janisj

I also enjoy staying elsewhere (though the 4th and 5th are probably my favorites for various reasons). But for a 'newbie' - I just think 4/5/6 are best for proximity of many sites, the river, and not having to rely so much on the metro and buses. Easy to walk out the door and be anywhere in the center w/i a reasonable walk.

mjs

I agree with the 4/5/6 in Paris. Will be in the 6th next week. Would be careful about being too creative with your flight plans. My experience is that more than one stop on a flight itinerary abroad is really exhausting. Flying in/ out of two different airports will require something like renting a car one way twice which eats up a lot of any cost saving. Try for FAT-LAX or SFO- LHR with open jaw return CDG. I would leave NYC for another trip, Consider 7 nights London and 7 nights Paris and 5-7 nights elsewhere in Europe. Maybe Rome? You can always do NYC another time with RT airfare around 300 dollars.

propita

Thanks for the advice on arrondissements, everyone! That is exactly the help I need right now.

Fortunately, Hubby and I agree on interests and where we want to go.

In London, we DO want the extra time because we don’t want to feel rushed--and we’re not sprinters. Two day trips planned: Oxford (because who wouldn’t want to walk around there, right?) and Harry Potter. Anything else, we’d add there. We want the freedom of wandering without having to be somewhere. Although I DO want to see at least one show.

In Paris, I want a day at Versailles. I know, a full day isn’t required. But we don’t want to run here, run there and not just enjoy. And he DOES want a day at Disney--he wants to check it off the list, because any future trip will NOT include it.

In New York, we just want to see rings we missed. We know that New York will be a place we don’t get tired of. So, time wandering through Central Park, Grand Central, and the Public Library. Just to enjoy what’s there, the architecture, etc. I’d like to see Ellis Island this time, but if we don’t, we know there’ll be another trip.

As for flights, Fresno > LA or SF or Dallas > London. Paris > New York. New York > LA or SF or Dallas > Fresno. For convenience sake (I’ve posted elsewhere our reasons), we’d rather just take off from Fresno. Hubby does not want a non-stop from Paris to LA, he wants a break--which is why he came up with New York as an extended layover.

lanejohann

we are going in january 2014 and have booked the premier inn in leicester sq cos we wanted central..daughter and I

easy to get from heathrow too...on the picadilly line

have fun whatever decisions you make!

propita

Premier Inn is on our list.

We really need to get a handle on dates so we can make hotel reservations. After we’ve decided on hotels, that is.

**sigh**

cathies

We stayed in this apartment in Paris and loved it. The bedroom is tiny, but the rest of the apartment is quite spacious.

http://www.parisbestlodge.com/luxembourg.html