4Real Forums: 2 Days London-2 Days Lourdes-3 Days Paris

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Topic: 2 Days London-2 Days Lourdes-3 Days Paris

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stefoodie
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Posted: Jan 29 2008 at 10:29pm \| IP Logged

Those of you who live there/have been there -- could you please suggest 1-2 places that are must-sees for homeschoolers?

My parents are taking us in March. It's not a package tour (mainly they want kids and dh to bathe at Lourdes, praying for a cure to their allergies), and they do have a few places they want to re-visit, but will try to accommodate our wants too if feasible. I have my heart set on Giverny (and Lake District might not be doable), but there are too many other wonderful places in London and Paris -- I'm having a hard time picking. I'd like to at least not miss "the best for homeschoolers" that these places have to offer, even if it's just one or two. Our kids are 16-11-9-6.

Suggestions please?

Thank you!

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stef

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lapazfarm
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Posted: Jan 29 2008 at 10:54pm \| IP Logged

No suggestions, but plenty of envy!Wow! What an opportunity!

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Carole N.
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 3:44am \| IP Logged

Stef, I am in total agreement that there are so many things to choose from in both London and Paris. Maybe you should see what your children's interest are and then base your decision on that. There used to be lovely walking tours of London (this was 22 years ago). For me, I would want to go to the art museums as well. In Paris, there is a lovely museum dedicated just to Monet.

Maybe you could check out some of the travel books at the library (Frommers, etc) to help in making your decision. I know that reading through the summaries helps me in planning. And then there always the next trip ...

Have fun planning!

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momwats8
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 6:30am \| IP Logged

I do not know any places to suggest except The Louvre in Paris.

I will pray for your trip!! Have a great time!!!!

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Mary G
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 6:40am \| IP Logged

Stef -- I'd take this from a whole different tack --

London: walk, walk, walk -- there is SO MUCH that we've heard/read about for years that is encapsulated in London -- Big Ben, Covent Garden, Westminster, London Bridge, etc. I know there are some fantastic books out there on walking tours in London that are "themed" -- literary, art, etc. But with kids I'd get them out and about.

Paris: I'd take them to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal for morning Mass (here's more info about Rue de Bac) and then go see the church where St. Vincent de Paul's incorrupt body is shown -- ask the lovely Sisters of Charity (when you first walk thru the portico to go to the chapel there are Sisters available to assist who speak multilanguages including English) how to get over there -- it's only a couple of blocks. Nearby on Rue de Bac is a gorgeous park where you can eat lunch (there's a fancy grocer just down the street from Miraculous Medal Chapel where you can buy bread, cheese, wine, etc

for a truly Parisienne repast

).

Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur are also great visits but you'd need to hop in taxis as they're not super convenient.

Walking along the Seine and seeing the sites is also marvelous!

We've been to Paris a couple of times with the kids and it's always been just wonderful.

Since y'all have such a short time, I'd concentrate on lots of prep work -- sounds like wonderful rabbit trails -- both for London (maybe a literary theme and go see Peter Pan's statue in the park and Sherlock Holmes neighborhood, etc) and Paris (focus on the art history as well as the amazing Catholic history -- there are Catholic churches EVERYWHERE!).

Or, you could hire me as your personal travel guide

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MaryG
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Kathryn UK
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 6:58am \| IP Logged

Mary G wrote:

London: walk, walk, walk -- there is SO MUCH that we've heard/read about for years that is encapsulated in London -- Big Ben, Covent Garden, Westminster, London Bridge, etc. I know there are some fantastic books out there on walking tours in London that are "themed" -- literary, art, etc. But with kids I'd get them out and about.

I'd second that - almost everywhere in central London is walkable, and you will find so many things you would not necessarily think to visit. The underground map makes it look much bigger and more spread out than it is - in fact, some stations are only 100 yards apart. For me the two biggest "must sees" are the Tower of London and the British Museum. You can also do tours on an open topped double decker bus which would allow you to see a lot in a relatively short time.

The Lake District is way too far if you are only in the UK for two days - it takes at least 4 hours by train from London. If you wanted to take a day trip somewhere I would recommend either Oxford or Canterbury.

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LisaR
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 7:38am \| IP Logged

wow, stef, no suggestions but it sounds amazing!
maybe make sure you all have some nice comfortable sturdy walking shoes?

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Mary G
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 7:47am \| IP Logged

Kathryn UK wrote:

almost everywhere in central London is walkable, and you will find so many things you would not necessarily think to visit.

I remember the first time I went over to London -- I was single and fancy free so I walked everywhere. One top I came across a sign that said Cabinet War Rooms and I went in. This museum had JUST opened and wasn't in any guidebooks -- and it was so cool!

So as Lisa mentioned -- bring comfy shoes and have a blast!

