Need help planning our upcoming London/Paris trip

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you try using Kid and Coe, which is like an a Air Bnb, but for families? They have nice properties and they vet everyone.

I ended up booking a suite and another room. We are bonvoy platinum so should get upgraded. Hopefully the rooms are connecting or at least adjacent.

I wouldn’t count on it. This summer is very crowded in Europe and we have not been getting any upgrades. You’re lucky if they even have a server at dinner, it’s that bad.

This thread is lowering my expectations a lot. My expectations were already lowered when we recently went to Hawaii. Service was so bad. Our room never got cleaned due to staffing problems and we couldn’t even get through to make meal reservations. We adjusted accordingly. We waited in line or ate whatever was available, not necessarily what we wanted.

Do I need to book museum reservations far in advance? I know we will want to go to Tate modern, louvre and Pompidou.

Looking for a tour for Stonehenge next. I know it won’t be exciting for the kids but I want to go.

Have you been to Europe before? Because we live here and we have been enjoying the countryside everywhere we go. It’s wonderful. But the moment we hit the big cities in Western Europe especially, things are the pits. This is not the right summer for London and Paris, I hate to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you try using Kid and Coe, which is like an a Air Bnb, but for families? They have nice properties and they vet everyone.

I ended up booking a suite and another room. We are bonvoy platinum so should get upgraded. Hopefully the rooms are connecting or at least adjacent.

I wouldn’t count on it. This summer is very crowded in Europe and we have not been getting any upgrades. You’re lucky if they even have a server at dinner, it’s that bad.

This thread is lowering my expectations a lot. My expectations were already lowered when we recently went to Hawaii. Service was so bad. Our room never got cleaned due to staffing problems and we couldn’t even get through to make meal reservations. We adjusted accordingly. We waited in line or ate whatever was available, not necessarily what we wanted.

Do I need to book museum reservations far in advance? I know we will want to go to Tate modern, louvre and Pompidou.

Looking for a tour for Stonehenge next. I know it won’t be exciting for the kids but I want to go.

It sounds like you’re a terrible planner. We were in Hawaii in Feb and had a wonderful time. I planned meals ahead of time for the most part, and we had excellent service everywhere we went. We are going to Italy in august and I’m planning everything now. Booked hotels and other important things several months ago. Booking museums and tours now. Given the current state of the world you have to adjust your expectations a bit and be prepared to improvise if necessary. Your expectations for having the perfect hotel room in central London or Paris for 5 people in less than a month is unrealistic.

I get not being able to plan trips far out. My husband’s job demands often mean I plan vacation for our family with less than a month, but I also understand that means we pay a premium and often aren’t able to get exactly what we want. When we can plan ahead I do so because I know we will be able to have the experience we really want and won’t have to compromise on things as much. Still, travel (and every experience) is what you make of it, so go in with reasonable expectations and some grace for the people in service industries and tourism that are struggling right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you try using Kid and Coe, which is like an a Air Bnb, but for families? They have nice properties and they vet everyone.

I ended up booking a suite and another room. We are bonvoy platinum so should get upgraded. Hopefully the rooms are connecting or at least adjacent.

I wouldn’t count on it. This summer is very crowded in Europe and we have not been getting any upgrades. You’re lucky if they even have a server at dinner, it’s that bad.

This thread is lowering my expectations a lot. My expectations were already lowered when we recently went to Hawaii. Service was so bad. Our room never got cleaned due to staffing problems and we couldn’t even get through to make meal reservations. We adjusted accordingly. We waited in line or ate whatever was available, not necessarily what we wanted.

Do I need to book museum reservations far in advance? I know we will want to go to Tate modern, louvre and Pompidou.

Looking for a tour for Stonehenge next. I know it won’t be exciting for the kids but I want to go.

