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Post by d'James on Sept 20, 2017 22:46:18 GMT
Not a relation of Honey!
I am making an impromptu worldwind tour of Paris (am I taking a trip around the whirl?? (One for @emicardiff)) in a couple of weeks!
I will sadly not have time for Theatre, but I welcome all tips for places to eat/people to do during my time there?! Things that aren't the tourist traps - nothing wrong with them but I've done them before.
Fanks in advance.
d'J
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 21, 2017 15:29:44 GMT
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Post by Jan on Sept 21, 2017 16:25:39 GMT
I really dislike Paris, charmless, unwelcoming and tiring. The Louvre persists with its absurd 19th century hanging policy of cramming as many paintings as possible onto each wall.
Best three major European cities for a day: Berlin, Moscow, Amsterdam.
Worst three: Paris, Madrid, Rome
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2017 16:42:02 GMT
I love old cemeteries, and Paris is spoilt for its famous graves in Pere Lachaise and Montmartre. Canal St Martin is often overlooked. Perfect for an autumn stroll, stopping at one of the many cafes on the way. (I think one of the terrible attacks took place quite nearby.) A brasserie- Julien, Boffinger, Flo- they are all excellent and typique français!
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Post by d'James on Oct 6, 2017 1:19:42 GMT
I was so determined that this was going to be the trip I loved.
NEVER AGAIN. All of my negative life experiences have been in France which is why I haven’t been back in years. Guess what, another one to add to the list. I’ve reported them to the police before and they don’t care, so I won’t bother now. My Eurostar can’t leave soon enough later today.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2017 2:00:18 GMT
why why why
Paris is the worlds best city. I do not know what constitutes asa Tourist Trap . But I love Versailles , Orsay so much I could go again and again. I would suggest Musee du Cluny never been but heard great things. And Aperge for a meal its a great place. I would choose Mandarin Oriental over George V. I highly suggest knowing Champs Elysees in an American Mall. And markets are its bread and butter. And Notre Dame is amazing .
I would avoid Quai Blany and Disneyland and any obnoxious stupid cheap tours.
Personally you could could do Monet Tour to his house and then the next say see paintings at the Orsay. They have done a great job cleaning the museum and making it better. I personally think Paris is a great city for the rich for the poor not so much
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2017 2:02:54 GMT
I really dislike Paris, charmless, unwelcoming and tiring. The Louvre persists with its absurd 19th century hanging policy of cramming as many paintings as possible onto each wall. Best three major European cities for a day: Berlin, Moscow, Amsterdam. Worst three: Paris, Madrid, Rome I have Russian Heritage and will never go to Moscow until LGBT rights are allowed (or at least people do not get stoned to death for doing it) |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2017 9:03:18 GMT
I really dislike Paris, charmless, unwelcoming and tiring. The Louvre persists with its absurd 19th century hanging policy of cramming as many paintings as possible onto each wall. Best three major European cities for a day: Berlin, Moscow, Amsterdam. Worst three: Paris, Madrid, Rome Out of interest, what are your must-sees for flying visits to Berlin, Moscow, and Amsterdam? I'm looking for inspiration for next spring. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2017 10:11:13 GMT
I really dislike Paris, charmless, unwelcoming and tiring. The Louvre persists with its absurd 19th century hanging policy of cramming as many paintings as possible onto each wall. Best three major European cities for a day: Berlin, Moscow, Amsterdam. Worst three: Paris, Madrid, Rome Not visited Madrid, but agree on Paris. I enjoyed Rome (off-season), so would exchange Rome for Milan. Awful experience there, the cathedral is the only place I found to visit and enjoyed there. |
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Post by viserys on Oct 7, 2017 11:49:29 GMT
She also does excellent Bulgakov tours in Moscow  Would definitely recommend Moscow, lovely city, impressive sights, lots of culture and I've found that most people at least in the inner city spoke English. Though once you fork out for a visa for Russia, you might want to combine it with St. Petersburg, also a fabulous city. Amsterdam is lovely, but I'd only go in off-season now, it's one of these cities that are really ruined by mass tourism as the inner city is fairly small and you have tourists clomping about everywhere. Berlin is... oh, don't get me started on Berlin. Just... AVOID. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 7, 2017 13:01:05 GMT
Lisbon is often overlooked and it’s absolutely beautiful. I was there every few weeks for a couple of years when a friend was working there and it’s a great weekend destination at any time of year.
