travelgourmet

kerouac: I never suggested that Paris did not have affordable dining options. I was merely trying to emphasize the similarilties in prices between New York and Paris. And, I do think we should keep in mind that the OP is a New Yorker. Someone from New Hampshire may be impressed by pretty much any bistro in Paris, while someone from New York may not be.

To the OP: My point was that finding <b><i>decent</i></b> meals in Paris is easy enough but I wouldn't count on just stumbling onto a <b><i>memorable</i></b> meal. There is a lot of relatively uninspired food to be waded through. So, do a bit of research (there are a lot of recommendations on this board), and highlight at least a few places to make a trip to. I find that, especially at the casual end of things, a lot of the restaurants can start to look the same, so some recommendations can make the difference between really good and just okay.

kerouac

Oh course, in any city, &quot;food is fuel&quot; for most people during the working day. When I see New Yorkers stuffing their faces at all of the pizza stands, fried chicken outlets, deli salad bars, etc., it is not really different from the Parisans eating sandwiches, buying Chinese take-out, chowing down on a panini... Daytime habits, even on vacation, don't always change all that much. Naturally, it is nice to be able to find a pleasant evening meal with all the trappings, but after a long hard day of sightseeing, even that is not always desirable.

I'm sure that I have eaten pastrami sandwiches in my New York hotel room in the evening as many times as tourists in Paris have feasted on a rotisserie chicken in their own room.

butnotrmpt

To NeoPatrick - where is that large apartment with a/c with the reasonable price? Can you give me a link?

To Basingstoke2 - can you offer specifics on reasonable Paris hotels, restaurants, apartments, etc. If you posted a report, can you provide a link?

NeoPatrick

Here's the link to the apartment. It is now about 112 euros per night through the agency, but because I've rented it twice, I now get a big deduction by renting direct through the owners.

http://www.parisattitude.com/apartme...numProduit=114

basingstoke2

The apartment was from vacationinparis.com. It was #176, a basic studio but an excellent value in the 2nd arr. Put my name in the search box and you will find my trip report that discusses this apartment, neighborhood, restaurants etc. The thread begins with &quot;Prelogue&quot;

Therese

This may already have been mentioned upthread, so excuse the redundancy if it has.

A really great option for lovely, romantic meals at fancy places in Paris is lunch. You get the decor, the service, the cuisine, and the view and you pay half or less. And sure, a big lunch with wine is going to make you want to go home and get in bed, but isn't that sort of the point of your honeymoon?

After your, um, nap you can get up, have a shower, and head out for some nightlife: a jazz club, a romantic stroll or boat ride along the Seine, etc. A light supper is all you'll want.

Christina

If someone is from NY, and on their honeymoon, they probably do want some kind of interesting restaurants. But I think the answer is that if you are from NYC, the prices in Paris are not going to be shocking and if that's all one is worried about, don't.

However, I really don't think these folks want to stay in some small 6th floor non-air conditioned studio on their honeymoon, as suggested above (the VIP 176 thing) just to save a few bucks. A nice vacation rental apt. in Paris is not usually cheaper than a hotel, in my experience. There are cheap ones, but they often aren't that nice. Besides, I don't think the OP aid they want to rough it on their honeymoon, that wasn't the issue.

I do find Paris cheaper than NYC myself. Definitely for hotels, even with the low valud of USD now, I get a much nicer hotel in Paris for a lower cost than I can in NY, most of the time.

I probably wouldn't go most anywhere in Europe in August as a top destination choice for various reasons, but the cost compared to NY wouldn't be one of them. I just don't think Paris is at its best in August, but for someone who is very excited about it and hasn't been there before, it should be fine.

kerouac

Funny, when I think of people actually in love with each other, I never imagine that comfort or convenience is their main concern, just the magic of the location and their feelings for each other.

But I suppose that some honeymoons are all about room size, elevators, crystal glasses, obsequious waiters, in-room hair dryers, air conditioning and a sparkling Eiffel Tower so close you can touch it.

Such couples get what they deserve.

NeoPatrick

I think that assessment is a little rough, Kerouac. You are playing it to the hilt, but on the other hand do you honestly think a newly married couple who perhaps live in plush surroundings and have a sizeable income, living nicely would want to start their married life together in a flea bag hotel eating gyros off the street to save money? I don't think my scenario is any greater exaggeration than yours. Why shouldn't a couple want to be comfortable on their honeymoon? Or on any other vacation for that matter?

kerouac

Well actually, I have come across quite a few people who discovered places like India or Thailand in terms of straw mattresses, meals eaten with ones fingers, and rats running across the floor, and they were often delighted with the extreme contrast from their life at home.

