Trip to London and Paris

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Replies

  • castadiva
    castadiva Posts: 2,016 Member
    The Pantheon is also pretty cool. Get to see Foucault's pendulum, if you're into nerdy things. :)

    also the Cluny Museum if you're into middle ages artifacts and relics. also the lady and the unicorn tapestry is there, which is amazing to see. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady_and_the_Unicorn

    Good call to all of these. Versailles is wonderful on a lovely sunny day, and utterly horrific if it's raining. Giverny (Monet's garden) is divine whatever the weather, but does require a car/whole day trip on trains etc. You may want to leave it for another time. Also, in both cities, wander into churches or any other old buildings that are open - you often find the most extraordinary treasures of art and architecture in the most out of the way places.

    The one thing I would definitely say about London is to try to take buses instead of the tube - you'll get a much better idea of where everything is, and see all sorts of things you'd otherwise miss.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    What did you get? We have millions of pizza places here - there are american type of pizzas: like pizza hut and dominos which tend to be more take-away (less healthy), and then thousands of italian chain restaurants which make the pizzas a bit fresher and thinner - more restaurant style... is that what you mean?
    It was in an Italian restaurant and was mushy and disgusting....
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    oh and dont touch any swans, every swan in England officially belongs to the Queen.

    also, because they'll snap your bloody arm off
    I second that...touching swans is NOT merely a geographical no-no...its crazy under any conditions (I'm going to assume they're equally mean on every continent!)
  • LondonEliza
    LondonEliza Posts: 456 Member
    Hi I live and work in London. What do you mean about the tennis shoes? You can wear whatever in London but if you go to dinner or to a club it migth be best to wear regular shoes. The only thing that will make you stick out like a sore thumb is dressing like a tourist - bright clothes, bum bag (cringe!) and rucksack on your front etc.
    It doesn't really matter though - I don't know why people are making an issue of this on the thread we are over run by tourists and everyone wears trainers. It won't matter.

    The only thing that pisses Londoners off is tourists standing on the wrong side in the Tube escalators and just stopping in a busy street or blocking up the barriers in a station. Or not waiting till everyone has got off the tube train before getting on.

    There are the usual tourist places in London that all the tourists go to and they can be expensive: Big Ben, Towers of London, London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Madame Tussards, London Dungeons etc.

    There are also very touristy places like Covent Garden which has lots of street performers and restaurants and shopping, and Oxford Street which is the main big high street.

    I would also recommend going to some less touristy places like Camden (lots of Markets and it has a grungy rock kind of vibe), vintage shops and markets in the East End - portobello road, shoreditch, brick lane, hoxton square.

    Check out Time Out London for good restaurants and places to go its a really good website and locals use it too for things. It has everything.

    This ^^ is good advice.

    Also re-London: Expect many seasons in one day so bring sunglasses, a light waterproof coat (which can roll up into your bag, suntan lotion and chapstick with you if you plan to be out for the day.

    As soon as you get here, buy an oystercard. It can be used on all forms of public transport. Get one of the little underground journey planners (available in all stations) so you can plan where you are going daily.
    https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/entry.do

    Try not to use public transport between 8-9am and 5-6pm. It is very busy, hot and uncomfortable.

    A nice thing to do is to go on one of the cruise ships that take people from central to East London. You see a lot more of the city than you would just walking or taking public transport to get around. http://www.citycruises.com

    and have fun!!
  • DizzyLinds
    DizzyLinds Posts: 856 Member
    I live by Windsor Castle...you got to come here, it's gorgeous!
  • zerbe6982
    zerbe6982 Posts: 68 Member
    Thanks everyone. These are fantastic. I will look into the link for Clarks. Those shoes are cute and look very comfortable.

    My SO is working on the plans, so I am not sure where we are staying at the moment, but I will give him these ideas.

    Thanks again!
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Thanks everyone. These are fantastic. I will look into the link for Clarks. Those shoes are cute and look very comfortable.
    Clarks is a British company, so you could just get them when you're over here, probably cheaper, especially as the recession means we're having extended summer sales!
  • Turtlehurdle
    Turtlehurdle Posts: 412
    The Pantheon is also pretty cool. Get to see Foucault's pendulum, if you're into nerdy things. :)

    also the Cluny Museum if you're into middle ages artifacts and relics. also the lady and the unicorn tapestry is there, which is amazing to see. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady_and_the_Unicorn

    The Pantheon is in Italy.

    Just fyi.
  • Turtlehurdle
    Turtlehurdle Posts: 412
    Pantheon you know, that building with the oculus? The largest dome that has ever been made from brickwork
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    The Pantheon is in Italy.

    Just fyi.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_London
  • Turtlehurdle
    Turtlehurdle Posts: 412
    The Pantheon is in Italy.

    Just fyi.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_London

    Don't effing oppress me!

