Travel plan idea blog

Getting Acquainted With Europe, With a Touch of Haut Cuisine

Consider contest entry #9 this a guide for getting acquainted with Europe in a quaint manner; it mixes student resourcefulness with more expensive tastes. It would be perfect, in my opinion, for a mid-20s couple, who want to get a general sense of Europe, while experiencing some great food and great times. I am assuming that the reader I coming from New York City. I am assuming plain tickets are approximately $1000 round trip.

For the duration of your stay in London, you may wish to stay at the Cumberland Hotel for $184.00/night (book through expedia). The Radisson Edward Berkshire can be booked for 130 pounds per night, when on sale. Check hotels.com or expedia for cheaper hotels. Frankly, the hotel you stay at depends on the level of accommodations you want and your desire to go through the full itinerary. The London itinerary is rather packed, so it makes more sense to book a cheaper hotel, if you are not swimming in money, and spend more on a hotel in Paris.

Day 1: Fly from JFK to London.

Simply recuperate. I put very few requirements for the first day of your trip. However, there are two notable items on your itinerary for the day. First, you should visit Big Ben. You should request a tour 3 months in advance of your trip at http://www.britainexpress.com/London/Big_Ben.htm. Next, you should go to a play; I would recommend the Lion King or some other light hearted fare for your vacation.

Day 2: London Art

Get dropped off near the glob theater. Grab lunch at one of the many notable pizza restaurants in the surrounding area. Walk to the Globe Theater in London. This Globe Theater is a reconstruction of the original Globe. Take the tour of the Globe, it is worthwhile. If you are fortunate, perhaps you can substitute in a later production of a Shakespeare play for this portion of the trip (with due planning.) Walk across the Millennium Bridge, which is a spectacle in and of itself. Enter St. Paul’s Cathedral, constructed by Christopher Wren, the renowned architect. After St. Paul’s you have the opportunity to go the Tate Modern, Britain’s museum of Modern Art, which offers, to say the least “startling” artwork. Take a High Speed Boat Ride to Tate Britain, the original Tate museum that was renamed after the construction of the Tate Modern. Eat dinner at Gordon Ramsey at Claridge’s, be sure to have made a reservation long before your trip (a month in advice or more should suffice).

Cost: 9 Pounds (Globe Tour), 70 Pounds (Gordon Ramsey), 10 pounds (lunch at a pizza place), 20 pounds (miscellaneous expenses, including cabs).

Day 3: A trip to Cambridge (relaxation)

The architecture of Cambridge is, in and of itself, notable. Thus, the purpose of the trip is to enjoy the historic university. You may want to peruse King’s College, the King’s College Chapel, probably the most famous building in Cambridge, and the architecture of the other colleges. For lunch, go to the Cambridge Market. In addition to purchasing food, such as Ostrich burgers, you can purchase clothes, souvenirs, and other goods. Take your lunch on a short walk down to Christ’s Pieces Park and have a picnic. Finally, enjoy yourself on a punting tour of Cambridge. The tour guide pushes your punt along with a long pole that touches the bottom of the river Cam. Take some time to shop around Cambridge. Perhaps enjoy the nightlife for a night, though be prepared, tomorrow is a long day. Price: Just miscellaneous expenses.

Day 4: A Long Day Trip to Winchester, Stonehenge and Georgian Bath

This is a long day-trip. If you are looking for a shorter and more leisurely day trip, consider a trip only the Roman Baths. This will allow you to enjoy the Baths, Bath Abbey, and the Poulteney Bridge at your own leisure. Feel free to even enjoy some relaxation time at a spa if you make this choice. Otherwise, your day will begin with an early pickup. You will be transported to the Winchester Cathedral; from there you will visit Stonehenge in the mid afternoon. Finally, you will have an opportunity to visit the Roman Baths. Fortunately, because of the time constrained nature of this trip you will prompted to enjoy lighter cuisine today. Cost: 60 Pounds (Trip), 20 Pounds (miscellaneous).

Day 5: London Art 2

Breakfast of Crepes at Hampstead. Take a taxi to the British Museum, the oldest museum in the world, and one of the greatest museums in terms of art form all time periods. It is worthwhile to see the Rosetta Stone, the famous stone used to translate ancient lexicons. Perusing the museum can take hours upon hours, though I would recommend taking a guided tour and then perusing at your leisure. Enjoy a late lunch at a destination of you leisure. Take a Taxi to the National Gallery, a pre-eminent collection of art, founded without a royal collection, in Trafalgar Square. Interesting paintings include Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, some works by Da Vinci, and many other wonderful pieces. Enjoy the square at your leisure. Enjoy a late Dinner at Hakkasan, a Chinese Dim Sum eatery, famous for the quality of their food (though service can be shoddy depending on the day. Cost: 60 Pounds (Hakkasan), 15 Pounds (miscellaneous expenses, including cabs)

Day 6: Leisure

Take some time off, if you need it. Otherwise, feel free to add your own itinerary items on this day. For the evening, I highly recommend you make reservations at the 606 Club for a late Dinner and Jazz performance. This was one of the highlights of my last trip to London with my whole family. A good Jazz performance is worthwhile for most individuals 16 and older. If you have younger children, let them enjoy themselves in the hotel for a bit, while you enjoy a night of revelry and lovely music. Their website is located at http://www.606club.co.uk/. Price: 25 Pounds (606 Club)

