HELP! We need alternative plans away from Paris Nov 16-24...
 

Hi, We have a trip planned for London and Paris ,but afraid that the riots will still be going on during our trip. Do you have any suggestions for alternate travel locations for our trip Nov 16-24? We are a family of 4 with kids ages (9 and 11).

We are flying into London and planned to stay 2-3 nights, take the chunnel to Paris for 4-5 nights and fly home from Paris.

I had everything lined up for Paris sightseeing and now I am a bit overwhelmed with trying to start over in a new country. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

First, you'll get more responses if you post on the Europe board. But, I just wanted to throw in my two cents. Spend the whole time in London. 2-3 nights is nothing! There is so much to see and do there and you can take day trips outside the city to see castles, etc.

I agree with the advice about staying in London, but can you change your plane ticket so you can fly home from London?

I know it's pretty late to switch planning, but maybe 4 days in London and 4 days in Belgium (Brugges, Ghent, and Brussels). Fly out of Brussels. ((b))

Hi,
I realized that I had posted on the USA board... I have reposted on the Europe board as well.

Is there direct rail service between London and Brussels? What are the sights in Brussels, Brugges and Ghent?

Thank you....

I'm not sure about direct rail connections. You could take rail to Dover, boat to Belgium, and rail from there.

Bruges: http://www.trabel.com/brugge.htm

Gent: http://www.gent.be/gent/english/index.htm

Brussels: http://www.trabel.com/brussels-mapslist.htm

Lots of sights, lace, great beer, and chocolates. ((b))

Thank you for the links.... I will check them out...

There are direct trains to Brussels from London Waterloo International. Trip takes about 31/2 hours. Your children will love the Gran Place and the Mannequin Pis. Take them to see the exhibit of costumes created for this famous statue. Lots of good art museums in Brussels as well and outdoor dining even in November. Brugges is about an hour from Brussels by train and is an amazingly beautiful city.
All that said, I'd stay in London for the week.

You can also rail to Dover then enjoy the history of Normandy. My 14 yr old and I loved the battle sites with www.battlebus.fr and wish we'd spent more time there.

I would stay in London. There is so much to see! Theater, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Queen's Mews, St. Pauls, Westminster Abbey, train to Windsor Castle, Madame Toussads, Picadilly, Harrods. If they are fans of Harry Potter, I believe there is a tour that visits Hogwarts and stuff.

Take a look at whichbudget.com and you might find some places with very low air fares from London....we enjoyed Cologne, Germany....Brussels....Amsterdam....and you could do with a night or two more in the UK...visit the countryside.

All great suggestions, and I think Belgium is fantastic myself. My most memorable meal in Europe was there many years ago- and I always enjoy another visit. I second Budman's time frame.

There have been reports of sporadic outbreaks of violence in Brussels.