Can I please get some info Re PARIS ? Non Rev..things to do etc?

[AWAskyprincess]

Hi I am planning to fly to Paris in June I am going to take my inlaws and hubby ..can someone please tell me how hard it really is to Non Rev ..how well the rail system works there..and does anyone recomend the Disneyland in Paris ..Do we have any Hotels there that give us a great rate while on Vacation ?? Thanks

 

[IMisstheAladdinTrays]

Hi I am planning to fly to Paris in June I am going to take my inlaws and hubby ..can someone please tell me how hard it really is to Non Rev ..how well the rail system works there..and does anyone recomend the Disneyland in Paris ..Do we have any Hotels there that give us a great rate while on Vacation ?? Thanks

Uhh is June set in stone? If it is you might look at buying Tickets!

 

[brokenwrench]

A good map of the metro is here
http://recherche.ircam.fr/equipes/temps-re...mages/metro.gif

The train from CDG to anywhere in Paris is very easy. There is a station in the aiport.

St-Germain des-Pres is a nice area to stay in. The hotels will be small but you are within walking distance to many nice spots including Notre Dame.

I have had good luck going over this time of year in the past. I have not tried on US yet.

As for going to see the mouse, I would say SKIP IT. You can visit the mouse in FLA.

 

[AWAskyprincess]

Uhh is June set in stone? If it is you might look at buying Tickets!

When is there a good time to go ...sorry but IVE never take a vaction like this ...thanks

 

[brokenwrench]

Winter is the best. If you are going with family I would avoid the summer/spring. Tough for all of you to get on the same flight.

 

[flyingcat]

The rail system is very convenient. It would be best if you buy a mtero pass for the length of time that you will be there. You can move about the city as there are station everywhere and you can use the commuter train to Versailles. The train station is just a short walk from the Palace.

I also have to agree with th others that June is very busy. For me it is actually too warm The sooner in the year you go is better. However if June is locked in at least try to travel midweek. Enjoy Paris but save the euros for dinner when you'll need them. Learn to love baguettes for lunch.

 

[Non Rev]

When is there a good time to go ...sorry but IVE never take a vaction like this ...thanks

I like to travel in the Mar, Apr, May, & Sep, Oct, Nov time frames. Just before school gets out and right after school starts back. In addition the weather is still pretty good and the crowds not so bad.

As for Non-Reving, have back ups!!!! From Paris you will find plenty of flights to cities that we serve in Europe in case you need to connect to a US gateway. There are several Southwest type airlines that serve Paris for your inlaws to buy tickets on.

Find yourself a good guide book. I have used all the following and would highly reccommend them. Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, and Rough Guides. I used Rough Guides for Croatia last June and loved it. Head to your local bookstore and look through them and see which one you like best.

Learn a little French, I failed to do so and found the language to be a big challenge. Nor are the French the warm and fuzziest people you will meet, but Paris is Beautiful!!!

Skip Euro-Disney!

Travel Safe and have FUN!!!

 

[AWAskyprincess]

[Thanks for the info ...I Booked with Virgin...got a great deal air and hotel for 899.00 ...cost of vacation still cheaper than what I could have gotten just a ticket on my own airline..please anyone who can share any and all info RE Paris please do I need all the info I can ..going out now to get my Book ..thanks

 

[optimator]

http://www.france-hotel-guide.com
I have stayed at Hotel La Serre,
but not since 2002. It's a 2 star,
the place the crews stay is much
nicer, but also farther out. La Serre
is walking distance from the tower
and Napoleon's tomb. Travelling with
that many people can be hard, it's like
herding cats. Going this time of year
on a tuesday is best. Summer will
be full, the city will have easily
a million more people in it, and
the funkiest locals are going to be
out of town on vacation. Always greet
a shopkeeper upon entering his store,
and don't jabber in pigeon French
to everybody!
-Optimator

 

[Kev3188]

Learn to love baguettes for lunch.

...And wine!

seriously, the Metro system works very well. Just get a map, and you can go anywhere you'd want.

