Paris, Lyon, Nice or Dubrovnik

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I am planning to head to Paris in May for either a four or five day break. Is four or five days enough to see most the sites/museums in Paris? I am divided between heading down to Lyon and Nice or having a beach break in Dubrovnik. I was thinking of catching the TVR from Paris and stopping off in Lyon for two days or so, and then heading on to Nice for another couple of days. That was one idea. The other idea was flying in to Lyon from Ireland in August instead and travelling down to Nice. Another option is Dubrovnik for a beach break in August. Any ideas on which would be best? Should I do it all in one trip or should I spread it out in to two holliers.

Also, can anyone recommend a reasonably priced beach hotel in Dubrovnik that has direct access to the sea for swimming.

HeidiHeidi

Sky Delightful Zeppelin wrote: »

I am planning to head to Paris in May for either a four or five day break. Is four or five days enough to see most the sites/museums in Paris? I am divided between heading down to Lyon and Nice or having a beach break in Dubrovnik. I was thinking of catching the TVR from Paris and stopping off in Lyon for two days or so, and then heading on to Nice for another couple of days. That was one idea. The other idea was flying in to Lyon from Ireland in August instead and travelling down to Nice. Another option is Dubrovnik for a beach break in August. Any ideas on which would be best? Should I do it all in one trip or should I spread it out in to two holliers.

Also, can anyone recommend a reasonably priced beach hotel in Dubrovnik that has direct access to the sea for swimming.

They're all very far apart to consider doing in the same holiday!

I've been to all except Paris. Can't imagine four or five days being enough to "do" all of Paris though!

Nice is fantastic - a lovely city in itself, with any amount of even lovelier places nearby and accessible by train along the coast in both directions.

Lyon I've only spent weekends in, it's nice but I wouldn't rave about it.

Dubrovnik is amazing. The old city is the undoubted star of the show, and you'd see it in a day or two. The rest of the city is, well, just a city really. There's any amount of islands nearby which are accessible by a very comprehensive ferry service, but you wouldn't be doing a lot of island hopping in a long weekend. If you were going to go to the trouble of going all the way to Dubrovnik I'd allow some time for islands as well, if that's possible.

Be aware that there is no sand anywhere in Dubrovnik - the "beaches" will either be pebbles or concrete seafront piers. There's a bit of sand on the islands, but in general sandy beaches are not a feature of that part of the world.

Halloween Jack

Sky Delightful Zeppelin wrote: »

I am planning to head to Paris in May for either a four or five day break. Is four or five days enough to see most the sites/museums in Paris? I am divided between heading down to Lyon and Nice or having a beach break in Dubrovnik. I was thinking of catching the TVR from Paris and stopping off in Lyon for two days or so, and then heading on to Nice for another couple of days. That was one idea. The other idea was flying in to Lyon from Ireland in August instead and travelling down to Nice. Another option is Dubrovnik for a beach break in August. Any ideas on which would be best? Should I do it all in one trip or should I spread it out in to two holliers.

Also, can anyone recommend a reasonably priced beach hotel in Dubrovnik that has direct access to the sea for swimming.

If you've never been to paris before Id go there, while there I wouldn't go nuts on sightseeing, by all means go see some stuff, but on my first trip there I tried to cram too much in, There's a lot to be said for sitting in cafe's soaking up the atmosphere of the place...

I'd echo all of the above about Dubrovnik, it's a really cool spot, the swimming is amazing, crystal clear water but no beaches as such. You can go to Mostar in Bosnia for the day which is an experience in itself. If going with that option though, I'd suggest delaying till early September, the Croatian coast is insanely busy in July and August, in September the weather will still be great but less crowds and cheaper accom.

CarrickMcJoe

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

They're all very far apart to consider doing in the same holiday!

I've been to all except Paris. Can't imagine four or five days being enough to "do" all of Paris though!

Nice is fantastic - a lovely city in itself, with any amount of even lovelier places nearby and accessible by train along the coast in both directions.

Lyon I've only spent weekends in, it's nice but I wouldn't rave about it.

Dubrovnik is amazing. The old city is the undoubted star of the show, and you'd see it in a day or two. The rest of the city is, well, just a city really. There's any amount of islands nearby which are accessible by a very comprehensive ferry service, but you wouldn't be doing a lot of island hopping in a long weekend. If you were going to go to the trouble of going all the way to Dubrovnik I'd allow some time for islands as well, if that's possible.

Be aware that there is no sand anywhere in Dubrovnik - the "beaches" will either be pebbles or concrete seafront piers. There's a bit of sand on the islands, but in general sandy beaches are not a feature of that part of the world.