Day 7: General London Tour and a Play

Enjoy a full day guided tour of the many sites of London. Included in the tour is a trip to the Tower of London, a viewing of the Changing of the Guard, a Thames River Cruise and Pub Lunch, a trip to Westminster Abbey, and my personal favorite, Afternoon Tea at Kensington Palace. The tour is available online at http://www.premiumtours.co.uk/tours/details.asp?iProductID=143. Cost: 70 Pounds (Tour), 20 Pounds (miscellaneous expenses, including food and drink)

In Paris, you may consider staying at the Hotel Le Walt ($200/night) or another luxury hotel. Otherwise, if you are on a tighter budget consider Les Jardins du Marais. Considered a “hidden treasure,” which is an extremely great value for its price.

Day 8: Off to France. Take the Chunnel between Paris and London. The trip is remarkably quick, so in truth, you have still have a half day to enjoy.

For Dinner, you may enjoy any one of Paris’ great restaurants. I would recommend Arpege, a Michelin 3 star French Restaurant. Expect to splurge on food, but according to Michelin a three star restaurant is worth a trip "to itself." You get to enjoy Arpege without taking a trip to go there. This restaurant is perfect if either of you are vegetarians; the chef himself, Alain Passard, one of the most celebrated in the world, recently turned vegetarian and the fair at Arpege is all vegetarian. Cost: 140 Euros

Day 9: The Louvre, Paris Museums & Cabaret

Today, you will have the opportunity to see the art contained in France. The Musee Picasso and Musee Rodin, hosting the works of their respective namesakes are also worthwhile. Feel free to enjoy another art exhibition in Paris, or simply enjoy the rest of your day at a leisurely pace. Consider taking a walk to Monmartre and Sacre Couer, if you feel you have enough free time. Finally, make reservations for dinner and cabaret at Le Lido, a cabaret on the Champs-Elysees. Dinner is at 7:30. Cost: 140 Euros (Le Lido)

Day 10: More Art

Take some time to relax today. You will have the opportunity to peruse more art at the Musee de l’Orangerie de Tuileries, located on the south side of the Tuileries terrace. It contains paintings by Monet, Matisse, Renoir, and Picasso. Then take the opportunity to enjoy the Centre Pompidou, which is famous for its glass elevators and controversial art. If you have the time, you may wish to enjoy a spa in the evening or go out once again for a 3 star Michelin meal at a restaurant such as Plaza Athenee, by Alain Ducasse, who incidentally runs another Michelin restaurant in New York City. Be aware that this restaurant is closed mid-July to mid-August and not for those without a hefty check book. Another interesting choice, for those less stuffy individuals is, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Paris. Robuchon’s last restaurant also garnered three Michelin stars, though he chose to close it and start this one. Cost: 100 Euros (L’Atelier)

Day 11: Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and Opera

The purpose of today is to visit two very famous Parisian landmarks. Notre Dame de Paris the Eiffel Tower are landmarks of historical and touristy importance. Thus, take a taxi to the Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoy a tour. From there take a taxi to the Eiffel Tower. If you are adventurous, feel free to try to walk up some of the many flights of stairs. After you spend time at the Eiffel tower, make a reservation for the French Opera at the Opera Nacional de Paris. Cost: 50 Euros (Opera), 20 Euros (Miscellaneous expenses)

Day 12: The Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, Champs Elysées

You will get an opportunity today to peruse the Historical axis of Paris. It is a line of monuments running through the center of Paris, including the Louvre, the Tuileries Gardens, and the Arc de Triomphe. The Louvre hosts many priceless works of art, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo; the lines for the Louvre can be long, but it is really necessary to wait them out, since the Louvre is, in truth, such a critical part of a trip to Paris. From the Louvre, you can walk to the Tuileries Gardens. Here, feel free to simply revel in their natural Beauty. Continue walking to the Champs-Elyse and the Arc de Triomphe. Around the Arc de Triomphe, feel free to shop and eat. Cost: 50 Euros (Miscellaneous expenses)

Day 13: Relax. Consider a wine tasting for the afternoon. Take the chance to visit the sites not listed on this itinerary that interest you. Consider lunch at another Michelin 3 star restaurant. You will either be continuing your journey to Italy, or going home at this point.

Total Cost: Less than $4500/person all inclusive.
At some level this concludes the trip. Consider Italy an addition that does not focus on cuisine. If you decide to add an Italian leg to the trip, I recommend reversing the order of your trip and beginning in Italy. That way, you will experience two “foreign” places, before coming back to an English speaking country. Moreover, the charm of Italy and Paris will stand in stark contrast to the United States, whereas London offers a more subtle and thereby less remarkable initial transition.

Days 14-22 are in Italy. They are comprised of a Trafalgar Tour, located at http://www.trafalgartours.com/UK/DisplayTour?TourID=2820&Detail=4. Interesting additions to the tour include: "Rome. Ancient and Christian Rome; Venice. Gondola Serenade; Florence. Jewels of the Renaissance; Rome. Michelangelo’s Rome."

Anonymous

Posted by James Trotta at March 27, 2006 12:10 PM