London & Paris recommendations?

[FLPanhandle]

For my daughter's 16th birthday, I offered to take her and one of her friends to London & Paris for a 8 days (4 days in each city).

So, tomorrow I fly out with a couple of 16 year old girls to see the sights. I have all the standard tourist locations, but, for those of you who know the cities, are there any restaurants, sights, stores, etc. that you'd recommend? Maybe a good bar for ol' dad to sneak off to?

Thanks!

[Aristus]

1. You'll laugh at the name, but...

The Queen's Head and Artichoke Pub in Great Portland Street. It's in Camden Town.

Last time I was there was 1993. But give it a whirl. You never know; it might still be there.

[FLPanhandle]

2. Is this the place?

www.theartichoke.net

[Aristus]

3. Looks like it.

Although when I was there, it wasn't so up-scale. It catered to Irish working-class types.

And they had a really cute female Irish bartender. I don't imagine she's still there...

[bif]

17. Ye Ole Cheshire Cheese-pub

In the heart of London. Ben Franklin used to hang out there. It's incredible. About 400 years old with more character than you can imagine. I'd also highly recommend the tour boat ride from the Thames Embankment up to Greenwich. One of the best things to do in London.

[marmar]

4. Are you fans of Moroccan food? If so, try 404 in Paris......

And be sure to stop at the crepe stand at the NE corner of Boulevard Montmartre and Rue du Faubourg Montmartre (right near the Grands Boulevard metro stop) - they're delicious.

The sights will take care of themselves. Teenage girls might enjoy the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Tate Modern in London. And they'll probably dig Camden Market in London.

[FLPanhandle]

5. Love Moroccan food!

That's definitely going on the list. Thanks!

[RebelOne]

6. You definitely do not want to miss going

to the Eiffel Tower. If you are able to get to the top, it's an awesome view of Paris. Sometimes if it is too foggy you cannot go to the very top.

[FLPanhandle]

8. Oh yes.

My daughters birthday dinner we have already booked reservations for the restaurant in the tower.

[pink-o]

27. You also get an amazing view from Sacre Coeur and the top of Notre Dame

Here's some proof:


Gargoyle--kinda stone faced when I asked him about Quasimodo...




Right down from Sacre Coeur, go to the parking lot on the second-to-last-tier

[Bunny]

7. Yes.

[JCMach1]

9. Skip London...

:)

Be sure to do the British Museum and the City of London Museum. Have some British desserts (skip the mains) and diet the rest of your time there.

Make up for it in Paris. Eat early and often. Climb Mont Marte with your own two feet, walk along the Seine. Skip the lines at the Eiffel, but walk by and take pics at dawn.

The Louvre... the Orsay... a bit of shopping. What else do you need?

[FLPanhandle]

11. I like the way you think (diet in London; binge in Paris)

:)

[ohiosmith]

10. Harrods is a must in London. Try to get to the Ramsgate and/or Mayflower pub. Their history is

amazing. Montmartre district in Paris is very cool. Get Some crepes from a street vendor. Have fun.

[FLPanhandle]

12. The Ramsgate pub looks interesting

http://www.pubs.com/main_site/pub_details.php?pub_id=235

"Men pressed ganged into serving on ships and convicts destined for transportation to the Colonies, were held in cellars at the pub. Execution Dock was situated nearby, the condemned were hanged then chained to posts in the river, the tide rising over them three times before their bodies were removed. The pub's seating area overlooking the river, has a mock gallows as a reminder."

Sounds like a perfect place for me to sit while the girls shop.

[ohiosmith]

13. A buddy took me their. The original owner was Judge Jeffers (the hanging judge).

He held court in the pub. Pirates weren't as lucky as those sentenced to hang. They were chained to the sea wall where crabs ate them alive.

[RebelOne]

24. Harrod's is a wonderland. n/t

[Darth_Kitten]

58. Purses!!!

So many...ah.... :evilgrin:

[MorningGlow]

14. Cream tea in Harrod's

:9

And, for 16-year-olds, shopping! Oxford St., Piccadilly, you name it. One visit to Topshop = hours of fun for a teen. Although it's all kitschy tourist trap shops now, Carnaby Street is cool for the nostalgia factor. St. James' Church market is nice; also take a ride to Camden (tube, canal boat, any way you can) for the huge flea market.

