We will be doing a bike trip in the Southwestern region of France and will finsih in Carcassonne. We plan to take a train into Paris and will be there 2 nights in early July. I am looking for
1) hotel recommendations that will be suitable for 2 adults and 2 teenage (adult sized) boys that is convenient and reasonable (will get 2 rooms)
2) recommendations for a tour guide for half a day. While i have been to Paris several times, this will be the first for my sons and would like to have something scheduled to show them the paris i love.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
You need to mention a budget ,, in euros ,per night please. "reasonable " means very different things to different people.
I try and stick to 90-120 euros a night , but have paid as much as 185 and as little as 60.
I have taken both my 13 yr old son to Paris,, and on a seperate trip my 11 yr old dd. I never got a guide for them because I did two things..
Both children were expected to come up with three must sees. Kids spend hours on computer , there is simply no reason at all they can't contribute to trip planning .. it tends to ward off complaints if kids have some input.
Of course they will stay stuff like Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.. but my son found out about the Catacombs.. and visiting them was a highlight for him.
My dd had just finished a book called "Hiding Edith" true story about a little jewish girl hidden in a small french town by the locals.. so she wanted to visit the "Shoah Memorial" . Very moving.
We all loved Invalids Army Museum,, no crowds and hundreds of well laid out displays .. starts with medival battle axes, swords, horse and human armour.. then progresses up though the ages.. and includes some exotic things like samurai swords and armour..
You only have one full day so why not agree on two or three sites you want to see.. then plan a route to do them yourselves.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10189 posts
I recommend Iris Amice, the best I've come across. Iris, who was recently featured on a Paris episode of Globe Trekker explaining the route Marie Antoinette took to the guillotine, has actually passed the rigorous exams, in French, required by the French government to be a certified guide. She's very busy with private tours booked through US agencies, so you have to contact her early. Her email is: dayinsummer@yahoo.com BTW, I met Iris when Karen from Fort Wayne told us about the Chocolate Tour Iris had led for Paris Walks. See if she'll take you to a couple of chocolate shops. I forgot to mention that Iris is originally a Hoosier from Indiana.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
www.toursbylocals.com will hook you up with local tour guides all over the world. We've had very good experiences with finding locals in Moscow, St Petersburg and Paris via Toursbylocals You can also read reviews of the tour guides left by previous travelers.
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
We've always enjoyed Michael Osman - you can pick any of his themed tours or just tell him what you want to see & do and he will customize your day. He has a very easy going manner and while he is very informative he does not just ramble on with a pre-practised spiel.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Pat, by reasonable i mean aourn 100-120 Euros per room. We will be taking the train in so it would be nice to be more central.