Hi All,
We are a family of 4 including two young teens. We are headed to Paris as part of our %26quot;Chevy Chase European Vacation%26quot;! LOL just kidding.
We will be in Paris for three days at the start of our trip. What would be your top choice of things to do or see in such a short period of time? I would like them to get an overview without being overwhelmed. I haven%26#39;t been in 20 years. So, it is like my first Paris experience all over again. Husband has never been.
We are booked at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe.
Thanks for any advice. I am reading some travel books as well. Just thought I would get some fresh opinions!
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Hi --
I would get the guidebooks now and have everyone make their wishlists. You%26#39;ll have in effect only two days, giving jet lag its due, and recognizing that you%26#39;ll probably arrive in the morning of that first day. CDG being what it is, you can%26#39;t rely on getting into the city in anything less than 2-2.5 hours, and that%26#39;s if you take the RER. Surface transport can take much longer since it%26#39;s subject to traffic tie-ups.
When I took my then 14yo nephew to Europe, he loved the Eiffel Tower and climbing up to the top - on his own, the bateau mouche, prowling around in Montmartre and riding up to Sacre Coeur, Versailles - the whole shebang, the Louvre and Musee d%26quot;Orsay, especially the gift shops for gifts for family at home, window shopping in the quiet neighbourhoods, choosing our Metro routes (a big winner), shopping for our cheese and yogurts to supplement the continental breakfast at the hotel, and our snacks and drinks for our %26quot;cocktail hour%26quot; every afternoon.
He very much enjoyed reading the cartes and formules outside restaurants while we walked around the city. When we were in France he was a picky eater, so we had to read a lot of tariffs to find a winner. By the time we got to Greece, life was much simpler, but I had created a monster for my sister to deal with, as in %26quot;I%26#39;ll start with the...followed by the...and the...and finish with the... %26quot;
We were on the road for six or seven weeks and every afternoon at about 5:00 we would return to our hotel and have our cocktail hour when we would decide our plans for the evening, have a short nap and a shower, and then go out to dinner at about the same time as the locals. It was much more fun to have dinner in a restaurant or brasserie where almost all of the other folks were French.
My nephew especially enjoyed returning a second or third time to a restaurant for dinner because we then recieved a hearty greeting just as the locals did. That behaviour held throughout France, Italy and Greece and pleased him inordinantly every time.
It%26#39;s too bad you won%26#39;t have more time in Paris, but I%26#39;m sure your teens will enjoy every minute of it.
Bon voyage.
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Thank you so much! Yes, I agree that we have a short time, but I would like to make the most of it. I have decided to scour the guidebooks now and pick out specific sights to see ahead of time. Of course, I will ask for lots of input! I think dining will be a big adventure since my kids are used to traditional foods. :)
No one speaks french in this family. I have one spanish student and one german student. So, I have bought a french tape for all of us to listen and learn some basic phrases and pleasantries.
Did you do any evening shows with your nephew? My girls will be 14 and 15 at the time of travel.
Thanks
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