Definitely do all the tourist sites--they really are worth it--like Westminster Abbey, the London Dungeon, a walk by the Thames, museums (British Museum, Victoria & Albert, etc. etc. etc.)--and check out the walking tours in the city--very interesting and plentiful.

Eats--pubs pubs pubs. And that's all I have to say about that. :D

[FLPanhandle]

15. Topshop sounds like someplace to drop them off

While I relax. :)

[Darth_Kitten]

19. I'd pass on the Dungeon....

and go to the Tea Museum on the Southbank. It's like a mini museum of tea but you can sit down and have a cuppa. ;)

:)

[MorningGlow]

22. Tea...or torture

Tough call. :rofl:

[Darth_Kitten]

23. Good tea and bad torture....

The London Dungeon is supposedly pretty hammy. ;)

[elleng]

16. You may have this, but Bateaux Mouches provides perspective and relaxation.

http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/en

A real OOH AAH experience, seeing the twinkling lights on the Eiffel Tower, great to see from the river.

Bon Voyage!

[FLPanhandle]

33. Already booked!

I only wonder if I can have a glass of wine while cruising.

[elleng]

39. Certainement! C'est Paris, n'est-ce pas?!

I was negligent to not suggest city bus tours, as intro; we did it in London, and they give good perspective (as well as avoiding otherwise impossible walks.) Large cities FULL of things to see, will show the girls what they may want to return to see.

[Darth_Kitten]

18. London....

Musts:

Westminster Abbey
Victoria and Albert Museum
National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery
Tower of London
British Museum
Buckingham Palace (wall down The Mall) - (if you can, Hampton Court Palace) - also it's quick to get to Windsor Castle by train. :)
London Eye?
Yes, shopping, people watching along Oxford Street.

For fast, hectic shopping, go to Harrod's.
I like Fortnum & Mason's, it's like an old fashioned department store. :)

SO much else I can recommend. I just love London. :)

Edit: St.Paul's Cathedral, Go on a Jack the Ripper/Ghost tour. London Museum.
Pick me up some chocolate (please) at Artisan du Chocolat (when I was there it was a store on Lower Sloane Street(?), now I think they are at Selfridges as well.
Check out a West End show as well. :)

[FLPanhandle]

34. Artisan du Chocolat sounds like a great spot

The girls will love it.

[Darth_Kitten]

56. Everything I listed IS a great spot.

:)

[txwhitedove]

20. Ahh, Paris. Definitely the Louvre, Luxembourg Gardens are beautiful, Shakespeare & Co. bookstore,

the Metro anywhere because there are often musicians down there, and late afternoon/sundown at Notre Dame there were musicians, artisans, skaters doing tricks, gypsies who cut a silhoutte of my daughter while toying with me about how smart George Bush was - when I gag/giggled they said, Ahh a smart woman. Then an endless dinner and wine at a sidewalk cafe under the glow of the cathedral by the Siene, magnifique... Do be aware of gypsies. They seemed to be nowhere one day, then everwhere the next. I found them fascinating, not threatening, but watch your wallet/purse due to pickpockets.

[FLPanhandle]

35. The bookstore is something I can do while the girls shop.

Never thought about the gypsies, thanks for the heads up.

[DFW]

21. In Paris

Definitely don't miss the Lafayette Gourmet (1st floor European, one up from ground floor, and you have to get the right building). Great sorbets and ice cream on the ground floor, but wait till you see what's up on the first floor!!!

If you like Teppan Yaki, there's the Devant Vous on the Rue Richelieu, corner Rue Feydeau, Métro stop "Bourse."
A rich French guy loved the Teppan Yaki place in the Hôtel Méridien, and when it closed, and the chef was going
back to Japan, he got the guy to stay, train some new guys and open his own place. A little pricey (what in Paris
isn't?), but the best I've had anywhere (including Japan). Lunch is WAY cheaper than dinner, and you get pretty much
the same portions. Their salad dressing (sesame/soy/ginger is house-made, and they won't tell me the recipe) is to die for.

