BFFs ready to be Patsy and Edina! 1st trip advice

rw,

I'm not familiar with Patsy and Edina, but Edinburgh and London sounds like a good plan for seven days and your first trip to Europe.

As this is your first trip, my first suggestion would be to read Europe Through The Back Door as that has a lot of advice on how to travel well in Europe, and the differences you'll encounter. After that have a look at the city or country guidebooks for the places you'll be visiting. As it happens, there's a sale on guidebooks now so this might be a good time to buy some - https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/guidebooks/uk . You could get the Pocket London and Snapshot Edinburgh for about $17 if you didn't want to buy the more complete books.

The group here can help you work out all the "fine details" such as the rail options from Edinburgh to London, and tips on how to get around London on the Tube.

Does the seven days include your two flight days? Your profile doesn't provide any details on your location, so it would help to know where you're travelling from? Many of us here have listed our location in the profile.

Good luck with your planning!

Uh, Oh! I don' t know if the U.K. is ready for another pair like Patsy and Edina. They were always double trouble.
You might start now by picking up some travel books in your local library. Planning's sometimes half the fun.

Do anything you can short of committing a felony to find 10 days. As you read your guidebook, you'll find yourself thinking, "I wish we had time for xxxxx" all too often.

Check out the Visit Scotland and the National Trust UK online sites for Posh places to visit. If Shopping is your game pick up some international magazines so you can be on fashion trend. Both Glasgow and Edinburgh have great museums and galleries. I had the most fun visiting some of the Great Estates fully furnished and with fabulous art. Depending on time of year Gardens! Some have great Tearooms with full meals. London is so Cosmopolitan you can find anything you want. Don't miss the many Street Markets to look for hidden treasure! They also have some half price tickets for Theatre. A real bargain compared to Broadway.

As this is your first time, and you really want to paint the town, I would suggest trying to get an open jaw flight into London and out of Paris. You can then join them up with a Eurostar train and crash two somewhat different capital cities.
Ladies, enjoy yourselves.

If Patsy and Edina had 10 days and wanted to kick up their heels, they might fly into Paris and stay a few nights, then train into London and fly home from there.

BTW, where is home? Where are you flying from - and when? Those 2 details would help others give you better information.

In Paris, Pats and Ed would definitely go shopping - Galleries Lafayette (where they'd deffo have a glass - or 2! - of bubbly in the champagne bar), Printemps Hausmann, and all the "fast fashion" spots like H&M and C&A and Zara along the rue de Rivoli.

But they'd also get a kick out of hanging out in the Marais (tons of cute boutiques there) and in St. Germain des Pres. They might stay in a cute little 2 star hotel on the left bank, like my favorite, l'Hotel Hameau, at 48 rue de Passy, which is just a hair over a 10 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower.

Frankly, I think they'd go haywire in the Louvre, drink too much wine in the cafe and cause problems, but if you are bigger into art than they are, it's a must. I personally also recommend the Museum of Paris in the Petit Palais and the Carnevalet Museum, which is in an old mansion and has a wonderfully eclectic collection.

In London, they'd stroll along Oxford Street from west to east, window shopping from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road, being sure to check out Carnaby Street on the way. They would go to Liberty London and stare in awe at its amazing, truly FABULOUS interior.

Harvey Nicks, of course, is a MUST - as is Harrod's. They'd drink at Harvey Nicks and then try and sober up at Harrod's with a nice cup of tea.

But that's Patsy and Edina. You might want to do other things! :-)

Sweetie, darlings, thank you for the advice! I'm taking note of all of it! We aren't quite as wild as the AbFab pair, which is a good thing.

I'm not sure when we will travel, but if I had to guess, it would be spring or early summer.

I'm in Atlanta and my friend is in San Francisco, so that's a bit of a challenge for flights, at least flights together.

Try for 10 days and consider each taking flights to NYC. Meet up there then take the red eye across the Atlantic. Just an idea.

I'd also book your flight into one airport and out the other. Into London out of Paris or vice versa.

You'd need to book your Eurostar ticket in advance to assure a good price. Both cities tick off your loves of art, culture, food and drink.

Or choose one city and stay there. MORE than enough in each city to enjoy and explore.

Or do as you made note of, fly into Edinburgh and then take a train into London. Then a return flight from London.

Each of you grab a copy of the RS guide Europe Through the Back Door. Read and talk and talk some more. Narrow down what you both truly want to see and do. Then start searching for good airfares.

Spring time would be a lovely time to travel. Summer always means more tourists and larger crowds.

PM if need recommends for places to stay in London and Paris. I have my favorite spots.

What a grand 40th you will share!!!

Okay, back again! We didn't plan much over the holidays but kicked it into gear again. It's looking like we'll be traveling in September, most likely. Maybe October. We LOVE the idea of London and Paris -- thank you for the advice! I'm more of a history/heritage site person while my BFF is more of an art/nightlife person. But I think we can hit the best of it all in those cities!

Any tips for the rail from London to Paris? How long is the trip? Any times of day that are better than others?

For London, we'd opt for trendy but not too trendy areas to stay in. Somewhere centrally located, with easy walking and/or access to the tube.

For Paris, we most definitely want to see the Louvre and Eiffel Tower but are open to other recommendations for must-see sights. I can see us wandering around and just taking it all in. Where is a good walkable area? Maybe with cafes, bars, shops? I know far less about Paris than London, so definitely need advice about where to stay (thanks for the tips already!).

What do you think about AirBNBs vs. hotels?

I'm sure I'll have many more questions. Thanks again all!

Any tips for the rail from London to Paris? How long is the trip? Any times of day that are better than others?

