Arriving in London going to Paris and then to Geneva/Lausanne and maybe a little hop to Venice.
I have a very low budget so hence this post.
If anyone knows of great cheap eats in these place let me know and anything spectacular that needs to be seen ( I know everything is spectacular!!)
I ask for advice , ideas, counsel and your 2 cents.
Adebanji that means I can come see your artwork at the gallery on Saturday the 7th how cool is that ! hope to meet you there ?
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You lucky lucky girl...there is a ton of things to do in both places, when I go back im taking my own coffee its 4 bucks a cup in Paris (no refills)...use the site seeing bus in Paris its a good deal.
Oh that's a great idea. Thank you
Happy birthday, Dominique! Have a great vacation...Take tons of pictures!
Thanks Dean I will.
OMG! You must have been a very VERY good gal to have received tickets to Europe for you and your daughter! Can you bring one more suitcase and pack me in there?
I'm sure the library or Borders store has plenty of books on Europe on pennies a day. Or try googling it.
Happy Birthday again my dear friend!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOMINIQUE!!! What a WONDERFUL gift for you and your daughter! I know Adebanji will have a few places in London to take you, but when my wife and I were there a few years ago we found this GREAT restaurant called Pret a Manger where they have very fresh healthy sandwiches and salads already prepared. They offer the food they don't sell by the end of the day to charity. VERY good and very convenient - it is a chain so you'll be able to find one just about anywhere there.
Great News!!! I am working on this and we'll surely get something rolling, I can't wait!
Sheila, Yes it was an unexpected gift. The books at Borders is a great idea thanks for reminding me.. Thanks Sheila Hugs to you and the kids.
Edward,
that sounds absolutely like a great place, I love salads, also to know they help someone at the end of the day instead of throwing it away like most restaurant is really nice to know. Thank you
Adebanji, Thank you so much.
Happy Birthday, enjoy your wonderful gift.
Feliz Cumpleanos!!!! What a fabulous birthday gift. I wish you and Tiffany a great and safe experience. Getting with Adebanji sounds so neat. When I get to Europe, I don't plan on venturing much past the Salisbury plains....I'm so happy for you.
Joan, Thank you I'm sure we will enjoy ourselves.
James , Merci beaucoup. I dont have a laptop so I will probably post after I get back. Keep making us smile. =)
My suggestion for London and Paris is to buy London Travel Card and London Pass one is for getting into museums and many other attractions as well as some castles in and around London and the other is to be able to use public transportation to get to these places. They also give the names of some relatively inexpensive restaurants in London. This is where the hotel staff comes in handy. If there is a Concierge at the hotel or the people at the front desk can help with local inexpensive restaurants.
Paris I recommend they get the Paris Visite Pass and the Paris Museum Pass. There will be the names of restaurants in the Museum Pass that might be reasonable. These passes are like the passes in London. They will be able to use public transportation with the Visite Pass including getting from the airport into Paris and back (that is if they are flying) and the other pass gets them into many museums and attractions in and around Paris. They don't have to wait in lines to get in if they have the passes so that will save time (the same in London). As for inexpensive restaurants in Paris, I would ask the Concierge at their hotel for recommendations (same with London). There will be suggestions for restaurants in Paris in their museum passes as well. But it is always good to ask from someone who does that for a living. They will give up to date information and often will tell from personal experience.
For Geneva and Lausanne, I recommend they go to see the "Old Town" in Geneva. It is supposed to be Europe's best kept secret. Lausanne is supposed to be the "San Francisco of Switzerland". Built on steep hills with beautiful snow capped mountains surrounding it. They are also famous for their "Jazz Festival". I don't know when they are traveling to see if the festival is on when they are going to be there.
For Venice, again, my suggestion is to ask the Concierge at their hotel for restaurant recommendations. Most of the restaurants in the hotels are going to be expensive. I am sure there are little trattoria's all over the city that will be very good food and much less money. Of course they must take a Gondola ride on the canals. They want to see the bridges including the "Bridge of Sighs" and if they have time to take a boat to Murano Island to see the Glass blowers at work and buy a souvenier. The other island I would suggest for them to visit is Burano where they make beautiful lace.
Great Irit, it nice having a travel agent in the group. Thanks
Hi Dominique,
What a wonderful time you'll have!
I have not been to France (yet), but here's what I learned in Italy about food/coffee/cafes:
To save money, don't sit down! Stand up or get take out. If you stand at the counter and drink your morning coffee, or take your lunch to go, it is a fraction of the price as opposed to sitting down. Really-- like half or a third of the price.
If you really want to save money, go picnic style as often as possible; the markets and delis are wonderful, and you can get ingredients for a fresh salad quite reasonably, plus fresh baked bread, cheese, prosciutto and the like, in addition to everyday wine starting at about 3-4 euro a bottle. (My mom and I did this almost every night for 3 weeks and I know it saved us hundreds of dollars). In your luggage you might bring along a little dinner set; plate, bowl, cup, silverware, napkins.
