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Being DFW & Going away

Hi,

Okay - just need a little advice.

I'm going away for a long weekend this weekend - Thursday till Monday night to Paris!!! We got a cheep return fare on the eurostar - £30 each way and the hotel there is paid for by Air miles!!

But how much do we take with us?? We have been saving up but when i look at the money i think it would be great just to use it to pay something off!! But we havent been away for 3 years - so i owuld like it to be special.

We'll need money for Food, and entrances to sightseeing things - im a typical tourist) and a few little bits and bobs souveniers to take home!

So how much do i take?? Has anyone else been on the Eurostar - is it scary??:o

Thanks in advance

L xx:D
Joined September 2006: £18800.00 in debt:eek:
21/11/06 - £16953.04, :eek:
DFD - Sept 2009:T proud to be dealing with my debt

:j £2 coin saving club: 21/11/06 £0:j
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Comments

  • can't give a figure sorry, spend but don't go really mad, allow for the unexpected just incase, whatever you have left put towards your debt, we all deserve a holiday, have a nice time:D
  • cazziebo
    cazziebo Posts: 3,209 Forumite
    You are SO lucky!

    You can have a really special time in Paris on a budget. There's a good book by Kate Muir which gives you loads of cheats.. I'll look it out and post it to you if you want.

    You can get a good deal on a transport card, and there are some great cafes off the beaten track which are less than half price the main ones. Get a picnic from one of the stores one day and have lunch in the park. I was in Paris in the summer and so much of the pleasure is just soaking up the atmosphere. The highlight of my weekend was walking along the river bank and we came upon an impromptu ceroc dance.

    I did go up the Eiffel Tower but wasn't that great. and the hour's wait to walk up the stairs was a waste of precious time.

    Enjoy - you'll love it!

    Cazzie
    xxx
  • emzig123
    emzig123 Posts: 193 Forumite
    Hiya,

    The Eurostar is great fun, i went on it a few years ago, very fast on the French side but be prepared for the train to slow down loads when you get back to Britain! It's not scary at all!
    Official DFW Nerd No 275
  • yung
    yung Posts: 700 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Go and enjoy yourself and and don't think about the money as long as you spend it wisely, you will feel better for it . Have a nice time
    Yung
    Early Retiree debt & stress free. and Joined the SKI club:j

  • wendym
    wendym Posts: 2,945 Forumite
    Eating (and drinking!) in cafes/restaurants is expensive in Paris, so find a supermarket and improvise (pack a corkscrew so you can open a bottle of wine in your room).
    But treat yourself to one extended coffee at a pavement cafe, and just watch life go by.

    I'd take as much spending money as I could comfortably afford, rather than running out, and look for a free deal changing any left overback into sterling, although I know I'm always tempted to spend up to the last note left in my purse!

    Rather than paying for tourist-y souvenirs, find a Prisunic or Monoprix store and buy presents there....they'll be exciting just because they're French.

    You will have a wonderful time. My daughter has just been on Eurostar, and it wasn't at all scary.

    Bon weekend! (that really is the French for weekend!)
  • climbgirl
    climbgirl Posts: 1,504 Forumite
    It's possible to see Paris very cheaply, the food is fabulous, even from supermarkets and street vendors so eat that way instead of dining in restaurants.

    The Metro is very simple to use, so use that to get around. Go to the ticket office at the station (instead of hte machines) and you can buy a 10-trip carnet which makes it a lot cheaper.

    Getting into things will be your biggest expense - look up the things you want to do on the web so you'll know exactly how much it'll cost. Prices for the Eiffel Tower, the Lourve and the Pompideau Centre are all on their websites. If you're going to the Lourve, I'd recommend you go when it opens to avoid the crowds!

    There's loads of things to see in Paris that don't cost anything - the cemetery where all the famous people are buried for one (I forget the name sorry!) Sacre Couer doesn't cost anything to see either and is absolutely beautiful. Montmatre is touristy as hell and has lost a lot of its charm because of this, but you can get off the beaten track a bit and discover some cafe gems!
  • Oh thanks everyone!:A

    I really cant wait...I've never been!

    It's meant to be the romance capital of the world isnt it!!! My OH is up for doing everything - we're staying in Notradam, apparently its quite central to everything?!?

    We're going to take as much as we can afford i think then your right when we get back whatevers left over we can pay of the debt!!

    I'll let you all know what its like!!!!! :j :j :j :j :j
    Joined September 2006: £18800.00 in debt:eek:
    21/11/06 - £16953.04, :eek:
    DFD - Sept 2009:T proud to be dealing with my debt

    :j £2 coin saving club: 21/11/06 £0:j
  • climbgirl
    climbgirl Posts: 1,504 Forumite
    Oh, not sure why you'd be scared by the Eurostar, is the tunnel bothering you?!?! It's just like sitting on any other train, if you use the underground it's no different! Much, much quicker than flying (door-to-door anyway) and very cool to sit on a train and end up in a completely different country :D
  • I'm looking forward to it (abit) but also a bit scared - i get panic attacks when im a bit claustrophobic - im the same on planes, but i think when im on it and can see out the window (obviously not when im in the tunnel) i'll be okay!!:o

    Everyone says how good it is! Only takes about 2½ to 3 hours apparently and your only under ground for about half hour!!
    Joined September 2006: £18800.00 in debt:eek:
    21/11/06 - £16953.04, :eek:
    DFD - Sept 2009:T proud to be dealing with my debt

    :j £2 coin saving club: 21/11/06 £0:j
  • emzig123
    emzig123 Posts: 193 Forumite
    you will barely realise you are underground, take a book or your mp3 player if you have one and you will be so engrossed that you won't even know it. It is seriously fast!
    Official DFW Nerd No 275
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