Planning to go to Paris on 12/26-12/31. Where should I go?

Answer 1

Hi,

Throughout the tourist trade early December is the slow season for airplanes and hotels thus there are many special tour packages. Our air fare from London to Paris and return with four nights and breakfast at the two-star Hotel Ascot only cost $225 for each of us.

We couldn't refuse the offer in any language. And in Paris, language is not a problem. We have found that our attempts to speak French are always assisted and usually some English is spoken at most hotels. Of course, restaurants are never a problem as every American speaks some cook book French. Thus ordering "de la viande," "un dessert," "une bière," "un café," and "du vin" comes easily to even the first time traveler.

Paris is my favorite city, and at night during the Christmas season it has an allure matched by no other city I have seen. Beautifully decorated store windows on all sides display the finest in clothes, jewelry, art and antiques. Each store is lighted like a theatre stage showcasing the finest merchandise that money can buy. Lively cafes and gaudy bistros draw the eye as the throngs of Christmas shoppers stroll by. Christmas lights and decorations have added a new lustre and sparkle during this season.

Throughout Paris the great eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings, monuments and statues are bathed in light at night. The parks and streets are lighted by lamps which in themselves are works of art and were first used as gas lamps in the late nineteenth century. The tall, bare chestnut trees lining many of the great boulevards are festooned with twinkling, white Christmas lights.

This is a city for night walking where tourists and lovers feel equally safe. The wide sidewalks are lined with old, gnarled trees, great statues and the silent policemen seem to be everywhere. An added feeling of comfort comes when we see an occasional busload of soldiers armed with machine guns parked discreetly around the corner in the shadows. When the policemen and women are asked directions or questions about the public buildings they are always polite and helpful. We really do feel safer than when in Chicago or New York.

Every newcomer to Paris must take a leisurely stroll up the Champs-Elysées toward the Arc de Triomphe. It stands wrapped in colorful flags, bathed in great flood lights, and silhouetted against the night sky. Here eight streets come together in a tangle of darting cars, snarling horns and flashing lights. This is the city of international diplomacy and during any ten minute walk you will witness at least one cavalcade of flag-flying limousines with their motorcycle police outriders roaring past in a torrent of flashing blue lights and shrieking sirens.

Ref : http://www.finetravel.com/europe/france/parisat.htm

Answer 2

We merely have been given lower back from Paris, Aug/Sept. 2006. It replaced into actually smart to have finished a sprint learn and found out a sprint French. Get a good map to take everywhere. We took "Streetwise Paris". We additionally had the Zagat instruction manual to Paris Restuarants, which replaced into very valuable. convey some good walking shoes. it particularly is an extremely super city to stroll around. you may extremely spend an afternoon on the Louvre, then walk each and every of how in the time of the Jardin des Tuileries and the Champs Elysees, alongside to the Arc de Triomphe. bypass to the Trocadero for a brilliant view of the Eiffel Tower, and you will circulate the river from there to work out it up close. confirm you're taking time to relax on the cafes. they have staggering warm chocolate at a lot of them. l. a. Maison du chocolate is a brilliant place to get some chocolate and purchase some to convey residing house with you. The metro is amazingly elementary to apply and risk-free in any respect circumstances of the day and night. We weren't too confident at first, yet then we've been out overdue for a dinner one night and observed families, single women, and all and sundry on the metro stations. good luck and function exciting!