So, a delicious seat sale with Air Canada just aced me 2 tickets from Toronto - London and Paris - Toronto for just a smidge under $950 for TiaD and a hair over that for my own flight.
I'm so ecstatic...it is the perfect flight for me. Toronto - London is a DAY FLIGHT! That's right, you heard me...we are leaving Toronto at 9:00 A.M. and arriving in London at 9:15 P.M. It is a 7 hour flight, with not one second of it an overnighter, thank goodness. Then, we are hanging out with beebee in London for a few days...that is a joy unto itself for me!
After that, 2 wonderful weeks in Paris for us, the first week TiaD's sharing it with me, and then she flies home and the last week is for me!
The icing on this wonderful cake? My son just told me a couple of days ago that he is planning to be in Paris at the same time that we are there, as a surprise for us! Sweet.
A couple of questions: Our next decision is whether to take the train from London to Paris or book a quick flight. I've had several suggestions on this board about the flight being better, quicker and cheaper than the train.
I would be so happy with any suggestions for getting us from London to Paris...what would you do and why would you choose it?
I also need help with learning about my neighbourhood. We are located just a block west of Jardins Luxembourg, on rue Madame. I know that the decadent Buns and Roses bakery is very near...in fact, my landlord tells me it is too close for comfort!
Other than that, I know very little about the area and can use all of the info and advice you care to share! Do you have a favorite cafe? Shop? Market?
"Bouillabaisse is only good because cooked by the French, who, if they cared to try, could produce an excellent and nutritious substitute out of cigar stumps and empty matchboxes." ~ Norman Douglas Brenda
I know a flight will be cheaper, but the city-center to city-center convenience of the train is really nice. And much more relaxing than dealing with airport security and hassles.
You'll be quite close to two of my favorite (and flavorful) places in Paris. Pierre Herme (on rue Bonaparte) sells macarons that are as delicious as they are deadly dear, and my old favorite Amorino (on rue Vavin) will serve you gelato so decadent and beautifully presented that it'll make you forget anything you tasted in Italy.
Brenda, I just ordered from RailEurope two same-day return tickets Paris-London-Paris for $108 per person/second class on the Eurostar for mid June. We prefer the train any day.
We decided to spend a day in London, just visiting some favorites.
Posts: 443 | Location: back home in san francisco but so excited about being in Venezia for the holidays!! | Registered: 22 April 2005
I second Amorinos! Also, Boulangerie Paul on Rue de Buci is a comfortable old favorite for us to stop for coffee. Much to my surprise, I noticed this trip that coffee there is cheaper (but I think better) than the no-name cafes along every street.
Brenda, we stayed on Rue Madame in December (see map), and really liked the area, but one thing we never found close by (I mean within a couple of blocks) was a cute little cafe. I confess, though, that we did not stumble on Bread and Roses (we were usually going the other way out of our apartment, which was closer to Rue Vaugirard than I think yours is). There is a very good bakery on the corner of Rue Madame and Vaugirard, and just across the street a wonderful cheese and wine shop. Just a short ways up on Vaugirard (left when you look at the map) is a 8 à Huit minimart. There are also a lot of takeout shops on Vaugirard and Rennes, but for the more trendy places you need to go toward St. Germain.
Originally posted by just travel: Brenda, I just ordered from RailEurope two same-day return tickets Paris-London-Paris for $108 per person/second class on the Eurostar for mid June. We prefer the train any day.
We decided to spend a day in London, just visiting some favorites.
Brenda, if you can get a deal like this then I agree the train is the way to go, well unless you have someone taking you to the airport in London.
Train, absolutely - centre to centre - no fiddling about with going out to the airport, queueing for security for ages. Eurostar hardly ever have delays, unlike the airlines - bitter memories of the last time I took a plane to Paris - hours on the tarmac not going anywhere on the way out and confusion and delays at CDG on the way back
Comfortable, pleasant view (except for the tunnel bit - not many fishes ). If you do it in an advance, the train fare can be cheaper. I wouldn't think of going by plane, anymore,and I am a bus ride from the airport.
Posts: 874 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 20 September 2006
Wow! Looks like it is going to be a Eurostar ticket for me!
June, Yes, only one way. Although with the backing and forthing that I did between the Air Canada flight prices from Toronto - London and Paris - Toronto, I very nearly booked us Edmonton - London return and then would have had to take TiaD BACK to Heathrow from Paris for her flight home, travel BACK to Paris from Heathrow for the rest of my trip and then take the train BACK to London for my flight home. Now, that is completely exhausting, just writing it down.