As is true here, the midday meal is more reasonably priced than the evening meal.
Oh, and you can often get travel books at the library (free!), or through Amazon.com.
Thanks R, That is great to know. I will take these items with me .
Happy Birthday, Dominique!
and congratulations on your travel gift! great opportunity!
I'm sad you can't stop in Lisbon too...
have a safe and inspiring journey.
Happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you....happy birthday dear Dominique...happy birthday to you! Sorry I'm late!
Sara, Thank you so much. Lisbon would be great to see again.
Maggie, I don't think it's ever too late to wish someone happy birthday. Thank you so much.
Happy Birthday! (Sorry a little belated.) What a wonderful gift!
The last time I was in Paris or Venice was 17 years ago...so I can't offer cheap eats, but you must have some Italian ice cream while your in Venice!
Have a wonderful time!
Michelle thank you for me it's been 30 years. I will have some "gelati" thinking of you.
Hello Dominique - I've never been, but cannot wait to see and hear about it through your eyes...don't forget your sketchbook! Happy Birthday!
Thank you Angela, and Yes I will take my sketchbook I just hope I will have the time to sit still !
Hi D. - you wrote me about James Parker's bugs (very cool) which took me to his Window on the Worlds (fun idea) blog where I noticed it was your birthday a few days ago- which brought me here! Great round-about "trip" so thanks for that and Happy Birthday to you! Enjoy Europe with your daughter - what a wonderful special time for the 2 of you, and awesome gift too. Can't wait to hear your stories when you get back.
Thank you Nathalie, Hopefully I will have a few.
Happy Birthday!!! (Sorry a bit late) What a great birthday present!!! Have a wonderful trip. Hope you will show us some pictures from your trip.
Hi Dominique, I lived in San Diego for a short time many years ago... sure would be nice to see the beach again. I found a crocus and posted it for you.
Oh R ,thank you so much they are beautiful. Maybe one of these days you'll come here again.
well and just another HAPPY Birthday Missy! You may need to start another blog to capture all the information that you're getting on this whirlwind birthday trip! Pass on your London and England tips to me as we're going to be there April 25 for 4+ days!
Hey Candy, Thank you. I will. Great to hear your going too.
Hi Dominique, as for things to do in Venice, the euro is currently at $1.27, so you can expect to pay between 80-120 euros ($101-$152) dollars for a gondola ride - we splurged and got a great tour. Also, you'll be wanting to take the vaperetto (water bus) which is inexpensive and goes up and down the Grand Canal often. And as for logging we once again splurged a bit and stayed at a 13th century former doge's palace. For food there are many cafes the serve very tasty dishes - I can't really recommend any particular one. I'd also recommend that you watch PBS travel shows like Rick Steves and Rudy Maxa - hopefully there will be episodes on the places you'll be going. You'll have a WONDERFUL time!
Just a couple more things about Venice - if you want a wonderful souvenir, get a Venitian mask and I highly recommend getting it at Ca'Macana (www.camacana.com) they have gorgeous masks and the creator of them is always there - he was sculpting when we were there. And for evening entertainment I'd also highly recommend a Vivaldi concert - they are either in period costume for show or non-costumed - we saw a wonderful Vivaldi Four Seasons concert by non-costumed performers in a 300 year old church.
Thanks Edward Really appreciate the info.
I hope you have a wonderful trip. Are you going to do any plein air painting while you are there? You'll have to post pictures when you return.
Blessings! :)
Thank you Maggie
Sorry I push the button too soon. I hope to sketch but no painting, and yes I will post pics on my return.
Happy Birthday! And thank you for the comment about the two tee shirt designs I posted :) Praise and Glory ;)
I love your blog and appreciate your nice comments! Have a wonderful time in europe!!!
V..........Vaughan. Thanks for stopping by here , your welcome Praise and Glory are great.
Happy birthday!!! I look forward to seeing some of your photos when you return from your trip!
Thanks so much for your kind words on my blog! I have loved meeting all of you through the Different Storkes Blog!
Take Care and Have Fun!!!
Thanks Amanda I will post photos on my return.
Hopefully I can finish the challenge too before I leave.
Dominique, Happy Birthday! Thanks so much for your comments on my blogs and for being a follower.
You have received some great advice in all these comments. A few people mentioned going to markets, and don't miss visiting London's Marks and Spencer's grocery dept. (it used to be downstairs, but this was in 1996 when I visited my sister in London).
Each day before I would go on my day's excursion to a museum or whatever, I would go get delicious sandwiches, fresh fruit and amazing custards, and lunch was super cheap and yummy!
I can't say enough about France and how I loved it,
but don't miss the Eiffel tower at 10PM when it's lights flicker, and try for a boat or dinner barge trip that passes by at the precise moment it happens.
Unforgettable! Bon voyage!
Mona , I will remember this and take the advice it sounds marvelous.
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