Itinerary Help Please - London and Paris 12/29 through 1/7

Impossible to say without more info from you on travel details, your interests, have you been there before, etc. A few points to note...

Start by being honest with yourself: how many full days do you have in Europe, not including your arrival or departure days? Based on the way you worded your question, I'm going to guess that your trip starts on 12/29 and ends on 1/7. If that's the case, then you probably have just 7 days (at most) in Europe. Where are you coming from and what kind of shape will you be in upon arrival? It makes a difference if you start in Boston and have a non-stop with a flat bed in business class, versus two connections from the US west coast jammed in an uncomfortable seat with screaming babies around you. How easily do you sleep on planes? Factor in what time you will arrive, but you can probably assume that day (and maybe the next) will be mostly lost to jetlag and recovering from the displacement issues of spending a day confined in a metal tube and flying to the other side of the world (where, even if they speak English, things are different and you will feel at least somewhat disoriented). Have you been to Europe before? For those new to Europe (especially) and for those who may not be young, fit, and quick to recover, it may take a day or more to get to the point where you're feeling 100%. Your departure day back to the US is also a wash. So begin by being realistic about how many days you have, and how you'll be feeling once you get there.

Have you already booked your flights? It will be significantly cheaper (and more efficient with your time) if you fly in to London and out of Paris (the UK has some of the highest taxes and fees imposed on air travel in the world; France has somewhat lower fees, and of course it's wasted time and money backtracking between the two cities).

If it were me, I'd fly into London, spend a few days there, take the train to Paris for a few days, and fly home from there. London or Paris obviously have enough great things to see, do (and eat) to keep anyone busy for a lot longer than you will have there. Both cites are expensive, but of course have much to offer - with just 2-3 days in each, you will only get a small taste, so don't kill yourself trying to do everything. Some things will be closed or have limited hours on/around New Years, so research beforehand if there's anything you really have your heart set on seeing/doing. You'll also have limited daylight, and (probably) less-than-ideal weather (no way to know for sure until that day). But at least you won't have to fight the summer crowds!

Hope some of that helps.

I was in Paris for new yrs and it was fairely quiet. Some fireworks but understated in general.
So i would opt for London.

Fly into London & out of Paris. We did that two years ago & it worked very well. We also did the Eurostar from London to Paris and it was very easy & convenient. I'd spend NYE in London if it were me and the rest of the time in Paris. Don't know about weather but take layers, a warm jacket, gloves etc and you should be fine.

Must See London - Big Ben, Parliament, Tower of London, London Eye (we didn't actually ride on it but saw it both at night & in the daytime for photos), Harrods, Victoria & Albert Museum, British Museum, pubs every single day at least once a day if not twice. Did I mention go to pubs?!!

Must See Paris - Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coueur & Montmarte area, Musee de Orsay, lots of cafes. We found food in London so much easier than in Paris since we don't speak very much French and they seemed to dislike having us share a meal whereas in London, pop in a pub & order whatever sounds good, sharing is fine, no problem.

Enjoy your trip!!! I'm very jealous by the way.

If you are looking to party, I think New Year celebrations are more of an event in London than Paris.

Sharing a meal in a London pub! whatever next. You'll be relaxing and enjoying yourself soon if we are not careful.

All joking aside, if I ever go somewhere with my misses, and order only one thing, I usually get two plates without asking.

London NYE fireworks tickets are all sold out for now, but they are hinting at a second wave of tickets, which they did last year.

https://www.london.gov.uk/get-involved/events/london-nye-2015-fireworks

Alternatively, head up to Primrose Hill for a free view of all the London fireworks... albeit at a distance.

I would definitely do New Years in London and then start the new year in Paris by quick train. You will love your time in Paris with so much to see and casually strolling along the river. A great site for what to see in Paris: http://parisinfourmonths.com/. She really has an eye for capturing the beauty in Paris.