Never been to Europe Five night honeymoon Paris

Hi Skip, congratulations on your upcoming marriage! Paris is an amazing city and a very romantic choice for your honeymoon. I’m sure you have a lot on your plate right now but I’d book some flights and make hotel reservations soon. Get a good guidebook (like Rick Steve’s Paris) and decide on an area to stay. Everyone has their favorites, mine is the neighborhood around the Eiffel Tower. Paris is very walkable and the metro/bus system is great so the location of your hotel isn’t all important.

Consider purchasing a 2-day Paris Museum Pass which gives you the ability to drop into a number of different museums and sites. I’d do dinner at a cafe then a Seine river cruise (several board near the Eiffel Tower). If you are planning to visit the Eiffel Tower, check the official website to purchase advance tickets or book a short tour through a company like Get Your Guide. Versailles or Giverny are easy excursions outside of the city. A Fat Tire bike tour is a fun option. Of course, you could just hang out for a week, it’s a beautiful city. ❤️

Book flights separately. Check here to familiarize yourself with costs:

https://www.google.com/travel/flights

Book directly with your hotel using their website or by calling. As a rough guide, budget hotels are under 150€ per night per couple. Consider mid priced hotels to be in the 150€ to 200€ per night range. Popular areas of Paris for tourists are the Marais, the Latin Quarter, or around St Germain des Prés. There are also a number of interesting hotels in the 9th arrondissement. For specific hotel recommendations, clarify your budget window in euros.

I can recommend the Ducasse sur Seine dinner cruise which is fabulous but expensive. For simply seeing the city by the river, I might suggest Vedettes du Pont Neuf which offers discounts if you book in advance.

You might find Cultival of interest to assist in organizing your activities. They have a list of interesting tours and visits.

I would hope to hold off on planning a day outside the city until quite close to my travel date if the destination is a partly-outdoor one--like Giverny or Versailles. November weather can be chilly and wet; if you get a day like that, you might prefer to focus on indoor activities.

I have never booked an air/hotel package deal (I go for super-cheap hotels), but I think you might save money by doing that. The only way to be sure is to research airline fares (I use Google Flights) and hotel rates (I use booking.com) separately and compare those to the package prices you see; be sure you're looking at comparable rooms in the same hotel. You'll certainly want a very well-located hotel so you can enjoy strolling in your immediate neighborhood.

After you figure out where you are staying, I imagine there are folks here who will be able to suggest good restaurant options if you tell us what sorts of places you'd like to try and your price range.

You can read the See Europe threads on this website, and other travel forums like it, where many of your questions are already answered. I will offer a couple of general comments:

Paris is a compact city, at least in the core, and many attractions are easily accessed by the massive system of subways and buses. You can study the possibilities here: https://www.ratp.fr/en
Instead of seeking out accommodation near the sights, try for a hotel with good connections to the public transport. For instance, I like to stay near Place de la Republic because the plaza is served by five different Metro lines, streamlining your movement to other areas. It can't boast of particular must-see attractions but is extremely lively and very close to the picturesque Canal St-Martin.

Google Maps will help locate possible hotels. It shows locations with Internet links. The prices that pop up are not dependable since hotel rates vary a great deal according to time of year.

I almost always book hotels through a third party such as Booking.com or Hotels.com since I usually can find prices below those stated by the establishment itself. Just the opposite applies to airline shopping where there is little to no hope of finding prices lower than on the airline website (the days of the bucket shop bargain are long gone). A direct booking is easier to handle if something goes wrong or needs a change.

Excellent advice so far. Book both your flights and hotels soon. Google Flights can show you what your options are from your home airport. But book through the airline's website. You can do a search on this site for Paris hotel recommendations, and also check booking.com - their multiple filters can help find the hotel that meets your needs. And I pretty much trust the reviews. I can only recommend the areas that we like best, but the Latin Quarter is our favorite. Try to get a reservation that is cancellable within a reasonable number of days.

I would also recommend doing the dinner and Seine Cruise separately. Have a nice relaxed dinner and then cap it off with the cruise. We've preferred les Vedettes du Pont Neuf as well.

A good guidebook is essential I think, especially for first timers. Rick's is excellent in that it also helps spell out logistics considerations. As well as describing all the sight seeing options you have.

First buy a Rick Steves pocket Paris guide book, that will give you names & price range of hotels, restaurants & attractions. Lock in your flights pretty quickly as suddenly everyone wants to travel and flights are filling up. Make sure you both have your passports and that they are current. Make sure your both vaccinated against Covid 19. To keep the entire trip under $5000 for the both of you will require planning and using public transportation (metro, bus, walking), download the Paris metro app to help getting around. The Paris Museum Pass is a good deal and saves time standing in line.

