Paris and tourist stuff...

[2rollingstoned]

Wake and Bake! Good Morning Tried a lovely bud of L A Woman this morning - delicious buzz

I have tourist type questions so I hope I am posting this in the right spot...

As ya'll know I'm going to be in the Dam next month for my birthday... I would like to go to France for a day while I am there and as I understand I can ride a high speed train for 4 hours to Paris is this correct?

Is Amsterdam indeed only 4 hours from Paris and is this the best way to travel there? We will only be able to spend the day there and then take the train back later on in the evening to Amsterdam.

I'm a typical female and I've been dreaming of Paris all my life. I am an amateur photographer as well as a big fan of music and art. I would mostly just be taking pics of the local landmarks for the day. Any advice etc for this trip and I don't speak French btw.

I also understand that Belgium and Germany are short train rides as well as the beach/ocean? An hour away from Amsterdam?

I am a huge music fan - especially the blues. Are there Blues clubs in Amsterdam? Any recommendations for good music venues but most especially BLUES Clubs!

I appreciate any and all advice - thank you

[Balou]

This is the wrong section, should have been in off-topic under other. The high speed train, Thalys, takes a little over 3 hours to Paris Noord. From there you can catch the underground into the city. With you waiting until the late to book, return fare will be at least 100 euro. Visit http://www.thalys.com to book your ticket and check fares. Select your departure country as France and choose paper ticket at checkout. They will email you a printable ticket after the payment is processed.

The train is the best way to go since KLM/Air France are the only airline that flies the route. Once you factor in arriving at the airport early and security, it will be quicker as well.

The train leaves Amsterdam Centraal starting at 6:16 and every hour there after. The last train from Paris leaves at 19:25 and every hour before that.

I've been to Paris a few times, didn't really enjoy it. I will say to learn a few basic phrases in French. IME finding people who would speak to you in English are far and few between. You could visit the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, and Notre Dame. Montmartre and the Latin Quarter were my favorite neighborhoods when I did visit. Sadly you won't be there at night when the city looks its best.

Yes Germany and Belgium are both shirt train rides away. See http://www.nshispeed.nl/en/back-to-home for fare and schedule info.

For Blues in Amsterdam, Blues Cafe Maloe Melo and Bourbon Street Blues Club are worth a visit.

Peace

Edit: You can also have a gander at the Paris Tripadvisor forum http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g1 ... rance.html I just saw your dates, FYI there is a huge convention in Amsterdam that starts in the 8th.

Edit 2: Traveling on September 6th or 7th has the cheapest fares at 180 euro all in for two. Leaving on the first train at 6:16 arriving at 9:43. And departing at 19:25 arriving at 22:43. If you pick any other days the fare jumps up to 260 euro all in.

[darkglobe]

If you go to Paris,then definitely go to Notre Dame Cathedral,the stained glass windows are out of this world,literally...made with Alchemy...



and theres a Blues club/bar off Liedseplein Sq but too stoned to remember whatsit called

[2rollingstoned]

I cannot thank you enough this is just wonderful and I appreciate you so very much. Thank you for helping me with all the links and info. Fantastic people you are!!

[Dave near London]

You wont have much time in a day and lots to see - however , get the 24 bus from Gare du Nord bus station which takes you right down to the Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower - reason for recomending is that the ride takes you right through the centre past the Opera etc - so you get to bag (visually) many of the sights. Walk along the Seine to the Isle de la Cite. More interesting than the Metro. (though you have to do the latter for the experience)

[Marco]

If you go to Paris, please spend one night. Its a great, great city! Don't worry, plenty of people will speak English to you.

[ZBeebs]

My wife and I spent about 8 hours in Paris while on a cruise...it's the only time we've been there and we'd love to go again...We were able to see the Eiffel Tower, the Arc De Triomphe, we saw the Louvre (but didn't have time to go in), my wife had time to go shopping, we had crepes, sampled some pastries and crossaints...bought some art on the street... walked down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and had one of the best meals I've ever had at a little cafe somewhere...I doubt I could ever find it again...my wife had fondue...I had coq au vin...

Plenty of people spoke English to us...just be nice to people and they'll be nice to you...even by day, it's a beautiful, romantic city and shouldn't be missed.

[Panog]

I live near Paris (20kms) and I'm in this city nearly everyday, so I have just a few advices :
-be fucking careful, a lot of pickpockets (stay away form the little gypsies)
-parisians people are mostly dickheads, but if you're lucky they won't be in a bad mood and they'll try to help you, but don't expect being welcome with a smile everywhere

[Willjay]

I would not give up a day in Amsterdam to sit in a train for 6+ hours just to tease my self with a city that deserves a few days.

[Panog]

I would not give up a day in Amsterdam to sit in a train for 6+ hours just to tease my self with a city that deserves a few days.

+1

[ZBeebs]

Time to get out of the coffeeshops guys...their is more to vacation than smoking weed...

But seriously, if you live in the USA it's a much bigger deal to make the trip across the ocean, expensive... and then we get killed on the exchange rate... so while you're there it's a good idea to try and see more than just one city...She might not make it to Europe again for many years, if at all...so definitely, spend the day in Paris...While we were exhausted at the end of the day from running around trying to cram in as much in as possible, it was a highlight of our trip. It's not like we can book a cheap flight and spend a weekend in Paris...or Brugge...etc from the USA...I did just have a great weekend in Vermont though, at a quiet secluded Inn, spent a good amount of time sitting at the lake smoking bowls...then into the hot tub...

I forgot to mention, we even used the subway system in Paris...asked someone for help in English and they got us on the right train...

[2rollingstoned]

Willjay I guess its a good thing its not you going on my vacation then

Zbeebs thanks for "getting it". This is my first and at this much of an expense probably my only trip to Europe. I will never be that close again most likely to a city like Paris. I may not be able to see much in one day but I will have photos to enjoy for a lifetime. I definitely do plan to do more than just sit in a shop all day watching people walk by.

I plan on having a nice lunch, snap some photos, spend a little time in the city of romance - not to mention the world capital of fashion.

This trip is for my birthday and its a dream of a life time to go - I plan to enjoy every moment.

I appreciate those who gave helpful advice - thanks.

[Dave near London]

Just watch your pockets on the Metro and especially the RER system - and dont buy anything to eat / drink around the Gare du Nord area - they have extortion down to a vey fine art.

Well worth even a flying trip - beautiful Haussman architecture.

[Willjay]

If I may be so bold as to predict that you will return to Europe, a link to my trip with my friend Roger it was his "only time" going to Europe, 18 months later we were at 420 at 420 on 420
https://www.coffeeshopdirect.com/forum/viewt ... t=Buds+and

[2rollingstoned]

LOL Willjay if only I get to be this blessed again to return you won't hear me complain. The last few years we've been making my birthday week a great vacation. Las Vegas - 2 years ago and a cruise to Mexico last year. This year is my fantasy trip Amsterdam. The day of my bday there are no planned trips anywhere else but walking around the Dam shopping, sampling Amsterdam's finest at the shops and embracing the fact I made it to 47! I am counting the days literally!! But its not just the wonderful green and hash it is also the art and history that draws me there as well. The expense is pretty great so if I only get this one chance and I only have a day to spend in Paris, I'm going to enjoy what I can and the photos I take will be memories I can look back on when I can no longer travel.

23 days I leave for paradise!

PS: Willjay I loved your trip report!! Very well written and super informative for those of us Newbs who've not visited yet. Where is that amazing bridge in your photo on the last page near the bottom? I love the perspective shot of that and would love to take a pic of it as well! (Photography nut here)