It sounds like you’re a terrible planner. We were in Hawaii in Feb and had a wonderful time. I planned meals ahead of time for the most part, and we had excellent service everywhere we went. We are going to Italy in august and I’m planning everything now. Booked hotels and other important things several months ago. Booking museums and tours now. Given the current state of the world you have to adjust your expectations a bit and be prepared to improvise if necessary. Your expectations for having the perfect hotel room in central London or Paris for 5 people in less than a month is unrealistic.

I get not being able to plan trips far out. My husband’s job demands often mean I plan vacation for our family with less than a month, but I also understand that means we pay a premium and often aren’t able to get exactly what we want. When we can plan ahead I do so because I know we will be able to have the experience we really want and won’t have to compromise on things as much. Still, travel (and every experience) is what you make of it, so go in with reasonable expectations and some grace for the people in service industries and tourism that are struggling right now.

Italy in August will be a total $hit$how.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you try using Kid and Coe, which is like an a Air Bnb, but for families? They have nice properties and they vet everyone.

I ended up booking a suite and another room. We are bonvoy platinum so should get upgraded. Hopefully the rooms are connecting or at least adjacent.

I wouldn’t count on it. This summer is very crowded in Europe and we have not been getting any upgrades. You’re lucky if they even have a server at dinner, it’s that bad.

This thread is lowering my expectations a lot. My expectations were already lowered when we recently went to Hawaii. Service was so bad. Our room never got cleaned due to staffing problems and we couldn’t even get through to make meal reservations. We adjusted accordingly. We waited in line or ate whatever was available, not necessarily what we wanted.

Do I need to book museum reservations far in advance? I know we will want to go to Tate modern, louvre and Pompidou.

Looking for a tour for Stonehenge next. I know it won’t be exciting for the kids but I want to go.

It sounds like you’re a terrible planner. We were in Hawaii in Feb and had a wonderful time. I planned meals ahead of time for the most part, and we had excellent service everywhere we went. We are going to Italy in august and I’m planning everything now. Booked hotels and other important things several months ago. Booking museums and tours now. Given the current state of the world you have to adjust your expectations a bit and be prepared to improvise if necessary. Your expectations for having the perfect hotel room in central London or Paris for 5 people in less than a month is unrealistic.

I get not being able to plan trips far out. My husband’s job demands often mean I plan vacation for our family with less than a month, but I also understand that means we pay a premium and often aren’t able to get exactly what we want. When we can plan ahead I do so because I know we will be able to have the experience we really want and won’t have to compromise on things as much. Still, travel (and every experience) is what you make of it, so go in with reasonable expectations and some grace for the people in service industries and tourism that are struggling right now.

Italy in August will be a total $hit$how.

How kind. I don’t expect it will be a $hit$how at all, but again, I’m planning carefully and know that we will enjoy delicious food and beautiful sites regardless!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you try using Kid and Coe, which is like an a Air Bnb, but for families? They have nice properties and they vet everyone.

I ended up booking a suite and another room. We are bonvoy platinum so should get upgraded. Hopefully the rooms are connecting or at least adjacent.

I wouldn’t count on it. This summer is very crowded in Europe and we have not been getting any upgrades. You’re lucky if they even have a server at dinner, it’s that bad.

This thread is lowering my expectations a lot. My expectations were already lowered when we recently went to Hawaii. Service was so bad. Our room never got cleaned due to staffing problems and we couldn’t even get through to make meal reservations. We adjusted accordingly. We waited in line or ate whatever was available, not necessarily what we wanted.

Do I need to book museum reservations far in advance? I know we will want to go to Tate modern, louvre and Pompidou.

Looking for a tour for Stonehenge next. I know it won’t be exciting for the kids but I want to go.

Have you been to Europe before? Because we live here and we have been enjoying the countryside everywhere we go. It’s wonderful. But the moment we hit the big cities in Western Europe especially, things are the pits. This is not the right summer for London and Paris, I hate to say.

Yes, I have been to Europe about 10x only once with kids. We are already committed so not canceling now.

I will adjust my ambitious itinerary.

