Need advice...going to London and Paris in three weeks

[tinfoilinfor2005]

Don't be too impressed, it is with a fairly inexpensive travel group and only for nine days. But I would love some advice from anyone who has been there recently.

[Us vs Them]

1. Yeah, don't open your mouth, mate.

And if you do, make sure to practise saying 'cheers' instead of 'thanks.'

[Spider Jerusalem]

2. Saying "Oh, no...I'm Canadian" might help, too...

[tinfoilinfor2005]

4. I've already learned to say in French,

I am an American, but NO BUSH.

[Us vs Them]

5. Actually...

http://www.canadianmoose.com/souvenirs/index.htm#CMSV20-GC001

They suggest not only talking like a Canadian, but also dressing like one!

[tinfoilinfor2005]

3. Love it! Thanks. Hadn't heard this one before...

probably won't work in old Pareeee though, huh?

[Us vs Them]

6. Non, mais il n'est necisare pas a parle en Francais...

Because they'll just respond to you in pissed off English, haha.

[democrat in Tallahassee]

7. I was in london last summer. Don't miss the British Museum

and the tower of London. My cousin went on the big ferris wheel and loved it; I don't like heights. I didn't see much last time cause I was working in the British library all day.
Skip Madame Tussands--it's useless. We took a bus tour to Leeds and Canterbury and Dover one day; it was very good.

[Us vs Them]

8. I second the British Museum.

Not only is the museum itself a must see, the entire neighbourhood surrounding is just spilling over with old artifacts shops and narrow roads.

[Lex]

9. Don't wear anything that identifies you as American

or at least that's what the travel agency recently told friends of mine who were travelling to Europe.

No American Tshirts or baseball caps, for example.

[ProfessorGAC]

22. Nonsense!

I go there quite a lot, and have regular meetings both by video and visits (they come here, i go there) with 4 different groups. (British, German, French) They have zero issues with Americans. It's the gov't they don't like, not us. Some might tell an american that, but they won't be abusive or rude just because one is an american. If they're rude, it might just be because that person is a jerk, not because we're americans.
The Professor

[radwriter0555]

26. Oh the exchange rate is WRETCHED. Last week I changed $300 into $225

which was SO depressing. So be ready... it's frustrating, but just PLAN on it.

[MrModerate]

30. However, acting like a jerk AND wearing a flag on your head

. . . Probably won't enhance your vacation.

I second the Professor's comment. I go there about twice a year and the attitude I've encountered is "oh you poor soul! We only have Tony Blair, but YOU have George Bush!"

[ProfessorGAC]

35. You're Right, Of Course

Going anywhere and acting like a jerk is unlikely to make things go smoothly. So, that's to be avoided no matter where one goes.

Good advice, indeed. Actually i meant that an american going to Europe and having someone act rudely TOWARD them is just as likely to be caused by the fact that they ran into a jerk, than any anti-americanism. There are jerks everywhere. Some of them happen to be French, German, Italian, or English. (An awful lot seem to be our fellow americans, though.)
The Professor

[Mizmoon]

23. ugh, people have to stop pretending they're Canadian

it's cowardly imho.

I was in Europe last year. I had no problem.

[radwriter0555]

25. well, only a classless idiot wears american tee shirts and ballcaps as a

fashion statement anyway, and deserves to be treated as such.

[LynneSin]

28. Actually, I'd suggest otherwise and instead buy this tee-shirt

http://www.cafepress.com/americanapology



That way Americans know not all of us agree with the boy idiot

[carpediem]

10. go on the walking tours of london

I went on the pub crawl and the jack the ripper tour and couple of others. They were fantastic.

It has been a while since I was in either place but they are both wonderful places. you will have a great time.

[Hailtothechimp]

11. Two things in Paris I wouldn't miss....

La Tour Eiffel (spend the extra money and go all the way up) and the catacombs. It's just creepy, but I don't think there's anyplace else like it. Sorta like Paris overall.

And a trip to Versailles, which takes the better part of a day, is also worth it, especially if this is a one-shot thing. The vanity of one man in building it (or, more accurately, having it built) is just astonishing.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

12. when I was twelve years old

my teacher asked us to write down ten things we wanted to do someday. I remember clearly that my number one thing was to go to the top of the Eiffel tower and drink champagne. Don't ask me why...maybe some movie I had just watched. Anyway, at age 58, I still remember this, and I just feel that I am going to do this to keep a promise to that twelve year old!
BTW, I only remember two other things: to pierce my ears (done) and to write a book (wrote four, had three published). So I think my teacher was pretty clever...

