First Trip advice

Sophie, Could you provide some further information on what you're hoping to see while there (ie: what prompted the desire to visit Europe)? There are lots of possibilities, but with such a short time frame I'd suggest not trying to put too many destinations on your list. Paris and London each need about four days, but beyond that there are lots of places to visit. As this is your first trip to Europe, I'd suggest reading the Guidebook Europe Through The Back Door (if it's available in New Zealand). You may be able to download it as an E-Book? The country or city Guidebooks will provide more specific information on sights to see. Good luck with your planning!

Hi, Thank you both for your responses. We really just want to get a bit of a taste for culture in that part of the world. We are not THAT keen on the extreme touristy spots, however know that some of them just have to be done! We had talked of going to the South of France or Italy or even Croatia. Or we did consider exploring the UK, but know that there is no way we can do all of that! Is Paris Disneyland worth the day trip? So much to see and so little time, however we don't just want to city hope, we would like to explore a little. Is Hiring a car a silly idea? Thanks again,
Sophie

On a first trip there is so much to see; however, top of my list would be Paris (and all the touristy spots) and possibly Versailles or Fontainebleu (sp) London, of course; so much of "commonwealth culture" revolves around London and all its sights and history. Coming from New Zealand, it would be convenient to rent a car in England and see some of the quintessential English countryside (Cotswolds for example). (A car is not recommended in London though) Paris 5 days- English countryside 4 days and end up with 6 days in London.

What are you most interested in? Castles? History? WWII? Cathedrals? Dining? Theatre? Art? Music? Are you stopping anywhere on the way or are you going to arrive exhausted after back-to-back long-haul flights and lots and lots of jetlag?

Don't plan too much your first day, you will be jet lagged. Also, you'll be traveling at "peak" tourist season, so make sure you build in plenty of flexibility and study up on line-beating tips (RS books offer plenty of advice). Also, I'd book hotels as soon as possible, considering the London has the Olympics starting July 21, 2012, you're going to want to lock in any London area accommodations as soon as possible (people will be traveling early). I'd suggest that with day trips, Paris and London should be your only two main locations - skip going to Croatia or anywhere else, you'll just eat up your precious days with travel time (and side note, make sure you account for that in your planning - the chunnel between Paris/London is a good chunk of your day).

Ooops, correction, the Olympics start July 27, 2012.

Sophie, I've never been to Disneyland Paris but have been to the California version. With such a short time frame and being your first visit, you'd be better to focus on more "historic and cultural" sites (IMO). Hiring a car is not a "silly idea", but I'd suggest only using a rental car for specific locations. Do NOT drive in London or you'll get "nicked" with a pricey congestion charge! Regarding your visit to Paris, you might find This Website very helpful, especially for the trip into the city from CDG. I'm assuming you have "Chip & PIN" credit cards, so you'll be able to use the automated Kiosks at the airport to buy tickets. A Paris Museum Pass would be a really good idea to minimize time in queues (which could be long at that time of year!). If you're planning to visit The Louvre, DON'T try to see it all as it's HUGE. If you're mostly interested in the Mona Lisa and Venus di Milo, limit your time to ed parts of the Denon and Sully wings. You might also consider pre-purchase of tickets for the Eiffel Tower. Check This Website for details. With your visit to the U.K., you might consider touring London, Bath and the Cotswolds. Bath is easily accessible from London by train or Coach, but a rental car would be better for the Cotswolds (you can rent in Bath). If you'd prefer to take a day tour of the Cotswolds or Stonehenge, have a look at This firm (use that instead of a rental car). Having a look at Guidebooks will provide you with lots of information on sights to see. Cheers!

Some of my favorite places in London: Museum of London - All about the city and its history, very interesting, very well done. British Museum (free) - it has everything. Get the schedule of gallery talks (docents give "tours" of 1 or 2 rooms with a theme). Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese at 145 Fleet Street - a pub that dates back centuries! Really, to the 1600's. A great place for lunch. The Churchill War Rooms - I especially enjoyed the videos of people who had worked in the War Rooms during WWII relating their experiences. St Paul's Cathedral - and climb the dome. Westminister Abbey - take the audio guide. Windsor Castle Hamsted Court Palace The Victoria and Albert Museum Greenwich For the theatre, visit theatremonkey.com for ALL the lowdown - what's on, what's good, what seats are best, how to get the cheapest tickets and more If you can tear yourselves away, a 2-day trip to Bath would be great. Easy to do on the train, maybe with a stop at Salisbury Cathedral.