London:
On off bus for a day
Buckingham Palace
Hamleys Toy Store
Wimbledon
Stonehenge
Eat some fish and chips and Indian tea
Tate modern if we can

Paris:
Eiffel Tower
Louvre
Versailles
Arc de Triomphe
Jardin des Tuileries
Sacre Coeur if we can
Shopping and pastries

Is there anything else we must see or do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you try using Kid and Coe, which is like an a Air Bnb, but for families? They have nice properties and they vet everyone.

I ended up booking a suite and another room. We are bonvoy platinum so should get upgraded. Hopefully the rooms are connecting or at least adjacent.

I wouldn’t count on it. This summer is very crowded in Europe and we have not been getting any upgrades. You’re lucky if they even have a server at dinner, it’s that bad.

This thread is lowering my expectations a lot. My expectations were already lowered when we recently went to Hawaii. Service was so bad. Our room never got cleaned due to staffing problems and we couldn’t even get through to make meal reservations. We adjusted accordingly. We waited in line or ate whatever was available, not necessarily what we wanted.

Do I need to book museum reservations far in advance? I know we will want to go to Tate modern, louvre and Pompidou.

Looking for a tour for Stonehenge next. I know it won’t be exciting for the kids but I want to go.

Have you been to Europe before? Because we live here and we have been enjoying the countryside everywhere we go. It’s wonderful. But the moment we hit the big cities in Western Europe especially, things are the pits. This is not the right summer for London and Paris, I hate to say.

Yes, I have been to Europe about 10x only once with kids. We are already committed so not canceling now.

I will adjust my ambitious itinerary.

London:
On off bus for a day
Buckingham Palace
Hamleys Toy Store
Wimbledon
Stonehenge
Eat some fish and chips and Indian tea
Tate modern if we can

Paris:
Eiffel Tower
Louvre
Versailles
Arc de Triomphe
Jardin des Tuileries
Sacre Coeur if we can
Shopping and pastries

Is there anything else we must see or do?

Indian Tea? I think the recommendations were for Indian mean (I agree Dishoom is great) and “high tea” somewhere like a hotel or Harrods/Fortnum & Mason, etc.
I wouldn’t do Versailles if you only have a few days in Paris.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you try using Kid and Coe, which is like an a Air Bnb, but for families? They have nice properties and they vet everyone.

I ended up booking a suite and another room. We are bonvoy platinum so should get upgraded. Hopefully the rooms are connecting or at least adjacent.

I wouldn’t count on it. This summer is very crowded in Europe and we have not been getting any upgrades. You’re lucky if they even have a server at dinner, it’s that bad.

This thread is lowering my expectations a lot. My expectations were already lowered when we recently went to Hawaii. Service was so bad. Our room never got cleaned due to staffing problems and we couldn’t even get through to make meal reservations. We adjusted accordingly. We waited in line or ate whatever was available, not necessarily what we wanted.

Do I need to book museum reservations far in advance? I know we will want to go to Tate modern, louvre and Pompidou.

Looking for a tour for Stonehenge next. I know it won’t be exciting for the kids but I want to go.

Have you been to Europe before? Because we live here and we have been enjoying the countryside everywhere we go. It’s wonderful. But the moment we hit the big cities in Western Europe especially, things are the pits. This is not the right summer for London and Paris, I hate to say.

Yes, I have been to Europe about 10x only once with kids. We are already committed so not canceling now.

I will adjust my ambitious itinerary.

London:
On off bus for a day
Buckingham Palace
Hamleys Toy Store
Wimbledon
Stonehenge
Eat some fish and chips and Indian tea
Tate modern if we can

Paris:
Eiffel Tower
Louvre
Versailles
Arc de Triomphe
Jardin des Tuileries
Sacre Coeur if we can
Shopping and pastries

Is there anything else we must see or do?

Indian Tea? I think the recommendations were for Indian mean (I agree Dishoom is great) and “high tea” somewhere like a hotel or Harrods/Fortnum & Mason, etc.
I wouldn’t do Versailles if you only have a few days in Paris.

