KyraS

The train between London and Paris is the Eurostar. Buy tickets from the official Eurostar site, nowhere else. See the website of the excellent Man in Seat 61 if you want details about the journey: http://www.seat61.com/London-to-Paris-by-train.htm

Those tickets will just keep getting more expensive, so don't delay.

There is so much to do in London, you could spend a month there and never, ever get bored.

With respect, your mother might consider actual museums and galleries to visit, most of which are free. I have not been to Madame T's, but you will find crowds and a lot of wax figures of British celebrities about whom you may or may not care. However, if your mother wants to go, by all means, you should go. Just book timed tickets in advance to avoid some of the long queue, which I am sure your mother would not enjoy.

I would suggest you definitely visit the Tower of London. Arrive at opening time and go directly to the Crown Jewels (this gets a queue later in the day). I'd also suggest a Yeoman Warder tour and a visit to the White Tower, if your mother can handle the stairs. And a cup of tea in the cafe. The gift shop is also nice.

I would also suggest a visit to Westminster Abbey and/or St Paul's. I like the guided verger tours at WA. Normally I suggest climbing the dome at St Paul's but think the stairs would likely be too much for your mother. I would also consider attending Evensong. For a very nice view of St Paul's, if your mother is interested, go next door to One New Change and take the elevators to the roof.

I suggest you look at the website for the V&A. I firmly think there is something there for everyone, and it's free. (To name only a few items: clothing, painting, silver, sculpture, jewelry, theatre, porcelain, architecture, furniture, too much to mention.) If nothing else, have a cup of tea in their lovely cafe and browse the very good gift shop, but I imagine with their vast and diverse holdings, that there would be something there she would enjoy.

Other museums and galleries, all free to enter, so no matter if you only spend half an hour in one gallery: National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery (you can see portraits of all sorts of famous citizens of the UK here, from the Tudors to Kate Middleton), British Museum, V&A, Museum of London, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, British Library (the Treasures gallery is well worth your time), Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Imperial War Museum, the list goes on.

London has amazing world class theatre and performing arts and live events of all types. Again, something for everyone. Straight drama, musical theatre, comedy, opera, live music of all sorts from classical to jazz to choral to orchestral to pop to rock, ballet, fringe theatre, lectures, cinema and film, author talks, sporting events.

I'm hardly an expert on shopping but that's another possible activity, as is eating (London is full of fabulous food and there's always afternoon tea).

If you like churches, then in addition to Westminster Abbey and St Paul's, there are more churches in London than you can visit. You might like to see some of the Christopher Wren churches, or some more modern ones, or enjoy a performance in one (have a look at the website for St Martin-in-the-Fields, which also has a good cafe and gift shop in the crypt and is centrally located).

If your mother is interested in royal residences, then besides Buckingham Palace, there is also the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace, Windsor Castle (easy trip from London on the train), and Hampton Court Palace (another easy trip from London on the train). I think for your mother I'd choose Windsor Castle and perhaps Kensington Palace, and definitely the Tower of London.

Have a look at the listings on the websites of Londonist and Time Out London, to get an idea of what's on. I would also consult your guidebooks. The Eye is fun, and Buckingham Palace is, I suppose, iconic (not much to look at from the outside, I warn you), but there is a lot more to London.

Upthread I suggested the London Walks company to you. I understand now that your mother isn't likely interested in, or able to participate in, a long walking tour. However, they will do private tours by taxi, and that might suit your mother. You could contact them; they are a respectable outfit.

London is amazing and I hope you'll enjoy yourselves there.

janisj

This thread has gotten sooooooo long and convoluted (along w/ your other threads) it is no wonder you've missed the bits about London being much bigger/more to see than Paris (though Paris is totally fabulous too)

Paris is relatively small (at least the central 'tourist-centric/sites heavy area), London is ENORMOUS and the 'tourist-centric/sites heavy area covers a larger area.

Paris has many lovely/world famous sites - London has about 5 times as many.

>>what else in London?<<

You need a guide book.

Sassafrass

You still did not list the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. Did you look it up? I feel certain both you and your Mom would enjoy it. Also still left out Sacre Coeur.

London? OMG, you haven't even scratched the surface, and what you have listed is far from the most interesting.
A few: still just scratching the surface!
1. Westminster Abby - a do not miss site in London
2. St Paul's cathedral
3. The Victoria and Albert Museum (Have a good look at what they have because even my kids enjoyed the costume collection when they were 7 & 8 years old.
4. Tower of London - the history is amazing, plus see the Queen's jewels (don't know if they are still on view, been too long since we were there.
5. The Globe Theatre
6. Hampton Court Palace - fantastic experience for young and old
7. Tons and tons of beautiful theaters with shows and concerts - highlights of visits to London.
8. Walk Tower Bridge
9. Many, many markets
10. Canal boat from Little Venice to Camden
11. British Museum
All of the above are, IMHO, better that a wax museum, but all personal.

Several churches and cathedrals have good cafeterias or sandwich places in their crypts or basements. Worth checking out for quick, cheap and very good quality, lunch or dinner when you happen to be near.

Unless you will be seeing the fireworks from the boat, look carefully at that NYE dinner cruise. I did not find cruises on the River Thames in London that interesting, a waste of time and money for me. Might be better for you, but get some other opinions before plunking down the money for that.

Lilly2016

Thursdayssd - yes however the holiday suggestions were during christmas mostly... but i will scroll up again.

Kyra S and sassafrass -- Wow I'm speechless thank you sooo much for taking the time to write that information for me. I really appreciate it.

yes i need to organize all the valuable info and print them again.
guide books are not arriving till dec 20 - will have to be reading while traveling.

