Need some vacation advice (Portugal or Paris)?

MaripositaII · 05-30-2006

We'll be staying in London for 10 nights (Clapham). Our entire trip on that side of the pond is approximately 28 days, so we're wondering how to get a tour (hotel and transfers) from London to either Portugal (anyone been?), Paris, Barcelona or somewhere else that won't cost an arm and a leg but still be worth the hastle of leaving the UK. Or we could stay the entire time in the UK and spend time in Wales and Scotland. Has anyone used BA for tours over there? We'll already be in England...
Also, we're trying to be budget minded here which is what causes most of the problems....if I could only win the damn lottery before leaving

Thor Henning · 05-30-2006

You are asking about very different places. All of them are wonderful. Spain and Portugal is definitely different from UK.

roni · 05-30-2006

Portugal is the mother country (for those of us who grew up in Brasilian schools anyway

)

I have never been there, but have read good things about it. Ask DaddyB

Andiline · 05-30-2006

Look here...

http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/?culture=GB

Affordable flights and they are going all over Europe.... (don't wait too long with booking though as the flights are the cheaper the longer you book in advance). Btw. there are no seat reservations on those flights, you just sit whereever you find a place or whereever you choose to sit.

Andrea

beer_dude · 05-30-2006

I would consider Wales/Scotland as it should be easier/faster/cheaper than trying to go to Paris/Spain/Portugal.

Rissask · 05-30-2006

I think EasyJet is a good low-cost carrier over there too, they are the bright orange planes?

http://www.easyjet.com/

even their website is orange!

Also I think Spain and Portugal are more economical than France, that may help you to decide.

MaripositaII · 05-30-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by beer_dude

I would consider Wales/Scotland as it should be easier/faster/cheaper than trying to go to Paris/Spain/Portugal.

There is always that possibility...actually, I think that's Plan B

However, we were thinking that just maybe we would land a good deal to get across to either of those places (Portugal, Spain or Paris). If it looks too cost prohibitive we'll just hang out with the Brits...maybe even try for Ireland.
Thanks for the link on Ryanair and other suggestions guys.

MaripositaII · 05-30-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by roni

Portugal is the mother country (for those of us who grew up in Brasilian schools anyway

)

I have never been there, but have read good things about it. Ask DaddyB

Both my husband and I are part Portuguese, hence the reason we thought of Portugal for a week or so.

Thor Henning · 05-30-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaripositaII

Both my husband and I are part Portuguese, hence the reason we thought of Portugal for a week or so.

Go for it! It's a beautiful country.

MWC · 05-30-2006

If it were me, I'd opt for Paris, but you won't find too many bargains there, any time of the year. I know someone who travels regularly, and she swears by Portugal.

Jacko · 05-30-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaripositaII

Both my husband and I are part Portuguese, hence the reason we thought of Portugal for a week or so.

I've been to both places and love them both....Paris is perhaps the most beautiful city I have ever experienced and the food and the wine...well, I suspect you already know about that. Portugal with its great food, rich history and beautiful architecture is marvelous as well. We really enjoyed the coast at the Algarve and of course the Lisboa area.

jay n dani · 05-30-2006

I've been to both Paris & Portugal, but I might favor Portugal over Paris slightly, mainly b/c I'm half Portuguese

Portugal is a beautiful country and has a lot to offer, and it's super inexpensive. Paris was incredible but definitely a much faster pace. My vote is for Portugal! If your trying for a super cheap trip I would suggest staying in hostels, and in Portugal you can find a nice, clean one for next to nothing. Also, the Eurail pass is a nice bonus too, and it allows you to see more than just one country. And if your deciding to stay in London for awhile you can buy the Eurostar Channel Tunnel pass which will take you straight to Paris and then maybe the Eurail to Portugal...just a thought

I hope it all works out for you

cuffedlinks · 05-30-2006

I pick whichever is closer to the beach and itty bitty bikinis.....
I'm sure that'll be THE deciding factor for them though....

jay n dani · 05-30-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuffedlinks

I pick whichever is closer to the beach and itty bitty bikinis.....
I'm sure that'll be THE deciding factor for them though....

Lol...

synestere · 05-30-2006

Paris is super expensive and full of French people

I won´t even stop for gas in France . There is no love lost between the Brits and the French

05-30-2006	#1 (permalink)
MaripositaII añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 8,175	Need some vacation advice (Portugal or Paris)? We'll be staying in London for 10 nights (Clapham). Our entire trip on that side of the pond is approximately 28 days, so we're wondering how to get a tour (hotel and transfers) from London to either Portugal (anyone been?), Paris, Barcelona or somewhere else that won't cost an arm and a leg but still be worth the hastle of leaving the UK. Or we could stay the entire time in the UK and spend time in Wales and Scotland. Has anyone used BA for tours over there? We'll already be in England... Also, we're trying to be budget minded here which is what causes most of the problems....if I could only win the damn lottery before leaving

05-30-2006	#2 (permalink)
Thor Henning añejo Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Drammen, Norway Posts: 4,135	You are asking about very different places. All of them are wonderful. Spain and Portugal is definitely different from UK.

05-30-2006	#3 (permalink)
roni añejo Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 59,886	Portugal is the mother country (for those of us who grew up in Brasilian schools anyway ) I have never been there, but have read good things about it. Ask DaddyB

05-30-2006	#4 (permalink)
Andiline añejo Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cologne, Germany Posts: 9,886	Look here... http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/?culture=GB Affordable flights and they are going all over Europe.... (don't wait too long with booking though as the flights are the cheaper the longer you book in advance). Btw. there are no seat reservations on those flights, you just sit whereever you find a place or whereever you choose to sit. Andrea

05-30-2006	#5 (permalink)
beer_dude añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,190	I would consider Wales/Scotland as it should be easier/faster/cheaper than trying to go to Paris/Spain/Portugal.

05-30-2006	#6 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,642	I think EasyJet is a good low-cost carrier over there too, they are the bright orange planes? http://www.easyjet.com/ even their website is orange! Also I think Spain and Portugal are more economical than France, that may help you to decide.

05-30-2006	#10 (permalink)
MWC añejo Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 6,500	If it were me, I'd opt for Paris, but you won't find too many bargains there, any time of the year. I know someone who travels regularly, and she swears by Portugal.

05-30-2006	#12 (permalink)
jay n dani life=playa Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: So.Cal Posts: 670	I've been to both Paris & Portugal, but I might favor Portugal over Paris slightly, mainly b/c I'm half Portuguese Portugal is a beautiful country and has a lot to offer, and it's super inexpensive. Paris was incredible but definitely a much faster pace. My vote is for Portugal! If your trying for a super cheap trip I would suggest staying in hostels, and in Portugal you can find a nice, clean one for next to nothing. Also, the Eurail pass is a nice bonus too, and it allows you to see more than just one country. And if your deciding to stay in London for awhile you can buy the Eurostar Channel Tunnel pass which will take you straight to Paris and then maybe the Eurail to Portugal...just a thought I hope it all works out for you

05-30-2006	#13 (permalink)
cuffedlinks añejo Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The City of Presidents Posts: 15,998	I pick whichever is closer to the beach and itty bitty bikinis..... I'm sure that'll be THE deciding factor for them though....

05-30-2006	#15 (permalink)
synestere añejo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cuernavaca Posts: 2,562	Paris is super expensive and full of French people I won´t even stop for gas in France . There is no love lost between the Brits and the French

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