Paris 2012
Comments
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My husband loves Trip Advisor, too. He got a tote bag last week for being a top contributor! Did the Moulin Rouge ages ago. Starting to plan my trip now - so exciting!
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I get goodies from TA, too. I am a "Destination Expert" for the Kansas City area and volunteer to respond to questions about the area. Now that I am in New Hampshire, I may ask them to change my designation.
When we went to Hawaii a couple years ago, TA was so helpful with identifying great hidden restaurants, beaches and activities. I've started reading the Paris forum and there is a ton of helpful information. One great discussion thread is "What do you wish someone had told you?"
Lots of great advice in this thread - mostly about slowing down, soaking in the city without trying to see everything on your first trip, and eating pastry every day because it will be the best you've ever had! I will be "glued" to that forum for the next few months!
Was the Moulin Rouge worth the price of admission? I read that it was a waste of time and money. Your thoughts?
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Hi LuVRing - Two years ago we spent 5 days in Paris and then took the "Chunnel" train to London where we spent another week and it was a wonderful trip. I think the best way to see Paris is on foot, stopping off at their wonderful cafes whenever you feel tired. The chairs in the cafes face the street so it is great for people watching - I got a lot of fashion tips from the French women that way lol. We were there in late March and it was still cold, but the time you are going is perfect. Walking around the main areas of the Louvre, Tuileries Gradens and Champs Elysees is great, but wandering around the city, thorough the side streets you will see lovely little gardens and shops. The Galaries Lafayette and Printemps department stores are interesting for the way they look, but are fairly expensive. We alos visited the Paris catacombs in tunnels beneath the city - it sounds a bit morbid but is a real piece of history.
I would recommend the Chunnel train (Eurostar) trip. You get to see some of the French and English countryside as part of the trip. Your Paris hotel may agree to store your luggage for one or two nights if you want to spend a night or two in London. It seems kind of rushed to go to London and back in one day. The nice thing about the Eurostar is that you leave from central Paris and arrive in central London, so don't waste tons of time travelling to and from airports. You could book a hotel in central London and do some sightseeing there. That might tantalize you just enough to plan a trip to London for next year!
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LittleMelons - thanks for your advice. We realize that a day trip to London is not ideal, but it will do exactly as you suggest - tantalize us for another trip. My DH really wants to ride the Eurostar...it's all about the speed!
We are renting an apartment for the 9 days in Paris, and the idea of packing up mid-trip and/or paying for additional accommodations for a couple days is not appealing. We had thought about splitting the time between London and Paris, but none of us wanted to rush the Paris trip. Because of work constraints with one daughter and the other daughter's young children, they are going home one day earlier. So we will have plenty of time to relax at those cafes and stroll along the neighborhood streets. And staying in an apartment will allow us opportunity/reason to shop the open markets and experience a bit of "Parisian life."
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LuvRVing - I really do agree with your idea of spending the 9 days in Paris and not trying to see other cities in one visit. There is so much to see in Paris. My husband and I decided that we want to see the world's cities, one city at a time. We had already spent 11 days in Dublin and had booked two weeks in Florence when I was diagnosed so we cancelled the Florence trip. The only reason we left Paris after 5 days is because we were staying with my brother and SIL who own 1/12 of an apartment 15 minutes from Notre Dame Cathedral and we didn't want to impose on them any longer. We are still planning to go to Florence this year, then Rome next trip.
Great idea to stay in an apartment, so you don't have to eat in restaurants. I found the food in the patisseries to be very, very good, even better than some restaurants, and certainly much cheaper.
Just wanted to mention that Parisians have a reputation for being curt and unhelpful, but we found the opposite to be true. They were friendly and most spoke English. We just started out saying "Bonjour. Parlez-vous anglais..." and hearing our terrible accents, they knew they better speak English to us. lol
Edited to correct error.
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mccrimmon324 - Were you taking a picture of hubby taking your picture?
I had to laugh in the Louvre when we went to see the Mona Lisa and all the signs say no photographs - there were about 100 peoople standing around the painting snapping photos.
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I spent a year studying in Paris back in the day. Here are some of my items, which I don't think are outdated.
- I doubt that you will need AC. You will most likely need a light coat.
- I would do Paris with day trips. London is for another time. You can spend a month in each of these cities and still not see them all. SHOES are important. Plan on walking hours each day. Paris is just so much fun to explore on foot.
- Moulin Rouge......only if you want to. I would ask someone local to recommend some edgy nightlife. Moulin Rouge isn't it.
- Shopping is best done in small boutiques. The big learning is to study how women dress and pick up a few hints.
- Shopping for lunch at the markets is fun. The best crepes are marron (chestnut creme) and Grand Marnier. They are sold at street stalls. I think a trip to the boulangerie (for bread) followed to the charcuterie (for pate) makes the most divine lunch. So does cheese and fruit. You can eat in the parks if not raining (Tuileries, Jardin du Luxumbourg, etc.)
