tod

Use the hotel safe in your room to lock up your passport, airticket & extra cash.
Take a copy of your passport and carry that with you.

Kate

cmcfong, David is being naughty

It's Steak and Kidney Pudding

RobinBinNYC

Hi there,
My 1st trip to Europe was solo, too. One thing I was sure to do was to figure out ahead of time how I was going to get to my lodging from the airport/train station, etc. I wrote out directions on a small sheet of paper and referred to that rather than having a big map & guidebook out as I felt less like a "mark" & a bit more confident about where I was headed. Definitely read the "Orientation" section of your guidebook to get a general idea of how the city is organized. Be clear on transportation options at night. In Paris, it's a bit limited (I wound up at a bus stop alone, verbally harassed by two teen hoodlums). Also, pack less than you'd think and bring an empty duffel bag or shopping bag for all of the things you'll want to bring back with you from these wonderful cities. Bring comfortable shoes. Finally, if you're tempted to do the stairs at the Eiffel Tower - the 2nd platform is higher than you think!

Robespierre

The First Floor (<i>premi&egrave;re &eacute;tage</i is one flight up from ground level.

Free subway and bus maps are almost useless, because they depict the network and not the geography. Try these:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34630342


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34685947

<b>http://www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/[email protected]^[email protected]/0</b>

cmcfong

Thanks, Kate.

ira

Hi M,

The most important thing in London is to &quot;mind the gap&quot;.

tcreath

The only thing I can really suggest, as I agree with the posts above, is to allow extra time for strolling, sitting in cafes and taking in the scenery in both cities. Our first trip to Europe was London and we spent more time doing and less time taking in the city and regret it. When we were in Paris a few weeks ago we came up with a loose itinerary but spent a lot of time walking and sitting in cafes. This made for a much more enjoyable trip.

Have a wonderful time!
Tracy

SusanMargaret

In London on your first day take one of the hop on hop off buses - a ticket lasts 24 hours and is inexpensivev. Ride around once and on the second time get off and on where you like. Same idea in Paris, but take a batteau mouche. You will get a great overview of the city.

Robespierre

I respectfully dissent from the 12-hour hop-on/off buses. See here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34535187


and here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568214

david_west

Another few:

London:

Take in at least one major park - the pelicans in St James' park are well worth a visit!

Avoid soho - it's a pit. In fact at night avoid the &quot;West End&quot;. Londoners don't ever go there - and there's a very good reason for that! There are lots of nicer places to go, go there.

A walk on Hampstead Heath is lovely - go to Kenwood House and see the paintings.

Tate Modern on South bank - great, get the river shuttle between it and Tate Britain.

There's a bar in the Hyde Park Hilton on the top floor - it's a bit rubbish, but the views are spectacular.

Denis Severs House - trully unique experience. I have never come accross anything like this anywhere else.

Marmite!

Hampton Court - go if the weathers good as the gardens are the best bit. Get lost in the maze.

Eat fish and chips

Go for a ruby (ruby murray - curry).

xyz123

Be prepared to spend lots of money....

Dejais

Saving to read later.

drbb

For the Paris museum pass, check out http://www.gotoparis.net/gotoparis/musee.html

You can get passes before you even leave the country. We walked right into the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, etc, bypassing lines and not even having to stop to buy the passes.

It was worth it to have it ahead of time.

Have a great trip....

Worktowander

Use the Underground/Metro to get around.

Eat and drink in pubs/cafes.

Wear really, really good walking shoes.

Read local newspapers.

tinarose

I can't say enough good things about the Paris Museum pass. With it you might find yourself popping into lesser known museums that you would otherwise skip if you had to pay the entrance fee.

CatFancier

Whatever you do...don't miss Montmartre/Sacre Coeur!

Take a Seine boat trip.

Use French as much as you can. It's fun!

Wander around the wonderful old streets of the Latin Quarter.

Climb the towers at Notre Dame to see the gargoyles and breathtaking view.

Budget for more money than you think you'll need. There are an awful lot of tempting things to buy!

Wear super-comfy shoes and bundle up.

Have a blast!

suze

You won't spend 100 bucks for coffee by accident nor will you need to convert the cost of every item you purchase. Simply get the feel for what is a pound or a euro. I can't imagine taking the time to convert back to US or Canadian dollars each time you spend money on your vacation. Get cash from an ATM and then spend it. That is one tip that will make your trip easier, guaranteed!

nevcharlie

Kate's info re bus fares is a little out of date, single fare is now &pound;1.20 thanks to our avaricious mayor, and a day ticket is &pound;3.00 for as many trips as you like.IMHO a day fare is much better value than the rather expensive hop-on-hop-off buses, unless you want the commentary and boat-ride.
Be sure to have plenty of the right coins for the buses, no change given!!

Kate

you're right Nev, it's been a while since I travelled by cash not Oyster

david_west

One further thing about London’s buses – most now require you to buy a ticket before you get on the bus – either an Oyster card or from the machines at the bus stops.

A week’s unlimited travel is around 25 pounds (at least that’s what I pay for a zones 1-3 card, you don’t need zone three as a tourist).