Paris - there isn't enough room to list all my favorites and then there are the day trips. And the best thing in Paris is just walking and enjoying it. Look at the museums AND other sights listed in the Paris Museum Pass and get an idea of which ones interest you. On my last trip, I did an evening Segway tour with Fat Tire Bikes that was lots of fun (and rather expensive). Please, please skip EuroDisney. Paris is sooo much better. Eat at smaller restaurants that are not very near the major tourist sites. The food and the prices will be much better. Drink the house wine - it is usually cheap and good. Stop once a day for a drink at a cafe. It's expensive but you are not paying for a coffee or a coke, you are paying for the table - stay as long as you like, rest your weary feet and enjoy the scene. The Louvre is best after about 5 p.m. on Wednesday or Friday (the late nights). There are few if any crowds and it is much more pleasant.

Thank you again for your replies :) Do you have any recommendations of where we should stay in London or Paris? We are thinking we might spend 4 nights in Paris, train to Provenance and hire a car, explore and drive to Barcelona for a few days then to London for 4 days. Thanks again for all your advice. Sophie

Sophie It is so exciting to plan your first trip to Europe! Good you are starting early. Remember to include your travel time in changing destinations. 1/2 day minimun usually. Really. I bet you have access to Rick Steves' guides on Europe through the Back Door and the Country Guides in AU. These are THE best planning guides. Once you have read through them, the Helpline is better able to give you targeted advice. I am responding to your latest possible itinierary. Paris, train to Provence, drive to Barcelona, and fly to London. My suggestion is to narrow your destinations to 3 with day trips to nearby sights. Each change costs time and money. If you choose Paris, day trips might be Versailles Chateau and Gardents, Fountainbleau Palace, Monet's Gardens in Giverny, and many others. Another vote against Disney Paris. A good central base in Province is St Remy de Provence 1/2 hour from the TGV Avignon train station. Renting a car at the train station. Do your research to see the wonderful vistas and then the little villages (OK) . Then to London with day trips from there to Bath, Cotswolds, Canterbury, or etc. If you must do Barcelona, driving will probably take too long as the mileage and roads are obstacles. See previous post on this question. You can fly from Marseilles (dropping car off here) to Barcelona on Vueling.com a discount airline. And fly from either Marseille or Barcelona to London also on discount airlines. Note several things. RS will give you best idea of hotel prices and types of accommodations. Since you are traveling in high season, make reservations as soon as you finalize your itinerary. No later than End of Jan. Also discount airlines all have severe limitations on luggage size and weight and other mandatory charges. Good luck! Keep us posted on your itinerary!

Sophie, I have a few comments on your recent post. Regarding "where to stay" in London or Paris, are you looking for the name of specific Hotels or which area of each city to stay in? It's difficult to provide recommendations on Hotels, without having some idea of what type of Hotels you prefer. The best way to find Hotels appropriate to your taste is to check the Guidebooks. In London I prefer to stay in the Victoria station area, as I find that to be very convenient to the sights and to transportation. In Paris I prefer to stay in the Rue Cler area, as it's close to the Eiffel Tower and other major sites and has good Metro access. I would NOT recommend hiring a car in Provence and then dropping it in Barcelona, as you'll likely pay a HUGE fee for dropping it in another country. Using fast trains would be a far quicker and easier method IMO. Cheers!

Thank you Bobbie and Ken for your information. I think we have Narrowed our accommodation down to a place in Rua Cler area in Paris, thank you Ken for your high recommendation of this area. We are still looking in London, I found a great place in Victoria, but it was booked. I am not looking at a place in Notting Hill and another in Kennington, what are these areas like? As for what we are doing between Paris and London, we are still unsure and keep changing our minds. We have decided against Barcelona. However we are still keen to go to Provence and the South of France, and I know it is against recommendations but would like to squeeze in another place. We thought of flying to Edinburgh and then making our way to London, but not sure yet. Thanks again for your assistance :)
Sophie

I would skip Barcelona and concentrate on France and London, with day trips from London and Paris if you can't find enough to keep you busy! Which you can, so if you don't mind 2 big cities.