, the Marais and the Islands for walking. In London, I like Westminster Abbey, the Tower, the British Museum the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Hard to say what the weather will be like. You may have nice weather but it is likely to be cool and you'll likely have some rain. Not to worry, Paris and London are great no matter the weather. Take layers and a raincoat.

If you need hotel suggestions, search this board - there are hundreds. And come back with more questions.

We were in London and Paris in late March a few years ago and it was actually quite cold. Doesn't mean it will be that cold again, but just be prepared. Be sure to find accommodations near a tube stop in London and Metro stop in France so you don't have to walk so far in the cold or drizzle.

We were with our kids and had more time, but here is a link to my trip report with pics that you may find helpful:
http://www.fromhometoroam.com/catego.../london-paris/

To get around by public transport:

www.tfl.gov.uk
particularly http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/15101.aspx

www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/tourists/
particularly http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/

For events/listings, etc:
http://www.timeout.com/london
(it's now free, pick up a current copy when you get here)

http://www.timeout.fr/paris/en

I will also add www.londontown.com for hotels and things to do.

And one more for great affordable walking tours www.walks.com

Hi Micky, following on Jamikins suggestion, you might investigate pariswalks.com also. I took the Hemingway Walk in the Mouffetard (5th) district which was excellent.

I would also suggest watching (or re-watching) the film MIDNIGHT IN PARIS which showcases the most familiar sites in the City of Light. Enjoy your trip. You will go back to both cities, I am sure...

<<I am on a Plane the 29 and arrive back in LA on the 30>>

No you're not. Flights from East to West that don't cross the International Date Line do not work that way. You'll get back to LA a few hours later than you leave London (e.g., flights from London to Dallas that leave the London area airport at 10 a.m. return to Dallas around 2 p.m.).

Considering the popularity of these cities and the ubiquity of tourists in them, there should be many resources for your "Must Do" lists. In fact, you're posting on one - check out the Fodors pages for each city. Any "must do" is peculiar to the tastes and desires of the traveler.

And mamacalice is dead-on: fly into one and back from the other.

First of all - re-check your flights.

"<i>am on a Plane the 29 and arrive back in LA on the 30</i>"

BigRuss beat me to it but . . . Do you arrive at LAX on the 3Oth? If so, you fly out of London on the 30th and actually may have one more day 'on the ground' than you think.

Or do you land at LAX on the 29th?

Book your Eurostar ticketst the minute your dates are set, Eurostar prices start low and go up closer to date. Best deals are booked at least 90 days out.

If I had to suggest two or three top sites( I won't say "must sees" as everyones must sees can be so different )

London-

Tower of London( this is pricey but worth every penny, be sure to take the included Beefeaters Tour, humorous and informative)

Royal British Museum- its huge, its filled with amazing aritfacts and exhibits, but it also has something for everyone. ( and its free, makes up for Tower price!)


And for me, personal favorite was Victoria and Albert Museum and on my list for next time is the Imperial War Rooms ( they get great reviews).

For Paris- Notre Dame( get there before opening if you wish to climb the Towers, the line is long and moves slow and there is no line skipping allowed there0

Eiffel Tower, ok, going up is not needed , but standing under it and looking up is a minimum..

Arc D' Triomphe, I love to view from up there.

river cruise or walk to see all the bridges some are pretty interesting looking.

Invalids Army Museum

Versailles.


Don't think you have time for all those, I think picking one or two major sites a day is enough, the rest of te

sorry post got cut off,

the rest of the time just fill in with wandering the streets, enjoying an ice cream, and visiting some parks( Luxembourg in Paris is great for kids)

See Notre Dame in Paris and Ste. Chapelle, on a sunny day if you can.

Westminster Abbey in London, and when there you will be able to walk by St. Margaret's Church, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben and see the Thames.
Walk by Buckingham Palace and through St. James Park.
See a play.