We have decided to spend a long weekend in Paris to celebrate our first anniversary - yippee!! Based on our schedules and the availability of frequent flier airline tickets and hotel award points, we'll be going the weekend of Nov. 5. Now we can't decide which is better - to travel from that Wednesday to Sunday, or Thursday to Monday.

We can't think of anything to influence our decision one way or the other. Maybe lots of places are closed on Sundays or something? Or maybe there's no difference whatsoever and we should just let the flip of a coin decide for us? Any advice here?

Thank you!
Meredith

Can't think of any reason. Many museums are closed on Monday or Tuesday, but if you are leaving on a Monday, you probably won't have time that day for a museum anyway. Many restaurants are closed Sundays, but many or not. If you have your heart set on a specific restaurant for a meal on your last night, you might check whether it is open Sunday. (Use www.pagesjaunes.fr to get a phone number and call or use www.viamichelin.com or www.zagat.com to check, although even if a guide book or website says it is open on Sunday, I think I would call ahead and confirm, and probably make a reservation.) Also most department stores and boutique shops are closed Sunday, so if you are a big shopper, you should do that on another day. Enjoy your trip!

If you are arriving on Wednesday, and if you think you will use the metro and bus enough, you can utilize the Carte Orange Wed-Sun. Wednesday is the last day you can buy it for the remaining week. (about 13E for zones 1-2).

I almost always travel Thursday-Monday and the reason is that on the carrier I fly, those are the lowest fares. I've guess I've never noticed much difference as far as things being closed, etc. -- but that may just be due to my own habits and what I choose to do in Paris. (Note: If you can buy the tickets cheaply enough, you may choose to purchase instead because you will be earning miles instead of using them -- but that's your call.)

One possible advantage of going Wednesday-Sunday is that if you want to play for a bump, your chances may be slightly better on Sunday on the Paris-U.S. leg. (It seems like bumps are offered a lot of the time, so if you have the flexibility, you might want to anticipate how you could accommodate that.)

In any case, happy anniversary and congratulations on working out a great celebration with your points & miles!

Thanks for the advice! We have decided to go from Wednesday to Sunday. Everything is booked, and we are SO excited!!

Have fun, Meredith.

Congratulations... what a romantic idea!!!