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London and Paris this fall - all advice welcome
Posted on 4/17/24 at 2:11 pm
Posted on 4/17/24 at 2:11 pm
Me and the Mrs. are doing a 10 trip to London and Paris this fall and looking for recommendations on pretty much everything - proposed itineraries, must see sites (first time to visit both places), places to eat, etc. Yes, I know there are plenty of thread on these places already and I've read quite a few, but wanted to consolidate responses in my own thread.
Some details on our trip - we will have about 3 1/2 days total in London and 4 1/2 days in Paris. I have a hotel already in London, but recommendations of places in the Latin Quarter in Paris to stay appreciated. Would like to hit the major sites and things to do for first timers in both cities. I don't drink, so recommendations on pubs and bars not needed.
Also, any thoughts on how much cash I would need for each location and the best place to get it. Plan to use credit card for everything, but would still like some tip money handy for hotel staff, drivers, tour guides, etc. Just curious how much I should get from the ATM to be sufficient without having to make multiple withdrawals or having a bunch of worthless foreign currency in my pocket when we leave. Is the ATM at Heathrow the best place to grab some cash on arrival at Heathrow? Is there an ATM at the Eurostar station in Paris when we get there?
As I said, recommendations for pretty much everything is appreciated. TIA.
Some details on our trip - we will have about 3 1/2 days total in London and 4 1/2 days in Paris. I have a hotel already in London, but recommendations of places in the Latin Quarter in Paris to stay appreciated. Would like to hit the major sites and things to do for first timers in both cities. I don't drink, so recommendations on pubs and bars not needed.
Also, any thoughts on how much cash I would need for each location and the best place to get it. Plan to use credit card for everything, but would still like some tip money handy for hotel staff, drivers, tour guides, etc. Just curious how much I should get from the ATM to be sufficient without having to make multiple withdrawals or having a bunch of worthless foreign currency in my pocket when we leave. Is the ATM at Heathrow the best place to grab some cash on arrival at Heathrow? Is there an ATM at the Eurostar station in Paris when we get there?
As I said, recommendations for pretty much everything is appreciated. TIA.
11
Posted on 4/17/24 at 2:59 pm to jfw3535
We were in London this past October and did not use any cash. We got about £20 in the airport and brought it all home. Make sure you have a touchless card that does not charge a per-use fee. You will use it for bus and tube travel.
Do not avoid the pubs because you don’t drink. Some of the best food comes from the pubs not to mention the atmosphere and the history. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a great example of good food and atmosphere and history.
I don’t where you are staying but if you are close to Kensington Park or Green Park take time to have lunch and find a bench to just relax. On your way to Paris start planning your next trip to London because you are not allowing enough time.
Enjoy your trip. London is our favorite destination.
Do not avoid the pubs because you don’t drink. Some of the best food comes from the pubs not to mention the atmosphere and the history. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a great example of good food and atmosphere and history.
I don’t where you are staying but if you are close to Kensington Park or Green Park take time to have lunch and find a bench to just relax. On your way to Paris start planning your next trip to London because you are not allowing enough time.
Enjoy your trip. London is our favorite destination.
Posted on 4/17/24 at 3:43 pm to jfw3535
Hotel De Buci in Paris.
This is technically not in the Latin Quarter (5th arr)but is in the 6th right on the borderline with the 5th.
There are many excellent restaurants within walking distance from there. Boutary is a caviar specialist
Freddy’s wine bar is a gourmet French tapas bar type of place a block from the hotel. Fish, across the street is a good casual bistro as is La Jocobin which is a favorite of this board.
LaChristine on rue Christine a few blocks away is excellent.
My favorite restaurant in the Latin Quarter is Hebe’.
I just got back from Paris a few days ago. Had a fantastic time.
This is technically not in the Latin Quarter (5th arr)but is in the 6th right on the borderline with the 5th.
There are many excellent restaurants within walking distance from there. Boutary is a caviar specialist
Freddy’s wine bar is a gourmet French tapas bar type of place a block from the hotel. Fish, across the street is a good casual bistro as is La Jocobin which is a favorite of this board.
LaChristine on rue Christine a few blocks away is excellent.
My favorite restaurant in the Latin Quarter is Hebe’.
I just got back from Paris a few days ago. Had a fantastic time.
Posted on 4/17/24 at 4:20 pm to jfw3535
Do the afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason in London. It is a little pricey but the wife will love it.
Posted on 4/17/24 at 5:10 pm to jfw3535
Mrs & I are headed there end of May
I'll reply back to this on some tips / recs...
1st time leaving country for me
I'll reply back to this on some tips / recs...
1st time leaving country for me
Posted on 4/17/24 at 5:44 pm to rich4pres
Yes. We do this every time.
Posted on 4/17/24 at 6:49 pm to jfw3535
I love London and will be happy to not go back to Paris. My personal recommendation is to do more time in London and just do a day trip on high speed rail.
Posted on 4/17/24 at 7:21 pm to jmarto1
Take the train from waterloo Station to pretty Windsor and tour the castle. You can also take the train from waterloo out to Hampton Court. Take in a show. London is great. Also you can tour parliament . Search for parliament tours. You must reserve in advance.
This post was edited on 4/17/24 at 7:32 pm
Posted on 4/18/24 at 12:52 pm to midlothianlsu
quote:
Do not avoid the pubs because you don’t drink. Some of the best food comes from the pubs not to mention the atmosphere and the history.
Thanks for the heads up on this. I'm definitely a fan of pub food. Just wasn't looking for a bunch of recommendations about where to go drinking since I don't drink, but yeah, I'd definitely be down for some good pub food.