    That is obviously a replica! A fraud! Built in 1772.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    The Pantheon is in Italy.

    Just fyi.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_London

    Don't effing oppress me!

    That is obviously a replica! A fraud! Built in 1772.
    :laugh: Perhaps...but nonetheless, it IS in London!
  • kyle4jem
    kyle4jem Posts: 1,400 Member
    The Pantheon is in Italy.

    Just fyi.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_London

    Don't effing oppress me!

    That is obviously a replica! A fraud! Built in 1772.
    :laugh: Perhaps...but nonetheless, it IS in London!
    And if you read the wiki article you'll see it was demolished in 1938 and replaced by a branch of Marks & Spencer which still stands on the spot. :huh:
  • kyle4jem
    kyle4jem Posts: 1,400 Member
    No one will sneer at running shoes in London, we all wear trainers. But as others have said, some posher establishments and night clubs won't allow them. Honestly the dress code isn't that different from any major city in the US and certainly not as strict as places like Rome or Paris. You'll find what people wear varies within just a mile or two - nothing but suits in the City to super-trendy in Hoxton, for example, but no-one will judge you. As well as the huge variety of locals, we're used to tourists from all over the world!

    Don't restrict yourself to British cuisine (though it is wonderful and we've come on in leaps and bounds over the past new years). Try localised ethnic specialities, like a curry in Brick Lane. Spend an evening in a pub off the tourist track.

    As far as what to do goes, most of our major museums and art galleries are free and superb. Visit the British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Tate Gallery for starters. There are parks everywhere, bring a picnic and do some local-watching.

    Have fun, and feel free to drop me a line if you have any specific questions about London.
    Excellent advice as ever from Berry.

    Someone mentioned getting an Oyster card... very good advice, but busses can be more fun than the Tube and you can walk practically everywhere in London (especially between Leicester Square and Covent Garden :wink:) A nice walk is up though Regents Park, along the canal behind London Zoo up to Camden. Also a walk along the South Bank is fun and you can go to the Tate Modern as well as see the Shard, the tallest building in Europe.

    There are so many great places to eat in London, so try and avoid the ((inter)national) chains and don't be afraid to be adventurous.

    I haven't been to Paris in many years, but there are lots of excellent restaurants on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) and Montmartre (have an early morning coffee and croissant in a café in the Place du Tetre behind the Sacré Cœur and watch the artists set up for the day - plus you'll get a fantastic workout if you climb the steps rather than taking the funicular!)

    if you can, at least attempt some French... Bonjour, Bon Soir, merci!, Au revoir! will get you far and to really win friends and influence people, why not try Je m'excuse... je parle seulement un peu francais; pouvez-Vous m'adier et parle lentement, s'il vous plait!

    Hope you have a FAB time in both cities :bigsmile:
  • jerber160
    jerber160 Posts: 2,607 Member
    i found walking difficult in london.. I kept getting lost above ground but the tubes were soooo much easier than new york...oh, and the national gallery was pretty special
  • deadbeatsummer
    deadbeatsummer Posts: 537 Member
    i would also recommend going to the national gallery, although it is tres touristique, they have free curator talks where they explain four paintings over an hour in the gallery. even if arts not your thing you'll definitely find it interesting. national gallery is in trafalgar square - nearest stop charing cross. i love those talks.
  • Bucky83
    Bucky83 Posts: 1,194 Member
    I'm from Australia, but I absolutely loved both London and Paris when I travelled there in the last 2 years.

    Some of my favourite things to do in London included:
    * London Dungeon - if you want to scare yourself silly and learn more about the criminal history of London
    * Walking through Hyde Park
    * London Zoo at Regent's Park - I spent a good 4 hours there, didn't care that I was there on my own
    * Seeing as many musicals as my budget would allow - absolutely loved the discount ticket stalls you could buy tickets from
    * Hop on Hop off Bus
    * Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum - got an AWESOME pic with George Clooney wax model!
    *Victoria & Albert Museum - hell, just take me to any museum that's free, I'm happy
    *Notting Hill - just walking around was enjoyable
    * Pret a Manger for food - some really good healthy options

    Some of my favourite things to do in Paris included:
    * Definitely Louvre museum - I was in my element and pretty much stayed there all day
    * Hop on Hop off Bus (I love to do this in every city I can)
    * Moulin Rouge
    * Eating Croutin Chevre Chaud - AMAZING!!!!
    * Euro Disney - I went on Bastille Day and had a blast...I wore Asic Gels and they were so beneficial to me that day.
    * Chateau de Versailles - spectacular
  • jerber160
    jerber160 Posts: 2,607 Member


    [national gallery, although it is tres touristique,]

    hmmm....does that have a hint of snobbery attached to it? I can't really tell.....i take it to mean it's a bit of a 'tourist trap'... a place where the unwashed masses MUST go....If that's what it means, I'd disagree....the NG is too remarkable a place for that, it truly is a MUST SEE, not to be equated with Planet Hollywood or the Hard Rock Cafe in nyc.....plus, it's free! I had the great fortune of stumbling into the Dali Universe when I was there too! remarkable...
  • chrishgt4
    chrishgt4 Posts: 1,222 Member
    Oh yea - Sacre Couer as well...awesome. Get on the funiculaire next to the moulin rouge if I remember correctly.