- The big sport in Paris is people watching. So you plant yourself at a cafe, order one coffee which you nurse, and watch the show.
- Make sure you walk along the Seine.....Le Pont Neuf, Ile de la Cite, and both sides of the river. Make sure you see the Sorbonne and the Left Bank. It is fun to visit Deux Magots, or cafes along the Boulevard Raspail.
- Don't eat the beignets (grease bomb donuts) they sell on the street. Nothing during chemo equalled that tummy ache. Walk to the crepe stand. Hot dogs are a yummy option and so are Croque Monsieur/Croque Madame. Watch the mustard.
- Visit the department stores and make sure you tour the Food Halls. Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and Bon Marche.
- A boulangerie and patisserie aren't always the same thing. You want the second with a coffee place for good pastry. Or a combination.
- Count on walking 3-5 miles each day. At least that.
- Don't worry that you don't see it all.
Have the most wonderful time. I would expect daytime temps to range from the mid 50s to mid 70s. Perfect for walking. Take the rail into the city, and then get Metro tickets.
London is a different trip with a very different list. - Claire
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Claire, My hubby was dying to try the beignets and every single time he tried to get them they were sold out. I guess luck was on his side after all.
Thanks for the list!
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SpecialK and Nowords (and anyone else that has been to Italy) - My daughter is studying abroad in Florence, Italy for 4 months. She left two days ago. We're going to see her March 23-April 2. We plan to spend 3-4 days in Florence due to her class schedule, but then want to see what we can. We heard about some incredible hot springs in Tuscany that we want to go to. I want to see Rome and Venice, but know we won't have much time to be there more than a day or so. Basically we will just be scratching the surface, but we want to make the most of our time in Italy. She also wants to go to Cinque Terra. What would be on your "must do" list? Any and all advise is welcome. Countdown has begun . . . 57 days until we leave!
Thanks,
Kathy
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KSteve - I wouldn't try to do both Venice and Rome as well as Florence and Tuscany. Maybe you could take the train up to Venice, which is amazing, but not that large, and leave Rome for another trip so that you can spend more time there. My personal feeling is that going to Rome as well, would be just too much for the time you will be there and it's worth a trip all on its own.
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LittleMelons - Thanks! Good advice. I know that we're not taking enough time, but it's all we can do right now. I have a feeling that we'll be wanting a return trip someday! So is taking the train the best way to get to Venice from Florence? I saw that there are bus trips too. Did you rent a car at all?
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KSteve - My husband and I had planned a 14-day trip to Florence and Rome - 12 days in Florence and vincinity, then a couple of days in Rome. Then I was diagnosed with bc and my surgery date conflicted with the trip so we cancelled
but are going to re-book soon.The train to Venice from Florence takes just under 2 hours and is called Le Frecce. We have never rented a car there.
Are you flying in and out of Rome? If you are and didn't want to go north to Venice and then come all the way to Rome to fly home, then you could instead spend a couple of days in Rome and see a few major sites. That's what we were going to do and try to see the Vatican and Coliseum, then return to Rome another time for a more in-depth visit. I think trying to do Florence/Tuscany, Venice and Rome in your time frame is too much, so I would pick either Venice or Rome. BTW, if you are planning to go, the Vatican and possibly the Coliseum tours should be booked in advanced as they are so busy.
I have been to Venice twice and it is amazing and unique. I think you could see it pretty well in 2 days.
Sounds like a wonderful trip!
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Morning Ladies,
Hubby, friends and I booked our tours around Rome last night. We are still deciding on wether or not to get the Paris Pass as we did alot on it last year. Hubby and I say yes, still so much more to do. Either way, it will still be a blast. Posting this picture. This is a pic of Joanne, she's like my little sister, it's our favorite pic of all. Her and I were walking to the bakery in the morning for our fresh baguette and we stopped to smell all the fresh flowers a little food store had put out.
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Morning Ladies.
This is my last week off work before heading off to Rome, then Paris!!! Getting excited.
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mccrimmon324 - Have a great trip! Please post back her after you return and tell us your impressions. I am especially interested in Rome as I have never been there and we are planning a trip to Rome and Florence sometime during the next 12 months.
My sister-in-law, who is the pickiest traveller I have ever met and thinks most places are "ugly", "dirty" or "boring", said Rome was "fabulous" and "beautiful", so it must be truly wonderful. Are you going to the Vatican?
Bon voyage!!
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LittleMelons
Yes, we will be going to the Vatican. My niece who was just there says they actaully sell bobble headed Pope's. I think I'm just going to have to get one. My husband just told me yesterday that the roof top terrace restaurant at our hotel has a beautiful view of the Collusium so that's pretty exciting.
I'll post pics when I get back. Also, neice is supposed to send email recommending some restaurants, when I get it I'll post as well. Enjoy the planning part of your trip!
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Heather - Please post Rome restaurant recommendations! We're only there for 2 days, but it's always good to know when someone has been somewhere they enjoyed the food.
LittleMelons - My daughter is currently in Florence (studying abroad for 4 months) so if you have any questions before you go, message me and I'll have her answer them.
