Chunnel

First I would like to apologize in advance for the abuse you are about to receive for committing the "crime" of using the nickname Chunnel. Rick's London guidebook has a chapter on doing the Paris-chunnel day trip effectively. Paris' excellent metro system will take you to any site quickly, but a lot of the city's main sites are within walking distance like the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs-Élysées, through the Tuileries Garden, past the Louvre, and ending at Notre Dame can all be done in a day. Another option is the hop-on hop-off tour buses, or a boat cruise on the River Seine. Be sure to book your chunnel tickets ASAP as the fares significantly cheaper the earlier you book: http://tinyurl.com/chunnel-train http://wikitravel.org/en/Paris

You can book Eurostar tickets up to 120 days in advance at eurostar.com and print your own tickets. The longer you wait, the higher the fare.

As has been mentioned, Rick's book has a pretty decent guide to doing Paris efficiently. If you are doing a day trip, I would recommend getting a Paris Visite metro pass once you get to Paris. Covers your metro usage for the day (ease of getting around) and gives discounts to some attractions. If nothing else, you can use the discount to climb the Arc de Triomphe and Montparnasse Tower (for spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower). I'd also have a rough idea of what you wanted to see.

IMO, the Paris Visite pass is overpriced. You'll pay €9.75 for a pass that covers zones 1-3 and you probably won''t venture beyond zone 1. You'll do much better buying one-day, zone 1-2 Mobilis passes (€6.40). You could buy a ten-ticket carnet (€12.70) and share the tickets, but that will only cover five rides for each of you and you're likely to be bouncing all over Paris to make the best use of your single day. For 10 eurocents more you can buy two Mobilis passes and take unlimited rides.

If you don't already have it, you may want to purchase Rick Steves' Pocket Paris small guidebook. It's sold here on this website; just click on "books" in the bar above. http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=158&id=465 It has a fold out map of the city, which you will need, and info so you can decide what sights you want to see. With limited time in Paris, I'd do the hop on hop off bus tour and visit the Louvre.

I have just seen, on another travel site, that Eurostar allow visitors from the USA to book up to one year in advance if booked through their USA site. See post number 20. http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g186338-i17-k5274710-o10-Eurostar_tickets_available_into_December_2012-London_England.html

Thank you One-and-All for your wonderful suggestions, ideas and resources! I look forward to exploring all of the options With Great Appreciation!
Belinda