On one evening, find something "fun" for the inlaws to do, and take your husband to the top of the Arc de Triomphe; there's nothing more romantic.

 

[muircross]

Museums are free on Sundays. The Louvre is amazing.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

Hi I am planning to fly to Paris in June I am going to take my inlaws and hubby ..can someone please tell me how hard it really is to Non Rev ..how well the rail system works there..and does anyone recomend the Disneyland in Paris ..Do we have any Hotels there that give us a great rate while on Vacation ?? Thanks

AWAskyprincess, you've heard the song "I Love Paris in the SPRINGTIME" well, June is high season. I hate to burst your bubble but it's highly unlikely that you'll get on a plane as a non-rev. January yes, June, no.

Best suggestion is to buy a package deal with air and hotel. Airfare ala carte to Europe in the summer is too damn expensive. I am going to Rome in June...US Airways' fare is $1900 ala carte, through the cruise line I am sailing on it's $1400. The tour companies get bulk rate air and it's a better deal this time around -- the past few years that wasn't the case, now, it is.

Like I said, if you really want to non-rev anywhere in Europe the best time is January.

Wish I had better words of wisdom.

Later,
Eye

 

[AWAskyprincess]

Thanks ...I did book on Virgin ..with Hotel and Air ..for 899.00 maybe not the RITZ ..but Im not there to Sleep or spend time in my room ..

 

[DCAflyer]

Museums are free on Sundays. The Louvre is amazing.

Yes, the Louvre is amazing if the city's not on strike, LOL.

A great place to stay is around Place de Cliche, which is an easy walking distance to the Sacre Coeur, a very charming area. Elsewhere, there is a charming little hotel we stayed in near the right bank called the Dominy Vendome. It is very close to the Leuvre, Rue de Rivoli, les Jardins, the swanky stores. and les Bateaux (boat rides along the Seine -- take one during the day and another at night -- very different experiences). We walked to the Eiffel Tower (le tour Eiffel) and along the Champs-Elysee to l'arc de Triumph from the Dominy Vendone as well, if you are hard-core walkers. (The Eiffel Tower is a little more than a mile away, but it's a beautiful and flat walk, if your in-laws can handle it). The hotel staff was amazingly friendly and helpful. The breakfasts (included with the stay, as is the case in most European tourist-class hotels) was very good. Ask the hotel staff for their recommendations for local restaurants where Perisiens go, but be sure to take a stab at ordering in French.

There is a great patissere (bakery/coffee shop) that is very popular with Perisiens called La Duree. I highly recommend the macaroons (nothing like "our" macaroons... no coconut, which I hate). French macaroons, in case you don't know, are little sandwich cookies of varying flavors... pistachio, lemon, chocolate, vanilla, etc. Amazingly delicious, especially at La Duree. You will definitely want to take some home with you.

Try to learn at least a little French. I had French in high school, so I know enough to get by and make an attempt. Perisiens warm up very quickly to Americans who make the attempt. There are lots of great computer programs available (Costco has one) or you can check tapes out from your local library. You can even make it a family project.

I have always found French people to be very friendly and I think their reputation of being rude and aloof is undeserved. Numerous times I have had people walk up to me in the Metro stations when I was looking at a map and ask, in English, if they could help me find someplace. I have never experienced that level of unsolicited assistance anywhere else.

If you have time, try to fit in a trip to Brussels for a couple of days (if you've learned any French, you can use it there!).

Enjoy your trip, but remember to be safe. Like any big city, keep your wits about you. Don't carry large amounts of cash (use credit cards for the best exchange rate).


P.S. --- I just saw that you booked on Virgin. That is who we booked the Dominy Vendome through, so if it is available, you might want to check it out and make a hotel change if they'll let you.

 

[qwerty]

The Pere Lachaise cemetery is a great place to visit - Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison and many others - if that's your thing.

Sacre Coeur has gotten overly touristy, but it's still a nice walk, nice view and a good spot to get a hand made print of the city to bring home.