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Post by redshoes on Oct 9, 2005 12:38:24 GMT -5
I’ve only got less then two months left till we leave! And I still have a million things to do, but while I have some free time I wanted to ask some more questions. London and Paris: What streets and parts of the city are best to stay in? where should I look for a hostel or budget hotel? What would be the top 5 things you would want to see in London and Paris? Venice: It’s cheaper to stay far away from the center of Venice, but how hard would it be to get to the center of Venice? Would it even be worth what we’re saving in lodging? That’s all for now but I’m sure there will be more  Thanks, Christal. |
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Post by LHR02 on Oct 9, 2005 14:13:59 GMT -5
It's not especially hard or expensive to get into Venice from the mainland. Bus, train and ferry are all options depending on where you are. But there is real magic in Venice at night.....and for that you need to be there. It depends on your budget. Do a search of B&B's there...WT and I have both had fairly good luck finding realatively reasonable accomodation right in the heart of it all. Like so many other towns, once the day trippers leave in the evening it's a whole 'nuther world! In London I have always stayed with Londonhometohome so can't offer suggestions on streets or areas per se....I'm always way out in the suburbs. But I love the folks I stay with and don't mind the ride to get back each day. Muvver will be your wealth of info on this and hopefully he will chime in...if not I suggest you PM him and pose your question to directly. It IS his home after all.  For sights there....honey there is so much to see and do it would be hard to advise in a more than general way. Whatever your interests London can supply the spot. I am a history buff and love a good museum, so can offer my list on London...but I am not a night time person so if you want clubs and night life I really haven't a clue.  But for me.....top 5 things I loved in London were: Victoria and Albert Museum Chruchill WWII war rooms Windsor Castle London Tower Imperial War Museum in no particular order but hey, there are a couple dozen other spots I loved as well, it's all subjective. Know what most interests you, what holds and grabs your attention, and gear towards that. CT is your woman for Paris...again, PM her for a response should she not pop in. She has a great working knowledge of the city and where to/not to stay. What did I love most in Paris? St. Chappelle, D'Orsay, Garnier Opera House and area, Montmarte area, Rodin Museum.....your results might differ.  Can not wait to read YOUR just back report! ging |
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Post by gougeAway on Oct 11, 2005 14:58:47 GMT -5
The Catacombs in Paris were cool (although creepy, so if you're squeamish you may want to avoid them). Dali museum was a let down, but the others I visited were nice (Rodin, Picasso, Louvre, D'Orsay). Eiffel Tower is nice (and cold, if you're going up dress warmly). It's a fabulous city to just walk around in.
We stayed in the Canal St. Martin/Republique district and enjoyed ourselves. Apparently the Canal area is becoming a tad trendy. We stayed at Absolute Paris (http://www.absolute-paris.com/) which had a couple of nearby grocery stores, and a laundry place next door, which was convenient. I'd recommend it. The subway system in Paris is great, so hostel location shouldn't really be a dealbreaker.
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Post by me on Oct 11, 2005 19:34:23 GMT -5
Christal, there is a hostel in Venice <www.santafosca.com> but, they have a crazy system: they take no reservations until 7 days before the night in question, then it's first come, first served. [but at €19/ night in Venice, they can get away with it.] Venice: It’s cheaper to stay far away from the center of Venice, but how hard would it be to get to the center of Venice? Would it even be worth what we’re saving in lodging? |
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Post by Jules80 on Oct 11, 2005 21:11:34 GMT -5
so london, i always stay with family so i can't really help you there. i also love history so my fave's would be:
tower of london
windsor castle
cabinet war rooms
HMS Belfast (part of imperial war museum)
Museum of London
Paris i stayed at le village hostel in montmartre... grocery store across the road and near 2 metros.
venice i stayed at santa fosca. was wierd but for students it was 17 euros a night so worth it. it was clean and all female and quiet and in the middle of venice.
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Post by LHR02 on Oct 11, 2005 21:36:42 GMT -5
Oh Jules....I too had a terrific time at Windsor Castle! The day I was there I walked right up to the ticket window and straight in. Gotta love off season. The entire time I was there I kept shaking my head in amazement....it is, actually, a 'private residence'....amazing place!
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Post by Jules80 on Oct 12, 2005 8:13:53 GMT -5
I love windsor generally. i used to always stay there when I went to the UK because my grandparents used to live there and its where my dad grew up. visiting windsor castle with my dad was always mildly infuriating because he'd keep saying "when i was a boy, you could go in here!" there is sooooo much closed now compared to what it was in the 60's! but i do love it! i last went x-mas 2002 (i think on new year's eve) and still had to pay the 11 pounds to get in! it was about the 3rd time i'd been... the first i was about 6, and the second when i was 17 the rooms that the fire had been in were still closed and those i really wanted to see. no one else wanted to go so i went by myself! its beautiful!
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Kirsty
Full Travel Member
Posts: 38
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Post by Kirsty on Oct 13, 2005 11:22:45 GMT -5
Hi!!
I just wanted to mention the British Musuem, which was my favourite visit in London...but this is totally dependent on your interests.
Kirsty
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Post by Jules80 on Oct 13, 2005 13:05:39 GMT -5
The British Museum is definately very cool and there is nothing british about it. has an awsome egyptian collection.
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Keli
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 62
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Post by Keli on Oct 19, 2005 23:08:53 GMT -5
A nice place in London is Piccadilly Hotel/Hostel. It is right in Piccadilly Circus and close to many things. If you want tamer you can try Ashlee House, the breakfast was better here.
My favorite in London (and i have not seen any museums--i know but i am saving it for next time) is the Tower Bridge. I LOVE it. Just amazing. I also like
Tower of London
HMS Belfast
The parks--just walking them is great
In Paris I also stayed at Le Village It was nice ans the grocery across the street was convenient.
I really liked the Catacombs--but i like creepy things sometimes. I also enjoyed Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, and walking around the Moulin Rouge area--the blocks before it--wow. Oh and my fav place was Sacre Cour. Simply Amazing.
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Post by Thomas on Jan 16, 2006 19:49:52 GMT -5
The Hostel I am looking at in London is in Hammersmith in London. I haven't completely looked up where everything is yet. Is this a good location or No?
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Post by WillTravel on Jan 16, 2006 20:03:58 GMT -5
If it's near a tube stop, and you aren't visiting the hostel during the day, it doesn't matter too much. But Hammersmith is a fair distance out compared to many other hostel areas. What hostel and price did you get? I think the Globetrotters in Hammersmith is supposed to be good.
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Post by Thomas on Jan 18, 2006 0:59:36 GMT -5
globetrotter was the one i was looking at, and it is near a tube stop. I liked that one becuase my girlfriend and I are traveling together and we would like a douple private room and that hostel seemed to have all we were looking for
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Post by Thomas on Jan 18, 2006 12:56:56 GMT -5
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Post by WillTravel on Jan 18, 2006 13:21:14 GMT -5
I don't think it's worth it. The best places in London are either free or not covered by the pass, and you'd have to go nuts on what the pass offers in order to get the full value. You should get a TravelCard for transport, though.
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