I am so delighted with all of this fabulous information...I have to go out for a few hours, and will reply further, later today. I'm also going to Google Eurostar and check for their schedule. Is this easy to do? Buying a ticket online? Hopefully, it is.
Coupled with this thread full of advice, how can I go wrong? This is why Slowtrav is such a fantastic place...you, the people, of course!
Back in a few hours, Merci beaucoup!
"The only way of catching a train I ever discovered is to miss the train before." ~ G.K. Chesterton Brenda
Brenda, There's a weird pricing thing on Eurostar that means it is often cheaper to buy a return ticket and discard the return half, rather than get a single fare. This has been discussed recently (this month) on the UK forum - I don't know how to do links (help!? Mod - how do I do this?) but it was under a thead called 'Discount Eurostar to Paris' _wendyash had a link to a piece about this aspect on 10th March.
Posts: 874 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 20 September 2006
There's a weird pricing thing on Eurostar that means it is often cheaper to buy a return ticket and discard the return half, rather than get a single fare. This has been discussed recently (this month) on the UK forum - I don't know how to do links
I've just tried to follow the instructions on the 'How do..?' thread,and then practice on the testing forum but have retired defeated in confusion. I'll look through it again when it's not so late!
Posts: 874 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 20 September 2006
Thank you for your help...I've been on the Eurostar website tonight and it looks like buying the round trip ticket and throwing away the return portion is the best bet. It's late and I'm ready for bed, so I'll do more on this tomorrow.
Ken, I appreciate your recommendations. The organic market sounds like a great place for me to go. Is it easy to find?
Dana, That's cool to know! I thought the train might be a better option for us as it will give us some time to relax and watch the world go by for a few hours. Do you know if the train stops at Gare Montparnasse or does it only stop at Gare du Nord? Our apartment is closer to Gare Montparnasse than Gare du Nord.
Daniel, There you are! I've already marked Amorino on my Google map. I was hoping you'd stop by with some recommended great food places!
just travel, Hopefully in a couple of days, I also will be able to say that I've booked my train tickets! I'll let you know as soon as it is done.
Chris, Nice to hear from you...are you enjoying Paris every single second? I've also marked Boulanger Paul's on my goggle map. These maps are a fantastic way for me to keep track of places to go and cafes to stop for a cafe and tarte tatin.
Roz, Thanks for telling me about these great places...I love knowing about the wine and cheese shop and the bakery. The map is perfect, thanks!
Dan, Bon Marche? Really? I didn't know that. I'm just becoming familiar with this area of the city, so I had no idea it was close!
Panda, just travel, Maria... That all helps! I've been on the links and I think I know how to do this, now! I'll let you know how it goes. I'm not sure about dumping all of the cookies and pretending I'm in Spain. You think I could pull this off?
"Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends." ~ Cindy Lew Brenda
Brenda, yes, it is pretty easy to find the Raspail market. The Boulevard Raspail is one of the main thoroughfares in the neighborhood. I think your apartment is near the Rue de Fleurus where it crosses Rue Madame, no?
Take Rue de Fleurus west (away from the entry gate for the Jardin du Luxembourg) and you'll come to Boul. Raspail in just a block or two. Turn right and walk just a few steps up the boulevard. Voilà, there's the market. It's not there every day -- maybe Weds., Fri. and Sun. Sunday is the organic market day.
Dan mentioned Bon Marché, the big department store, which isn't much further up Boul. Raspail from the street market. One of it's most appealing features is the big gourmet supermarket it has on the ground floor, called the Grande Epicerie. It's not to be missed.
Do you know if the train stops at Gare Montparnasse or does it only stop at Gare du Nord? Our apartment is closer to Gare Montparnasse than Gare du Nord.
Eurostar doesn't continue through Paris. At Gare du Nord, you'll need to switch to the metro or a cab. It looks like you could take the number 4 line from Gare du Nord straight through to St. Sulpice without even changing.
Ken, You're right, I'm staying very close to the intersection of those streets. I found Boulevard Raspail on a Google map and it's very close, so I'll be able to find it with no trouble. Looks like we'll have to go for a walk and shop for some luscious food as soon as we arrive!
Thanks, Chris and Ken, I'd like to try taking the metro, if possible. The problem for me is that I get really turn
). If you do it in an advance, the train fare can be cheaper. I wouldn't think of going by plane, anymore,and I am a bus ride from the airport.