Have a great honeymoon!!

About packages: a regular contributor, Ron, who is in the travel business based in Amsterdam, recently educated us about packages. He said you could save a bit of money but to only book those offered by the airlines, such as Delta Vacations or American Airlines Vacations.
Regular contributors here agree about booking directly with the airlines, but most of us hadn't thought about their packages. You have to compare the prices of booking the airline and hotel directly and separately with the price of the Delta or other airline package.

Yes, you are asking the right questions.

I recommend doing a Seine river cruise but not a dinner cruise. Take one on your arrival day to orient yourselves as you see so many of Paris’ monuments from the Seine.. Look at Bateau - Mouches and Vedettes du Pont Neuf.

Good Advice from CJean. The cruise is so much better without being distracted by eating. We've done two cruises with les Vedettes du Pont Neuf and highly recommend them.

I did a 5 night trip to Maui once in my 30's. While that was one of my most favorite trips, it was exhausting. Don't underestimate the toll that long flights and different time zones will have on you. If someone gave me this advice before my Hawaii trip, I would have ignored it and had a great time!

But, if I were you.......I would choose a 5 night honeymoon in the Caribbean on a beach, or in a cozy mountain lodge and then take the money I saved and wait until I could spend at least 10-14 days for a trip to Europe. Your interests are likely different than mine, but to go to Paris without seeing the museums would make me anxious.

Congratulations on your wedding and happy travels!

Just make sure you realize that five nights is only going to give you four 'usable' days. The first day, even if you arrive early you will be jet lagged and tired and probably won't be able to get into your hotel till mid day. You could take the river cruise that day (I agree it's better to take a 'regular' cruise than a dinner cruise). Also know it gets dark early and doesn't get light out till pretty late so your daylight hours are limited. But since you say you don't want to site see much maybe it will be fine. A lot of people, myself included, would not want to go through the expense and 'agony' of oversees flights for that short an amount of time. But if that's all you've got and don't care then go for it. But see if you can't squeeze a couple more days for the trip. It will make an amazing difference.

I think the 5th or 6th are the best areas to stay, possibly the Marais also.
I find and book accommodations on booking.com

I find flights on Kayak.com but book those directly with the airline.

Only once have I used a 'package', it was actually a really good deal including air and hotel and transfer. But you need to keep in mind that packages often have hotels in less desirable neighborhoods and with such a short amount of time I would certainly want to be centrally located.

You have gotten plenty of good advice, but let me throw one more idea into the mix.

You and your fiance are going to be awfully busy and stressed out planning your wedding over the next few months. So maybe it would be worthwhile to let someone else plan your honeymoon. There are some excellent travel companies that can make all the arrangements for you (subject to your approval, of course). You just tell them what you want and your budget, and let them do the bookings. They can also make suggestions on excursions and activities.

I don't know about any specific travel companies to recommend, but just as an example of what I'm talking about, check out these (which I just found by Google search):

• https://www.libertytravel.com/vacations/europe/france/paris
• https://www.parisbyemy.com/

What vandrabrud said: Don't underestimate the toll that long flights and different time zones will have on you.

For that reason, I think it is money well-spent to book a car service or shuttle (preferably pre-paid) to take you from the airport to your hotel.

I would also look for a hotel that will let you check in early if your flight arrives in the morning.

Congratulations! You’ve asked great questions.

After researching our options and watching price trends on various travel aggregators, I usually book our airfare and hotels directly through the airline or hotel website, app or via email. In the event of a change on the part of the airline or me, I prefer the opportunity for direct communication with airlines afforded by direct booking. Sometimes hotels will offer an incentive (free breakfast or a small discount) for booking directly.

I’ve stayed in a number of areas (Latin Quarter, Rue Cler, Saint-Germain-des-Près, Louvre and Marais). Of those areas, for a first time visit, the Marais neighborhood comes to mind. It’s a dense area with lots of cafes, restaurants, bakeries, trendy shops, pretty public spaces (Place des Voges, I’m looking at you!), cobbled streets for wandering and within walking distance of the river - for long romantic strolls. The Marais is central and well connected by transit (metro and busses) to get anywhere else in the city that you’d like to go. I also like the Latin Quarter and St Germain for some of the same reasons.

We’ve stayed at the Hôtel Jeanne d’Arc Le Marais https://hoteljeannedarc.com and found it to be charming and budget friendly. I think that I originally found it recommended on this forum and it’s well-reviewed on TripAdvisor. That said, there are lots of options in every neighborhood and you have, and will get good recommendations on this forum. One tip that you may already know about - When hotel shopping, I plug the hotel address into Google maps and use the street view feature to “look” around the area to see if the area is really what I have in mind.

