Quote:
Originally posted by Jack Manfred
A few thoughts...
1) Don't go to Paris in August. For starters, it's uncomfortably hot. Plus, most of the French take vacations in August, so many attractions, restaurants, and cafes are simply closed in August.
2) The Rick Steves' guidebooks are fine, but Rick's not the hippest man on the planet. I read the Let's Go guidebook before planning a rather epic Bar Trip. If you've not traveled with your SO before, reading these can alert you to problems beforehand. Make a list of 10 things you want to do in each city. (If you list 10 museums and he lists 10 pubs, there might be a problem.)
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I had always heard not to go to Paris in the summer, but I went in late July/early August (it was a birthday present) and I loved that the city was relatively empty of tourists and Parisians. We never had a problem finding restaurants and the people were lovely.
Buy as many guidebooks as possible and read them before you go. I had Let's Go, Time Out London guidebook and weekly, Lonely Planet, the mini rough guide, some heavily illustrated book and Rick Steves (who is most useful for his ability to get through lines and traffic quickly).
We shop heavily, but the shopping in Paris for women's clothes is rough. My mother and I each wear an American 2 or 4 and we were too gigantic to wear most Parisian fashion. The men's clothes are cut narrow as well. Prices in Paris were remarkably good on jewelry, clothes, and accessories. Prices in London were remarkably high.
In London, the Tate Modern is a must, as are the Tower of London, the British Museum (truly offensive), and a doubledecker bus tour.
