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View Full Version : Flying to Paris on Feb 11... WTF should I do in Europe?



scott
01-29-2006, 10:33 PM
I've travelled quite a bit for professional reasons, but only in the states, Canada, and Aruba - I've never been to the Old World. Because of some great fares offered by American Airlines (I landed round trip to Paris from Houston for $400) right now, I decided to take a little holiday and spread my transatlantic wings.

So... experienced travellers of Europe and European Spurstalk members, I pose the question... is there anything (aside from the obvious things) I should make a point of doing while in Europe? I will be "backpacking" (in the American sense... meaning I'm only taking a backpack... staying in Hostels, etc.) and I was thinking of spending a few nights in Paris and hopping over to the train station and grabbing whatever looks like a decent fare to another destination.

I arrive in Paris in the wee hours of Feb 11 and depart on the afternoon of Feb 18. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

ShoogarBear
01-29-2006, 10:35 PM
Mickey: I was thinking of doing some sightseeing.
Ellen: Sightseeing? In Paris?
Mickey: Sure. You got any stuff here?
Ellen: Yeah, we got some stuff. Want to see the Eiffel Tower?
Mickey: The Eiffel Tower? That's here?

Shelly
01-29-2006, 10:35 PM
Go to Strassen, Luxembourg and tell me how much it's changed since 1978!

ShoogarBear
01-29-2006, 10:37 PM
Can you afford a Eurail pass?

Shelly
01-29-2006, 10:40 PM
Go visit my cousins in Compobasso, Italy.

CharlieMac
01-29-2006, 10:41 PM
The wife suggested Europe for our one year anniversary trip. I laughed and suggested Hawaii. It was an easy choice.

If I ever go to Europe, I want to see London. That place looks rad.

scott
01-29-2006, 10:43 PM
Can you afford a Eurail pass?

I'm sure I can... I don't know if that really presents that good of a value for me though since I've only got 7 days. I guess I need to look what kind of packages they have available... maybe a 3 country deal would work... I've heard Brussels is really cool, and I'd like to check out Germany or Amsterdam.

scott
01-29-2006, 10:45 PM
Go to Strassen, Luxembourg and tell me how much it's changed since 1978!

In 1978 it looked like the inside of a testicle from my perspective. You mean different from that?

Shelly
01-29-2006, 10:47 PM
In 1978 it looked like the inside of a testicle from my perspective. You mean different from that?


:cry Now I really feel old!

timvp
01-29-2006, 10:49 PM
staying in Hostels

Bad idea. You might as well save your money and go get sick now.

Shelly
01-29-2006, 10:51 PM
Bad idea. You might as well save your money and go get sick now.


Beware of lice!

ShoogarBear
01-29-2006, 10:51 PM
I'm sure I can... I don't know if that really presents that good of a value for me though since I've only got 7 days. I guess I need to look what kind of packages they have available... maybe a 3 country deal would work... I've heard Brussels is really cool, and I'd like to check out Germany or Amsterdam.Depends on what you want to do. If you only want to go to 1-2 places and stay awhile, they're not worth it. If you want to try to hit 3 or more places, then one of the packages may be worthwhile.

The tradeoff, of course, is that you spend more time on the train than on the ground.

The other thing is, do you speak any languages? You can get by anywhere with just English, but it's a lot more fun if you're somewhere you can converse.

I've been to Germany a few times on business the last few years and can recommend both Berlin (history, culture, some partying) and Munich (lots of partying, plus history and culture). I've never been to Prague, but everyone I know who has raves about it (exchange rate is supposed to be terrific there, too). Getting there may require too much time on the train, though.

scott
01-29-2006, 11:04 PM
I have many friends who say the hostels are great... guess I'll find out. I've stayed in some pretty rough places in my days though... I'm sure I'll be okay.

I'd love to go to Munich, Shoogar, because that is where my father's family is from - but I think it will be too much train time, unless I can get a night train and get a coachette and sleep there. I'm planning a trip for Oktoberfest in the next 2 years though (maybe even this year), so I'll get my fill of Munich then.

Prague probably is too far... I'll probably stick with Western Europe.

scott
01-29-2006, 11:05 PM
Beware of lice!

The joys of no hair!

midgetonadonkey
01-29-2006, 11:08 PM
Smoke some herb and bang some Frenchies.

ShoogarBear
01-29-2006, 11:14 PM
I'd love to go to Munich, Shoogar, because that is where my father's family is from - but I think it will be too much train time, unless I can get a night train and get a coachette and sleep there. I'm planning a trip for Oktoberfest in the next 2 years though (maybe even this year), so I'll get my fill of Munich then.

