I agree with the themed London Walks and Paris Walks recommendations.
I learned to like walking tours as a 7th grader, and I've retained an appreciation for them. In the West End, a couple of years ago, we saw Les Mis and the full length 2 part Harry Potter play that has been abridged for the US run. If Six is playing, that would be a good fit based on subject matter. The Harry Potter studio in Leavesden decorates for Christmas. Book tickets far ahead. My kids liked Stonehenge much more than I expected. This can be done as a day tour. Sometimes combined with Bath. We liked the tourist trap Sally Lunn's restaurant in Bath, and there is a fashion museum there. https://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/ In Paris, I took my kids to a bakery tour in the Marais where they got to observe baking and try to make baguettes, round loaves, croissant creation, and almond cookie balls. We booked this on Get Your Guide. I agree with shopping at Galeries Lafayette. It is a pretty building, it has a gift shop and an eating area on the top floor, and it offers a lot of famous brands. As Detroiters, we were amused to see Carhartt presented and sold like high-fashion urban wear in the same store that sells the $500 per dress brands that Suri Cruise and Princess Charlotte wear. I was interested in history and architecture as a child but I was not always a grateful tourist. I think it's still good to travel early because it builds life skills and kids often are more interested once they become adults. I would recommend using movies you watch together to get your daughter interested in specific locations. |
But try to take your kids to some well done, interactive museums in the U.S. then. Make sure they have read a book or have some background. Otherwise they will grow up to be the same type of adult. |
Can people please recommend hotels they like in both London and Paris?
-OP |
I think the trip would be good for experiencing a different culture. So for that reason, I might not go to England, but might do Paris and another city. If you can afford an open-jaw ticket, that might make life a little easier. |
I have 2 siblings and we all grew up in the same house, went to the same schools, had the same opportunities. We are wildly different people and have been since we were kids. One of my siblings was like OPs kid, and still is like that. I was the reader of the family, always interested in learning and seeing new things. Still am. My kids are also wildly different and have been since pretty much birth. You are fooling yourself if you think you can manufacture a kid who will be interested in things because you are. |
Most finish just before Christmas. What about London - they’ll still have all the Christmas decorations up, and she can go shopping and get her fill of instagram and Tik tok popular things. Then maybe head to Paris or Amsterdam? No where in Europe will be warm that time of year |
Remember to get an ETA visa waiver before you go to the UK. |
OP and her daughter sound like a waste of space. Seriously. |
Recently went to Lisbon and took a great cooking class, visited museum of design (lots of fashion), ate, and shopped. Really easy to get around the city walking or on public transportation and the weather will be better than in England. Less expensive too. |
Is your daughter in true crime? Mine is and really enjoyed a Jack the Ripper walking tour we did last summer. I was surprised that it was so good (expected it to be that tacky). They take place in the East London and you can go to Spitalfields Market before or after. |
A PP. I chose AirBnBs because I was traveling with 4-5 people. In Paris, I looked for the registration license number which is required to be legal. And lots of reviews. We liked living in residential areas because we like shopping for groceries to see how local people live and what they like to eat. It's fun to try new packaged foods. And easier to keep eating healthy sides like fresh fruit and vegetables which we do eat in Europe. I think it might be easier, OP, if you posted hotels you like, and asked people to troubleshoot. Any stop on the subway system would work. You have a lot of flexibility with only 2 people. There's a modern hotel near the Tower of London that looked a bit expensive but fun. I'm sure it will come up in searches. Kensington is a neighborhood that might work. Also there's a big Western chain hotel right near Camden Locks that looked like it would have nice views. I like hotels with architectural charm or views. I also considered, based on price, some chain hotels around Southwark. There was a multi-stand covered market nearby where you could buy breakfast and lunch foods. That is also close to the New Globe Theater. I forgot to mention the Globe Theater in my earlier post. If your kid is a true theater kid, she might enjoy attending a performance or just going to the theater tour. My older kid enjoyed the theater tour and later became a summer AV tech for a Shakespeare in a park company. You have to plant the seeds to get them to grow. |
My teens love food tours. Its normally a combo walking tour and food tour so you see some of the sights while stopping for food/drinks. We've done them in Lisbon and London (borough's market). We also took a cooking class in Athens that was really fun. We've also done things like scooter or segway tours which are a bit more fun than a walking tour. |
Re warmth, remember Paris is along the same latitude as Montreal. It will be cold in most of Europe (same as US) in late December. |
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Yes, this sounds like a great trip for someone who isn't into history. Both cities have GORGEOUS parks ... if the weather is nice, you can hang out in the parks. And you really should do the Eiffel Tower. I've traveled a lot, and it's one of the cliched destinations that still just filled me with joy. |