So Mrs. GoKart has an opportunity through the school she teaches at to go to either Madrid or Paris on a "training trip" for the people that lead the summer trips with kids. She can't decide between Paris in January or Madrid over New Years. TKP crowd sources experiences like no other social media platform, so let us know what you think about either place, and if you've been to both, please chime in.
Go Hokies!
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I've never been to Spain, but my wife and I loved Paris. Food was excellent, lots of stuff to see and history, and people were not as rude as they are made out to be.
Well I never been to Spain, but I kinda like the music. Say the ladies are insane there...and they sure know how to use it.
Add some notes to that and you might have a hit on your hands ... and maybe a copyright problem. ;>)
I think he's OK if he doesn't add in a popular drink.
Sort of depends on if she's been to one or both before, but all things being equal you can't beat Paris.
Here's why: Eiffel Tower (You have to have actually seen it once), Louvre and Orsay (if you like impressionism), Food (if you like food), Military museum (Napoleon was unique), shopping (There's no place like the Champs d'Elysees) and the general ambiance of the City of Lights.
Yes, it's touristy. Yes, they'll be rude because you're mispronouncing everything and you're a tourist and you're asking for ketchup. Everyone else wants to see it, too. Still, there's no place like it. Like others have said, if you can only see one of these, Paris is the one to have checked off the list.
I've heard they used to be bad, but when I went last year, I didn't see any of the rudeness. Supposedly the recession made then realize they need/like tourist.
As to the OP, never been to Spain, but Paris is awesome. Did it right after London, and I personally thought it blew London out of the water. And I liked London
Their rudeness is generally inversely proportional to a tourist's "ugly American". If you act normal, they do, too. If they're a little pointed, just ignore it.
It's an expensive city, so just be prepared to pay expensive city prices. If you go mentally prepared, you'll love it. How many times are you going to go to Paris? Not many. So spend a little more than you think you should for that drink at the well-located cafe. Not the place right beside the touristy museum. Go two or three blocks away to the place recommended by your Rick Steves guidebook. Take in the sights. Enjoy.
Went to Paris in Jan a few years ago. Weather is like Cville. No crowds at all. I would like to go back to Paris but I wouldn't want to go in summer with crazy crowds. It being so quiet was great.
I've never been to Madrid but I can't imagine being on my death bed and saying "I wish I went to Madrid." I can imagine I would say that about Paris if I never went.
So is the smell. Piss.
Not to mention they're both synonymous with surrender.
Paris is far superior to Madrid.
Haven't been to Madrid but have been to Spain(only Barcelona really) and Paris. I liked Paris, there's tons of historical stuff to see(seeing the Mona Lisa in person was pretty surreal and I know absolutely nothing about art) Outside the touristy area, I found people don't speak English much and they will be rude to you If you don't at least attempt to speak French with them.
I liked the food in Spain more, my friends who have gone to Madrid really liked it. I like Spanish food better than French food, and also I would imagine that Madrid is a lot cheaper. Being the capital city of Spain, I would imagine there are tons of historical sights to visit.
Never been to Madrid, but spent 3 weeks in Paris for "work". The city is amazing, no other way to say it. The food, the culture, the wine, the sights, it's an experience. We had the luxury of being with some locals who knew the good spots to eat and go to, but some parts can be dirty and sketchy like any other major city. My recommendation is to do plenty of research before you go so you are only semi-lost when you get there. Also, the shortest line to get into the Louvre is underneath it from the Trocadero Metro Stop. If you wait above ground, it'll take 2 hours that time of year to get in.
That's tough I liked Madrid better in high school. Paris seemed very touristy and felt like we just completed a check list of "things to see".
Both are incredible, you can't really go wrong with either. Paris will be more touristy though. Madrid is a little extra special to me as a Real Madrid fan of over 10 years, but without any attachment to the team the city would still be incredible.
In general, Madrid is cool but if you are there for a short time pick Paris. However, since it is winter time definitely Paris. It will be colder but Paris when it's snowing is amazing, and hands down the most romantic time of year.
If you're a history nut like me I highly suggest any of these books:
Paris Reborn by Kirkland
How Paris became Paris by Dejean, or
Seven Ages of Paris by Horne
If you do select Madrid I suggest you actually take as many day trips out of Madrid as possible and go to places like Toledo, Segovia, Cuenca, Salamanca, San Lorenzo de el Escorial and Consuegra (for the windmills, if you're a Don Qixote fan). That may sound odd to just spend time outside Madrid but honestly I enjoyed these places so much more than Madrid itself.
Paging VTSluss...
I have been to both, Paris for several days in the summer 10 years ago when the economy was terrible and Madrid this past February for several days. The highlights of Paris are endless but it feels like tourists are everywhere. I was surprised with how friendly they were but I think it was because the economy was crap and there weren't as many tourists as normal so they were thankful for the ones they had. Again, even though the economy was terrible, it still felt like there were tourists everywhere.
