Oh the dinner/cruise has nothing to do w/Contiki. It's just something I found to do when everyone else is doing the Moulin Rouge. I found it on Google.

oh cool, thanks.

im flying out from australia on friday, for some reason i am feeling emotionless, i dont feel excited or scared or anything. i think there might be something wrong with me.

Hey Maria!
Wow, you're so organized!
I'm just wondering how it would work for the ppl not going to Moulin Rouge? Would only the people going have to meet up, and the rest can spend their time as we please? How will it go on our first day in Paris (Monday)?
I'm anal like that and like to know what I can expect so that I can plan my free time accordingly.

Maria, that dinner/tour sounds like fun!! I'll have to get back to you on that one.

I bought an international SIM card and will put it in my unlocked phone. I haven't received it yet though, but when I do, PM me and I can give out the number!

It's so soon guys!

Last year, the way it worked was that everyone going to Moulin Rouge had to be ready & meet up in the hotel lobby at a certain time (I think 6PM). They all took the bus over there. Everyone else did their own thing for the evening.

Like I said, I went last year and I was glad I did, but I wouldn't want to spend the money again to see the exact same show, and JoJo isn't into that type show. We all met up at the club next door after the show - if there are plans to do that again this year, I guess I'll see you guys after the show!

Thanks!

SIGH,
I feel as if I'm going into this trip blind! I want to be able to plan everything out to a T, but can't cuz i don't know times and what we will be shown by Contiki (in Paris). I have so many places I want to visit, but know I won't have the time (like Versailles).

I guess i'll just play it by ear!

Any restaurants or places in particular you'd recommend to hit for sure Maria?

Thanks.

p.s. I'm bored at work, and therefore I'm always checking this! :P

I don't sit here all day, I swear but the Gmail notifier is good about telling me someone else added to the thread. Day 10 (Sept 11th) is:

Day 10: Paris Sightseeing: Visit a French perfume house and then take the opportunity to visit some of the most celebrated icons of Europe. The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Nôtre Dame, Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées all await your arrival! Tonight, why not complete your Parisian experience with a French meal and a famous cabaret? (B)

I had this exact same day on my London/Paris/Rome trip last year, and I remember I slept through the French perfume house thing (it's all optional - I opted to sleep), but basically it was early in the morning, they took everyone down there by bus, then they turn you loose. You have all day free to do whatever.

Since we really only have one day in Paris, I'd advise to climb the Eiffel Tower (elevators!), check out Notre Dame, the Louvre, and stroll the Champs-Elysees. I skipped climbing the Arc - had enough of the stairs with Notre Dame! Have a nice lunch on the Champs-Elysees or at the cafe beside Notre Dame. That will be more than enough to keep you busy until it's dinnertime! Make sure you leave plenty of time to ride the Metro back ot the hotel. We're staying in a different one this time so I don't know which Metro stop it is, but I hear it's on the outskirts. Last time, it took me about 45 minutes to get back with all the stops.

That kinda sucks that we always have to meet back up with the group. I know it's a good thing, but it cuts into precious sightseeing time!

I want to hit the Pompidou building, shop, go look in the catacombs, Monmartre AND still see all of the sights you mentioned. (I studied french in university, so I'm obsessed with everything French) I DO however have an extra day in Paris, since me and my friend Jo are opting to stay an extra day there and fly back to Canada from De Gaulle. Hopefully that will give us enough time to soak in frenchness.

Haha, yes, I am working very hard right now

BTW, your blog is awesome Maria!

Thanks! Yeah, I have to hit the Pompideau Center too - never saw it on either of my previous trips. If you like to shop, not far from Montmatre are two favorite stores - Galeries Lafayette (Hausmann Blvd location) and Au Printemps. The ex-bf and I hot those up last year - shopping for HIM, no less.

Galeries Lafayette is really a sight! Sort of like the French Harrods, but it has a huuuuge open atrium area. Quite staggering. I *think* both of those are accessible from the St-Lazare metro stop, but I'd double check that.

Do you think it would be worth it to buy the Paris Pass? (www.paris-pass.com)
It includes many museums as well as the métro.

Ooh...sounds like fun. Shopping that is. My friend Jo and I are shopping addicts, so we can't leave that out of our trip!

I'd wait and see - they gave us something like that last year.

Hey guys,
So i spent all my time after work packing and I am finally done and I think my suitcase only weighs around 38 pounds. I can't even concentrate at work anymore bc I just want to start our tour, meet everyone, have fun, see amazing places and eat great food....and NOT have to think about work!!
I think I am doing the buckingham palace tour on Sunday if anyone wants to meet up and do that. Do they sell tickets for tours in the contiki lounge?

Hey there - I'm definitely doing the Buckingham Palace state rooms tour on Sunday. I may try to catch the Tower of London Changing of the Guard ~11ish since they won't have it at Buckingham Palace that day (booo).

Hey Amy! They sell tickets for a lot of things around London at the Contiki Basement - I'm not sure if they sell Buckingham Palace tickets or not though . . .
Hi Maria! I would love to see the changing of the guard since I missed it last time but this is Tom's trip and he doesn't really care to see it. (boooo!) hehehe Maybe once we get there I can convince him otherwise
Hi Jess! Last year on my tour you could buy a "Museum Pass" for Paris as a part of the optionals (not listed on the optionals list) I forget how much it was though
I can't sleep!!! I am such a dork - I keep checking and rechecking my suitcase to make sure I packed everything. I think I am finally satisfied with it! Maybe I should put the lock on just to be sure
See you in a few days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sarah

Hey all!

I was starting to think it was just Maria and I on here!

Getting really excited too - just trying my hardest to breeze thru work this week.

My friend Jo and I have mapped out everywhere we want to go in London, and we're hoping we can hit it all AND shop. SIGH - wish there was more time. Sarah and Maria, you ladies are lucky you've been once before - I'm gonna feel like I'm on the Amazing Race, rushing around to all the sites!

Anyone else having a cell phone while they're down there? I'm still waiting on my International SIM card. I'd be SO pissed if I didn't get it in time.

Again, i'll be on this thing all day long (work can get super boring) - so message away!

Hey Jess - Sorry for leaving you hanging like that. The partners at my firm have all these projects for me to wrap up before I leave At least payday is Friday so I will have the extra overtime $$ to spend in Europe! I hope you got your SIM card in the mail! I am just taking my e-kit phone card. We aren't planning on calling home much anyway.
Hey, I love the Amazing Race!!! It really can feel like that too if you have a lot of places that you just HAVE to see.
This week is going much too slooooow! It needs to be 5:00pm on Friday already