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Post by bimse on Oct 7, 2017 13:09:24 GMT
Lisbon is often overlooked and it’s absolutely beautiful. I was there every few weeks for a couple of years when a friend was working there and it’s a great weekend destination at any time of year. I agree about Lisbon, it's a lovely city and you can very easily (and cheaply) get to Sintra to see the royal palaces. I nearly went back to Lisbon in August , but decided on Porto (flights were amazingly cheap). It's a charming city, full of faded grandeur, surprisingly set on a river gorge, with some beautiful bridges over the river and gorge . Amazing buildings with coloured tiles on the inside and outside, including the most beautiful railway station I've seen . |
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Post by bimse on Oct 7, 2017 13:12:36 GMT
Lisbon is often overlooked and it’s absolutely beautiful. I was there every few weeks for a couple of years when a friend was working there and it’s a great weekend destination at any time of year. I agree about Lisbon, it's a lovely city and you can very easily (and cheaply) get to Sintra to see the royal palaces. I nearly went back to Lisbon in August , but decided on Porto (flights were amazingly cheap). It's a charming city, full of faded grandeur, surprisingly set on a river gorge, with some beautiful bridges over the river and gorge . Amazing buildings with coloured tiles on the inside and outside, including the most beautiful railway station I've seen . I meant to add, the Portuguese people I've met are incredibly helpful, friendly and welcoming. Always a big plus . |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2017 17:17:50 GMT
Another vote for Lisbon. They also sell those little egg custard tarts everywhere. And they are beyond delicious!
If we are throwing out capitals for a weekend break, can I also chuck in Budapest? I went over the summer, and that place is just amazing...
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Post by bimse on Oct 7, 2017 20:04:07 GMT
Another vote for Lisbon. They also sell those little egg custard tarts everywhere. And they are beyond delicious! If we are throwing out capitals for a weekend break, can I also chuck in Budapest? I went over the summer, and that place is just amazing... The custard tarts are delicious, they're a must when in portugal, and I agree about Budapest too, I've had a few days there two summers running now, and just love it . |
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Post by poster J on Oct 7, 2017 20:47:12 GMT
Budapest is great for a weekend, as are Prague and Dubrovnik off-season. I'd also chuck in a vote for Sarajevo if you want somewhere that isn't too touristy!
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Post by misspiggy1979 on Oct 8, 2017 20:08:00 GMT
Odd comment on paris but noticed not easy to always find a loo non existent on the underground😀😀😀😣😣the effiel tower lights up every so often!
