DEL.ICIO.USFROM ATLANTA TO...PARIS
One city, three price points: Weekend in Paris
For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday, April 05, 2009
BUDGET
Getting there
www.batobus.com
The glass-domed Batobus makes eight stops on its ‘hop on, hop off’ tour of Paris from the Seine River.
www.lapouleaupot.fr
No trip to Paris would be complete without visiting a bistro; La Poule au Pot is a tasty and affordable choice.
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Depart by May 26 at inclusive economy rates of $690. Delta offers nonstop flights.
Stay
Book one of 19 Timhotels three or more weeks in advance at deep discounts. On a quaint street, the three-star Paris Clichy is 150 yards from a Métro with direct service to the Champs Elysées. Sample four-night stays are about 300 euro and include buffet breakfast (1 euro is about $1.35). 21 Boulevard de Clichy, 75009, www.timhotel.com.
Eat
Traffic-free Rue Cler is one of the finest market streets (École Militaire Métro). Take a flame-roasted chicken from Darious Rotisserie (with stay-hot bags), then add picnic courses from shops selling breads, pastries, fruits, chocolates and wines. Take the goodies to the gardens at the west tip of Ile Saint-Louis (4th Arrondissement). With Hôtel de Ville and Ile de la Cité in view, bon appétit!
Experience
Tour Paris from the Seine River aboard Batobus. Glass-domed boats make eight stops. A one-day “hop on, hop off” pass is 12 euro for adults; 6 euro for children under 16; two-day pass, 16 euro and 8 euro, respectively. www.batobus.com.
Moderate
Getting there
Kick around London a day or two ($520 on departures through May 25), then take Eurostar to Paris (via Channel Tunnel; two hours, 20 minutes) for about $162 per person. www.raileurope.com.
Stay
On a cobbled street off the Seine in the Marais district (4th Arrondisement) is Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais, a chic private townhouse. Guest rooms feature air conditioning, soundproofing, Wi-Fi and satellite LCD TV from 130-170 euro. 12 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004, www.carondebeaumarchais.com.
Eat
Unassuming from the street, Le Trumilou melts patrons with a famed entrée, Canard aux Pruneaux (duck in prune sauce, 17 euro). This traditional Right Bank bistro has entrées from 13 euro; 84 Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004, 42-77-63-98, www.letrumilou.com. The proprietors own another bistro, La Poule au Pot, near Pont des Invalides with entrées to 36 euro. www.lapouleaupot.fr.
Experience
Take a tour with Context, walking adventures for the intellectually curious. Choose from dozens of themed walks. A three-hour tour focuses on French Masters at the Louvre, 70 euro. www.contexttravel.com.
SPLURGE
Getting there
Round-trip business-class rates on Delta average $3,300 with a 50-day notice and seven-day minimum stay. A one-week purchase notice is required from Thanksgiving through the New Year’s holidays.
Stay
The romantic Hôtel Daniel, on a quiet residential street, is steps from the Champs Elysées and Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Weekend rooms from 330-650 euro. 8 Rue Frédéric Bastiat, 75008, www.hoteldanielparis.com.
Eat
Savor a three-course French dinner aboard Bateaux Parisian. The panoramic boat departs from the Eiffel Tower and glides down the Seine to a live musical serenade. The evening continues at Le Lido for the “Bonheur” show with 70 performers in 23 settings. A six-hour tour runs about 280 euro. www.magicaljourneys.com.
Experience
Spend one special day exploring the Loire Valley, the Garden of France. This river valley region, less than two hours away from Paris, is dotted with weekend homes and hunting lodges of the royals. Guided trips visit Chenonceau, Cheverny and Chambord castles, with lunch, drinks and minibus transportation (eight guests), 190 euro. www.parisvision.com.
Maerz is a retired travel consultant. Look for her daily deals on ajc.com/travel.
Have a city you want to read about? E-mail svanatten@ajc.com, and put “weekend in” in the subject line.
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