Meal, not mean! Stupid phone autocorrect…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you try using Kid and Coe, which is like an a Air Bnb, but for families? They have nice properties and they vet everyone.

I ended up booking a suite and another room. We are bonvoy platinum so should get upgraded. Hopefully the rooms are connecting or at least adjacent.

I wouldn’t count on it. This summer is very crowded in Europe and we have not been getting any upgrades. You’re lucky if they even have a server at dinner, it’s that bad.

This thread is lowering my expectations a lot. My expectations were already lowered when we recently went to Hawaii. Service was so bad. Our room never got cleaned due to staffing problems and we couldn’t even get through to make meal reservations. We adjusted accordingly. We waited in line or ate whatever was available, not necessarily what we wanted.

Do I need to book museum reservations far in advance? I know we will want to go to Tate modern, louvre and Pompidou.

Looking for a tour for Stonehenge next. I know it won’t be exciting for the kids but I want to go.

It sounds like you’re a terrible planner. We were in Hawaii in Feb and had a wonderful time. I planned meals ahead of time for the most part, and we had excellent service everywhere we went. We are going to Italy in august and I’m planning everything now. Booked hotels and other important things several months ago. Booking museums and tours now. Given the current state of the world you have to adjust your expectations a bit and be prepared to improvise if necessary. Your expectations for having the perfect hotel room in central London or Paris for 5 people in less than a month is unrealistic.

I get not being able to plan trips far out. My husband’s job demands often mean I plan vacation for our family with less than a month, but I also understand that means we pay a premium and often aren’t able to get exactly what we want. When we can plan ahead I do so because I know we will be able to have the experience we really want and won’t have to compromise on things as much. Still, travel (and every experience) is what you make of it, so go in with reasonable expectations and some grace for the people in service industries and tourism that are struggling right now.

I am sure your trip in February must have been lovely. We went during winter break and the hotels were struggling. We weren’t even sure if we were going to go to Hawaii until 2-3 weeks prior. Everything I booked was refundable. This was when tons of flights were being cancelled due to Covid and staff shortages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you try using Kid and Coe, which is like an a Air Bnb, but for families? They have nice properties and they vet everyone.

I ended up booking a suite and another room. We are bonvoy platinum so should get upgraded. Hopefully the rooms are connecting or at least adjacent.

I wouldn’t count on it. This summer is very crowded in Europe and we have not been getting any upgrades. You’re lucky if they even have a server at dinner, it’s that bad.

This thread is lowering my expectations a lot. My expectations were already lowered when we recently went to Hawaii. Service was so bad. Our room never got cleaned due to staffing problems and we couldn’t even get through to make meal reservations. We adjusted accordingly. We waited in line or ate whatever was available, not necessarily what we wanted.

Do I need to book museum reservations far in advance? I know we will want to go to Tate modern, louvre and Pompidou.

Looking for a tour for Stonehenge next. I know it won’t be exciting for the kids but I want to go.

Have you been to Europe before? Because we live here and we have been enjoying the countryside everywhere we go. It’s wonderful. But the moment we hit the big cities in Western Europe especially, things are the pits. This is not the right summer for London and Paris, I hate to say.

Yes, I have been to Europe about 10x only once with kids. We are already committed so not canceling now.

I will adjust my ambitious itinerary.

London:
On off bus for a day
Buckingham Palace
Hamleys Toy Store
Wimbledon
Stonehenge
Eat some fish and chips and Indian tea
Tate modern if we can

Paris:
Eiffel Tower
Louvre
Versailles
Arc de Triomphe
Jardin des Tuileries
Sacre Coeur if we can
Shopping and pastries

Is there anything else we must see or do?

Indian Tea? I think the recommendations were for Indian mean (I agree Dishoom is great) and “high tea” somewhere like a hotel or Harrods/Fortnum & Mason, etc.
I wouldn’t do Versailles if you only have a few days in Paris.

