A Mini Break To London Or Paris?

[EllieJP]

I'm getting on a bit now (a lady never tells her age) and for my birthday this year I'm being treated to a fancy weekend away.

Shockingly, I've never visited our capital! Or France's for that matter.. So I was wondering which people could recommend.. Also the best albeit reasonable places to stay within a reasonable distance to the nice attractions. And also what attractions could people recommend?

All help greatly appreciated! It will also have to be child friendly as I'll have a 2 year old! :)

Thank you!

[maggiebee]

You're getting on a bit and you'll have a 2 year old? Do tell more.......
Have been to London and Paris but would plump for London every time. Paris is expensive and I thought it was more of an "adult" city.

[EllieJP]

Okay, maybe I'm not that old.. But I'll confirm it's defo double digits! Hehe. I feel much older at the moment though, I've been struck with this flu for the last week and it's slowly but surely turning me grey!

[maggiebee]

Having had the flu recently I can sympathise. Get well soon Ellie.

[Maydup]

I love to visit both Paris and London, but I wouldn't enjoy either with a 2 year old in tow. Can you get some child care for your fancy weekend?

[mjwman]

I would say you will be disapointed in both. Go to Bruges in Belgium instead. Lovely unspoiled mediaeval town. Plenty to do and see in a compact area.

[Canary42]

If it wasn't for the 2-year old I would probably recommend Paris although if you haven't ever been to London then there's certainly lots to see. But I think Paris is a bit much for a 2-year old - except Disneyland Paris possibly, but it's some way outside Paris (over an hour's journey I understand).

Plenty of hotels in London (not cheap, but as you're being treated.....), don't have any personal recommendations myself since it's years since I used one.

Attractions (some more suitable than other for 2-year old): London Eye, London Aquarium, Kensington Museums (Science, Natural History, Victoria and Albert), Madame Tussauds, London Zoo, River trip, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition, National Gallery, Wallace Collection, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, etc.

There are a number of websites which are helpful, for example try http://golondon.about.com/od/londonwithchildren/

Have a good time.

[janbee]

I would opt for Bruges every time. Both London and Paris have their merits but Bruges ticks EVERY box and it's 100% beautiful, pretty, unspoilt. It's also not overpriced. People are nice and everywhere is walkable( or by horse and cart from the square). It's a very small place. I LOVE it and go several times a year.

[Garador]

Quite honestly, the two year old will need too much attention, therefore I wouldn't recommend a weekend away anywhere. You'd be better off getting a baby sitter and going to a decent restaurant for a slap up meal.

Enjoy your birthday wherever you end up though.

[janbee]

Wherever you go ellie, have a great time

[murraymints]

neither with a 2 year old in tow....

[mushroom25]

just thinking practically, you'll typically need to take more stuff for the 2 year-old than for you and your treater combined, even for just an extended weekend. carrying mountains of kiddie paraphernalia by train can be a trial, so where you visit, and where you stay, may well be dictated by an ability to get there easily by car, and to park easily and conveniently.

[joggerjayne]

I'd agree with the Bruges suggestions.

[jno]

it depends where you are and what your travelling time might be; going long distances with a child can be tiring. There's plenty to do in either, but a 2yo won't get much out of museums and galleries and shops.

[murraymints]

can't someone take the child to stay for a few days ?

[VHG]

>>>I would say you will be disapointed in both

What a daft statement.

London and Paris are two of the great cities of the world with so much to see in both cities.

I help on Trip Advisor with advice for people who want to visit London and I am constantly amazed at how much there is to see in London.

Also whenever people provide a review of their holiday to London all of them say how much they loved it.

[Baldric]

I'd love to say Paris, but I just can't. Lovely City spoiled by the residents,
The French are ok, but Parisians are a breed apart, awful people, even when you speak French.

[Maydup]

^^^ LOL with you Baldric. Although I went to Paris in the autumn and can't honestly say I met any Parisians. Plenty of English, Japanese, North Africans, Italians, Germans etc but very locals.

Ellie - go for London. If you haven't been to the capital before then you must. Find an apartment for ease or a family room in one of the well known hotels. Take a boat trip on the Thames, go on the London Eye, hop on an open bus tour and see the highlights.

[paulllambert]

London. Greatest city in the World. IMO

[mikey4444]

Paris is beautiful Ellie ! If you sit on the steps outside the Sacre Coeur, on the top of Montmartre, you will remember the view for the rest of your life !

The whole city is wonderful. It was never bombed by the Germans, so is still packed with beautiful buildings and vistas.

And now, with the Eurostar, it is so easy to get to, especially if you live in the south of Britain.

When you are there, take a cruise on the Seine !