nytraveler

Sorry - she may want to try out whatever language (s) she has learned. My SDs loved the chance to use their French. Which has she studied - that may be a determining factor.

Lynnaustin

I think that nytraveler makes an excellent point. Your niece should give you some input. Perhaps you could give her 2-3 scenarios.
Over her Christmas break she could go through the guide books to find her "must see" and "must do" list for Paris. Ditto the hotels, give her 2 or 3 different choices and have her decide. Make your own list of things that you want to do.
My take is that it would be better for her to get involved in the planning then to be her "tour guide". Of course, there are things that you can't wait to show her but having her take charge of some items will just add to the experience.

Leely2

Well, as others have said, you need to get your niece's opinion. That said, while personally I could spend the whole time +++ in Paris, I spent two nights in Amsterdam this June as an extended layover on my way home from East Africa. It was terrific! No, it hasn't taken the place of Rome or Paris for me, but it's an easy, accessible, hip city with plenty to do--and plenty to buy (you did mention shopping). Also, lots of very attractive young people biking around everywhere.

I like London but would agree with your friend that it might be hard to get a feel for it in two days. Stayed at the Toren. I think a young person might like it.

cheryllj

"I think the obvious thing is to ask you niece what she wants - I mean she's a grown woman, not a child."

Of course it's obvious. Maybe I wasn't clear when I wrote "of course I have asked her what she wants to do" and "she is going through guidebooks." But I appreciate everyone's suggestions.

Lynnaustin: thanks for the tip on the Viatours site. That gave me some good ideas for various day trips around Paris. The champagne tour might be a possibility (the drinking is no issue, in fact her dad has already joked that she'll enjoy being able to drink legally).

I haven't been to Versailles in so long that I barely remember it, but I know we want to go. We've already talked about renting the Marie Antoinette movie, the Kirsten Dunst version. Viatours offers a half-day tour and a full day that includes the gardens, plus another tour that combines Versailles with Giverny. Any thoughts on that? Does it take a full day to tour all of Versailles, and will a half day feel rushed?

maryanntex

My daughter and I both loved the Fat Tire bike tour. We did the one at night, and it includes a ride on a bateau mouche--so it takes care of that touristy event at the same time. It was great.

We skipped climbing the Eiffel Tower, but climbed the Arc de Triomphe instead--and got a great view of the Eiffel Tower.

Both of us thought Pere Lachaisse was fascinating. I highly recommend that.

We are both runners, and went to Parc Monceau to run. The loop isn't all that long, but it was fun to be in a place where tourists were in short supply.

We watched the movie "Paris, j'taime" before we went (also looked it up on Wikipedia to see exactly what was shown) and felt that gave us a introduction different from what we found in the guidebooks.

We took a cooking class at the Ritz and that was terriffic. We did a two hour (I think) class--hands on, and we ate what we'd prepared for lunch. Except for one other American, all the others were locals. There was a translator--a young girl from Chicago who was going to grad school in Paris.

Leely2

Oops, I meant I stayed at the Toren in Amsterdam. Not London.

Seamus

I'll speak from experience on this one. Several years ago we started a tradition of similar "niece trips" as a high school graduation gift. We have done five to date. Started with just Paris for 8-10 days for the first two. Added 2-3 days in London for a the next two. This year did 3 days in Amsterdam then on to Paris for 10 days. All were great, but I'll offer these lessons learned:
10 days in Paris is in no way too long a time; there are plenty of things to fill up the days, including day trips to Versailles, Chartres, etc. Fat Tire Bike Tours are great - the evening one also includes a ride on one of the Seine barges. They also do Segway tours which are more about the Segway experience than the tour, but are fun.

2-3 days in London is barely enough for a taste, but better than nothing. Travel on Eurostar is easy, though does require a bit of advance check in time for immigration. Though most museums are free, London is more expensive than Paris.

2-3 days in Amsterdam is great as an adjunct. It is smaller and easier to navigate than London and you can see plenty in that amount of time. Transport to Paris on the Thalys high speed train is easy and comfortable.

Disagree about hotel vs apartment - we much prefer having an apartment in Paris. In hotels, you meet other tourists. In the course of picking up essential (and just plain enjoyable) items at neighborhood shops one gets a feel for the place; merchants often recognize repeat customers and are typically kind and welcoming. Sitting at a local cafe can lead to some interesting conversations. We also like the flexibility of having a kitchen and food storage - not that we do any heavy cooking, but it is nice to keep things around for a nosh and to have an option other than going out to eat after a long day. For me, being able to make morning coffee is great. Not trying to proselytize, just sharing experience.

So you are pretty much in a win-win situation - whichever add-on city you choose, or even if you choose to stay put in Paris, it will be fun and enjoyable!

ParisAmsterdam

Do the Segway tour with Fattire... vastly more fun than a bike! Much cooler when you're 19 too...

