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Recommendations for hotels/hostels in London?

Paris, London, Switzerland in a week - recommendations?

  • I want to do Paris/daytrips (1-2 days), Switzerland (4-5 days), and London/daytrips (1-2 days), all late this January. I'll be traveling alone. I'd love some advice. I've done a lot of the main Paris/London touristy stuff, and also seen Nice, but I've never visited Switzerland. Recommendations in my itinerary for great: -hostels/B&Bs/budget hotels? -must-see scenery? -must-see attractions? -must-taste restaurants/pubs/wineries/etc.? -amazing classical music/other concerts/film festivals/etc.? -other must-sees on your personal list, in whatever category? Oh, and -- a great travel guide or two I should buy before I leave? Any other tips welcome too. Thanks!

  • Answer:

    Paris: get a canal boat from Bastille up to Parc de La Villette - where the butchers used to be, now a science park. The boat goes under (yes, under) boulevard Richard Lenoir then emerges into daylight a little further north. The tour guide was very interesting when we did it, and it's somewhat off the beaten track. In the science park there are a few cool things (a submarine turned into a museum, for example) and some mad french architecture. Just north of there towards pont de pantin metro station there are some cool arabic grocers selling felafel and the like. The tea shop underneath the institude du monde arabe is also worth a visit, as is the institute itself for the very cool metal shutter system. http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/arabinstitute/. Apparently there's also a restaurant on the top floor but it was shut when we tried to go... London: The big parks, if it's not raining - Richmond, Regents Park, Hampstead Heath. Tate Modern if it is. Get the train to Charing X then cross the river at the footbridge and walk along the south bank of the thames to Tate Modern. Once you're done gallerying, continue along the south bank till you hit southwark cathedral, then find for a historic pint, cross to borough market for some fresh veg or some sort of gastro-snack (borough market being rather posh these days), and a pint in the http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=208 (but don't expect a seat). Greenwich is also worth a visit. Get the DLR from Bank to Island Gardens and walk under the foot tunnel. Cutty Sark, Maritime museum, craft markets, lots to do. And the DLR journey is something else, taking you through the "regenerated" east end.

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true

Oops, messed up the link to http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=187. Sorry.

handee

It's at 48°51'9.99"N, 2°21'12.15"E if you've got Google Earth handy. (It's some good ice cream.)

Coda

Paris! Head down Rue des Bernardins towards la Ile de la Cité, take the Quai de l'Archevêché right by Notre-Dame, cross le Pont Saint-Louis to la Ile Saint-Louis, and at the end of the bridge you will find the finest ice cream shop in the entire universe. Buy one with two scoops, and walk down the ramp to the side of the Seine and watch the boats go by.

Coda

I swear by the "Lets Go" guides too

enaira

I highly recommend Interlaken - it was one of my favorite places after spending two months in Europe this summer. Funny Farm hostel is actually a decent hotel in the winter, with a great common area complete with a fireplace. And all museums in London are free. I agree that the Tate is amazing, as is the Victoria and Albert. And "Sushi Yo" is cheap, conveyer belt, delicious sushi on practically every corner. Have a great time!

enaira

I know you said you've done the "main" stuff, but if that list didn't include the http://www.musee-orsay.fr then you should definitely check it out. Also I highly recommend the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, it's got a great view, and then you can walk down and hang out on the Boulevard de Clichy and check out the Moulin Rouge.

thethirdman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucerne was one of my favorite places in the whole world - very charming small city with enough to do to fill a day, but not so much that it's overwhelming or not relaxing. I haven't been there since '92, but we stayed at the Hotel Rebstock and spent several lovely, leisurely days there.

Sweetie Darling

In London, I really took advantage of the museums and while I am a big fan of Renaissance art, there's other part of the city that you can enjoy...look through europe tour book (not too heavy) with few great places in it throughout each countries and pick 3-4 and spend the rest of the day walking around London. With one day underground pass, you can go from here to there easily. Unlike in paris.. I really didn't like Paris too much except the scenery...I'd try to enjoy a restaurant near downtown area around Arc de Triumphe and the Eiffel Tower, even if it's a small meal, sit down, etc. It takes about half an hour by train to go to Versaille...that was impressive for me, but it is a big land of greed. I also went to museums in Paris and I really liked it. In Switzerland, I only went to Interlocken which should be freezing in January. It was more expensive than London. While I was back packing it was only in Switzerland that I bought a loaf of bread and jam because retailers gear towards the tourists. Get lots of chocolate in Switzerland and enjoy the train ride going there...it's breathtaking. Hope you have a great time and not follow too many museums or get chased by time since you only have so much time anyway. Pick one or two and try to sit in a warm day at a cafe and read a book, enjoy interesting cheese and bread. Cucumber sandwich in London is only good in London, and not anywhere else.

icollectpurses

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