Despite the invasion of gypsy and Pakistani vendors and hawkers (IGNORE THEM, no matter what!!), Montmartre is still
worth the climb (or taxi ride). There are galleries and small museums all over. Be prepared, though, the gypsies and
Pakis are REALLY annoying there. Also beware the sneak thieves in the Métro and in the Quartier Latin. Tourist season
is feeding frenzy for them.

Still Paris remains a magnificent city, and just waking along the Seine and seeing the outdoor markets and artists
is a rare urban joy. I'm there two or three times a month for work, and never have time to see and enjoy everything.

[FLPanhandle]

36. Lafayette Gourmet sounds good.

I looked it up online and my daughter said "we are so going there".

[DFW]

53. LOL!!

She's right!

I'm there once a month, and I just get lost in there.

[elleng]

25. For a good meal/snack in Paris,

Croque Monsieur (or Madame), French-style BLT, often served w salade. 'Madame' includes sunny-side up egg.

Decent price, usually.

[FLPanhandle]

37. Any place you know that makes a good one?

[elleng]

42. Many! My favorite was in Montmartre, off the square near metro,

but I mentioned it to you as option any/everywhere. Bon Apetit!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

26. Lingerie shopping in Paris

Do something unorthodox but that teenage girls will ADORE! Most beautiful lingerie in the world

The one I went to:
http://www.valege.com/

Near Luxembourg Gardens, Sorbonne


Absolutely FABULOUS food?

Le Petit Zinc in St Germain
http://www.petit-zinc.com/
oysters, filet mignon, and champagne (drinking age in Paris?)

[FLPanhandle]

38. I just looked up the drinking age is 16

I'll have to introduce my daughter to the joy of French wines.

[GoneOffShore]

48. And it's rosé that's very trendy right now - Provence wines are excellent

[petronius]

28. It's easy to overdo museums, but in Paris the Musee National du Moyen Age is

fantastic - the unicorn tapestry alone is worth the trip...

[FLPanhandle]

40. Online gallery looks fun

As a history buff, I may have to twist their arms away from shopping.

[pink-o]

29. Okay, Full Disclosure: I lived in London for 5 years in the 70s and I much prefer Paris and Rome!

Already posted re Paris, but about all of Western Europe: We can't prepare you enough for the Sticker Shock. The price of everything is so outrageous, you're gonna be knocked over. So for some money-saving tactics, I would suggest you don't have dinner anywhere too touristy--have a drink (non-alcoholic or otherwise) and eat lunch and dinner in hole-in-the-wall places. We go to the grocery store, buy stuff to make our own lunches, then sit on the Seine and people-watch while we eat. It's far more fun--and cheaper!--than dealing with snobby French wait staff. I love sitting out on the Champs Elysees in a sidewalk cafe, nursing one glass of wine after I've filled up on my own food.

As for London, OMG! When I lived there it was really cheap, but that was BT (Before Thatcher) and those days are long gone! I was just in Tokyo last November, and honestly, it was cheaper than the UK! But some money-saving ideas for there: first of all, English food sucks, regardless of what Jamie Oliver might say about how much it's changed. It hasn't. It's terrible. And there's a luxury tax on alcohol that makes it a lot more expensive than it is on the Continent. So don't waste your money in a place like Simpson's: we lived off Indian Food and Italian food, which is awesome in London. And we might have one drink in the Pub, but we mostly bought wine in the Off-License store, and mostly from places like Hungary and Croatia where it's just as good!

And one other thing: Do take the "Round London Sightseeing Tour". It's the most touristy thing I recommend to Newbies, because you can sightsee at your leisure and it gets you off your feet for a few hours. (Expect to do a LOT of walking!) Also, in both cities, you can buy a 3 day transport pass, good for the Tube/Metro, local trains and buses. Otherwise, those fees will add up!