Cliff09

My vote is for London. Go to Amsterdam if you want her to get hit on by some drunk 20 something. I agree that an apartment is the way to go. I have been to Paris 3 times and have stayed in both a hotel and an apartment. An apartment allows you to live like a real Parisian and gives you a better sense of the city. The Eurostar is wonderful and I suggest booking first class the service/food etc is better and it's a one time experience so splurge. Another option is to fly on Easyjet or another discount airline and go to Venice, Florence etc.. Fares can be as low as $150 US RT. Or take the TGV to Nice and see the coast. Canne looks just like it does in the movie French Kiss. Whatever you do I am sure it will be great. We live in Atlanta too and actually are leaving for Paris/Burgundy in one week.

alanRow

<<< Though most museums are free, London is more expensive than Paris. >>>

How do you figure that? I could easily spend a week in London without spending anything apart from on travel, eating & accommodation. It's impossible to do that in Paris

travelgirl2

Another vote for a Segway tour in Paris. The absolute highlight of our week stay with teenagers.

I think London would be a good addition. It is a bit less overwhelming for a first-time traveler because of the common language. The Eurostar is an easy trip and a fun train ride (although not much to see ). It's also very different from Paris. Our kids were very amused by the 'proper' speech, how everyone drives on the left, the cute taxicabs with fold-down seats, etc. The pub scene would be fun for a 19 year-old (or so I've been told).

ira

Hi C,
>I can't imagine spending 8 days.......<

You're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

I think that being 19 and in Paris for 8 days is <b>THE</b> adventure of a lifetime.

Don't keep her on too short a leash.

oakglen

I am with Ira on this; and I can't imagine a 19 yo chosing to blow a day at Versailles, that's for the old crowd. Same goes for the Louvre etc. You might want to stay in the 5th/6th for a few days and then move to the Marais.

nukesafe

I, too, would deliberately slacken the leash a bit you your niece. In fact, it might be valuable to have her take responsibility to plan specific day's agendas, or even entire city visits. Sure, she will make mistakes you would not, but she would feel more adult and in control. The challenge would be to keep your mouth closed when she goofed, and laugh with her as you have adventures recovering.

Lynnaustin

I didn't see a tight leash anywhere in your postings!
Several teens that I know have loved seeing the Louvre (at least the highlights) and Versailles. The audio guides at the Louvre are quite good.

cheryllj

Thanks, Lynnaustin. I was wondering where all these "leash" comments were coming from, because I certainly have no intention of keeping her on any kind of leash. Far from it. She's an adult and she's treated like one - maybe too much, because right now she has a ridiculous amount on her plate. But I'm not sure she wants me discussing her life with a bunch of strangers on the internet, so I won't.

And here I thought I was being a good aunt by taking her to Paris, but apparently that is putting her on a "leash." She said she was interested in Versailles, but I guess I shouldn't believe her since it's for the "old crowd." I really liked it when I visited it at 22, or so I thought, but maybe I am remembering it wrong.

sam86

Oakglen - I visited Paris for the first time when I was 21 and I chose to go to Versailles rather than to Disneyland. And I loved it. I'm going back now at 24 and planning to go again. Hardly 'old crowd'.

Cheryllj - Let me say that I wish I had had the opportunity your niece has = )

I live in London right now, and I love it. I do think think 3 nights does not do it justice (I may be biased). So, I would go for Paris and Venice or Paris and Amsterdam - that decision you could just leave up to your niece = ) I'm sure she will be willing to make that call no matter how much she has going on.

cheryllj

Seamus: Thanks for your suggestions. As far as the apt. goes, we don't really "disagree," it's just personal preference. I've stayed in apts. before and know the pros/cons, but most of the time I prefer a hotel.

I find it funny when the apt. people try to extol the benefits by saying things like "you can go grocery shopping! You can cook! You can make coffee! You can do laundry!" For some people, those are not benefits. I have no interest in making coffee, cooking or doing laundry on vacation - I don't even want to do them at home. (I haven't used a coffeemaker in years and I don't even know if my stove works.) And on vacation I certainly don't want to do those things.

I know other people enjoy having a kitchen, and for those people an apt. makes sense. I prefer to go out rather than eat in. And me trying to figure out how to use the appliances would be like an I Love Lucy episode. But the bigger space in an apt. is a benefit for sure, and I know it can be cheaper for longer stays.

Christina

PErsonally, I would vote for London as the most fun for someone that age. I've been to Amsterdam and it was just okay, as far as I'm concerned. OF course, if she wants Amsterdam, that solves the problem. But I would choose London.

I like your idea of 3-4 days in Paris, then some in London (or Amsterdam) then back in Paris for several days in a different hotel. I do that kind of thing, it's fun to stay in different areas (and if you really hate one of the hotels, you have cut your losses). And it makes it less hectic getting to the airport -- I have chosen one hotel Left Bank and moved to Right Bank for the return as it is closer to the airport.

Paris has a lot of tourists most of the year when there is good weather, from April through October. I wouldn't know if June was the peak or July or whatever, but I've been there in all those months and you aren't going to notice the difference between June and July. There are always lots of tourists at key tourist spots during any summer month. I think maybe more in July, but as I said, it doesn't matter.

I don't think London is more expensive than Paris except maybe hotels a bit.

I also think if I were 19, I would not want to stay in Paris eight days, either (nor if I were you). A lot of people say that on Fodors, but I don't agree as general advice, that isn't going to appeal to the common traveler as much as seeing several places.

nukesafe

Sorry, I did not mean to insult by the "leash" comments. It was just that you started the thread by calling her a "girl", and put nothing in about her having any input until prodded by other Fodorites. Sounded like you were taking a little kid in tow rather than two adult women planning a trip for mutual enjoyment.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.