Prague probably is too far... I'll probably stick with Western Europe.I was in Munich during the spring Bock season. It was outstanding and the natives say it is better than Oktoberfest (which they say is for tourists). I've never been for Oktoberfest, so I can't compare.

Guru of Nothing
01-29-2006, 11:15 PM
Kick a mime's ass.

scott
01-29-2006, 11:16 PM
Have you been to Frankfurt? That seems to be the most accessable by rail from Paris.

E20
01-29-2006, 11:16 PM
Visit the Eiffel Tower. :tu

Eat their croissants and other baked goods. :tu

E20
01-29-2006, 11:18 PM
I heard in TV in Europe is more lenient. My friend told me he was just browsing through the channels and he just saw Porn on a regular channel.

ShoogarBear
01-29-2006, 11:25 PM
I heard in TV in Europe is more lenient. My friend told me he was just browsing through the channels and he just saw Porn on a regular channel.Well, there you have it. Find a hostel with a good cable feed.

Melmart1
01-30-2006, 02:11 AM
My advice if you go to Amsterdam- When in Club Vandersexxx, make sure you know exactly what you are pronouncing.

Slomo
01-30-2006, 03:58 AM
I've travelled quite a bit for professional reasons, but only in the states, Canada, and Aruba - I've never been to the Old World. Because of some great fares offered by American Airlines (I landed round trip to Paris from Houston for $400) right now, I decided to take a little holiday and spread my transatlantic wings.

So... experienced travellers of Europe and European Spurstalk members, I pose the question... is there anything (aside from the obvious things) I should make a point of doing while in Europe? I will be "backpacking" (in the American sense... meaning I'm only taking a backpack... staying in Hostels, etc.) and I was thinking of spending a few nights in Paris and hopping over to the train station and grabbing whatever looks like a decent fare to another destination.

I arrive in Paris in the wee hours of Feb 11 and depart on the afternoon of Feb 18. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.OK 7 days is not much time so stick to Paris and its immediate surroundings.

Here's a few things that I like to do while there:

- Breakfast, go to the local bistro and order caffe au lait (coffe with milk) and a croissant - the true breakfast of champions.

- take the Metro (best way to travel in Paris btw) and go to Gare de Lyon, from there take a nice long walk to the Bastille -> Hotel de Ville -> Louvre -> Place de la Concorde -> Champs Elysee -> Arc de Triomphe -> Avenue Kleber -> Musee de l'homme -> Eiffel Tower. This walk should take you the better part of a whole day, it takes you by most of Paris' historical landmarks (I've only mentioned a few here) feel free to stray from that path and do it slowly taking in all the sights and sounds. Have lunch in a cheap bistro and try the local food. If the walk is too long you can abort at any time and take the Metro to your next destination.

- Go to the Louvre and the centre George Pompidou (they are within walking distance of each other). Even if you don't appreciate art it's worth a look, and you only have to stay as long as you're not bored with it.

- Have a half day walk through Montmartre. Start with Sacre Coeur Church and than walk around, don't be afraid to stray away from the main tourist attractions. You can spend the other half of the day on the Ile de la Cite where you can start at the Notre Dame cathedral and then wander around (this is the oldest part of Paris).

- If you can afford it (it's not that expensive) go see a show at the Crazy Horse Saloon (you'll thank me later for this tip :) )

- Walk through the Quartier Latin

- Take the EuroStar to London (specially if you can have your return flight from there).


All this attraction are well worth a visit but it's fine to just hang around and do what the locals do. Don't be afraid tom talk to them and ask questions (you'll probably get some nasty answers but also some that you'll remember for ever). Paris has also some of the weirdest (ie Les Bains) and most exclusive night clubs, getting in can be expensive though.

Don't eat at Mc Donald's be courageous enough to sample the local food. There's a lot of inexpensive restaurants (doesn't have to be french cuisine either) in places where students are. Americans often don't realize that even chinese or Italian cuisine in the US is different than in Europe.

Don't go to EuroDisney it's exactly the same as in LA :lol

hicksi
01-30-2006, 07:06 AM
Good comments, Slov.

A trick is to NOT be English or American (interesting problem there!!!).

To explain. My youngest was on a school trip. They made sure to wear an Aussie-Flag lapel-pin. The French would talk (in English) to them.
If you look like a Pom or a Yank, then you're not gonna hear a lot of answers in English.

boutons_
01-30-2006, 08:06 AM
Slomo's advice is all very good. Sounds like he's romanced more than one lady on trips to Paris. :lol

There are tons, literally tons, of guide books in the category "walks of Paris". Paris is probably the greatest walking city in the world, compact and densely populated with great streets, buildings, and sights. The big English book store is W.H.Smith, Rue du Rivoli, just north of the Jardin de Tuileries.