And for the sights in Paris, you can NOT live without this:

http://en.parismuseumpass.com/

You can bypass the long lines at the Louvre, the D'Orsay (my favourite) and all the rest.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

[pink-o]

30. Oh, I forgot one thing you have to do!

I know Paris is a sensory overload, and there's so much to see, but DO get on a train at Gare Du Nord (using the transpo pass I recommended, the ride will be free) and go to Giverney and Claude Monet's gardens. It's only 6 Euro to get in, and the gardens are just beautiful, as well as the fact that the Japanese bridge he painted is still there and looks exactly the same! It's a nice journey out of the city, and a relief from the expenses, and you'll get to see some of the French Countryside. (next trip, you can do Nice and Cannes...LOVE it!)

[JCMach1]

31. Exactly, I was an Anglophile and dying to see London until

I actually did.

Honestly, the coolest thing I say was Charles Dicken's chair...


Paris, Geneva, Bern, Prague, Luxembourg City... All are more fun than London.

[pink-o]

41. It's sad when a place you've wanted to go to all your life disappoints...

I was 18 when I moved there in 73, but as I said, things were different. There was no internet to bring the world to one's doorstep, so my friend and I got the cultural experiences of a lifetime in just 5 years! No one on the Continent spoke English back then, and my only other language is not-so-fluent Espanol, so aside from Spain I didn't initially travel much. But once I saw Italy, I forsook London in a heartbeat.

I'll never get enough of Europe; I travel there as much as possible. I just got back from Budapest and Istanbul, and I recommend them to anyone! Budapest is very cheap and still a world-class city, and Istanbul is exactly the cultural cross-roads you think it is. Also, Dubrovnik in Croatia is fabulous, like being in Italy without the expense. (Although, in my heart of hearts, all roads lead to Rome. I love it there more than any place on earth so far! All the things people hate about cities--the noise, the crowds, the population all competing for space--are like honey to me; I live for the Urban experience. And if that city has layers and layers of organic history, neighbourhoods with different cultural and epicurean delights, then I'm there!)

[Darth_Kitten]

59. I love London....

I think it's a fantastic city. I would love to live in a city with some many museums, galleries, new things happening all the time. :)

[FLPanhandle]

43. I'm prepared for the prices

And I have to thank the republicans for tanking the value of the dollar in the last week too.

Oh well, she only turns 16 once.

I just bought the museum pass online and it's being overnighted to our hotel in Paris. Thanks for the tip.

[pink-o]

51. Awesome! The Carte is so much better than waiting in those long lines.

As for London, last time it was cheap was 1984. It was pound for dollar for a small window of time before Reaganomics crashed and burned. It was soooo much fun being there and hearing how him and Thatcher saved our socialist souls.:puke: :puke: :puke:

But I do admit that maybe one of the reasons I'm put off London is because I have expectations that I'm not gonna get hosed since I'm not a real tourist. I wish I did have all the hot tips, but it's as expensive for me as it is for everyone.

I'm gonna concentrate my travel in Asia, South America and Oceana for awhile!

[Kali]

32. never been to either, but

wanna adopt me?

nice gift!

[FLPanhandle]

44. LOL

I hope I earn some Dad points for this. :)

[elleng]

45. They'll ALWAYS remember this trip.

Cameras, please.

[stuntcat]

46. the catacombs in Paris, and the Forum des Halles

I'm glad I went there, the catacombs, so many neat photo ops. That was pre-digital though, I want to go back and take 200 pictures.

All you have to do in Paris is walk around, beauty everywhere.. It's been 12 years now since I went but I've gone three times.

I know!! Tell them to visit the Mall (*not just a shopping mall) at Forum des Halles!!! That's somewhere I will definitely go back to whenever I go!

[GoneOffShore]

47. A place to shop, a place to eat and something to see.

For shopping for the girls and possibly you - go to Desuigal at 9, boulevard des Capucines Paris 75002 - Go to the 2nd floor first - 30% off very cool Spanish designed clothes. We were there in May - I bought two shirts and a pair of jeans and wish I'd bought more.

For eating and drinking - the terrace of the Brasserie d'Isle St Louis on the Isle St. Louis - cranky Parisian waiters, lots of locals, the oldest espresso machine in Paris and a great view - it's right next to Notre Dame and near the Berthillon ice cream shop.

Go to the Arts Decoratifs and see the Ralph Lauren car collection show - http://www.sportscardigest.com/ralph-lauren-car-collection-exhibited-in-paris/ It's on until the 28th of August. Mrs GoS didn't want to go until she walked in the door and saw the first car - Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe, 1938 – "This is one of only four models ever built, and today only two are left." - She was astounded and loved the cars.