I found an all day bus tour (not walking -bc yes mom can not do too much walking and def can not do stairs) that takes us to almost all the places you listed and lets you get off to tour the locations, for Buckingham palace, - I was more interested in the guard change, something I always wanted to see, which the tour says it includes.

Mom says she has seen all the museums before in Paris and London and that is why she is not interested (her and my father were there 40 yrs ago though).
I did discuss all the other interesting parts of museums she was not interested, except the wax museum bc that is what Dad told her not to miss.

StCirq

Well, they can't possibly have seen all the museums in either place, but oh well.

IMO the wax museum is ridiculously overpriced for what it is. It's not really even a museum, just a commercial display. And do be prepared to stand in line.

Sassafrass

Huge Museums can be overwhelming, especially for people with little interest in or knowledge of art. That is why picking just a few things or one collection within the museums, or a smaller, one-focus museum works better for your Mom.

Not going to comment on everything, and off the top of my head, do not remember all the specifics, but the Musee d'Orsay did not even exist 40 years ago. It became a museum in about 1986. Beside the most incredible collection of Impressionism anywhere, the building is spectacular. It is in the renovated train station, Gare Orsay (I believe it was called), which was built for a special exhibition. When it was no longer useful for that, it was saved and restored to house the museum collection. It is a stunning structure with glass roof and beautiful views. It is among some of the most memorable museums I have been in and I have been to many. Won't mention it again. Google images and decide for yourself.

Even if you don't wish to see any of the British Museum collections, they have a fun gift shop.

In London, check out some of the concerts in churches. They are usually wonderful. I am not up to date on them, but think St Martin-in-the-Fields has them, plus good food, though not served in any way fancy. They do have a magnificent organ for concerts. It is near Trafalgar Square.

BTW, an interesting figure (of course, among many) was Lord Nelson, a real English hero and a romantic. Odd perhaps, but he has always been of great interest to me. Anyway, Trafalgar Square is named for the Battle of Trafalgar where he died and there is a monument column and a statue of him there. His tomb is in St Paul's if you get there, and it is interesting. Perhaps your Mom would enjoy one of the many books about him and his relationship with Emma Hamilton.

fuzzbucket

The Paris by Mouth tours last for 3 hours - most of this time will be spent walking from shop to shop. I don't think your mother could handle this much walking.

If your mother wants to see what she wants to see, you'd better let her have her way. Then take her back to the hotel and you go do whatever you want to do.

All these suggestions based on what other people have enjoyed might be helpful if the OP had more time. Right now, it's just muddying the waters.

Sassafrass

Maybe not muddying the waters if previous ideas were not as good for her Mom. Certainly good for the OP since she had not found many great things to do in London, which was one place her Mom knew she wanted to spend more time.

KTtravel

Even though your mother has "seen all the museums" you might consider a few in London since they are free. I would guess she does not remember all the exhibits (and some have certainly changed!) You could suggest "popping in for lunch and then taking a quick peek around."

Lilly2016

Thank you so much, I am taking notes on these.. and truly wish I did have more time in both of these magnificent cities, esp since it's my first time in Europe well since i was a baby.

Yes I'm sure mom hasn't seen all the museums, she just isn't the museum type, my dad on the other hand was... and I personally LOVE Art so I will be checking some things out when she is resting.

Paris by mouth was something someone suggested on this thread and I found it very interesting - i thought mom wouldn't be able to do it, so i would be doing this when she is resting in the hotel.

sassafrass I had looked at the pix of Musee d'Orsay and planned on seeing it if time allowed.

due to time limitations - I put a few priority things on the agenda and than was hoping to try to make it to some others ex. D'Orsay.

Hopefully it all goes well.... my mom can be difficult

we have a polar vortex going on in Buffalo hoping it gets better a ton of flights were cancelled yesterday.

Lilly2016

where is the best place to exchange USD to euro and UK pound?

will be arriving late in Paris airport but will have a couple hours on christmas day in LHR.

janisj

>>where is the best place to exchange USD to euro and UK pound? <<

Absolutely NOWHERE. (don't 'exchange' money) You take your ATM cards and us them to get € and £ from cash machines when you need it.

artsnletters

Make sure you let your bank and credit card companies know your travel dates and where you will be or your charges will likely be denied. ATMs are definitely the way to go.

sundriedtopepo

Sassafrass I agree Musee d'Orsay is a museum for people who don't yet know they enjoy art. Because those Impressionist pieces are so recognizable it makes a huge impact see them in real life, up close, and the sheer size of some of them just blows you away.

I would recommend for anybody to spend some time there.
Lilli2016 The bus nearby Le Senat will get you there in 15 minutes if you find the time.

kerouac

This thread is driving me crazy.

StCirq

Me too, kerouac. It's a classic, historical Fodors memoir.

mjs

Im with kerouac and StCirq on this. Still I am hoping for the best despite the OP traveling perhaps at the worst possible times. Just London would have made things simpler. Some advice for ATM's. Make sure you have enough money in your linked account for your trip and your mother as well. It not unheard of to lose an ATM card.

joannyc

Sorry but... No one is begging you to click on the link.

fuzzbucket

Have you thought about renting a wheelchair for your mom during the trip? It would sure make things a lot easier - plus you will always get to go to the head of any line and can use elevators if you call someone's attention to the wheelchair. Maybe you could get her doctor to arrange this quickly.

StCirq

Well, no one was begging anyone here to help out with this maniacal trip, either, but dozens of people did.

I think the wheelchair idea is a great one. You don't need a doctor's order for one, you just order one from the airline(s) and the train companies. They are brilliant. Once you get to Paris or London you can get on at almost any museum free of charge and get first entry. A few years ago I traveled all over France with a broken foot and crutches, and the wheelchair service everywhere, from train stations to airlines to museums, was exemplary.