My two highlights of Madrid: seeing Ronaldo notch a hat trick and being pick pocketed at the train station. The train station in Madrid is absolutely beautiful but my wife was pickpocketed within 5 minutes of getting off the train. The dude was somehow able to unzip multiple zippers in her backpack as we crossed the street. Fortunately, the police "saw him on camera" and "recognized" him. They "called" him up and he brought her wallet back. To us it basically seemed like this was an unwritten agreement between pickpockets and cops at the train station. I will say that Madrid seemed like the most untouristy of the big cities that I have visited in Europe. They have some museums that weren't overcrowded, a casino where you will likely run into some American foreign exchange students (there were several Saint Louis University groups the nights I went), and several other cool sites in the city. The major advantage that I can see in Madrid is how cheap I felt it was. Finding a nice little restaurant with a good bottle of wine shouldn't set you back very far at all.
Ultimately, if it is your first time visiting either city, I'd knock Paris off the list. It is impossible to run out of things to do and is a much easier spring board to conversations involving international travel.
As a side note: my favorite European city so far is Lisbon. Endless small bars to choose from. Excellent food from all over the world. Friendly people. Enough hills to burn off all the booze and food you eat. Streets that take you back centuries that you can loose yourself in without a worry in the world.
do you actually make watches?
agree about Lisbon. Wonderful place. Try San Sebastian if you have a chance, it's a different culture and not hilly like Lisbon but it reminded me a lot of it.
I am an actual watchmaker. Very few of us actually make watches though. Personally I am in charge of all the repairs in North America for a major Swiss watch brand. My goal long term goal is to make my own watches. Hopefully get that going in the next few years.
Just googled San Sebastián. Looks like a place any Hokie could enjoy! Next trip might be Greece. Hopefully it won't be three days after the wife finds out she is pregnant like it was this year with Portugal and Spain.
Paris is the best choice...Madrid is better for summer months. Paris is beautiful year round.
Why not both?
I was waiting for this
Because EF Tours is only paying for one free training trip. And the summer trip is Capitals of Scandinavia.
I spent time in both Spain and France, including both those cities. We all have opinions but for me...
Paris= a must visit, I could spend days on end in the Louvre alone. Other than the places to visit, I did not really enjoy anything else. Just me.
Madrid= Great places to see and visit as well. When it comes to the overall experience? Spain beats France hands down. Probably my second favorite foreign country I've ever been to. Loved everything about it. Well not the pizza, never order pizza in Spain.... gross.
(wrong thread)
Never been to Madrid, but went to Paris a few weeks ago. It was absolutely amazing. As everybody has said, the history is fantastic. We did a walking tour of the city and it gave us enough of a tast to know we will be making several trips while we're in Germany. Food was great and everybody was friendly. Insider tip, our tour guide said the first week or two in August hav the smallest crowd levels.
Where in Germany are you? I'm in Wiesbaden
The choice is simple, Paris:
If you've never been to either, then Paris is the obvious choice. There is the idea that Madrid over New Year's could be pretty cool while Paris in January is, well, still Paris. I've been to both cities many times, and while I do enjoy Madrid, there's nothing like Paris.
Let us know what she decides and I'm sure you'll get plenty of great suggestions about places to see.
Things I hope I can say 10-15 years from now for 1000.
The Anthony Bourdain episode on Madrid was better. That's your answer (I've personally visited neither, but I maintain that my logic is sound).
Been to Paris. Highly recommend. Obviously you have the Louvre (I don't pretend to know art, but damn), Eiffel Tower (world's greatest erector set), and just overall coolness.
However...there is one place in Paris an American must visit (if it's still there, it's been 8+ years). It's called "Indiana Cafe" and it is fucking amazing. Food ain't great, but just to go in there is well worth it. They have many, manyyy pictures of native Americans lining the walls and had a live concert dvd of Marvin Gay playing on a loop. It doesn't sound that great, but it's just one of those things ya gotta see to appreciate.
London ... keep it simple
Don't think that was a choice, but hey, my vote goes to Dublin!
I'll see your vote (Dublin) & raise you Edinburgh, Glasgow &/or Belfast.
I've been all over Europe and Paris wouldn't be in my top 10. The Louvre? Wonderful. Everything else? Meh. Never been to Madrid, so I can't compare.
Paris, hands down. There is nothing to do in Madrid.
Paris probably gives you a bit more to do. Despite the occasional jerk you will encounter. And you will encounter them.
People will speak English in whichever country you go to, but try to know some basics before you go. I got better responses out of people when I, at least, tried to speak their language.
I didn't really have as much time to explore Madrid as I did Paris. In my short time there, I didn't see a whole lot that made me think the normal tourist would want to hang out for very long.
Bright side: you can be a lot of places, very quickly, if you take trains. Plus you get to see countryside along the way. Commuter trains are cheaper, but they stop more often. Trip time increases drastically.
Paris is incredible. Touristy but because it's great to visit. Endless cheap, delicious wine and a ton to do and see. Everyone was very friendly when we were there.
Madrid felt like just another big city. Some nice things to see or streets to wander through but the food is just OK.
So go for Paris and have a meal at Le Relais de l'Entrecote. Delicious steak for a reasonable cost (easy to spend under $100 for a meal that feels and tastes much fancier). No menu. They only ask you how you want your steak cooked and they bring you 2 servings. Best meal we had in Paris.
What part of town is that in? I'm always looking for good, well-priced restaurants.
Ah, I see, the 15th. Will add it to the list for next time, if I'm in that neighborhood.