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Marjorie
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 7:57am \| IP Logged

Stef, If you have time in Lourdes, try to go up into the mountains. The Pyrenees are magnificent! If possible go to the Cirque de Gavarnie. a I know there is a bus from Lourdes to the village of Luz and a bus from Luz to Barrege/Gavarnie. There may be a direct bus from Lourdes, I have friends in Luz so I have always stopped off there :-)The town of Luz St. Sauveur is nice and has a fortified medieval church and great cheese :-)Here is a site called France for Families which has info on Gavarnie and the region. Have a great trip - you might check out the Rick Steve's books for ideas too.

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Mary G
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 8:16am \| IP Logged

Marjorie wrote:

Stef, If you have time in Lourdes, try to go up into the mountains. The Pyrenees are magnificent!

No kidding! The Basque region is glorious -- we went to see my maternal great-grand father's home, Oloron-Ste Marie, which is famous for being the "home" of the beret (knitted and felted, so I come by my obsessions honestly

) but anywhere in the area is fabulous ....

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MaryG
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marihalojen
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 12:10pm \| IP Logged

Kathryn UK wrote:

You can also do tours on an open topped double decker bus which would allow you to see a lot in a relatively short time.

We always grab one of these tours when we enter a new city, it is a great way to get your bearings and usually I'm ready to sit with a coffee for awhile after hauling bags and rushing through airports and such. Some of the companies run tours in several towns so you might be able to do London and Paris at a discount if you show your ticket stub from one at the other.

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marihalojen
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 12:12pm \| IP Logged

Oh, and have fun! I love London and have always wanted to do Paris...someday, eventually!

Have a great time!

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Mary Chris
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 12:16pm \| IP Logged

Make sure you take lots of pictures for those of us living vicariously through you!

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Maryan
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 12:25pm \| IP Logged

MaryG wrote:

Paris: I'd take them to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal for morning Mass (here's more info about Rue de Bac) and then go see the church where St. Vincent de Paul's incorrupt body is shown -- ask the lovely Sisters of Charity (when you first walk thru the portico to go to the chapel there are Sisters available to assist who speak multilanguages including English) how to get over there -- it's only a couple of blocks. Nearby on Rue de Bac is a gorgeous park where you can eat lunch (there's a fancy grocer just down the street from Miraculous Medal Chapel where you can buy bread, cheese, wine, etc for a truly Parisienne repast ).

Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur are also great visits but you'd need to hop in taxis as they're not super convenient.

Walking along the Seine and seeing the sites is also marvelous!

I second this! And be sure to have crepes and chocolate croissants!! I had some near Sacre Coeur that were the best!!

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Tina P.
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 12:37pm \| IP Logged

I didn't see Tower of London or St. Paul's Cathedral in England mentioned yet. Do see those if you can. St. Paul's was under construction and so not as impressive as it should have been when we were there, but that was a few years ago.

Have tons of fun, Stef!

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stefoodie
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 2:27pm \| IP Logged

Thank you, all! This is wonderful, and helps tremendously! I'm purposely avoiding travel catalogs and guidebooks because when I've done that in the past I always get just a bit depressed about all the things we're NOT going to see. So I was counting on everyone to help me narrow down things. As usual, you gals delivered!

The suggestions are just perfect, esp. the churches, etc!

And yes, I'm already 'net-window-shopping for good walking shoes. Hopefully something not too $$$$

.

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stef

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Mary G
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 2:57pm \| IP Logged

stefoodie wrote:

And yes, I'm already 'net-window-shopping for good walking shoes. Hopefully something not too $$$$

Check out Doc Martins -- they fit right away and are great in any kind of weather!

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MaryG
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doris
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 4:01pm \| IP Logged

How exciting!

I would second the suggestion of walking, both in London and Paris, and/or a bus tour, and/or a boat trip (called 'Bateau Mouche' in Paris).

There's lots you could see quite close together in London -- the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace. You might also want to see the changing of the guard (although I've never seen it and I live here...). Covent Garden is quite nice as is the London Eye. There are some fabulous museums and galleries (Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum -- all very close together; British Museum; National Gallery) but I suppose that might all be too much.

In Paris -- the Sacre Coeur and Montmartre; Notre Dame; the Eiffel Tower (long queues to go up though -- not necessarily worth the bother); the Opera.

Giverny is absolutely lovely but when I went (18 years ago!) it was choc-a-block with other tourists -- so you could hardly see the bridge, the waterlilies etc! It's also an hour or two from Paris so you'd want to weigh that up.

Have fun planning!

PM me if I can help with any of the London leg.

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MarilynW
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Posted: Jan 30 2008 at 4:59pm \| IP Logged

Paris - I would do Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, Versailles if you have time. Just wander and sit at side walk cafes!

Lourdes - beautiful little mountain villages in the Pyrenees all around the Bearn region. Check out the scenery when you land at Lourdes airport.

London - I second what Elizabeth said. Or you could just head out to Windsor and do the castle.

Sounds wonderful!!

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