I do realize that some people coming to Europe want to move into Cinderella's castle and have foot servants, but I am not certain if they are the majority.

travelgourmet

<i>I do realize that some people coming to Europe want to move into Cinderella's castle and have foot servants, but I am not certain if they are the majority.</i>

Maybe not every vacation, but for a honeymoon, I would wager they are a majority. And I think you are more than a little harsh towards those that want something nicer than they have in their every day lives, and if one can't have that on their honeymoon, then when are they supposed to have it? Or should they just live an ascetic life 24/7? Sounds pretty dull and boring to me.

likeswords

I wouldn't pass up the chance to honeymoon in Paris for anything. You will have a wonderful time, and Paris is the most romantic of cities - just strolling from park to park, place to place, along the Seine, window shopping in the fancier areas (even the charcuteries and boulangeries and wine shops, where they are perfectly happy to let you look around as long as you don't pester them with questions when they have other customers) is delightful. I would probably try to find a place with air conditioning in August, which I understand can be hot and muggy. I too recommend an apartment - get a view if you can. Privacy and the ability to make a cup of tea for yourself or have a glass of wine in your own little world is wonderful. Oh, have a fabulous honeymoon!

NeoPatrick

Kerouac, thanks for telling us that you would be happy surrounded by rats on YOUR honeymoon. To each his own. Go for it. No one will put you down for wanting to honeymoon or even vacation in a dump. Why do you think it's OK for you to put others down who want at least clean and comfortable if not luxurious on theirs? Are you convinced that everyone must have the same taste as you do, or are you jealous, or are you just generally a demeaning sort of person? It's kind of hard here to tell which.

You do at least see the absurdity of comparing Cinderella's castle and foot servants with having a clean hotel room with a comfortable bed and perhaps even a private bath -- I hope! What on earth caused those absurd comments? Having a bad day?

Guenmai

It's your honeymoon so just go. Trust me it's not going to get any cheaper by waiting. I've been going almost annually since the mid 70s. It's always been expensive, compared to American prices, except around 1982 when the exchange rate shot up to 10 franc to a dollar. I'd been there many times when it was around 5 franc to a dollar. So when it shot up, it was shop until you drop time...Party time. Smiles. So, now the shopping and partying is less, but who cares...there are plenty of cheap ways to enjoy Paris...like long strolls through different areas of the city.
Prices usually go up...seldom down. You will probably regret it terribly if you don't go. Happy Travels!

Sally30

Have fun! We are going to Paris in the fall for our fifth anniversary and I too am sick of people telling me how much more expensive it is. And this is from people who spend more on a pair of shoes then my plane ticket costs! have a great time. My one (non-travel related) piece of advice is try to give yourself at least a day between the wedding and honeymoon (if work permits) so you can regroup and pack.

chawkins

good tip Sally30, we will have a day in between to recover.

We were lucky enough to find a nice mid-priced hotel that is somewhere in between the rats and the castle.

We'd appreciate any specific restaurant referrals that people feel strongly about. Also for jazz clubs..

Thanks again!

gruezi

Have a wonderful honeymoon!

Guenmai

Have a great honeymoon. Happy Travels!

aGirlfromBrooklyn

Dear CHawkins,

As a New Yorker who just returned from a first time trip to Paris yesterday, all I can offer is that while Paris IS more expensive than New York, it didn't seem to matter -- we still came home with quite a bit left of the money we had budgeted for our trip -- even after some highend purchases and doing, seeing, buying and eating &quot;everything&quot; we hoped to. Paris is beautiful, romantic, historic, magical and sensual. You will have a honeymoon you will not regret! Congratulations!

NeoPatrick

GirlfromBrooklyn, with all due respect, New York City may be less expensive for anyone who lives there, and especially to someone who isn't getting a hotel there, but to a tourist going to NYC and to Paris, I think the supposition that Paris is more expensive is definitely off base. Nearly anyone knows how to live &quot;cheaply&quot; in their home town. When is the last time you stayed in a NYC hotel, which one was it, and how did it compare to your Paris accomdations?