My husband and I along with 2 friends are planning to travel to Holland(4D/3N)/Brussels(2D/1N)/Paris(4D/3N)/London(4D/3N)in mid September '99. This is our first trip to Europe and we would like it to be a special one. <BR>We would like suggestions on the must see places and things to do in each of the above countries considering the number of days we have. <BR>Apart from that, we would like recommendations on decent hotels with clean bathrooms within walking distance to main attractions (our budget-US$50). <BR>We would also appreciate it if we can have a rough estimate on rail passes, local travels and admissions (museums, towers etc.)

There is a wealth of information on all of your destinations on this forum. Do a Topic search for each one and you will have PLENTY of terrific tips.

First, I agree with the above post. But, secondly, your budget is extremely low for accommodations in these cities. Read a few travel guides and I think you may have to raise your budget. <BR>

I agree. You will be disappointed in what $50 can get in the way of a nice hotel room in these cities. When you wrote "... decent hotels with clean bathrooms within walking distance to main attractions..." all I could think about was that the bathroom might be within walking distance of where you were sleeping (ie, well down the hall). Bump it up to at least $100 if you expect a private bath in a pleasant and convenient hotel. <BR>We are staying in a 3-star canal house hotel in Amsterdam (Hotel Toren) for $150/night for a premium room. A standard room with private bath might come in around $100, and breakfast is included.

Hema, <BR>I'm not certain whether your budget for accommodations is $50.00 a day per person or per couple. If per couple, rest assured your expectations will not be met in Paris. You may find a room in a private home in Amsterdam if you check with the Netherlands Tourist Office, (VVV) at Amsterdam's central station. The home will invariably be in Amsterdam's suburbs and necessitate traveling by bus to center city. London, too, has bed and breakfasts in your price range, but again you'll encounter significant extra costs in traveling from remote parts of the city or suburbs. Brussels is an extremely expensive city due to its emergence as a focal point for NATO and the European Union, however, many commercial hotels drastically reduce their rates for weekend stays. For inexpensive stays in London and Paris, inexpensive dining as well, look for Gustafson's books "Cheap Sleeps in London" and "Cheap Eats in London"; she has similar books for Paris. See the website: www.londontransport.co.uk for information on underground passes and their costs. See: www.intermusees.com for information and costs of Parisian museum passes. See: www.smartweb.fr/paris and click on Transport for information and costs of Metro passes. These sites should help you in your budgetary planning.

Clearly your budget is quite low. Since this will be your first time in europe and you plan to visit quite a few places, there is not much to suggest other than seeing the major sights in the places you will be. However, you do have enough time in Paris and London to do an excursion. for a first timer to Paris, I would suggest Versailles, which is a full days outing if you plan to visit the gardens, which you should do. Easy excursions from London are Canterbury, with its great Cathedral and associations with St. Thomas a Beckett, Windsor (the castle), Grenwich (the naval observatory, museum & Cutty Sark, Dover (the castle) or Brighton (the Royal Pavillion). I would recommend Canterbury, I always enjoyed it. As to being in Holland, I would recommend setting aside a bit of time to go bike riding; it is a wonderful experience there. Other than that, I think your time will be fully occupied just seeing the major sights in the cities you've named.

Hema, forget $50 in Paris. Undoubtedly, they exist, but, undoubtedly you will not get a bath or shower in your room. <BR>Understand that in France and other European countries there are many hotels that have a communal shower/toilet per floor. It is quite acceptable and proper and these hotels or auberges are clean and the service good. But in Paris? I wouldn't risk it unless I had a photo. <BR>You might be able to save some money on meals which, for two, would normally run about $80/day by picking up a tasty baguette and cold cuts to prepare ham sandwiches and such. It is quite acceptable and the French bread is wonderful. <BR>Admission to museums and other state-owned cultural sites is cheaper on Sundays. The Louvre, for example, runs about 30 franc on Sun and during the week is less than twice that. <BR>

In paris check out Hotel du Champs de Mars and Hotel Leveque, both on or near the Rue Cler pedestrian area where you can pick up food for picnics but a double with a bath with still be about $70. In Amsterdam, try the Heineken Brewery Tour, costs about $2.00 per person with free beer at the end, and a special if its your birthday!! Next read the books and reread the books, also contact tourist boards!

I just returned from a weekend in Paris and stayed in a perfectly acceptable hotel in the Rue Cler neighborhood - The Royal Phere - for about $50/night. I also found at least 5 more within the area for under $75 - all 2-star hotels, all with private bath. Check out hotelboulevard.com for descriptions of hotels and feedback from people who have stayed there. <BR> <BR>As far as the Belgium part of your trip, I would recommend speding one day in Brussels and the other in Ghent, Brugge or Antwerp. It's a short train ride from Brussels to any of these cities. Also, if you find hotels in Amsterdam too expensive, you may want to try staying in Haarlem, which is only about 15 minutes away by train. It's a bit more peaceful and quiet. <BR> <BR> <BR>

I don't know about all of you but I stayed in a decent hotel in paris for about $35 in november. I forget the street right now but it was hotel marignan in the 5th two blocks from metro mutualite. we went with the hall shower because as a college student i was used to hostels and this hotel was a big step up, but i know they do have rooms with a private shower for just a bit more. I can't remember how i found this hotel, it might have been in guide de routard which is a french publication. London on $50 a night is impossible for a hotel. I stayed in a hostel and i spent about $30. London is by far the most expensive city in europe. i know brussels is a personal choice for you Hema, but did you look into Bruges? I would strongly recommend it over Brussels. I would suggest buying a guide book such as Lonely Planet's western europe on a shoestring or let's go europe, they give good suggestions on hotels in your price range....or do a topic search on this website. As for Paris, try hotel champ du mars, im gonna stay there next june on my honeymoon, it's nothing extravagant, but it's in a good location and only $70 a night. well worth it.