The Travel Thread

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Sharkie
Sharkie
May 2023
4:51pm, 14 May 2023
21,359 posts
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Sharkie
B and K and Raffo and me used Eurostar to Brussels last autumn. We all thought it was brilliant. Better than Raffo and I remembered.

Dave makes a good point about it just being like the tube.
Diogenes
Diogenes
May 2023
4:59pm, 14 May 2023
78,913 posts
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Diogenes
Mrs D is not keen on the tube either, though that’s more to do with the people. It’s the thought of being undersea that spooks her.

Did you travel from Ashford?
Sharkie
Sharkie
May 2023
6:33pm, 14 May 2023
21,360 posts
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Sharkie
No we all went from St Pancras. I was already a mile up the road, B and K came from Eastbourne, Guy from Hastings - all on the same day. Wasn't stopping at Ashford last year (although we used to).

We got a very good deal for hotel and travel.
LazyDaisy
LazyDaisy
May 2023
8:16pm, 14 May 2023
38,225 posts
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LazyDaisy
If you read the reviews carefully, Trip Advisor is a good place to find hotels and then you can book direct.

For Paris, last time we went, we Eurostarred then stayed in a hotel in the St Georges area which was handy for some good restaurants, the Metro amd strolling into the centre. It felt like a safe area. IIRC we stayed at the Hotel Joyce - rooms weren't massive and the lift was the smallest ever, but otherwise we were happy with it.
DeeGee
DeeGee
May 2023
12:03pm, 15 May 2023
22,569 posts
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DeeGee
If I lived within 90 minutes of St Pancras, I'd always prefer Eurostar over flying. Its a considerably more comfortable experience, and you're city centre to city centre.

I lived north of Paris, not at all far from Ch de G, and always travelled back to London by Eurostar instead of flying, even though the prices were very similar.

(The tunnel isn't "under the sea". It's under the sea bed, some depth below the sea. Absolutely no chance of water ingress. And you barely notice it for the 15 minutes or so that you're actually under).

It's a while since I lived there, but I reckon I still know Paris pretty well, at least in terms of where to avoid and the like.
DeeGee
DeeGee
May 2023
12:06pm, 15 May 2023
22,570 posts
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DeeGee
If I lived within 90 minutes of St Pancras, I'd always prefer Eurostar over flying.


In fact, even now, given the choice, for a trip to Paris or Brussels, I'd pick Eurostar over flying.

Watch out for the low cost operators as well, because often what they describe as "Paris" is a long way from the truth.
Diogenes
Diogenes
May 2023
12:11pm, 15 May 2023
78,930 posts
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Diogenes
I've booked some flights. The main decider in the end was that, on the day I wanted to travel, the only option to get us there for the afternoon was a 7am service which wouldn't be possible without staying in London the night before.
DeeGee
DeeGee
May 2023
1:13pm, 15 May 2023
22,571 posts
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DeeGee
That's the balance I tend to look at. I like the maximum time possible "in resort", but not necessarily if it requires an additional night away.

That said, often parking packages with a hotel stay are cheaper than paying for parking on its own. Can't say there's anywhere that offers that near St Pancras, though.
DoricQuine
DoricQuine
May 2023
2:59pm, 15 May 2023
8,821 posts
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DoricQuine
hotelroyalmadeleine.com

We stayed here for our 40th anniversary in 2015 but it looks like it has changed hands since then and had a refurb. It was a Mercure when we went and we actually had the 5th floor room with terrace that you can see in the pics - *sigh* happy days!

We have also stayed several times in apartments long before AirBnB were on the go. Can't beat this for getting the real Paris experience, though I would recommend having some French as certainly where we stayed wasn't touristy and you were accepted more into the community if you at least made the effort!
Diogenes
Diogenes
May 2023
3:05pm, 15 May 2023
78,933 posts
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Diogenes
Thanks DQ, that looks very nice. I've booked somewhere now, not far away from there but not quite so swish looking.

About This Thread

Maintained by Diogenes
What are the best sites for finding flights, trains and accommodation, especially overseas.

In the UK I usually try and book directly with the business, if possible as you get the best rate that way.

I feel like Simon Calder... that's a good idea, I bet he has a website.

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