[RagingInMiami]

13. You might want to check out Le Pere Lachaise cemetery

Where Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Chopin and Sarah Bernhard are buried.

http://www.artist-at-large.com/perephoto.htm/

[tjwmason]

14. Depends on what you like.

London has some of everything.

If you like art then the National Gallery (in Trafalgar Square) and Tate Britain (near Victoria) are both excellent and free; there is also Tate Modern which I think charges entry but if you like contemporary art is superb. There is also museum land in South Kensington which has the Victoria and Albert Museum (social history), the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum (also very close to the Royal Albert Hall and Albert Memorial).

The whole area around Buckingham Palace and Parliament can be covered on foot. You can tell whether Parliament is in session as it only flies the flag when sitting (if so you can join the queue for the public gallery and see British government at work).

If you have a more specialised hobby then just type it into google and I'm sure that there will be something going on.

Oh, and don't talk loudly on the Tube. It is a sure identifier of Americans; we English sit quietly even if in groups, and we never make eye-contact with other passengers.

[Pert_UK]

15. My advice......

In Paris, when you use the Metro be aware that there are at least 2 classes of trains, Metro and RER. Metro stop at EVERY station and will take AGES to get from A to B, RER only stop at the main stations. Make sure you pick one depending on your needs (each platform will have a destinations board on it - if there's a light next to the name of a station, the next train will stop at that station).

It is well worth going to La Defense to see La Grande Arche de la Defense - kind of a modern version of the Arc de Triomphe, which you can also see in the distance. Huge and magnificent and you can ride an elevator to the top for great views of Paris.

If you get a chance, go up to the top of Montmartre for another great view of Paris.

In both London and Paris STAY AWAY from chain restaurants! Especially in London, avoid anything with "Aberdeen" "Angus" or "Steakhouse" in the title.......If you like Chinese food go to Chinatown behind Leister Square, if you like Indian go to Brick Lane.

The TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells half-price tickets to any shows that haven't sold out for that evening. Check there in the morning if you want a bargain. Other bargains can be had from lastminute.com. If you want to pick a restaurant based on food type, location and price, squaremeal.co.uk is pretty good. Soho is good for a variety of restaurant types (British, Italian, Seafood, French etc.), as is Charlotte Street.

Remember, the London Underground / tube map doesn't represent scale and it's often quicker (and more interesting) to walk from one station to another - check a real map first. For instance, it's easy and quick to walk from Leicester Square to Covent Garden.

Go to the top of Primrose Hill (Chalk Farm tube station) for a great view over London, then walk down the hill to either Regent's Park or London Zoo (although the zoo isn't that great).

[jakpalmer]

27. In fact there is only one class now in Metro and RER in Paris

There are still 2 classes in trains though.

[Pert_UK]

31. I think that you have misunderstood...

Sorry - maybe I should have said, "There are 2 types of train", rather than "2 classes".

There are still seperate RER and Metro trains running on the same lines aren't there? I was only in Paris 3 months ago and I saved hours of time by taking the faster RER across the city rather than the Metro stopping at every station.

[jdots]

16. Bring suit cases of cash.

Bring no clothes,just what you have on,as soon as you get to your destination go to a cheap departmant store and buy the frumpiest stuff you can bear to wear.No one will know you are American,get cards printed up in French and English that say " I am a deaf dumb mute ".Do not speak,point to food other people are eating then to your mouth,they will bring you food and maybe feel sorry for you.
forget it you will have fun .

[huellewig]

17. I imagine your sleeping arrangements are pre-planned.

If they are not real hotels are so much cheaper then hostels. During this time of the year you can get a good hotel for half the price of a shitty hostel. Without a curfew.

[RebelOne]

18. You must go to Harrod's in London.

It's a shopping wonderland.

[radwriter0555]

34. And stop in the chocolate restaurant for the BEST LUNCH ON THE PLANET

ever.

The pet department is to DIE for.

[aQuArius]

19. Use as much French as you can when in Paris

It shows that you have respect and you're trying to communicate in their language. They would try to use English here since most of us are not fluent in French, even though a lot know English. You'll get much more help and cooperation when attempting to use their language. Oh! and make sure you have coins to use public bathrooms! Make sure to familiarize yorself with the Paris subway, its MUCH less expensive to get around than a taxi.

