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.). <BR> <BR>Best regards

Hi Hema - <BR> <BR>I haven't been to Holland but have been to the other 3. I am most familiar with Paris as we just returned 3 weeks ago and have a total of 12 days there over 2 trips. <BR> <BR>My husband and I liked Brussels very much. Grand Place is amazing at night. Other than that and the Mannekin Pis (which is no big deal) there isn't a lot else there. The people were very nice. Of course they have museums, restaurants, etc. like other cities, they just don't have as many "things to do" like Paris and London. I'm sure you already know this based on the amount of time you will spend there. That's just about right. <BR> <BR>London was lots of fun. Be sure to go to Leicester Square (sp?) and Picadilly Circus to people watch. Especially fun is watching everyone at 2 a.m., drunk as a skunk, trying to walk and find a taxi. We don't drink and are not much into the party scene so we find entertainment in sitting back and watching the show. Get the subway pass so you don't have to worry about buying tickets every time you need to use the Tube. It's very convenient. Tower of London is really neat. Get there first thing in the morning. <BR> <BR>As for Paris... <BR> <BR>I'm just going to give you some tips as they come to me. I'm sure I'll miss something and it may seem scattered. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. I have maps, passes, etc. handy from our recent trip. <BR> <BR>Get both the Metro Pass and the Museum Pass. For some reason, I don't remember exactly how much the Metro Pass is (it's worth it though), but the Museum Pass is about $35. This gets you unlimited entrance to over 60 sites and museums. They include: <BR> <BR>Louvre - Musee d'Orsay - Notre Dame - St. Chapelle - Musee Picasso - Musee Rodin - Arc de Triomphe - etc... <BR> <BR>You can go ahead of the line and get right in. Twice, we have avoided a 2 hour line at the Louvre. Also, the list above are what I would recommend as a "1st time in Paris must see." I would also highly recommend the Eiffel Tower, (of course), the Catacombs, and the Pere Lachaise Cemetary. Cemetary is free and the other 2 are not on the pass. <BR> <BR>The weather can be fickle but we were also there last September and had great weather. Not one day of rain. Cross your fingers. <BR> <BR>As far as food goes, I've noticed a big difference on this site when it comes to opinions. I'll give you a few of my personal observations. Obviously, expect more expensive drinks and food in the heavy tourist areas. And, if they are not more expensive, they are probably not any good. At least, this has been my experience. <BR> <BR>A soda off a vendor is about $2. A greek gyro around St. Michel is about $5-6. A crepe off a vendor is about $4-5. A sit down dinner can range anywhere from $10 - $200 per head. This is going to depend on what area you are in, who's around, is it a famous place, what are they serving, etc. One note, keep away from the restaurants on Rue de la Harpe and Rue de la Huchette. This is a great area to walk around and people-watch but these restaurants cater to tourist and so don't care if you come back. We ate here a few times and it was over-priced, cold, and so-so portion size. When looking for a restaurant, look at people's plates. Eat at the place where everyone is finishing everything, not leaving 2/3. <BR> <BR>Get to the Louvre first thing in the morning to try to see some of the major attractions without too many people around. Hopefully, in September it won't be overly crowded. <BR> <BR>If you want to save money on dinner, one good thing to do is picnic. Sometimes, my husband and I have a big picnic type lunch and then snack on crepes and gyros for dinner. Good picnic places are the Jardin du Luxembourg, the sculpture garden at the Rodin museum, the Tuileries, the square behind Notre Dame (called Square Jean XII I think), and at sunset, the Pont Alexander III is amazing. Something to drink, some cheese and bread, and watch the sunset and the lights on the bridge and the Eiffel Tower come on. Magical! <BR> <BR>Well, time for bed. Let me know if you have any questions. <BR> <BR

My posting seems to have gotten lost somewhere, so I'll try this again. <BR> <BR>You don't say if you're staying in Amsterdam in Holland. Assuming you are: <BR>Go on a night time canal cruise. <BR>Go on a day time canal cruise (if you have time). <BR>Visit the Rijksmuseum, and especially the Van Gogh (if it's open). <BR>Watch the Holland Experience. <BR>Walk through Vondelpark (park), the Jordaan (neighbourhood), and just all over. <BR>Do a bit of shopping, for instance at de Bijenkorf and Magna Plaza. <BR>And if you feel like it, get a day pass on the train and travel all over the country. <BR>Or take the train to Deflt, or the Hague - visit Madurodam - or go to any of a number of places. <BR>But then... maybe you're travelling by car and would rather stay put for a few days. <BR>As for London, the first thing I'm doing next time I go there is take a tour! I've been twice and still haven't seen all the sights. <BR>

If there are decent hotels within walking distance of the main attractions in these cities, for $50 US a night, I would certainly like to know, too. Preferably with the clean bathrooms in the room, rather than out in the hall. I can recommend hotels in small French towns at that price. A couple of years ago, bed and breakfasts were available in English villages for under $50. If I've been missing some great deals in Paris, Brussels, and London, I'd love to hear about them.