Thanks for that advice Heidi, heading to Dubrovmik in June. Won,t be bothering with beaches but do plan a day to Medjugorje though. Staying in old town.

OP 4 or 5 days is plenty to see all in Paris. We stayed for 3 nights and visited all the sights, stick to wine as the beer costs a fortune.. Take a good pair of walking shoes.

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HeidiHeidi wrote: »

They're all very far apart to consider doing in the same holiday!

I've been to all except Paris. Can't imagine four or five days being enough to "do" all of Paris though!

Nice is fantastic - a lovely city in itself, with any amount of even lovelier places nearby and accessible by train along the coast in both directions.

Lyon I've only spent weekends in, it's nice but I wouldn't rave about it.

Dubrovnik is amazing. The old city is the undoubted star of the show, and you'd see it in a day or two. The rest of the city is, well, just a city really. There's any amount of islands nearby which are accessible by a very comprehensive ferry service, but you wouldn't be doing a lot of island hopping in a long weekend. If you were going to go to the trouble of going all the way to Dubrovnik I'd allow some time for islands as well, if that's possible.

Be aware that there is no sand anywhere in Dubrovnik - the "beaches" will either be pebbles or concrete seafront piers. There's a bit of sand on the islands, but in general sandy beaches are not a feature of that part of the world.

Thanks for that. I think that I'll do five days in Paris and then come home. It's really a toss up between Lyon and Nice or Dubrovnik later on in the Summer....there's far too much choice. I noticed that with the hotels in Dubrovnik....a lot of the hotels that I had my eye on (most of them in fact) seem to have concrete piers off which you can jump in to the sea....It'll be a whole new experience! Is it easy enough to get from the airport in to the old part of Dubrovnik....I am going over as a single traveller. Would you suggest travelling to any island in particular?

HeidiHeidi

Sky Delightful Zeppelin wrote: »

Thanks for that. I think I'll do five days in Paris and then come home. It's really a toss up between Lyon and Nice or Dubrovnik later on in the Summer....there's far too much choice. I noticed that with the hotels in Dubrovnik....a lot of the hotels that I had my eye on (most of them in fact) seem to have concrete piers off which you can jump in to the sea....It'll be a whole new experience! Is it easy enough to get from the airport in to the old part of Dubrovnik....I am going over as a single traveller. Would you suggest travelling to any island in particular?

The airport is literally down the road from Dubrovnik (about 10km if memory serves) so definitely don't worry about that! Hvar is the party spot, full of lovely young things (which makes me run a mile!). Korcula was like a mini Dubrovnik, really gorgeous, and reputedly where Marco Polo was born. Sipan is just north of Dubrovnik - sleepy hollow, but really gorgeous. Don't think the ferry would serve there, though, we were on a boat ourselves when we visited there. Highlight of the week for me. There's a few others within reach of Dubrovnik, which would be well worth a visit by all accounts.

Montenegro is just down the road as well - about 20km I think - and it's supposed to be spectacular. To my regret I've still not made it there, and won't this year - we're going back to the north of Croatia sailing again - but I believe it would be well worth a look. Make sure to report back if you do see it, I'm dying to know if it's as good as I've heard! (The final scene in Casino Royale was filmed there)

Having said all that, I've done a trip to Nice twice, and it's just lovely, and we took off on the train north and south to all the posh spots along the Riviera, and you can nip across into Italy..... couldn't but recommend that as well! I think you might have three trips on your hands here, really.

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HeidiHeidi wrote: »

The airport is literally down the road from Dubrovnik (about 10km if memory serves) so definitely don't worry about that! Hvar is the party spot, full of lovely young things (which makes me run a mile!). Korcula was like a mini Dubrovnik, really gorgeous, and reputedly where Marco Polo was born. Sipan is just north of Dubrovnik - sleepy hollow, but really gorgeous. Don't think the ferry would serve there, though, we were on a boat ourselves when we visited there. Highlight of the week for me. There's a few others within reach of Dubrovnik, which would be well worth a visit by all accounts.

Montenegro is just down the road as well - about 20km I think - and it's supposed to be spectacular. To my regret I've still not made it there, and won't this year - we're going back to the north of Croatia sailing again - but I believe it would be well worth a look. Make sure to report back if you do see it, I'm dying to know if it's as good as I've heard! (The final scene in Casino Royale was filmed there)

Having said all that, I've done a trip to Nice twice, and it's just lovely, and we took off on the train north and south to all the posh spots along the Riviera, and you can nip across into Italy..... couldn't but recommend that as well! I think you might have three trips on your hands here, really.