[HereSince1628]

20. My advice is remain flexible, if you don't see everything this time

it's a reason to go back. Getting uptight about running behind will ruin your days and nights.

[Pert_UK]

21. Don't listen to people who're warning of "Yank bashing".....

Seriously.....

In the UK the general feeling is that we tend to like Americans but hate what America is doing in the world at the moment. It's more a case that we're concerned for the people of America, and if you're anti-Bush then you'll be very welcome and indeed sympathised with.

What Brits don't like is loud, brash, annoying people - regrettably a lot of American tourists do tend to fall into this category, but so do a lot of people from China, South Africa, and indeed England. Don't treat the place as if it's a theme park built for your personal pleasure and you'll be absolutely fine.

As for Paris......the people of Paris are famously rude but the last time I went there they couldn't have been nicer - a waitress even gave me a second helping of boeuf carpaccio for free! Providing you're polite and not "in your face" to people they're generally friendly. If you can manage a few phrases of French, so much the better.....saying "merci" (thank you) will help, and starting with a "bonjour" (hello...during the day, at least) sets a good tone.

Seriously - learn a few French phrases (preferably with a tape or CD to help you pronounce things) and you'll enjoy it so much better.

Basically, if you're nice and polite to people you have NOTHING to worry about - it's Bush we hate, not all Americans!

[radwriter0555]

24. No one cares if you're American if you don't act like a Republican..

it's VERY cold, wear layers, buy some long underwear. Wear a scarf and gloves. Everyone in europe wears a nice looking scarf and gloves and if you're really cold, a fashionable hat. Wear clean, well kept shoes, tennis shoes mark you as a tourist. Jeans are NOT in style in europe except among kids and the underclasses.

TIP. TIP. TIP. TIP. Always, obviously if the service is good, etc... but at least 10 percent, even if it says service is included. That money goes to the OWNER, not the server.

Enjoy, relax and see the glories of London and Parism two of my favorite cities in the world... try to get to Versailles by all means, and the archeological museum in Paris is MAGNIFICENT as is the islamic institute, if you're into architecture.

[bettyellen]

29. aux trois mailletez on rue gallande

(#56) across from st julien de pauvre (romanesque church) in the latin quarter. an ancient little bar that was supposedly there for the construction workers on the catherdral just across the river.
it has a late night free caberet in the grotto basement that's insane. i had a friend who used to do an elvis show, but it's a freaky mix of latin , rock, afro-cuban, jazz, folk..... mostly performed by people who get the lyrics wrong. it's one of the few places open really late on sunday nights. i never saw any tourists there at all.
also, most french people drink elsewhere first- standing up at a bar or in the street from a flask, because drinking while you are watching the entertainment is on can get expensive.
also, have some street crepes and some calvados for sure.
have fun....

[da_chimperor]

32. In Paris, don't go into a restaurant that has someone standing outside

because you'll get overcharged for crap food. The Latin quarter has tons of these places, and they suck. My sister and I got taken for a ride. Our 'Tartare du Salmon' was cooked, and salmon fucking tartar is NEVER, EVER cooked. My suggestion for going out to eat is to find a nice, quiet restaurant WITHOUT a menu in English. Bring along a French dictionary and have at it. Oh, and try the snails, you'll thank me for it.

I'd also suggest learning some simple phrases in French from a phrasebook. I don't know what you've heard about Parisians, but trying to speak what French you know and being polite and patient can work miracles. I've had people who don't know the location of where I'm asking to go go into shops to ask directions for me. Oh, and have fun! :hi:

[radwriter0555]

36. Parisiennes and ANYONE in other countries LOVE it when you really try to

speak their language...

I strongly suggest you get a learning french set of CD's; I did them in the car for italian, and am now working on a comprehensive course for french as we're moving to Cannes in June...

You can get a "french for traveler's" type thing that gives you the basics and is really easy to handle. It familiarizes your ear to the language and makes you much more comfortable.

[neweurope]

33. *smile* you have already so many suggestions that you should stay

a month. I say: Do not under all circumstances miss a boatride on the Seine at night. It is absolutely beautiful.

And much more important than speaking French (even though advisable) is to NEVER ever forget to say "Madame" or "Monsieur" /Mesdames/Messieurs. If you say no more than that and then look helpless they'll help you with everything. If you forget to address them they'll think you are an uncivilized caveman.

Have fun! And take that boatride!
:hi:

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