In London for $50/day, you'll only be able to get a double room in a hostel - and that will be with shared bathrooms. You can get a B&B for that price outside of London, but definitely not within. <BR>

Dear Lynn, <BR> <BR>Thank you for sharing with me your experience and ideas . I have taken note of everything you said and I'm sure it will be of great help when I'm there. <BR> <BR>Do keep in touch.

If you get it into your head that you want to take a half-day trip out of Paris to see how the ancien regime aristos lived, don't bother with Versailles, it's too huge to do properly in half a day, and there are enormous (and often rude) crowds. My suggestion would be Chantilly. The tour agency that's located right by the Joan of Arc statue at Place des Pyramides (it's the Tuilleries metro stop not the Pyramides metro, which is confusing) does these half day tours. We took the Chantilly tour in '95 and found the palace of Chantilly to be a delight with a beautiful park (you can get a very nice snack at sandwich stands in the Chantilly park). The Princes de Conde, the owners of Chantilly for many years, also built what is probably the most magnificent stables in Europe at Chantilly.

We stayed at the Grand Hotel Leveque on Rue Cler which is a pedestrian only street with outdoor fruit, veg, cheese, etc stalls. It was great. The rooms were small but clean and it cost us about $90 for 3 people. I think it's about $60 for two.

Hema....don't take this the wrong way BUT ... why did you decide on these cities in the first place ? <BR> <BR>

I don't mean to sound flip or rude, but your plan is over-extended and under-funded. Old proverb: the more one travels, the less one sees. You are going from place-to-place too much and your $50 a night budget is not realistic in today's world. A generation ago, perhaps; today, never. Suggestion: check out a tour that will give you three cities -- Amsterdam, Paris, and London. Take day tours out of each or stay in town. Skip Brussels, it's Peoria without Peoria's charm. Dig into your library for ideas. Check Rick Steves web site. Check out Frommer and Lonely Planet, etc. You've obviously got access to the internet. Use it. And start doubling your budget now.

<BR>Hello Hema, if you are visiting Holland, it me be better for you if you stayed in the south. Then it's not such a big distance from Brussels or Paris. <BR>I can recommend my own town in the south of Holland that is called Maastricht. <BR>You will love it there(www.start.at/Maastricht) or (www.vvv.Maastricht.nl). <BR>Most hotels are more expensive then $50 in Maastricht aswell as in Brussels or Paris. <BR> <BR>Hope that i could be of some help.. <BR>Enjoy your stay,Leo!!!

With limited time, we suggest you skip Brussels and spend that time in the lovely city of Bruges. It is very safe for evening walks by the canals, a 14th belfry worth each of the 366 steps to climb to the top, museums, churches (Church of OUr Lady has a Michelangelo Madonna and child statue). And chocolate, the best ever !

Hema, <BR>Of all those cities, I have only been to London. <BR>In London, my suggestions would be: <BR>1) The Tower of London. It is very interesting! The crown jewels are there (I think they are replicas). <BR>2) Picadilly Circus to people watch as mentioned earlier. <BR>3) a night jaunt through the Soho area with some friends. We went with some people we know who live in the London area. It seemed safe, but you may want to get some info before trying this on your own. <BR>4) The Hard Rock Cafe. This is the Original. <BR>5) Westminster Abbey. Quite a spot. <BR>6)hit any pub for a real english dinner/lunch. <BR> <BR>There is a tour bus where you can get on and off at site-seeing spots. I can't remember the name of the company, but it has the two decker busses. Your hotel should know the company. <BR>Have fun! <BR>Kittie <BR>Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.

You don't say, but I guess you are going to Amsterdam, Holland. While there I would definitely recommend visiting Anne Frank's house. Just walking through the rooms that the she lived in and remembering her diary sent chills down my spine. <BR> <BR>I just returned from London so everything is still fresh in my mind. I would definitely take the time and enjoy all the wonderful parks that London has to offer. A picnic lunch in Hyde Park would be a great way to enjoy the park and also to help any budget. Visit St. Martin in the Fields and go to the crypt for lunch or dinner. The Tower of London was a lot of fun. Make sure you arrive early and go directly to the crown jewels. I believe they are real and not replicas. There is a lot of security in the building they are kept. Take a Vester guided tour of Westminster Abbey. Well worth the time and money. Enjoy afternoon tea somewhere. We went to the Orangery next to Kensington Palace. Go to Harrods, you won't be able to see everything there, but it is an experience. <BR> <BR>London has so much, as do all the other cities you'll be visiting. It will be hard to see everything while there. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip.