Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Rough Draft of Itinerary---would love feedback!

I am planning our first trip to Paris and would love any and all feedback on our itinerary. I%26#39;ve been pouring over this website as well as travel books and this is what I%26#39;ve come up with so far:





Saturday, May 2



o Arrive CDG at 11:30am



o Shuttle to hotel in 9th



o Attempt Fat Tire Bike Tour at 3:00 (depending on how we feel)



o Relax in Trocadero





Sunday, May 3



o Notre Dame



o Ile. St. Louis



o Latin Quarter



o Luxembourg Gardens



o Sainte Chapelle





Monday, May 4th



o Louvre



o Musee Orangerie



o Tuileries Garden



o Walk Champs Elysees



o Arc de Triomphe





Tuesday, May 5th



o Musee Orsay



o Musee Rodin



o Sacre Couer



o Walk around Montmarte





Wednesday, May 6th



o Tour Eiffel



o Walk Rue Cler



o Rest of day left open to catch up on anything we missed



o Overnight train to Rome (6:50pm)





I hope that I%26#39;m not being overly ambitious! We are in our early 30%26#39;s and in good shape, but don%26#39;t want to overdo it on vacation either. I%26#39;m still working out places to eat, but I%26#39;m crossing my fingers that the weather will be decent and we can enjoy several picnics. Thanks in advance for helping this worried planner!




|||



Actually I think it looks very nice and quite do-able if you like staying active. You have grouped things well geographically and have cleverly avoided closed days in museums. Your Saturday relax in Trocadero will put you just across the river from the Eiffel Tower so you should see it light up in the evening.





If you can fit it in, some time around the foodie area near the Madelaine, for a visit to Fauchon and Hediard will give you some wonderful take away food for a picnic or evening meal as well as just seeing what beautiful food, from roasts barded with special fats to artichokes stuffed with salmon mousse to berry flans. Just wonderful.





The Madelaine itself is worth a visit, very Greek Temple with austere marble statues inside, then one little plaster statue of Mary with all the devotional candles lit in front of it.That seems to be where the people pray, despite the grandiose art work around.




|||



I think you planned it well, the itinerary doesn%26#39;t seem overly ambitious.



Both St-Chapelle and Notre-Dame are on Ile de la Cité so it is convenient to see one after the other and then go on to tour Ile St-Louis.



Very close to the Lux Garden is the Panthéon, you might want to go by and see it (even if just from the outside).




|||



Thank you SO much for the food recommendations and for the suggestion of the Pantheon...how did that get left off my list?! :) I can%26#39;t believe I will be there in less than a month (If my nerves don%26#39;t get the best of me first!!). Thanks again!




|||



Also, will the areas of Ile. St. Louis and the Latin Quarter have restaurants/shops open on a Sunday? Thanks!




|||



I think your schedule looks great. I would add the Opera Garnier. You can do an English guided tour or a self-tour. I think it is the most beautiful building in Paris and an absolute MUST SEE. Perhaps you could see it on Wednesday during your %26quot;catch up%26quot; time. Not far from there is the Musee Jacquemart-Andre. It is a small mansion that was ownered by husband/wife art collectors. It is beautiful and included in the price is a headset to get everything explained as you walk. In addition, on the premises is a beautiful belle epoque restaurant where you could have lunch or tea/dessert.





The first priority, however, in my mind, is the Opera Garnier.




|||



Yes, certainly not as many as during the rest of the week, but you%26#39;ll find plenty of places open on Sunday. Not too sure why you feel the need to see r. Cler specifically...but...I guess I%26#39;d be interested in your opinion after you see it. I don%26#39;t get the allure of it myself.




|||



I love the idea of the Opera Garnier...maybe switch it out with the rue Cler walk? Honestly, I picked the walk b/c it was listed in a travel book, but if it%26#39;s not much to look at, I%26#39;d be just as happy to skip it. I truly appreciate everyone%26#39;s feedback and personal insights!




|||



Excellent idea!!! lol...





For sure, I%26#39;d choose a tour through Opera Garnier over a walk down r. Cler.




|||



It all sounds great!





Can I just copy your itinerary for June? As mentioned before we are following right on your heels. We get there the 8th of June and leave for Switzerland the 15th, then to Rome on the 17th.





Where are you staying in Paris? Did you get an Apt? If so which one and with whom?





My son (20) doesn%26#39;t want me to plan anything!! He just wants to go and enjoy Paris spur of the moment like. LOL I%26#39;m to old for that and just have to have things in order.





Can I message you directly or give you my cell # and we can talk?





Thanks,





Dawna




|||



Hey Dawna,





My itinerary is compiled from many other posts on this website, so help yourself to it! :)





We are staying at the Pax Opera in the 9th district...having never traveled overseas, we went with European Destinations to reserve things for us. BUT.....after booking, I found this website and now am wondering if I should have booked an apt instead...never crossed my mind!





I like to have some type of schedule, but I%26#39;m an %26quot;over-planner%26quot; sometimes, so I have to remind myself to enjoy life as it comes....what I don%26#39;t accomplish this trip just means that I have to schedule another one! :) Feel free to email me directly (or send your number)....enjoy your vacation!

No comments:

Post a Comment