So if you butt isn't in walking shape, the walking will kill you. But if it is, walking is absolutely the best way to see Paris. hours and hours of walking, stop for a rest and sandwich in a Cafe or Brasserie, more walking and walking. Any type of weather.

"Don't eat at Mc Donald's"

Well, French "MacDo"s have tons better food than USA MacDonalds.

And just to deepen appreciation of "Pulp Fiction", everybody should order a MacDo "Royale with Cheese", followed that evening by a foot massage. :lol

And don't look for a Burger King. As part of a business deal a few years ago, French Burger King (MUCH better than French MacDo) was shut down in France.

======================

In addition to Slomo's advice, walking along the southern bank of the Seine from Eiffel Tower to Jardin des Plantes, (aka Rive Gauche, Left Bank, "left" being the bank on the left while facing downstream) with sorties over various bridges, is a wonderful day (or week!!).

The French have re-done their Museum of Natural History after leaving it a dusty ruin for decades, and it's fantastic.

When I say Left Bank, I mean the river-level walkway, not up on sidewalks and roads. Most of the yachts and boats are inhabited.

Take one of the river sightseeing boats, Bateaux Mouches, night or day. to see Paris from the river.

Paris Gardens not to miss: Jardin de Tuileries/Louvre, Jardin de Luxembourg, both of which can be visited on the Left Bank tour.

Paris from on high: go up the Eiffel Tower, and up the Arc de Triomphe, and also Slomo's hilltop site of Sacre Coeur. Walking up and down the Champs-Elysees is fun, plenty of stores, like FNAC and Virgin to visit.

If you're into yachts and maritime stuff, the maritime museum on the Place du Trocadero is excellent, as is the high view from there over the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. All "Master and Commander" stuff, it is.

If you like military stuff:
http://www.wtj.com/articles/paris/

<a href="http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?address=&city=&state=&zipcode=&country=FR&title=%3cb%3e%20FR%3c%2fb%3e&cid=lfmaplink2&name=">Map of <b> FR</b></a>

The biggest problems with Paris is MEGO (my eyes glaze over) because there's so much to see, followed by first-time tourist not having any fucking idea of what they'r seeing, followed by foot pain from all the walking.

It's total bullshit the English or Americans get worse treatement that Aussies. Most French speak English, LOVE to try out their English, and tourism is the biggest French industry, 60+ million tourist to France every year, more tourists than there are French. The tourist season in Paris is 24/365.

If you like theme parks, a day at Paris Disneyland is a lot of fun.

Bruno
01-30-2006, 09:44 AM
Some advice from a french guy :

- You should go to the Versailles Castle. It's at 30 min from paris in train and it's wonderfull.

- The weather : Paris in february is cold.

- Take care with your wallet or luggages when you take the train and the subway. There are a lot of pickpocket in Paris and tourists are good target for them.

- As Slomo says, Metro is the best way to move. If you planed to take it a lot, bring a photo from you to buy an illimited ticket called a "carte orange". Wherever you are in Paris, there are a Metro station at less than 10 minutes. It's quite cheap too ($2 for one trip, $20 for one week inside of Paris "carte orange" (from monday to sunday))

- A difference between Paris and Texas is that in Paris everything is smaller (streets, cars..). If you take the Metro or walk on touristic streets, you will be very near to other people, don't be surprise if they don't say sorry every time they touch you. My sister who live now in Texas after ten years in Paris, was surprised that everybody say sorry whenever they skim you.

- Frenchs like Americans. As every country we have some dunbass but for most of us Americans!=Bush. (French don't like Bush but that's another story)

katyon6th
01-30-2006, 10:43 AM
All of what Slomo said sounds like a fantastic vacation.

I have a friend who went 'backpacking' and did the hostel thing in Europe last summer. She loved it.

Have a great time!

timvp
01-30-2006, 01:46 PM
go see a show at the Crazy Horse Saloon

:lol:cooldevil:lol

mookie2001
01-30-2006, 01:51 PM
everytime I go to Europe I just have to go to the Jean-Paul Gotiuer shop, how I love their wares

Slomo
01-30-2006, 02:24 PM
Slomo's advice is all very good. Sounds like he's romanced more than one lady on trips to Paris. :lol
Busted!!! :) I took my wife there - when she wasn't yet my wife :eyebrows

But otherwise I agree with everything boutons wrote. The walking in Paris is great fun and even if you're not in the best of shape, you can make as many pauses in local cafes, bistro as you want.