I’ve been to Paris in the dead of winter and enjoyed the city in January as much as my stays in April and May. Just be prepared for possible wet weather with a good raincoat and waterproof footwear. I also agree with the upthread suggestion to hold off on committing to a day trip. The weather may be not-so-great but you may not want to leave the city - because it’s so fabulous! Maybe have a day trip possibility in your back pocket and you can decide on the fly.

I love Paris in the winter. I agree with isabel about staying in the Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissement). My favorite areas are, in this order: Ile St Louis (the little island next to the bigger island where Notre Dame is), the Marais, the Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement), and St Germain (6th arrondissement).

There are 3 hotels on Ile St Louis that I recommend: Hotel de Lutèce, Hotel des Deux Iles, and Hotel St Louis en l’Isle.
Ile St Louis is surrounded by the river, very charming, very romantic.

You don’t need to hire a car from the airport, that’s a waste of money imo. Taking a taxi is less expensive and just as easy. Be sure to get in the official taxi line, there's a flat rate to Paris, you’re not on the meter.

I recommend the RS Paris guidebook, not his pocket guidebook. I recommend reading it before you go, it has a wealth if invaluable info you’ll need to have a good visit.

Lastly, always start every interaction in France with “Bonjour Madame/Monsieur” no matter who it is. You don’t need to speak French, but that little politeness makes a big difference in how you’ll be received.

Well, first off congrats! We have been in Paris many times in November and will be in Paris in this next November/December. Clearly, people have the money to spend can find someone to create the whole trip for them. If you are not one of those couples, then here are just a few things to consider and some of it has already been mentioned;

-book asap but I would use the app Hopper on your phone…it will give you an idea and are usually right on if prices are going to go up in the future. Although many love booking through their favorite airline, Momondo, SkyScanner, and Skiplagged are the sites I use right off the bat to find great prices. Then look at your favorite airline and see if you find a better price. Booking.com still seems to be the best to use for hotels (we use Airbnb because we love to cook….and we tend to stay for 3 months intervals) as you can look for “limited time deals” that are usually a steal. Most of the time you won’t pay up front but at the hotel when you leave. Just make sure you choose “free cancelation” because you may decide to go somewhere sunny!

-Paris is cold in November but who cares if you on’t mind. The only issue I have (versus now when shorts and t shirts work just fine), is you have to load up with clothes to stay warm and that usually means checking bags. If that does not bother you, pack away. Because you will be wherever you will for five days, I would consider Florence or Rome if you are flexible. Cheaper and wonderful cities for different reasons.

-I would wait to book anything with regards to outside tours until you get here. Anything inside, book. Many of the tour groups mentioned in these stream has been right on. Viator is another one that we have used many many times for just us or for bigger groups (teachers). If you choose to go to Versailles, look for the tour office to the right of the huge line and walk in and book a tour. It may cost you 10-12 extra euros but it will get your in front of that huge line for minimum cost and an hour in a small group with someone who knows their stuff. They may not take you in for a a few hours, so go across the street and have a wonderful lunch at whatever restaurant looks good to you.

-Public transportation is a lesson well earned and Google Maps will tell you what bus, train, metro to get on and where to get off. I would buy a booklet of 10 (called a carnet) for each of you (12 euros right now), and make sure you do not throw the ticket away until you get home. If you leave a station and they ask for a ticket and you tossed it, you can be ticketed. I have never seen it, but it does happen in Pari.

-Above all things, don’t sprint. Paris is a walk and is not to be seen through just a bus window (even though a tour bus is always fun if you got time). Don’t book everything and don’t expect to see it all. Go slow, plan one thing a day, with the expectation you will come back. The 17th Arrondissement was just as much fun for us as the 1st or the 3rd. Collect memories, not ticket stubs.

Viator does not conduct tours; it just sells tours run by other companies. Any given tour listed on the Viator website might be fabulous or really mediocre or anything in between. Viator takes a large commission, so either you will pay more (because the tour company marked up its price on the Viator listing) or the tour company will get paid a lot less after Viator's commission. So do try to book tours directly with the tour operator. Often you can Google a key phase from the tour description and find the website belonging to the tour company.

Bonjour Madame/Monsieur,
Wow, so much great information. I did order a couple of guide books from RS and are waiting for them. I thought I would try the forum in the meantime and I am so glad I did. So many great ideas and suggestions. Me and my fiance will read them all gratefully! I am looking forward to our trip more than ever,
The way I sold the trip to her was. "We fly over, we stay in a decent hotel wander around hang out at cafes maybe go to a museum, people watch and soak in some lights and wine at night, nothing hectic, no pressure just hanging out in a beautiful city. "
The goal of the trip is to just be there and let it sweep us up.

skip, Your plan is the perfect way to enjoy Paris!