I meant Indian food and afternoon tea.

[Anonymous]

Londoner here! I'd recommend staying somewhere really central - South Bank, Holborn/Bloomsbury/Covent Garden, South Ken, Mayfair, etc. It is a very big pain to get around and there is so much walking. Definitely bring an umbrella stroller with you. The great thing is you can put the entire stroller in a black cab (something as big as the Bugaboo Bee will fit).

The whole city is so kid friendly and the list of recommendations is truly endless. Enjoy, eat a lot of good meals and report back!

[Anonymous]

Londoner again! Definitely don't do Stonehenge or Wimbledon during 5 days in London. That is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Londoner here! I'd recommend staying somewhere really central - South Bank, Holborn/Bloomsbury/Covent Garden, South Ken, Mayfair, etc. It is a very big pain to get around and there is so much walking. Definitely bring an umbrella stroller with you. The great thing is you can put the entire stroller in a black cab (something as big as the Bugaboo Bee will fit).

The whole city is so kid friendly and the list of recommendations is truly endless. Enjoy, eat a lot of good meals and report back!

We are staying at the Shard. I see there is Borough Market close by.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you try using Kid and Coe, which is like an a Air Bnb, but for families? They have nice properties and they vet everyone.

I ended up booking a suite and another room. We are bonvoy platinum so should get upgraded. Hopefully the rooms are connecting or at least adjacent.

I wouldn’t count on it. This summer is very crowded in Europe and we have not been getting any upgrades. You’re lucky if they even have a server at dinner, it’s that bad.

This thread is lowering my expectations a lot. My expectations were already lowered when we recently went to Hawaii. Service was so bad. Our room never got cleaned due to staffing problems and we couldn’t even get through to make meal reservations. We adjusted accordingly. We waited in line or ate whatever was available, not necessarily what we wanted.

Do I need to book museum reservations far in advance? I know we will want to go to Tate modern, louvre and Pompidou.

Looking for a tour for Stonehenge next. I know it won’t be exciting for the kids but I want to go.

Have you been to Europe before? Because we live here and we have been enjoying the countryside everywhere we go. It’s wonderful. But the moment we hit the big cities in Western Europe especially, things are the pits. This is not the right summer for London and Paris, I hate to say.

Yes, I have been to Europe about 10x only once with kids. We are already committed so not canceling now.

I will adjust my ambitious itinerary.

London:
On off bus for a day
Buckingham Palace
Hamleys Toy Store
Wimbledon
Stonehenge
Eat some fish and chips and Indian tea
Tate modern if we can

Paris:
Eiffel Tower
Louvre
Versailles
Arc de Triomphe
Jardin des Tuileries
Sacre Coeur if we can
Shopping and pastries

Is there anything else we must see or do?

Honestly, see how the kids deal with it. They may not want to do a lot of that stuff or be real resistent to. Build in a lot of time per day to just strolling and hitting the food/ice cream places as well as street shows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you try using Kid and Coe, which is like an a Air Bnb, but for families? They have nice properties and they vet everyone.

I ended up booking a suite and another room. We are bonvoy platinum so should get upgraded. Hopefully the rooms are connecting or at least adjacent.

I wouldn’t count on it. This summer is very crowded in Europe and we have not been getting any upgrades. You’re lucky if they even have a server at dinner, it’s that bad.

This thread is lowering my expectations a lot. My expectations were already lowered when we recently went to Hawaii. Service was so bad. Our room never got cleaned due to staffing problems and we couldn’t even get through to make meal reservations. We adjusted accordingly. We waited in line or ate whatever was available, not necessarily what we wanted.

Do I need to book museum reservations far in advance? I know we will want to go to Tate modern, louvre and Pompidou.

Looking for a tour for Stonehenge next. I know it won’t be exciting for the kids but I want to go.

