I rarely post more than once in a day, but I have more news.
I just got the financial info for the London/Paris trip. Here's the deal --
The total cost is $3,299 for a singleton, and $2,699 for each if you travel as a pair.
8 days, 10 meals (6 breakfasts and 4 dinners), round trip airfare, hotel transfers (what does that mean?)
The price includes a tour of Trafalgar Square, St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Westminster and a performance of "Blood Brothers" at a theatre in London. A tour of Windsor Castle is $80 extra.
In Paris, it includes a tour of Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Champs-Elysees, Place de la Concorde and Place Vendome. Also, dinner at Paradis Latin with a cabaret show and a Seine River cruise. For $185 more you can tour Versailles Palace and The Louvre Museum.
The hotels are the Crown Plaza London and Concorde Lafayette, Paris. It doesn't clearly state that the price of the hotels is included, so I will have to check on that.
In each city, you have one day on your own.
What do you think?
London & Paris
September 29th, 2010 at 03:24 pm
September 29th, 2010 at 04:16 pm 1285776985
I think that it is worth it if you have someone you like to travel with. Having only been to London, I feel in love with it immediately. The prices sound reasonable to me. Lots to think about.
September 29th, 2010 at 07:00 pm 1285786836
September 29th, 2010 at 07:09 pm 1285787388
I would dig around the net a bit to see what else is out there:
http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/five-value-tour-o...
Grand European Tours had good reviews, and a cheaper price for a more leisurely trip. But, I suppose you have to add up all the taxes and all that to fully compare. (Seems like they get you with fees/taxes sometimes).
Though rather anti-social, I have traveled alone quite a bit. I had my sister on this particular tour, but would have had as much fun without her. They keep you so busy! & you bond quickly with other travelers. I didn't know if you planned to bring a friend or not but I wouldn't worry about that. You'll have a blast either way.
September 29th, 2010 at 09:50 pm 1285797056
Hotel transfers are getting you from LHR or LGW to the hotel--they usually involve the tube/train then taxi or the bus. The Crown Plaza is nice and a very "American" hotel.
But the tours are funny things--A tour of Trafalgar Square just makes me laugh. You need a nice guidebook and a spot on the steps of the National Gallery to point to the fountain and the statues. There is no "thing" there to see--it's an open square with a lot of statues and famous buildings surrounding it. The National Gallery is great by yourself, and there are free tours inside all the time (and it has an excellent cafe). The other building they might "show" you is St Martin in the Fields (a working church with free/cheap lunchtime concerts and good food in the basement) but again, with a decent guidebook, you can do it yourself.
http://www2.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/page/home/home.html
See the wikipedia description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafalgar_Square
Since both St Paul's and Westminster Abbey are working churches and public buildings, a tour can show you some things you might otherwise miss--but all of them are easily accessible by the subway (tube) and very easy to do yourself.
I guess I'm sort of anti-tour--especially since they jostle American tourists into shows they buy cheap tickets for. London is VERY easy by yourself and on public transportation, and it's very safe--especially central London.
The time of the year matters too. Off season you still should be able to go from ORD to one of the London airports for somewhere in the $600-700 range. In the summer and in other high seasons, it's considerably more expensive.
I have a personal fondness for Windsor (my blog pic is Windsor Castle) because we have great friends there, but frankly, unless you're into dollhouses, it ain't all that.
Like MonkeyMama says, do check other tours--BA has decent tours and my parents LOVED their Trafalgar Tour.
Yet--with all my anti-tour stuff--if you think this is the only way you're getting to London and Paris--go.
Heck--take me! I'm sure DH and DD could spare me for a week or so!
September 29th, 2010 at 10:37 pm 1285799829
September 29th, 2010 at 10:51 pm 1285800714
I say GO... too often we put off special opportunities for when we have more saved or are retired, only to regret it later. Plan for the future but don't neglect enjoying life in the present.
I have never been to London but I love Paris. If you can, be sure to visit the Louvre and Versailles.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:56 am 1286016960
Jerry