I feel so thankful that we can be posted about upcoming trips . . . we are the lucky ones and I intend to enjoy every minute!
Kathy
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Yes, Heather, I second that about restaurant recommendations. I would appreciate recommendations regarding a good hotel as well. Yours certainly sounds well located. We like to stay centrally where ever we go, so that we can see a lot of the sights on foot. I usually select a hotel by doing research on Tripadvisor, but Rome is so huge with so many hotels, it's hard to know where to start. A friend of ours was in Rome last year and stayed in a beautiful (expensive)hotel that looked palatial. I asked him how he found it and he said he googled "best hotel in Rome" and this one came up so he booked it. (He is single and has champagne taste on a beer budget.) I have read that it is good to book the Vatican tour in advance as they get pretty booked up.
KSteve - Thanks very much. When we book I will take you up on the offer, especially recommendations of good restaurants in Florence. What a wonderful experience for your daughter!
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As far as hotel in Rome, my daughter did mention that the Colessium is more central to the sights than the Vatican (she was there during their snow storm in Feburary!). They also have the big red double decker sightseeing buses that are hop on/hop off at about $27/person/day that hits all of the sights.
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Heather - have an absolutely fabulous trip!!!
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Hi ladies, I leave for London on 16 May. On 24th I take the Eurostar to Paris and will be staying at Citadines St Germain des Pres till 3 June. Then off to Italy for a Trafalgar tour by rail with 3 days in each of Rome, Florence and Venice. I will be attending a papal audience.
While in Paris, I have booked the hop on/off city tour, Giverny/Versailles and Champagne. I wanted to go to Lourdes but the rail line is closed for maintenance so will have to go there another time. May book some other day tours yet.
Reading all your posts is exciting me.
Mccrimmon, enjoy your trip. You are topless, n'est ce pas?
LuvRVing, thanks for the link.
Ladies, we have earned our trips after our year of trials! -
How lucky are we??? But, Racy, you are right . . . we have definitely earned our trips! Your itinerary sounds awesome. I will be in Florence, Venice and Rome from March 23-April 2. So I'll let you know if there are any "must do" restaurants, things to do, etc. We're actually in Rome on Palm Sunday and have tickets reserved at the Vatican for the Palm Sunday Service. What an experience! Can't wait. T minus 9 days!!
Kathy
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Thank you ladies.
Racy, We did the Eurostar from Paris to London, it was so much fun. The whole trip was incredible. This time we are doing an overnight train from Milan to Paris.
Yes, I'm going topless, have a really cute style right now. Couldn't be happier with it. I might even say I feel more stylish and hip this year than I did last.
I'm stressing!!, Leave tomorrow morning and haven't even thought about packing yet. I've got to get myself packed, the dogs packed for their camp and finish up my husbands packing (he always forget the essentials like his toothbrush). Then when I'm all done, I need to straigthen the house up so it's not a complete disaster when we get home. And I'm working a full day. DH just called to ask if I wanted to go to the gym tonight. He lives in such a fantasy world!
I'm bringing my laptop and plan on posting pics on FB so I'll try to post some on here too.
Just had to re-text my niece for that list of restaurants. Kids!! My BIL did tell us, to pay attention to the patrons in the restaurants, go for the places filled with men/woman in suites, they are the working people not tourists and you'll usually find they are the best places to eat.
Hopefully but this time Saturday I'll be sipping a cappucino or expresso in Rome!
OHHHH!! I think this is so cute, apparently they sell little bobble headed Pope's at the Vatican, I think I'm going to have to get one. I know, I know, It's completely wrong but I won't be able to resist.
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Have a great trip, Heather. I have one more week to go! Enjoy every moment of your do-over trip. You so deserve it! We'll connect when we both get back.
Kathy
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Morning ladies.
Well we made it to Rome. Not a bad flight at all. Took a xanax on the plane after a gin and tonic at the bar and we were here before I knew it!
Its just breathtaking. Unbelievably beautiful and we haven't done anything yet. We do have a little cafe 2 doors up from our hotel so we had a cappucino and a pizza. Delish!!!!
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6 more days for me! Reading your post made me even more excited! Think I'll go work on packing. I'm so happy for you. I think you will enjoy it even more now with the past year behind you. Celebrate!
Kathy -
Woohoo Heather! Enjoy every minute and take lots of pictures!
KSteve - I hope you have a fabulous trip, too!
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Mccrimmon and KSteve, so excited for you, and Mccrimmon, thanks for posting. Wow, you had a lot of last minute stuff to do.
LuvRVing, we will be à Paris in about 9 weeks!
We have a French film festival on at the moment so I'm seeing a few films to get me even more prepared. I saw a nice one last night: Paris Manhattan, about a lady obsessed with Woody Allen, a gentle comedy/romance.
À bientôt! -
Racy - did you see Midnight in Paris? I thought it was great! A movie about someone obsessed with Woody Allen sounds very interesting...bring on the popcorn!
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