Rushing thru London, Paris and Rome
Mar 31st, 2009, 06:57 AM
#102
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Seamus: question about getting to Beauvais from our hotel. Since we're stuck with Hotel Du lion...Would it be better then to grab a cab to Porte Maillot? Would it be terribly expensive? What about a cab all the way to Beauvais...probably really expensive?
Mar 31st, 2009, 07:23 AM
#103
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taggie: don't worry, the reason we now have an extra day in Paris is because I decided to do only one day at Disney. After looking at the Disney map I decided it was doable in one day. Disney has a very personal meaning for us that I won't get into so I'm really looking forward to it but it's not the reason for going so I decided you guys were right about doing one day. Thanks for your advice.
Cferb: we aren't doing the museums anymore in London. About halfway thru this post you'll see my new itin after taking the awesome suggestions of everyone I was able to cut a lot out and narrow things down. I now have tweaked it even more and have some gaps to fill. I went from too much to too little now but I know it'll be easy to fill. lol.
95% of the ppl on here have been amazingly helpful. This is my first trip using Fodors and I am a little surprised that they put up with the few ppl who are incredibly rude and mean spirited. I am so surprised to see grown adults calling people names and putting them down simply for having different travel tastes. But I guess there will always be ppl like that in the world and we just have to ignore them.
Cferb: we aren't doing the museums anymore in London. About halfway thru this post you'll see my new itin after taking the awesome suggestions of everyone I was able to cut a lot out and narrow things down. I now have tweaked it even more and have some gaps to fill. I went from too much to too little now but I know it'll be easy to fill. lol.
95% of the ppl on here have been amazingly helpful. This is my first trip using Fodors and I am a little surprised that they put up with the few ppl who are incredibly rude and mean spirited. I am so surprised to see grown adults calling people names and putting them down simply for having different travel tastes. But I guess there will always be ppl like that in the world and we just have to ignore them.
Mar 31st, 2009, 07:26 AM
#104
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I don't recall this being mentioned, but in August Rome will be hot and possibly Paris. I was in Rome in October 2008 and even though it was in the high 70s it felt more like the 80s and it affected the amount of walking I wanted to do midday and my tolerance for long lines. I took frequent gelato breaks and it was nice to just sit and watch the world go by.
I was in Paris in April 2007 and they had unusually warm weather (high 70s) and it was nice just to grab an outside seat at a cafe, enjoy a leisurely lunch and again just watch the world go by.
You may not be the type of person who is able to just sit and do nothing on vacation (I had to learn how to do it), but if you are your will definitely want to take the time to just relax.
Definitely make a list of the all the things that you want to do from most important to least important and don't worry if you do not get to do it all. If you want to spend 3 hours at some place that you originally intended only spending 1 hour and have to cut out something, so what. You will have great memories because you really enjoyed the things that you did get to see and do.
I was in Paris in April 2007 and they had unusually warm weather (high 70s) and it was nice just to grab an outside seat at a cafe, enjoy a leisurely lunch and again just watch the world go by.
You may not be the type of person who is able to just sit and do nothing on vacation (I had to learn how to do it), but if you are your will definitely want to take the time to just relax.
Definitely make a list of the all the things that you want to do from most important to least important and don't worry if you do not get to do it all. If you want to spend 3 hours at some place that you originally intended only spending 1 hour and have to cut out something, so what. You will have great memories because you really enjoyed the things that you did get to see and do.
Mar 31st, 2009, 09:56 AM
#105
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Nicbur:
I've read through all the advice given - people mean well even if they sound exasperated with your plans but I can tell from your questions you are really struggling here.
My advice is just try and simplfy things as much as your can to make it easy on you & your family.
For instance this is what I would do for accommodation in London - I've been about 12 times now.
Seeing you have to catch the Eurostar at St Pancrass why not stay either at the very clean and comfortable IBIS HOTEL, Cardington street, next to Euston station and underground station, which is a very short walk from St Pancrass OR stay at the TRAVEL LODGE across the road from St Pancrass. I've stayed at both and prefer the Ibis.
There are numerous restaurants in the area including the famous North Sea Fish & Chips restaurant in Leigh street.
You MUST get a guide book with good maps to see what you can achieve if you haven't done that already. I love the EyeWitness Guide because it's in colour & maps are good with street index.
Now, your train ride from St Pancrass to Gare de Nord Paris.
When you get to Gare de Nord you simply take the RER line B towards St-Remy les Chevreuse ( you do know how to read the metro lines? example: although you are headed to Denfert-Rochereau, you find the station name that appears at the very end of a metro line) I don't know how to explain it better maybe someone else can.
So, you are on the RER from Gare de Nord. Get off at Denfert-Rochereau - Your hotel is RIGHT THERE!
In all my 11 trips to Paris I have yet to see the catacombs so maybe this time in May when I'm there again.
