First Timer Going London Paris

shalenss · 05-07-2008, 10:10 AM

Hey guys me and my wife are going to London and Paris for the first time for a week and half.Any tips,things that I shouldn't miss,any car related stuff ?We will be going on the first week of June

This is gonna be a budget trip because with dollar so weak

I had an alternate to the trip,suggested that we took a drive to Adance Dyno and leave the car there for some work done but the wife didn't buy it

redtopz · 05-07-2008, 10:30 AM

Bring lots of mac and cheese

. The dollar is so weak right now everything will be literally twice as expensive as here. I went to England a couple years ago, awesome trip. The underground trains will take you everywhere you want to go. Remember to look right first when pulling out into the street and "mind the gap". Have fun.

shalenss · 05-07-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redtopz

Bring lots of mac and cheese

. The dollar is so weak right now everything will be literally twice as expensive as here. I went to England a couple years ago, awesome trip. The underground trains will take you everywhere you want to go. Remember to look right first when pulling out into the street and "mind the gap". Have fun.

Thanks

CALVette · 05-07-2008, 12:33 PM

Gas will seem cheap when you return and only have to pay $4.50 a gal.
London - take the jump on/off Red tour bus.

Inky Pinky · 05-07-2008, 01:10 PM

You have to go to the Tower of London and see the crown jewels and the 13 Ravens (that have been there for 100's of years, yes they switch them out), the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is a sight as well.

The double decker tour buses are usually the best option, you can buy a pass and get off of one and get on another. They usually cover everything. If you get a chance to get out of London, check out Windsor Castle, even farther out is Warwick Castle.

I hope you are taking the trian to Paris, that is by far the best way to go. You'll get to see the country side and alot of small towns along the way as you are speeding by at 100+.

Once in Paris, use the subway system. Go to the top of the Eifel Tower, have lunch at a sidewalk cafe, go to the Louvre and check out the Mona Lisa.

There is so much to see, it all depends on how much time you want to play tourist....

Oh yeah, when in Paris, expect major attitude from the locals. I found that they aren't willing to help.

znewton1 · 05-07-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inky Pinky

You have to go to the Tower of London and see the crown jewels and the 13 Ravens (that have been there for 100's of years, yes they switch them out), the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is a sight as well.

The double decker tour buses are usually the best option, you can buy a pass and get off of one and get on another. They usually cover everything. If you get a chance to get out of London, check out Windsor Castle, even farther out is Warwick Castle.

I hope you are taking the trian to Paris, that is by far the best way to go. You'll get to see the country side and alot of small towns along the way as you are speeding by at 100+.

Once in Paris, use the subway system. Go to the top of the Eifel Tower, have lunch at a sidewalk cafe, go to the Louvre and check out the Mona Lisa.

There is so much to see, it all depends on how much time you want to play tourist....

Oh yeah, when in Paris, expect major attitude from the locals. I found that they aren't willing to help.

Pretty much covered my trip to London (minus the castles) /France four years ago. I was lucky enough to go out to London for a month of my summer with my brohter and stayed by ourselves at my Uncle's place while he was out of town.

Get used to hearing "MIND THE GAP" said by a nice british voice over the loudspeaker at the tube stations all day long. It is an amazing train system though. You can literally go anywhere you want in the entire city.

If you can definitely take the chunnel ovet to Paris. Was by far one of the coolest parts of my trip (being a gearhead).

Good luck and let us know how the trip was!

Inky Pinky · 05-07-2008, 01:27 PM

Watch out for the pidgeons at Trafalgar Square....

znewton1 · 05-07-2008, 01:46 PM

Oh yeah..in London DEFINITELY go to the Imperial War Museum and the Natural History Museum. Both some of the coolest places I have been, especially the war museum. They have this cool re-creation of trenches in WWII and some other stuff..definitely worth seeing.

C5'S LS1 · 05-07-2008, 01:49 PM

Shalen, Very cool that your taking a vacation.

The year before, a friend and I went to England (London), France (Paris), and Netherlands (Amsterdam).

Here are some ideas about Paris.

The Arc de Triomphe gives you a nice view from the top, after you walk all those stairs.

If you go to the Eiffel tower. Get in line from on the second deck.
Most people dont know about the other line that starts there, and tends to be shorter.
We went in the off season and the line was an easy hour to go to the top.

Go to the Louvre Paris museum early, cause its so big, with so much to see.
And Yes, we did get a picture of the Mona Lisa

. Security is so tight, they don't let no photography in the room, and only a limited amount of people at a time, where they show Mona. So we had to be quick.
The Mona Lisa is actually a small painting too.

The Red Bus is a great way to get around.

Now this is a photo from my cell phone.
My friend and I couldn't believe how many times we seen this.
Everybody pushes cars, back and forth, to get in to parking spots, that they don't fit into.

I didn't rent a car when I was there, but I can imagine, the before and after walk around, with the Hertz rental guy.

It's like, whats not damaged?

I have all my photos on my home computer though, so I may upload some later.
Have a blast on your trip, and just have a plan for everyday, cause it will go fast.

env00 · 05-07-2008, 02:05 PM

Have fun Shalen! I've never been to London or Paris...although we were going to fly out just before 9/11 to go visit some relatives/friends but then you all know what happened after that.

Now I did go to Greece last year and so you are right about the Euro...its expensive and probably more so now.

In Paris...my bro/cousins ate up in the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower (evening), said it was really nice.

Good luck!,
- Eric

SLV-N-BLK · 05-07-2008, 02:33 PM

Hey, my home town.

Shalen, enjoy your trip!

Great suggestions from Inky and C5’S LS1. I was there last August and it was very spendy with the dollar being so week. Bring lots of cash baller!!

shalenss · 05-07-2008, 07:46 PM

Thanks a lot for tips

choivette · 05-07-2008, 08:46 PM

Hey Shaleen,
Need someone to keep your car running?
Have a good trip, keep the credit card away from the wife.

FredSM · 05-07-2008, 09:16 PM

You dog! Hope you have a great trip. Can't believe you weren't told about LegoLand near London!

I'm no help . . . all my time on the Island has been outside the city. Except for the airport, I've never been to Paris. Take lots of pics for your buds!!! Please, oh please have a Guiness for me!

FM