Ladies, there is only one way to go London to Paris (or vice-versa) and that is Eurostar High Speed train. Takes 2½ hours city centre to city centre, plus (unusually for a train) you have to be through the ticket barriers 45 mins. before departure to do boring security and passport stuff. Approx 1 train every hour, so you can go any time of day. Current timetable here: http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/train/timetables
A lot more comfortable and faster (door-to door) than flying.
Bring your own bottle of bubbly (or other refreshments or sustenance) for passing the time on the train.

Tickets are cheaper the earlier you buy, they go up nearer the departure date. Website here: http://www.eurostar.com/

More info here (independent site): http://seat61.com/London-to-Paris-by-train.htm

If you decide to see both London and Paris on this trip and, whether or not you meet in Atlanta or New York, be sure to check the cost of your flight based on which city you return from. The last time that I flew home from London there was a tax of about $1000pp for the privilege. I don't think the Parisians are that mean. If this tax is still levied it makes sense to fly into LHR and out of CDG.

So far our replies seem to have avoided advice on cultural opportunities. Here are some of my favorites:

London:

The British Museum - it's big but be sure to see the Elgin Marbles and its art.

The National Gallery - good collection of art.

National Portrait Gallery - portraits mainly of Brits.

Tate Modern - too modern for me.

Churchill War Rooms - The art of war?

Imperial War Museum - mainly WWI and WWII

Buckingham Palace - changing of the guard (Note there is no "H" when pronouncing "Buckingum")

Houses of Parliament

St. Pauls and Westminster Abbey

St. James Park - beautiful even in September. Good place to relax between HoP and the Palace

Most museums are free and have little or no wait to get in.

Paris

Orsay Museum - Good collection of Impressionist paintings

Rodin Museum - Garden and home filled with Rodin's sculptures + a great spot to rest your feet.

Ste Chapelle - fabulous stained glass + it's near Notre Dame

Museum Pass - Buy a multi-day museum pass. It will save you hours of standing in line to buy tickets even in September (Rick is right)

Passport! Tickets! Money!

With 10 days, do as others have said. I'd fly into London, as you may find it an easier first taste of Europe. They speak a form of English there, after all. ;-) Then by all means take the Eurostar to Paris and fly home from there. This is exactly what we did for our first trip abroad and it was wonderful. We did three days on our own in London, then took the Rick Steves Best of Paris in 7 days tour. We stayed an extra day and day-tripped via train to Normandy to see D-Day sights.

The Eurostar leaves from London's St. Pancras Station, which is absolutely gorgeous in its own right. Before boarding the train, make a stop at M&S (conveniently near the station's departure lounge) to pick up sandwiches, fruit and cheese, or whatever you like, plus, of course, little bottles of bubbly to celebrate your journey to Paris!

Buying Eurostar tickets from home is easy and will save quite a lot on the fare. You can reserve seats with a table to spread out your goodies from M&S. The Man in Seat 61 site already recommended is very helpful. Have a great trip!

Sweetie, darling !!! If you get to Paris, and you should, don't forget the fashion museum (google it) and the Muse Du Moyen Age (the Cluny). They have the Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries. Hot Chocolate and a Mont. Blanc at Angelina's. Lastly a night time cruise on the Seine

I don't know how much of a fan you are, but here is a link to an AbFab fan who had some fun at "Harvey Nicks" as tribute!
http://www.defectivegeeks.com/2013/06/25/my-absolutely-fabulous-tribute-lunch-at-harvey-nichols/

Paris is wonderful! I would definitely suggest the RS guide to Paris. There are a multitude of neighborhoods that have what you are looking for. I personally think the Marais district is awesome. However, no matter where you stay as long as you are near a metro stop the rest of the city is always at your fingertips. I found it one of the easiest cities to get around using public transportation.

Sweetie dahling... in London, we ADORE the Club Quarters Hotel at Lincoln's Inn Fields: https://clubquartershotels.com/locations/club-quarters-hotel-lincolns-inn-fields-london

The hotel is not quite 3 blocks from the High Holborn tube stop, surrounded by pubs and shops and services, but doesn't feel like you're in a touristy area. The area is perfect, a five minute or so walk from the Seven Dials neighborhood and Covent Garden. There's shopping galore, delightful little pubs, cute restaurants... it's divine.

It's within walking distance of Bloomsbury and the British Museum, the Victoria Embankment, Fleet Street, and more.

There's a lovely park (Lincoln's Inn Field) across the road from the front door of the hotel, and right on the park, within a block, is Sir John Soane's Museum, which is FAB-ulous: http://www.soane.org/

Hotel itself is pristine clean, comfy, club-like, and welcoming. We love it! And you can generally get a screaming deal if you book ahead.

Hi again! Exciting news! I booked a flight today for a GREAT deal. 10 day trip - flying into London and out of Amsterdam, and we plan to stop at Paris along the way. I'm looking into the suggested hotels as well. I'm thinking 3 or 4 nights in London.

SO - now I need some suggestions on convenient, affordable, and safe areas for accomodations. It would be great to be able to walk to nightlife (but not like bars for 20-somethings). Something trendy but 30s/40s trendy :).

I highly recommend the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.
Took me four trips to get to see them, but they were worth the wait!

Bayswater, Belgravia or Bloomsbury neighborhoods.

Do the Google Maps overhead view of London to see where these are and what they are close to.

i.e. Bayswater (Paddington Station, Hyde Park, Portobello Road, Nottinghill, Kensington Palace and Gardens)
Belgravia (Harrods, Victoria Train Station, Buckingham Palace, Club Quarters Lincoln Inn Fields mentioned above )
Bloomsbury (British Museum, St John Sloane Museum, Shaftesbury Theatre)

I'll PM some suggested accommodations.

Congrats on securing a travel deal. Always nice!