<p>So - we’re trying to plan a brother/sister bonding trip before an internship. The plan is for both kids to go to Paris, England and Ireland for about 10 days to sight see and visit relatives. Then she would fly home and he would stay for an internship in England.</p>
<p>There is a good chance New Years could be involved so where would you go and why- Paris or London.</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>Paris.</p>
<p>because it’s Paris.</p>
<p>musicamusica - Have to agree with you on Paris. There really is no other city like it in the world.</p>
<p>Yes, Paris is Paris.
The French are crazier than the English, so I would choose Paris.</p>
<p>Trafalgar Square in London at midnight on New Year’s Eve - try to stay out of the fountain!</p>
<p>London - because it’s not Paris.</p>
<p>But I could enjoy either for a bonding trip - at least as much as I enjoy any big dirty city full of diesel-fume-spewing traffic (which isn’t much). You need to figure out what you enjoy. For me it’s the historical sites which both have. I don’t care about the food, sipping coffee watching people (not to mention I don’t drink coffee), clubs/bars for nightlife, etc. There’s something enjoyable to me about being in a place where they don’t speak English like we’re used to but some people don’t like that.</p>
<p>I haven’t been to either during New Years Eve but I don’t go out NY eve anyway.</p>
<p>USCD<em>UCLA</em>DAD</p>
<p>I divide people into two camps…intelligent, cultured folk who love Paris and boorish morons who prefer London. As a UCLA alum I feel it my duty to give you a fair warning. (so tempted to insert a smiley emoticon at this point…but this is too serious)</p>
<p>“I don’t care about the food”</p>
<p>THAT explains everything. Carry on.</p>
<p>Dreming 92…that’s what happens when you spend too much time in London. Your sense of humor mysteriously disappears.</p>
<p>New Year in Paris is a memory that will last a lifetime.</p>
<p>New Year in London means buying new shoes because you don’t want to scrub the vomit off the old ones. You think I’m kidding? Take a look at the British tabloid articles on New Year’s Eve.</p>
<p>The funny thing is having been to both cities, other than the food, I much prefer London. But I’d never go there voluntarily on New Year’s Eve.</p>
<p>musicamusica - </p>
<p>Mostly I was just being contrary. 
I like the cathedrals, castles, some museums, very old buildings, etc. in both locations and dislike the heavy traffic, jammed freeways, pervasive diesel smell, and big city of both locations. I’d rather eat fish and chips than snails, organ meat, or raw beef (my uncultured aspects are coming out here). I also don’t like shopping so that’s not a factor for me. I admit I don’t see why people are so enamored with Paris but I’d say the same for most cities and I realize that I’m probably in a minority on this.</p>
<p>London, for sure.</p>
<p>There are two big reasons why Paris is horrible and must be avoided at all costs.</p>
<p>One - Paris is full of gawky tourist Americans.</p>
<p>Two - Paris is full of Parisians.</p>
<p>
I ate fish and chips in the same pub Shakespeare used to frequent in Stratford upon Avon - it doesn’t get much more cultured than that!</p>
<p>Intelligent, cultured folk who describe their northern neighbors with words as “boorish morons”? Hahaha, right, how intelligent and cultured…</p>
<p>I don’t think spending a weekend eating live mollusks and pushing through a crowd of 800 people to catch a glimpse of Mona Lisa is any more intelligent or cultured than visiting Shakespeare’s Globe, strolling through the Victoria and Albert (which is free, along with most of all Britain’s museum’s mind you!), and hearing the London Symphony.</p>
<p>But then, I am admittedly a bit of an Anglophile and a Francophobe, so disclaimer noted ;)</p>
<p>My La Femme Nikita moment at Le Train Bleu (prix fixe dinner at the VERY table) trumps any aforementioned Shakespearean London cultural experiences.
Memories of gratuitous violence AND a great meal. SIGH</p>
<p>[Dinner</a> at Le Train Bleu](<a href=“Dinner at Le Train Bleu”>Dinner at Le Train Bleu)</p>
<p>Paris!! By a long shot. Is this even a question? Went there two years ago during the holidays and it wasn’t crowded but completely charming. London is fine too if you’ve not been there before I guess.</p>
<p>In all seriousness, if you want to go to Paris during the holiday, look into booking an apartment in the near future. It’s a great way to experience the city, but they tend to fill up during New Years week. Paris hotel rooms are notoriously small.</p>
<p>
La Femme Nikita ?? - Ohhh, you mean the place where Mr. Bean ate! Well, I guess that might be worth seeing then!</p>
<p>Goodness, I was thinking the same thing for myself. I’ll be in Europe for the winter and visiting friends during the holidays. I am definitely going to be in London and Copenhagen. But I’m tempted to swing through Paris for NYE… unless my London friends say that I have to come to them after Christmas… Glad that you brought up this thread even though I don’t think this quesiton will be resolved :)</p>
<p>London of course! Listening to Big Ben strike midnight whilst watching the fireworks over the Thames and singing Auld Lang Syne is amazing fun.</p>
<p>Okay - so if Paris wins out where should they stay. If anyone can suggest an area or even better inexpensive hotels that would be great. We don’t care if the space is small - they just need a place to sleep and park their luggage.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>