And go the Jardin du Luxembourg - sit by the fountain in the center - watch the Parisians.

Oh and do wear real shoes or Converse high tops.

[pokerfan]

49. Two of my favorite cities

I will say from experience that they each have outstanding subway systems so transportation will be a breeze. I have no idea what 16 year old girls would want to see so I'll just list my favorite things.

London:

Take one of the double decker bus tours. Sure, it's cliche but it will definitely give you a feel for where things are.

The museums and the Royal Observatory at Greenwich (a borough of London). The highlight (for me) was seeing John Harrison's marine chronometers (that solved the longitude problem) on display (and still running) in the National Maritime Museum:


You can also straddle the Prime Meridian while you're there and have a foot in each hemisphere:


You will also find the Cutty Sark (one of the last of the original clipper ships) at Greenwich. It caught fire a couple of years ago (arson suspected) and I have no idea on the progress of restoration.

In London proper, the girls might want to see Westminster Abbey, the location of the recent royal wedding. I find it a marvelous example of gothic architecture.



You can also tour the HMS Belfast, a WWII light cruiser that has been converted into a museum ship. It's really opened up and you can tour pretty mcuh the entire ship head to toe.


Paris:

The Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées. (Q:Why did they line the Champs-Élysées with trees? A: So the Germans could march in shade. :))

The Louvre. (duh) Particularly the Egyptian collection.

[elleng]

50. Paris, IMPORTANT!

Even if they're interested in museums, Louvre is MUCH too large and crowded really to enjoy on a short trip (unless they just want to say they've been there.) I HIGHLY recommend L'Orangerie instead, VERY civilized, great collection (including Monet Water Lilies.) D'Orsay is good too.

http://www.musee-orangerie.fr/

If they like sculpture, Rodin:

http://www.musee-rodin.fr/

[kwassa]

52. I loved them both, for different reasons.

Both are such old cities that most of the historic and interesting sites are within walking distance of each other. They had a much smaller footprint back then.

In London, the food to go for is from the immigrants. I had the best, biggest, and cheapest Chinese food I ever had, Middle Eastern and Indian food are also excellent. The English have no cuisine.

In Paris the little local cafes are fun. I would like to live there for a year. We checked into our hotel in late morning, left around noon, and walked, looked, and ate for the next 12 hours. It was wonderful.

[Nailzberg]

54. Zebra crossing in front of Abbey Road was a must for me.

Absolute must. But that's me. If you do go, don't forget the camera and take your own crossing photo. Drivers in that area expect they'll be stopped by tourists crossing the road. Some people bring markers to sign the wall outside or share their favorite Beatles lyric. Don't quote me on the legalities of that, but its quite common. ;)

As for the more obvious things, I like the Tower of London tour. Touristy, but fun. (Down the road from there is one of my favorite bars, Bodeans, its a BBQ restaurant and they show NFL games on Sunday, with a pretty decent menu and selection of American craft brews. Not that I recommend it since you're there such a short time, its more of a comfort place for me when I needed some Americana, I just always think of it when I mention the tower.)

The museums are great. I enjoy a lot of the art museums, Tate Modern, Nation Gallery, etc. But there are lots of museums for other interests.

Westminster Abbey is pretty awesome. And of course you can't go all that way and not stop at the palace.

Camden is cool for street shopping and food. Its not a posh shopping district, its more alternative.


And a great resource for finding shows, festivals, special events and other things to do is the Time Out website. It saved me from doing the same old same old many times. www.timeout.com/london

I highly recommend public transit and/or walking. Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, a lot of sights are all within walking distance of each other, provided you have no difficulties walking. The transit system goes everywhere. Bus drivers can be rude, but its still a good system and cheaper than the cabs.

Look right at crossings, mind the gap between the train and platform, and have fun.

[applegrove]

55. Pere LaChaise cemetery in Paris. filled with famous people including Jim Morrison's grave.

[Darth_Kitten]

57. I intend to go to Paris next year....

and want to visit Pere LaChaise.