Please do take a wander (close by) down rue Daguerre with it's cafe`s, open-air shop fronts and produce. Part of it is a market street like Rue Cler.
Best of luck with your trip - if I've given any incorrect advice I'm sure it will be pointed out - well at least I hope so.
I've read through all the advice given - people mean well even if they sound exasperated with your plans but I can tell from your questions you are really struggling here.
My advice is just try and simplfy things as much as your can to make it easy on you & your family.
For instance this is what I would do for accommodation in London - I've been about 12 times now.
Seeing you have to catch the Eurostar at St Pancrass why not stay either at the very clean and comfortable IBIS HOTEL, Cardington street, next to Euston station and underground station, which is a very short walk from St Pancrass OR stay at the TRAVEL LODGE across the road from St Pancrass. I've stayed at both and prefer the Ibis.
There are numerous restaurants in the area including the famous North Sea Fish & Chips restaurant in Leigh street.
You MUST get a guide book with good maps to see what you can achieve if you haven't done that already. I love the EyeWitness Guide because it's in colour & maps are good with street index.
Now, your train ride from St Pancrass to Gare de Nord Paris.
When you get to Gare de Nord you simply take the RER line B towards St-Remy les Chevreuse ( you do know how to read the metro lines? example: although you are headed to Denfert-Rochereau, you find the station name that appears at the very end of a metro line) I don't know how to explain it better maybe someone else can.
So, you are on the RER from Gare de Nord. Get off at Denfert-Rochereau - Your hotel is RIGHT THERE!
In all my 11 trips to Paris I have yet to see the catacombs so maybe this time in May when I'm there again.
Please do take a wander (close by) down rue Daguerre with it's cafe`s, open-air shop fronts and produce. Part of it is a market street like Rue Cler.
Best of luck with your trip - if I've given any incorrect advice I'm sure it will be pointed out - well at least I hope so.
Mar 31st, 2009, 10:01 AM
#106
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PS - Your hotel reception will be a great source of information of how to get from A to B etc. etc. Best cafe` in the area and things like that. Don't be afraid to ask about anything -
Pick the hell out of their brains!LOL!
Pick the hell out of their brains!LOL!
Mar 31st, 2009, 10:05 AM
#107
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I envy you your trip to Paris. I was last there in April 2006.
Still looking for things to do, like architecture. (I like pretty buildings, but I am no expert. I live in the US suburbs so may be more easily impressed by these impressive building, as we don’t have anything like this back in my home city.)
I find the Invalides building, the gold dome, beautiful. A perfect place to view it is from the Rodin garden. From in the garden you can look up and see lovely Paris buildings and well Rodin sculptures. I just love that location. But my favorite spot in Paris is standing on the Place de la Concorde facing the Seine (south) look to the right, the Arc de Triomphe in the distance (when the flag is hanging within the Arc all the better), look to the southwest the Tour Eiffel. Look at the beautiful fountains and the obelisk on the Place, and then look to the left and petit Arc du Carousel and the Louvre.
From the Place de la Concorde walk to place Vendome, look up see the Colonne de Vendome, then continue walking north and see the opera building. Find the gallery walking tour posted by a wonderful fodorite. I followed it and have some beautiful pictures of gallerie Vivienne.
And do take the vendette river cruise, starts near Pont Neuf. The commentary is by a live person, be sure to tip upon leaving the boat. You can get a discount, in 2006 I brought a coupon printed from the internet.
I’ve not experienced it but you may like the Segway tour, I imagine it as a perfect merge between Disney futureland and Paris. Ride one of the metro elevated routes and merge between the Disney monorail and Paris. (My tongue is firmly planted in my cheek).
With family obligations (reunions, graduations) and such (time and money) I won’t make it back to Paris before next year, so my Paris thirst is quenched by reading this forum and watching Paris on TV. Last month, after a three part Paris program aired on Ovation TV, I went to the web and found that you can watch it on line. Consider viewing it to get some additional ideas for your extra Paris time.
Google Art historian Sandrine Voillet or Paris Blood and Chocolate. The three programs are Paris: City of Dreams, Paris: Blood and Chocolate and Paris: Bohemian Rhapsody.
Hope that you have a memorable trip and do return to tell us about it, I’m getting thirsty.
Still looking for things to do, like architecture. (I like pretty buildings, but I am no expert. I live in the US suburbs so may be more easily impressed by these impressive building, as we don’t have anything like this back in my home city.)
I find the Invalides building, the gold dome, beautiful. A perfect place to view it is from the Rodin garden. From in the garden you can look up and see lovely Paris buildings and well Rodin sculptures. I just love that location. But my favorite spot in Paris is standing on the Place de la Concorde facing the Seine (south) look to the right, the Arc de Triomphe in the distance (when the flag is hanging within the Arc all the better), look to the southwest the Tour Eiffel. Look at the beautiful fountains and the obelisk on the Place, and then look to the left and petit Arc du Carousel and the Louvre.