FYI: A seat at the Bar in the Crazy Horse is 50 Euro (approx 60$). The best 60$ you'll ever spend http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smiangel.gif

Shelly
01-30-2006, 02:53 PM
My brother went to Paris last month and I guess they don't believe in picking up after their dogs. So be careful where you step.

angel_luv
01-30-2006, 02:59 PM
Oh my gosh, have fun!

I am going to Europe in two summers so if you see anything fantastic remember it to tell me.

Also please let me know which hostels you stay in and how you like them. That is my sleeping plan as well.

tlongII
01-30-2006, 03:00 PM
Don't be surprised if a cat jumps on your table when you're out to dinner somewhere.

scott
01-30-2006, 07:57 PM
Some great advice... thanks everyone!

Round trip to Amsterdam will run me about $200 from what I'm seeing online, so I think I may stick with Paris per Slomo's suggestion. I might go ahead and book a hotel to do that though. Any recommendations for hotels?

ALVAREZ6
01-30-2006, 08:03 PM
go to raves

mookie2001
01-30-2006, 08:13 PM
Some great advice... thanks everyone!

Round trip to Amsterdam will run me about $200 from what I'm seeing online, so I think I may stick with Paris per Slomo's suggestion. I might go ahead and book a hotel to do that though. Any recommendations for hotels?
lit de l'homme féminin

lectrik
01-30-2006, 09:07 PM
Go to France, look mean. See how long it takes them to surrender to you.

TNT21
01-30-2006, 10:36 PM
When in Europe, do as the Europeans....Fuck the shit, shit the fucking shit fuck!

alamo50
01-31-2006, 10:57 AM
Why are you planning a trip to Paris in February when the Spurs are there in October?

MannyIsGod
01-31-2006, 11:00 AM
All of what Slomo said sounds like a fantastic vacation.

I have a friend who went 'backpacking' and did the hostel thing in Europe last summer. She loved it.

Have a great time!I wanted to do that a couple of summers ago and Jess and I have talked about doing it when she gets out of school. I think it is something that is awesome to do before you really get into a career or settle down with kids.

So hopefully we'll get a chance to do it.

birdy219
01-31-2006, 12:06 PM
The best part about Paris was the walking around. I went to a Caribbean nightclub that was fun. Shopping was very overrated unless you are rich. There were some rude people especially the women. What I found funny is that I barely had to use my French in Paris. Everybody just about spoke English. I will never forget my month in France, but there's no place like home.

polandprzem
01-31-2006, 12:09 PM
I've been to Germany a few times on business the last few years and can recommend both Berlin (history, culture, some partying) and Munich (lots of partying, plus history and culture). I've never been to Prague, but everyone I know who has raves about it (exchange rate is supposed to be terrific there, too). Getting there may require too much time on the train, though.

Why didn't you visit Poland? Not far away from Berlin

ShoogarBear
01-31-2006, 07:19 PM
Why didn't you visit Poland? Not far away from Berlin

At the time I decided that Berlin was as far away as I wanted to go. I only had a week and didn't wanted to spend 2-3 days there.

scott
01-31-2006, 10:27 PM
Alright... I have another question for the experienced travellers... should I buy a Rail pass in advance, or wait until I get there and buy at the station? I'm thinking about the France-Benelux pass for $250 for 4 days of 2nd class travel. I think I will limit my travel to Brussels and Amsterdam if I do travel.

Any thoughts?

PS: Slomo, thanks for the Crazy Horse recommendation. I checked out the website and I think I can spare the 50 E for a bar seat.

Vashner
01-31-2006, 10:30 PM
Are there good hookers in Paris?

scott
02-10-2006, 08:30 AM
About to be dropped off at the Airport in Houston and just wanted to thanks to everyone for the advice... it's just me, a backpack, and a guide book I have yet to open and I have no reservations anywhere. The "traveller without a clue" approach should be fun.

Thanks again, I'll be back to report on the Crazy Horse - Slomo's credibility is at stake on this one! :)

Slomo
02-10-2006, 11:50 AM
:tu

Have fun!!!!

ShoogarBear
02-10-2006, 07:15 PM
Glad to see the poker winnings going to a good cause.

E20
02-10-2006, 07:16 PM
Hey scott, tape me some pr0n. I'll pay money for it.

scott
02-19-2006, 05:11 PM
What a great time - I didn't make it to Crazy Horse though.

I was hoping I'd come home to some nice weather and instead I get the exact stuff I just spent 8 days walking around in!

disruptivehair
02-19-2006, 05:56 PM
The wife suggested Europe for our one year anniversary trip. I laughed and suggested Hawaii. It was an easy choice.

If I ever go to Europe, I want to see London. That place looks rad.


Bleh, London's dirty and expensive. Was just down there in the summer right before the bombings.