Kendo11 Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Afternoon all. As I'm fed up with work already after being back for a few hours I'm booking a holiday to Paris for myself and the Mrs (mostly for her 30th). Looking at going late March, flying from Birmingham and staying 3 nights, hopefully get to see the Tower, the Louvre and maybe a little time at Eurodisney. Has anyone been recently and do you have any tips on where to stay, eat, socialise etc on a mid range budget? Ta. Edit - just to add I've done the obvious scouring of Tripadvisor etc, just wondering if anyone on here has been Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh42 Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Afternoon all. As I'm fed up with work already after being back for a few hours I'm booking a holiday to Paris for myself and the Mrs (mostly for her 30th). Looking at going late March, flying from Birmingham and staying 3 nights, hopefully get to see the Tower, the Louvre and maybe a little time at Eurodisney. Has anyone been recently and do you have any tips on where to stay, eat, socialise etc on a mid range budget? Ta. Edit - just to add I've done the obvious scouring of Tripadvisor etc, just wondering if anyone on here has been A work colleague has just returned from spending new year and the weekend in Paris. She too visited the Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre among other places with her fairly new husband. Bearing in mind she is of French origin and booked the trip as a surprise for him for Christmas, she has returned completely disappointed. She reports, in her words, that Le Louvre had a strong, unmistakeable odour of urine hanging over it, along with the Metro, where she was made to feel so uncomfortable by the homeless people constantly approaching her for donations, that she actually cut her trip short by a day. There's more to her reports, but it would take far too long to type it all out. I was quite disappointed to hear this as I quite fancied booking a weekend away myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitz Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 How about Rome? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 It's a Europe wide thing, it's under siege by gimmigrants don't you know Paris was much the same in 1972, so not much seems to have changed, only the number and ethnicity of the gimmigrants I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 We went a year ago and found it a nice place full of lots of friendly people. [ATTACH=CONFIG]207815[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]207816[/ATTACH] I've always found it to be a bit of a dump the previous two times I've been, but actually quite enjoyed it last time. No real tips to add other than book the top TripAdvisor places weeks BEFORE you go. The Louvre is huge so look up what you want to see in there first. If driving - prebook your carpark at the hotel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 The centre of Paris is a beautiful, pretentious tourist trap. The suburbs have among the roughest, most run down areas I've seen in Europe. If you want to go to a big city, Berlin, Munich, Milan, Barcelona and Lyon are much nicer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendo11 Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 Few eye-openers there, particularly what your French friend has said Josh. In terms of parts of it being a dump, are we talking about the whole city like for example parts of London are a dump but as a tourist you wouldn't go there anyway, or Pete would you say it's just a total dump? Main reasons for Paris are that she's always wanted to see the Tower & go to Eurodisney. Colluseum is sounding appealing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Few eye-openers there, particularly what your French friend has said Josh. In terms of parts of it being a dump, are we talking about the whole city like for example parts of London are a dump but as a tourist you wouldn't go there anyway, or Pete would you say it's just a total dump? Main reasons for Paris are that she's always wanted to see the Tower & go to Eurodisney. Colluseum is sounding appealing... I took the mother in law as she's never been and always wanted to. Did the big sites in two days and drove back. Genuinely really enjoyed it. Plotted an easy route, a quick underground link to the tower and all was good. The centre is nice, lots of wide open spaces. Maybe because the place was crawling with people carrying machine guns there was less hassle, I don't know. Rome is utterly amazing if you appreciate historical buildings. Way more impressive than Paris IMHO. Food way better than the crap they serve in France too. Yes - London is a great big pooh hole tourist trap too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendo11 Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 I took the mother in law as she's never been and always wanted to. Did the big sites in two days and drove back. Genuinely really enjoyed it. Plotted an easy route, a quick underground link to the tower and all was good. The centre is nice, lots of wide open spaces. Maybe because the place was crawling with people carrying machine guns there was less hassle, I don't know. Rome is utterly amazing if you appreciate historical buildings. Way more impressive than Paris IMHO. Food way better than the crap they serve in France too. Yes - London is a great big pooh hole tourist trap too. We're both into the sightseeing stuff; architecture, history etc. I think the Mrs has this idea (as a lot of ladies do) that Paris is this grand romantic adventure. I think I'll ask the travel agent tomorrow to compare prices to Rome also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formatzero Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Been to Paris a few years back,enjoyed the sights but on occasion felt a bit intimidated by the beggars,much preferred Rome and going back there this year:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Go to Lisbon. It's the future according to my dad. Then again, he said the same thing about garlic bread. H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewaysdan Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Valencia or Rome both fantastic breaks. Paris is grim smelly and overpriced . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 I have been about 6 or 7 times now, out there at the end of Feb in Disneyland, most of my visits are due to work, we have an office that is a 2 min walk from the Eiffel Tower. I know a lot of folks might not like it but I love it, thing is I live in central London so it is almost a home away from home. It still has a romantic feeling, especially if you head out in the evening on a nice hot night. Head near the Eiffel Tower and they usual have something playing, the last time I went with the missus they had native american music playing. With the gorgeous weather and the glittering tower in the backdrop it was fantastic. Obviously it is a city and has a large river running through it so expect what comes with most cities. The building architecture is lovely, and it does look a bit like central London but better IMO. Loads of free Museums to visit with some great art galleries. Tonnes of things to do depending on what type of break you want. I would recommend if possible a lunch river cruise if you are going in good weather. If you are driving it can be a bit of a nightmare once you get within 10 miles of Central Paris, they drive a LOT more aggressive in Paris than the rest of France. Not all hotels in Central Paris have car parks and the ones have super steep entries and tight turns, so word of warning if