Yes, I was browsing on tripadvisor and thought to myself oh wouldn't Lyon and Nice be nice . I got a good deal on the hotel in Paris - it's in the 17th arrondissement and for five days including breakfast it's coming in at €500 for a really nice three star including taxes etc. It's within five to ten minutes walking distance of the Champs and many of the attractions/museums. Will report back if I head to Montenegro....kind of leaning towards Dubrovnik. I can always head over to Nice etc for a w/e break again.

P. Breathnach

I have been to all of them, and agree with Halloween Jack that Paris should go to the top of the list. I also agree on his advice on how to experience it: it works better if you don't have a list on which to tick things as "done". See a few places well, and leave others for your next visit (because you will almost certainly decide to make more visits). And give time to simply experiencing Paris.

All the others are worth visiting, so to my mind it doesn't matter a lot which you visit next - because you should visit them all as time and money allow. Lyon is not necessarily a summer destination, whereas Nice and Dubrovnik are more so.

Strumms

OP, from my own experience I have spent 4/5 days in Paris and got the TGV down to Nice for another few days. One of my all time favourite trips. The trip itself on the TGV takes 5hours 40 minutes but it's worth it alone for the scenery on the way down through France and along the coast. You can pick up 'prems' first class tickets reasonably cheaply in advance, it's a very comfortable way to travel, it is a Duplex TGV so you can select to sit upstairs for a super panoramic view. Aswell as a buffet car you are allowed to bring your own food and drinks for the trip.

Just book one way flights to Paris and back from Nice, booking in advance you should get cheap enough flights with healthy competition on both routes.

Dubrovnik is beautiful I cannot wait to go back but I'd leave it as a standalone holiday. Lyon, well you could add it to your French itinary depending on how much time you can spare. Feel free to PM if you need any more detailed advice.

CarrickMcJoe

What currency is best to take to Dubrovnik?

HeidiHeidi

CarrickMcJoe wrote: »

What currency is best to take to Dubrovnik?

Euros will do you fine.

When I was last there you couldn't get the currency outside of the country, not sure if that's changed.

You could give euros in payment, and they'd give you Kuna as change. I was never ripped off.

Just don't bring huge denominations.

kupus

go to a bank machine and take out kuna. I wouldnt advise to bring euro at all.
its a lot easier, cos some places will rip you off, some places wont even have card machines, and some places dont want to even bother with euros....meaning if inspection comes and they dont have paperwork for unexplained euros in till they are in deep doo doo.
and i dont mean paddy shure it'll be grand doo doo. i mean its balkan we're going to close you for three weeks cos youve two euros in the till thats not accounted for, oh and by the way your nearest competition is getting me to do this so he can take over your business and i get a cut from it type of doo doo.

quick way to calculate is 1 euro = 7.5 kuna.
coffees start from 80p to 2e thats 5kuna to 16/18 kuna.
food from 40kuna to 150 for main dinners.
grab a pizza. and prepare for the nicest pizza in the world, better than italy or usa.
drink from 14kuna-25 for local beer, 25-50 for imports, ie heinkein, stella etc.

dub is very nice, but in center, and along lungo mare promande prepare to get fleeced. thats the nature of the beast in a tourist city though.
Forget about july and aug. jun sep best times.

paris plenty to see, take your time, you can see main things in 3 days.
nice really is lovely lil city. plenty to do around the area as well, trips to monte carlo etc.
lyon. nothing much, for me anyway.
and enjoy

Mountainsandh

Hi OP, I'm from Lyon, so I feel I've got to stand up for it
I do agree with the poster who said it does not need to be done in the summer though.
In fact, summers can be stiffling there, so pretty uncomfortable.
Instead, if you want a magical experience, book Lyon for the 8th December celebration, la fete des lumieres. People celebrate the Virgin Mary saving Lyon from the plague by placing rows of small candles on their window sils. This has taken another dimension nowadays, and the entire town celebrates with artful, poetic and magical light displays in the streets. There's music, and a surprise round every corner in the town centre. Parents, kids and lovers, everyone goes out for a walk that evening, and sometimes it coincides with the first snow. Check out YouTube videos Fete des Lumieres Lyon.
The medieval town is beautiful, quai de Saone too, and the Gallo Roman heritage is great. Lyon is the home of Guignol, ancient famous puppet, with its museum, and of silk drapery. The old town has lots of little tunnels silk boys dashed through in Medieval times, you must snoop in doorways to discover them (or follow a guide ). There is a sad but very informative Musee de la Resistance. Food is gorgeous, and it's a lot cheaper to stay there than Paris or Nice. Transport around town is excellent, buses, trams, metro, or velov.

The Fete de la musique on June 21st is also a brilliant experience with free concerts just about every where for the night.
http://youtu.be/JB1ppg0Ua1o