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Oct 8, 2017 21:35:27 GMT
I was so determined that this was going to be the trip I loved. NEVER AGAIN. All of my negative life experiences have been in France which is why I haven’t been back in years. Guess what, another one to add to the list. I’ve reported them to the police before and they don’t care, so I won’t bother now. My Eurostar can’t leave soon enough later today. Just booked a long weekend in Paris, wish I has asked d'James now. What are the negative experiences you have encountered? |
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Oct 8, 2017 21:37:03 GMT
I really dislike Paris, charmless, unwelcoming and tiring. The Louvre persists with its absurd 19th century hanging policy of cramming as many paintings as possible onto each wall. Best three major European cities for a day: Berlin, Moscow, Amsterdam. Worst three: Paris, Madrid, Rome Found Moscow very moody. Everyone has a gun. Was army, KGB, security or a gangster |
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Post by viserys on Oct 9, 2017 5:02:20 GMT
I was so determined that this was going to be the trip I loved. NEVER AGAIN. All of my negative life experiences have been in France which is why I haven’t been back in years. Guess what, another one to add to the list. I’ve reported them to the police before and they don’t care, so I won’t bother now. My Eurostar can’t leave soon enough later today. Just booked a long weekend in Paris, wish I has asked d'James now. What are the negative experiences you have encountered? I'd also be interested in hearing what's supposed to be so terrible. I wouldn't worry about your long weekend though. To counterbalance d'James: I've been to France several times, to all corners of the country from Brittany and Normandy in the North to the Côte d'Azur and Provence in the South and of course also to Paris and I've never had a negative experience anywhere. People were charming and friendly, EVEN in Paris, where, as a single female traveller I felt treated like a proper lady by friendly waiters. Which I can't say for London, despite it being my favorite place in the world. Of course it does help to speak at least a bit of French. If you show them you try, they are usually happy to meet you half way with some English. As for Moscow, I didn't see a single gun except where they were meant to be, i.e. the guards dotted around the Kremlin. Agree on the Portuguese custard tarts though, a marvel! I had no idea about them but my friend who travelled with me luckily had and dragged me to that place in Belem where they churn them out. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2017 7:54:10 GMT
You can get the Portuguese tarts from one of the stalls at the market behind the Royal Festival Hall. I don't imagine they're quite as cheap or delicious as they are in Portugal, but they're still a tasty treat if you're in the area.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2017 8:25:03 GMT
Another Lisbon votes and not just for the tarts (ooh er etc). Went in January 2016 and it was lovely, some great day trips to take from there including Sintra and the City itself is also full of galleries and historic sites. And it's very reasonable in terms of cost of food/drink/entrance fees etc.
And the tarts of course.
I'm also fond of Paris, haven't been for years but I have good memories and a list of things I'd go back and do/things I'd missed.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 9, 2017 9:01:10 GMT
The Linha 28 cable car line which runs from the castle, through the city and up to Estrella Park is one of my favourite things in Lisbon. Some of the twists and turns up those narrow streets are hair raising and they go at quite a pace. With the hills, antique cable cars and the 25 de April bridge it’s very reminiscent of San Francisco.
Cascais at the end of the coastal railway is a lovely little seaside town too. Very few British people seem to know about it.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2017 9:17:07 GMT
Someone had a fight on that cable car when we were on it!! added a bit more excitement to what already felt quite precarious!
Also there's a museum of beer! which is admittedly very touristy but does good beer (pro tip don't go and try a few when you haven't eaten since lunch...and then carry on drinking with dinner/at a cheap bar until 1am when you have plans to take the above cable car the next day...not that I'd know or anything)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2017 10:55:06 GMT
I agree that Paris can be massively touristy and overrated if you go to the wrong places. There are some wonderful bits though. My favourite bits of Paris are the Cluny Museum, the Pere Lachaise cemetary and the Promenade Plantee walkway which goes along on old railway lines up between buildings. Not sure what it'd be like this time of year, but it's gorgeous in Spring when the leaves and flowers are out. It's a different angle on the city and it's surprisingly peaceful. www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/jun/07/paris-promenade-plantee-free-elevated-park-walkway-bastille-bois-de-vincennes |
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Oct 9, 2017 17:32:18 GMT
Someone had a fight on that cable car when we were on it!! added a bit more excitement to what already felt quite precarious! Also there's a museum of beer! which is admittedly very touristy but does good beer (pro tip don't go and try a few when you haven't eaten since lunch...and then carry on drinking with dinner/at a cheap bar until 1am when you have plans to take the above cable car the next day...not that I'd know or anything) Full punches and lots of blood fight or a bit of handbags? |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2017 18:31:02 GMT
You can get the Portuguese tarts from one of the stalls at the market behind the Royal Festival Hall. I don't imagine they're quite as cheap or delicious as they are in Portugal, but they're still a tasty treat if you're in the area. I thought they'd cleaned up that street when they pedestrianized. No, they’re still there. But I can never understand how much they’re charging... |
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