you are driving something that sits a bit low. The metro is pretty good, so sometimes it is better to stay a bit further out in a cheaper hotel and then catch a 20 min train journey in. Skyscanner to book flights (http://www.skyscanner.net) Airbnb for hotels/apartments (https://www.airbnb.co.uk) Worth visiting at least once and as it is her 30th she would love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomyspeedy Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 I went with my fiancée last year, she too had the grand impression of romance but I wasn't feeling it. Like previously expressed, the stench of urine was common. I just didn't find it to be a very pleasant trip. We did however go to Barcelona more recently and that was so much nicer. The people come across as more welcoming, the streets were cleaned at night (complety unexpected). We flew from Birmingham with Ryan air, if you shop about a bit and jiggle times, you can get the flights at a very reasonable price...maybe somthing to consider... Would be warmer.... And there's a beach! Haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendo11 Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Popped into the travel agents today and have been searching online - Barcelona and Rome are both roughly double the price of Paris so I think my mind might be made up. £490 for 3 nights including flights from Doncaster (near to me) and 4* hotel with B&B. We're right in the Montparnasse area and a look on trip advisor seems really positive so far - near enough to the Eiffel Tower and so on. Rome is going to be next on the list, just need to save up a bit first and plan ahead. Thanks for the input everyone - I'll update this with my thoughts at the end of April Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemanhead Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Rome is utterly amazing if you appreciate historical buildings. Way more impressive than Paris IMHO. Food way better than the crap they serve in France too. This. Take a tour of the vatican, see the Sistine chapel, St peters basilica, monumento Vittorio Emanuele II, Trevi fountain, Spanish steps, Colosseum, the pantheon....there is just so much, it's stunning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adnanshah247 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Right I was in this position last year and was posting exact same questions Been as detailed as possible so i hope you appreciate this. First things first - Train or Car? Don't bother flying its expensive and seriously not worth it, plus long and boring. Train:- London - Kings cross / St. Pancreas Euro star straight to Paris, if you're lucky and book advance around £50 - £90 per person. My choice:- CAR! 1. Have done the trip about 5 times in the last year with the aristo. Get to Dover, pay £35 - £50 for a return ferry crossing, have fun on the boat and try to spot Nemo. 2. Ensure you have a Europe travel pack from Wilkinson, Halfords or Argos - £25 so your cars 'French' legal. 3. Thrash the crap out of the car on the motorways, cops really don't give a hoot and there all in the cities anyways. 4. arrive in Paris enjoying all the sites on the way. 5. previously have booked a hotel that has a car park. shouldn't cost more than 30 Euros a day. 6. trains are all colour and number orientated. Once in Paris city every hotel has a travel map which shows you all the sites, were they are and what trains to follow to get to each site. it's easier to get around Paris on the trains than it is in London, trust me. 7. after visiting all the sites should take you about 2 days. Jump in your car and drive to Disney land Paris. It's a very kiddie place to be honest. The alternative to this is on your way from Calais to Paris when you first arrive you will pass a theme park called Parc Asterix. It's awesome and 10 times better than Disney land. great fun for adults and kids alike. 8. Food is epic in Paris, every road has loads of restaurants and were ever you go you will be leaving full and absolutely stunt. Restaurants especially near the Arc de Triumph majority are out doors type but brilliant. 9. Food and drinks can get a little pricey however, you will tend to wana eat a lot 10. So factor in fuel, hotel, parking, the ferries, misc bits n bobs you will need for your journey, food, shopping and 10 Euros per person per day for unlimited access to trains also add in about 35 Euros each for admission to your choice of parks and your set. 11. Me and the Mrs. stayed in a luxury hotel cost me £550 from 29th oct - 1st nov as her birthday treat for 4 nights and raided every part of Paris, went to the asterix theme parc and lots of museums and sites etc. and we spent under £1500, also we ate like dogs and had an absolute blast spending like crazy in shopping centres etc. Ive added some random pics of my trip. it does seem daunting but it's really simple and easy, everybodys very nice, the cities lovely and it's a proper great break away. If you need any further help pm me and I'll send you my number. Some pics for you:- The Aristo at Notre Damn - Love this pic The map i was telling you about:- Parc Asterix A shopping centre not too far from the Arc de triumph and it makes Westfields look like a joke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendo11 Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Awesome pics and thanks very much for the tips mate, very very much appreciated!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewaysdan Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Few pics from when I was in Rome. I would defo recommend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendo11 Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Stunning Dan. I hear you can do the underground tour of the Colusseum too now? If I had the money I would definitely have gone for Rome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewaysdan Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 To be honest mate it didn't cost that much. I Went with Ryan air me and the mrs £145 return from Luton . I did splash out on hotel but that's because it was the wife's bithday ;-) dinners around the same as most European breaks, food/wine was amazing and shed loads to do. Weather in jan was 20+ deg. Great break.Or Valencia is probably the best break I've ever done. And much cheaper spent 2 weeks there over Xmas and new year . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attero Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I went to Rome last year via Groupon. Groupon was a terrible mistake. Holiday went from £99 to around £600. Never try to book cheaply! Rome was lovely though. A lot to get through, great food and drink and Italy is just great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cered Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Avoid, just go around Normandy in the summer, lots of history and wonderful beaches. Southern France is stunning too. If I were to go on a city holiday it'd be to the US. NYC, Washington DC are fantastic destinations, lots of museums, nice restaurants, history and places to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendo11 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share Posted January 6, 2016 The problem I have is cost mate. If money wasn't an issue I'd pick the best place to go etc but with the time of the year and an ongoing build I've got to be relatively sensible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendo11 Posted July 30, 2016 Author Share Posted July 30, 2016 Ended up going to Rome in the end, fantastic suggestion. Loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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