Skip, just a heads up. The Museum Pass can be a great value, depends on how many sites you visit during the 2, 4 or 6 Day ticket. However, some sites still require you to log onto their website and schedule an exact date & time. There usually is a selection for having the Museum Pass or what I have seen as a Free Ticket (allows you to pick a date & time, then presenting the Museum Pass on entry). The Paris Museum Pass can be purchased on line and mailed to you, or purchased upon arrival. I have gotten mine at CDG after picking up my luggage or at the train station when I have come from another country.

Also keep up with the COVID requirements entering and exiting the country. The PCR can be schedule at CDG airport within 72 hrs. of departure for returning to the U.S., if that is where you are heading too. I am gathering all the info myself for my Nov/Dec trip to France.

Hope it all works out and you two enjoy your time.

So much good advice. We had wonderful meals in Paris but the one we always remember was at the 58 Tour Eiffel in the Eiffel Tower. Once you've been to Paris, you'll begin to see images of the Eiffel Tower daily. It's fun to say, "Remember when we ate dinner right there?" There are two restaurants in the Eiffel Tower -- 58 Tour Eiffel and the more expensive Le Jules Verne. Let your budget dictate which one to go to. Make a reservation well in advance and dress up a little (sport coat, etc.).

If I were you, I would do the same thing - a low-key, romantic visit to Paris.

However, when I think of hotels offered as part of packaged airfare deals; romantic, boutique style hotels don´t come to mind. I should think you might like something small and charming, need the budget window.

There are really only two good options for transportation from the airport - taxi or train. Taxi fares are fixed (53€/58€ for the Right/Left Bank respectively) and only taxis have access to bus lanes which, coming from the airport, can make a huge difference. A1 from CDG to the périphérique is almost always backed up and you´ll save a lot of time taking a taxi which can access the bus lane over a car/limo which cannot. I have had so many 90 minute taxis rides in from CDG that I almost always take the train which is around 30 minutes to Paris and the 11€ fare includes any métro connection you may need to reach your destination. However, if this is your first time to Paris - take a taxi from the official taxi rank and avoid the clandestine drivers soliciting from within the terminals.

Unlike some, I do not recommend purchasing the museum pass. Many museums now restrict access to one visit and some, such as le Louvre, require reservations anyway. Unless you plan spending a lot of time museum hopping, I would simple pay for the admissions I really wanted.

The big museum ticket this year will be Carnavalet, reopen after a 4 year renovation and entry there is free.

As for Covid testing when you depart France, the US only requires an antigen test which you can get free at almost any pharmacy.

“The PCR can be schedule at CDG airport within 72 hrs.”

It does not have to be a PCR test, it can be an Antigen test within 48hrs of departure.

Edit: didn’t see Tocard’s mention before posting…

And I agree with Tocard, especially for you Skip, to not get a Museum Pass.

Antigen test within 48 hours before the flight--not before arrival. That's for going to France.
For returning to the States, you have 72 hours to take an antigen test before your flight.

Thanks Bets. I meant departure, but my brain was thinking “arrival” for the flight.

Congratulations! Paris is great in any season.

Our favorite areas are the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain-des-Pres. These are places to stay that we liked very much and cozy restaurants with good comfort food nearby.

Close to the Seine, nearest Metro: Saint-Michel Notre-Dame

• Hotel Europe Saint-Severin
• Two quirky AirBnBs: Abelard, one bedroom w/living room, direct view of Notre Dame towers and the adjoining Heloise, studio (we created one 2 BR apartment via connecting door)
• Restaurant: Le Petit Chatelet, next to Shakespeare and Co. bookstore

A little farther from the river, closest metro: Odeon

• Hotel Left Bank Saint Germain des Pres
• Restaurants: Le Procope, Polidor

You can easily walk to Pont Neuf to catch a Seine River cruise from any of these places.

South of Luxembourg Garden, nearest Metro: Vavin

• Hotel Raspail Montparnasse – Jean Cocteau Room:Top floor superior w/view of Eiffel Tower
• Restaurants: Les Fondus de la Raclette (French Alps cuisine), Bistro du Dome (seafood), not the more expensive Le Dome across the street

You may have better things to do, but if you are NFL fans, you can catch your favorite team’s game at The Moose bar. Good pub food and drink and lots of wide screen TVs all tuned to different games.

Some of the restaurants are currently temporarily closed, but hopefully things should be more opened up by November.