    Actually - I think I got the metro on the road to the funiculaire...I can't really remember but yea Moulin Rouge is nearby as well...

    Speaking of sacred hearts - if you go to Barcelona, you have to go to see Sagrat Cor on MT Tibidabo. If you go right to the top you can touch Jesus's foot!
  • zerbe6982
    zerbe6982 Posts: 68 Member
    Thanks again everyone!
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    sorry! meant covent garden, not piccadilly circus!
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    yes the national gallery! I had so much fun taking pictures of that place!!!!!!!

    4235_191761160106_3613536_n.jpg
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I will be visiting London and Paris in a few months for the first time. While I have a list of sites to see, I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for things to eat or places to visit.

    I have researched a lot of tourist ideas, but does anyone have a favorite local venue?

    Also, are tennis shoes really an insult in London and will bad french get me laughed at in Paris?

    Thanks for the help!

    My best friend went to Europe last year and she bought some really cute flat boots. Since you're going in a few months, it will be cold there, so you should be able to wear them.
  • deadbeatsummer
    deadbeatsummer Posts: 537 Member

    national gallery, although it is tres touristique

    hmmm....does that have a hint of snobbery attached to it? I can't really tell.....i take it to mean it's a bit of a 'tourist trap'... a place where the unwashed masses MUST go....If that's what it means, I'd disagree....the NG is too remarkable a place for that, it truly is a MUST SEE, not to be equated with Planet Hollywood or the Hard Rock Cafe in nyc.....plus, it's free! I had the great fortune of stumbling into the Dali Universe when I was there too! remarkable...

    as a local in london it becomes second natural to avoid anything over run with tourists as it tends to be 1. over priced and 2. very busy and full of families and massive backpacks. local knowledge is gold in a city. so yes, i guess it was a bit of snobbery, but then again I have to walk everyday a 5 mile walk through oxford street then all the way down regents street, piccadilly circus, then trafalgar square. do you have any idea how irritating that is when you want to power walk and get your train and every other person is stopping in front of you and walking really slowly taking pictures. i know they are on holiday, but it's literally everyday for me.

    and no, admittedly, the national gallery is not half as bad as many places in London for being awash with tourists - there is always a nice crowd of locals taking in some culture on their lunch breaks, school trips, families, budding artists and curators, students, elderly couples and other inquisitive polite tourists - but if you go at certain times it is very very overrun and busy.
  • beccyleigh
    beccyleigh Posts: 846 Member
    another londoner here, born & bred. Friends came over from Sweden recently & did this http://www.londonpass.com/, really good value for money for a jam packed day out.

    Leeds castle down in kent is the business, a totally amazing day out for the grounds alone.

    Check out lots of 2 for 1 deals on entrances to attractions, you can save alot of money by doing it that way.
  • Zylahe
    Zylahe Posts: 772 Member
    There are crepe stands everywhere on the streets. Eat at them! :)

    Oh god yes, you HAve to try the nutella crepe.

    Don't forget that part of experiencing a culture is the food.

    and don't beat yourself up if you eat too much, you're bound to do heaps of walking
    :)
  • zerbe6982
    zerbe6982 Posts: 68 Member
    I have always wanted to watch the changing of the guards, and yes, my husband will be with me. I read somewhere about a nice little restaurant on a hill that overlooks the grounds (so my husband can eat and not be bored) but I can't find the restaurant name anymore.

    Does anyone have a great location for watching the guards change that will also entertain my husband?
  • DizzyLinds
    DizzyLinds Posts: 856 Member
    Windsor castle has changing of the guard
  • daylily2005
    daylily2005 Posts: 203 Member
    The Pantheon is in Italy.

    Just fyi.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_London

    Don't effing oppress me!

    That is obviously a replica! A fraud! Built in 1772.
    :laugh: Perhaps...but nonetheless, it IS in London!
    And if you read the wiki article you'll see it was demolished in 1938 and replaced by a branch of Marks & Spencer which still stands on the spot. :huh:

    oh my gosh people, dontcha think there can be more than one building called a pantheon? I even told you that you can see Foucault's pendulum there. Someone tell me they thought THAT was in Italy? Please? Do it. Before you get all snarky thinking someone doesn't know something, take a look at what they actually wrote and do a quick Google on it.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panthéon,_Paris

    In Paris, near the Sorbonne, used to be a church, yada yada yada.
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