From the Place de la Concorde walk to place Vendome, look up see the Colonne de Vendome, then continue walking north and see the opera building. Find the gallery walking tour posted by a wonderful fodorite. I followed it and have some beautiful pictures of gallerie Vivienne.
And do take the vendette river cruise, starts near Pont Neuf. The commentary is by a live person, be sure to tip upon leaving the boat. You can get a discount, in 2006 I brought a coupon printed from the internet.
I’ve not experienced it but you may like the Segway tour, I imagine it as a perfect merge between Disney futureland and Paris. Ride one of the metro elevated routes and merge between the Disney monorail and Paris. (My tongue is firmly planted in my cheek).
With family obligations (reunions, graduations) and such (time and money) I won’t make it back to Paris before next year, so my Paris thirst is quenched by reading this forum and watching Paris on TV. Last month, after a three part Paris program aired on Ovation TV, I went to the web and found that you can watch it on line. Consider viewing it to get some additional ideas for your extra Paris time.
Google Art historian Sandrine Voillet or Paris Blood and Chocolate. The three programs are Paris: City of Dreams, Paris: Blood and Chocolate and Paris: Bohemian Rhapsody.
Hope that you have a memorable trip and do return to tell us about it, I’m getting thirsty.
Mar 31st, 2009, 10:42 AM
#108
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Nicbur - for places in Paris to "wander" - how about Ile St. Louis?
http://gofrance.about.com/od/paris/a/ilesaintlouis.htm
This was one of my favorite areas in which to just walk around and visit the shops. You can also see Notre Dame, St. Chapelle, and get some yummy Berthillon ice cream!!! Definitely a great way to spend a day/afternoon.
http://gofrance.about.com/od/paris/a/ilesaintlouis.htm
This was one of my favorite areas in which to just walk around and visit the shops. You can also see Notre Dame, St. Chapelle, and get some yummy Berthillon ice cream!!! Definitely a great way to spend a day/afternoon.
Mar 31st, 2009, 10:44 AM
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I'm sorry, Notre Dame is actually located on Ile de la Cite, but that's ok, because you can visit both islands in one day as they're right next to eachother. I liked Ile St. Louis better though, as I found it quieter and more charming.
Mar 31st, 2009, 04:57 PM
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nicbur,
We didn't get to visit the Louve because we had planned to see it the evening it's open late. So - of course, that's the day the railroad workers decide to strike and the evening museum workers can't get to work! We just walked in, got as far as Michelanglo's Slaves - and got kicked out due to the early closing! Be prepared for these things.
Some of the smaller, less time consuming places we visited that I found very, very special:
L'Orangerie - Monet's Waterlilies
Rodin Museum
The Cluny - the Unicorn tapestries - wow!
We didn't get to visit the Louve because we had planned to see it the evening it's open late. So - of course, that's the day the railroad workers decide to strike and the evening museum workers can't get to work! We just walked in, got as far as Michelanglo's Slaves - and got kicked out due to the early closing! Be prepared for these things.
Some of the smaller, less time consuming places we visited that I found very, very special:
L'Orangerie - Monet's Waterlilies
Rodin Museum
The Cluny - the Unicorn tapestries - wow!
Mar 31st, 2009, 05:19 PM
#111
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tod: Thank you so much, I did not know how to read the metro lines and I think I understand what you're saying. I also will definitely check out these two London hotels to make things easier. We have traveled a lot but never to Europe and I am still a little overwhelmed at how much there is to know. We usually just wing it when we travel but since I knew we wanted to cover a lot I thought I better create an itin but it's really hard to do that before going somewhere unknown. I think we'll just go knowing that the itin will likely change along the way 
Betty Boop: I love your suggestion and great descriptions on where to go. I just discovered Place de le Concorde today in my guide book and was wondering if it was a good place to go.
Dayle: excellent point. There's always something that comes up. In my latest itin tweaks I have more "just in case" time built in..lol.
I am still unsure what to do with my situation with having to catch a flight from Beauvais to Rome at 915am. Can anyone help me with that? Seamus described above how to get there from my hotel and said it'll be time consuming so I'm wondering if we're better off to grab a cab to Porte Maillot? Would it be terribly expensive?
Betty Boop: I love your suggestion and great descriptions on where to go. I just discovered Place de le Concorde today in my guide book and was wondering if it was a good place to go.
Dayle: excellent point. There's always something that comes up. In my latest itin tweaks I have more "just in case" time built in..lol.
I am still unsure what to do with my situation with having to catch a flight from Beauvais to Rome at 915am. Can anyone help me with that? Seamus described above how to get there from my hotel and said it'll be time consuming so I'm wondering if we're better off to grab a cab to Porte Maillot? Would it be terribly expensive?