Posted on 4/18/24 at 1:51 pm to jfw3535
Here are 3 we hit up every trip
Red Lion on Parliament Street. It is where many members of Parliament go to eat. There is a bell that rings if they are needed for a vote. We have seen that a couple of times
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. It was Charles Dickens favorite and his seat is still there. My wife sat in it last trip. He wrote a big part of A Tale of Two Cities here and the pub is mentioned in the novel.
Kings Arms in Mayfair is not known for anything but we love the locals and the atmosphere. The people are great and love talking sports (??)
Depending on where you are staying these are worth a visit IMO.
Red Lion on Parliament Street. It is where many members of Parliament go to eat. There is a bell that rings if they are needed for a vote. We have seen that a couple of times
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. It was Charles Dickens favorite and his seat is still there. My wife sat in it last trip. He wrote a big part of A Tale of Two Cities here and the pub is mentioned in the novel.
Kings Arms in Mayfair is not known for anything but we love the locals and the atmosphere. The people are great and love talking sports (??)
Depending on where you are staying these are worth a visit IMO.
Posted on 4/18/24 at 2:08 pm to jmarto1
quote:
I love London and will be happy to not go back to Paris.
Exact opposite for me. I could go back to Paris every year, but don't care if I ever see London again.
Posted on 4/18/24 at 2:36 pm to jfw3535
Just got back from the same trip. Loved London and thought Paris was cool but not what I expected.
Dishoom is great if you want to try Indian food in London. Don’t be afraid to use the subway(they call it the tube). It’s cheap, mostly clean, and efficient and some of the stations are really unique.
Spend a half day/day in the Montmartre area of Paris. Cool neighborhood.
Dishoom is great if you want to try Indian food in London. Don’t be afraid to use the subway(they call it the tube). It’s cheap, mostly clean, and efficient and some of the stations are really unique.
Spend a half day/day in the Montmartre area of Paris. Cool neighborhood.
Posted on 4/19/24 at 9:56 pm to jfw3535
1. I don't think you have Marriott points, but the Prince de Galles is baller. Over $1k a night, unless using points, great location. 7th arrondisement.
2. Use the card, even before COVID, there was not a lot of cash changing hands. Always let your bank handle the conversion, not the place you're at. Especially in London and Paris, there probably aren't many checks you're actually going to be able to pay in cash. Maybe take out 100 Euro when you land, you probably won't spend the cash over 10 days. I was in the UK multiple times, and never once needed to float a pound across a counter. Paris (EU) is much the same.
2. Use the card, even before COVID, there was not a lot of cash changing hands. Always let your bank handle the conversion, not the place you're at. Especially in London and Paris, there probably aren't many checks you're actually going to be able to pay in cash. Maybe take out 100 Euro when you land, you probably won't spend the cash over 10 days. I was in the UK multiple times, and never once needed to float a pound across a counter. Paris (EU) is much the same.
Posted on 4/20/24 at 9:36 am to jfw3535
For great pub food go to Lamb and Flag in London. They take reservations so plan ahead.
Posted on 4/20/24 at 11:06 am to LemmyLives
quote:
Use the card
Yep. I just had my card with no foreign transaction fees loaded up on my wallet and tapped everywhere
Posted on 4/20/24 at 1:58 pm to jfw3535
At the earliest opportunity, book reservations for the Ceremony Of The Keys at the Tower of London. You’ll want some cash for a traditional tip for the Yeoman Warder.
Visit the British Museum; avoid the V&A. When you visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, look for the memorial to Gen. Edward Packenham who died trying to invade New Orleans. Don’t be surprised if your hotel doesn’t have washcloths but you can stop in a Boots pharmacy and buy some “flannels.”
Visit the British Museum; avoid the V&A. When you visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, look for the memorial to Gen. Edward Packenham who died trying to invade New Orleans. Don’t be surprised if your hotel doesn’t have washcloths but you can stop in a Boots pharmacy and buy some “flannels.”
quote:
Footsteps echo in the darkness. The sentry cries out, 'Halt, who comes there?' The Yeoman Warder replies, 'The keys.' 'Whose keys?' 'King Charles' keys.' 'Pass then, all's well.'
Aside from the monarch's name, this is the exact exchange that has been spoken for centuries and forms part of the traditional 'locking up' of the Tower of London.
Posted on 4/20/24 at 2:44 pm to BobABooey
Good call. We saw this a few years back when it was ‘The Queen’s keys.’ It is very cool. The British have a lock on maintaining tradition
Posted on 4/20/24 at 3:00 pm to jfw3535
Do the old Jewish quarter walking tour in Paris. It’s near Notre Dame but takes you to some awesome little hideaway hoods and restaurants.
Walking tours are almost always a great bet. The London ones are spectacular too.
Walking tours are almost always a great bet. The London ones are spectacular too.
Posted on 4/25/24 at 8:31 pm to jfw3535
Wait and get cash in the city, exchange rates are better than at Heathrow. Just find any bureau de change.
You don’t necessarily need much cash though, you can use your credit card everywhere.
You don’t necessarily need much cash though, you can use your credit card everywhere.
Posted on 4/25/24 at 10:31 pm to tancehughes
We’re actually making the same trip this summer. One thing I was wondering. What is the appropriate tipping culture in both London/Paris?
Also, not to hijack this thread, but if anyone has a recommendation for their favorite/historical pub in London we’d love to hear it.
Also, not to hijack this thread, but if anyone has a recommendation for their favorite/historical pub in London we’d love to hear it.
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