Have you been to Europe before? Because we live here and we have been enjoying the countryside everywhere we go. It’s wonderful. But the moment we hit the big cities in Western Europe especially, things are the pits. This is not the right summer for London and Paris, I hate to say.

Yes, I have been to Europe about 10x only once with kids. We are already committed so not canceling now.

I will adjust my ambitious itinerary.

London:
On off bus for a day
Buckingham Palace
Hamleys Toy Store
Wimbledon
Stonehenge
Eat some fish and chips and Indian tea
Tate modern if we can

Paris:
Eiffel Tower
Louvre
Versailles
Arc de Triomphe
Jardin des Tuileries
Sacre Coeur if we can
Shopping and pastries

Is there anything else we must see or do?

I lived in London for a while…if you are going to Stonehenge it’s going to take up a day. I’d add Salisbury Cathedral and have lunch at a pub in Salisbury itself. It’ll make it less of a drudge trip for your family. I am glad we went to see it myself.

You have to do the Princess Di park, it’s magical and need only be an hour. I would skip Buckingham (you’ll drive by it on your hop on hop off I am sure, that’s enough). Watch changing of the guards at the Horse Guards or go to the Tower of London, which is touristy but really an awesome tour. If you are staying near Borough Market, terrific place to grab breakfast or lunch on the go.

I had a 4 yo and definitely vote yes on the stroller. It’s a lot of walking. Be sure to spend some time at Trafalgar Square on your tour, it’s fun. So are the buskers at Covent Garden. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you try using Kid and Coe, which is like an a Air Bnb, but for families? They have nice properties and they vet everyone.

I ended up booking a suite and another room. We are bonvoy platinum so should get upgraded. Hopefully the rooms are connecting or at least adjacent.

I wouldn’t count on it. This summer is very crowded in Europe and we have not been getting any upgrades. You’re lucky if they even have a server at dinner, it’s that bad.

This thread is lowering my expectations a lot. My expectations were already lowered when we recently went to Hawaii. Service was so bad. Our room never got cleaned due to staffing problems and we couldn’t even get through to make meal reservations. We adjusted accordingly. We waited in line or ate whatever was available, not necessarily what we wanted.

Do I need to book museum reservations far in advance? I know we will want to go to Tate modern, louvre and Pompidou.

Looking for a tour for Stonehenge next. I know it won’t be exciting for the kids but I want to go.

Have you been to Europe before? Because we live here and we have been enjoying the countryside everywhere we go. It’s wonderful. But the moment we hit the big cities in Western Europe especially, things are the pits. This is not the right summer for London and Paris, I hate to say.

Yes, I have been to Europe about 10x only once with kids. We are already committed so not canceling now.

I will adjust my ambitious itinerary.

London:
On off bus for a day
Buckingham Palace
Hamleys Toy Store
Wimbledon
Stonehenge
Eat some fish and chips and Indian tea
Tate modern if we can

Paris:
Eiffel Tower
Louvre
Versailles
Arc de Triomphe
Jardin des Tuileries
Sacre Coeur if we can
Shopping and pastries

Is there anything else we must see or do?

I lived in London for a while…if you are going to Stonehenge it’s going to take up a day. I’d add Salisbury Cathedral and have lunch at a pub in Salisbury itself. It’ll make it less of a drudge trip for your family. I am glad we went to see it myself.

You have to do the Princess Di park, it’s magical and need only be an hour. I would skip Buckingham (you’ll drive by it on your hop on hop off I am sure, that’s enough). Watch changing of the guards at the Horse Guards or go to the Tower of London, which is touristy but really an awesome tour. If you are staying near Borough Market, terrific place to grab breakfast or lunch on the go.

I had a 4 yo and definitely vote yes on the stroller. It’s a lot of walking. Be sure to spend some time at Trafalgar Square on your tour, it’s fun. So are the buskers at Covent Garden. Have fun!

Pp again..if you time it right you may be able to catch the changing of the Guards on your HOHO tour. It’s a stone’s throw from Trafalgar Square.