Would you go to Paris beginning or ending of May?
Nov 10th, 2006, 10:16 PM
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Would you go to Paris beginning or ending of May?
First off - we are from Hawaii, and when we last went to Paris around May 22nd it was 60 degrees, and we were freezing. So, logically, if we had a choice, we would pick the ending of May.
But life isn't that easy right? We are also going to New York on May 15th. We can either do:
1. Go to Europe first, which would put us in Paris April 29-May 3, spend 16 nights in Europe, and then arrive in New York around May 15th.
2. Go to New York first on May 15 which puts us in Paris May 21-26.
We are using Mileage tickets, so I don't even know if we will have a choice to pick where we want to go first. But, if we do have to pick between the dates - weather wise, when would you go to Paris?
I've done research, and everyone says Paris weather is very fickle. But, is there a huge difference between the dates? Will the weather be so rainy/cold in the beginning of May that it would hamper what we are able to see?
At this point, it would be harder to go to Europe before New York, and the only thing holding me up from making a decision is the weather issue.
Any help would be great!
But life isn't that easy right? We are also going to New York on May 15th. We can either do:
1. Go to Europe first, which would put us in Paris April 29-May 3, spend 16 nights in Europe, and then arrive in New York around May 15th.
2. Go to New York first on May 15 which puts us in Paris May 21-26.
We are using Mileage tickets, so I don't even know if we will have a choice to pick where we want to go first. But, if we do have to pick between the dates - weather wise, when would you go to Paris?
I've done research, and everyone says Paris weather is very fickle. But, is there a huge difference between the dates? Will the weather be so rainy/cold in the beginning of May that it would hamper what we are able to see?
At this point, it would be harder to go to Europe before New York, and the only thing holding me up from making a decision is the weather issue.
Any help would be great!
Nov 10th, 2006, 11:17 PM
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Hi
The weather in Paris can be unpredictable in spring. When my wife and I went there in April this year it was freezing. But the week after we came home it was 20+ Celsius. So I guess you can never be sure. Here is my trip report from Paris by the way: http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm
Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
The weather in Paris can be unpredictable in spring. When my wife and I went there in April this year it was freezing. But the week after we came home it was 20+ Celsius. So I guess you can never be sure. Here is my trip report from Paris by the way: http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm
Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
Nov 11th, 2006, 01:30 AM
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Since different people have different meanings for some terms such as "freezing" and "we froze" I suggest you go to a site such as weatherunderground.com and input Paris,France and then look at the history for a specific date.
This yesr, for example the mean temperature in Paris on May 11 was 73 degrees.
I'll leave it to you to decide if that is "freezing" or not.
This yesr, for example the mean temperature in Paris on May 11 was 73 degrees.
I'll leave it to you to decide if that is "freezing" or not.
Nov 11th, 2006, 03:37 AM
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You said it would be harder to go to Europe -before- New York... which means you'd choose Paris at the end of May, which should mean it will be warmer (no guarantees)..
The truth is you might not get either timeframe or you might not get those exact dates, so best to find out your options first. There aren't very many seats for FF anymore, and you are actually kind of late for May booking (should have started in June 06 for May 07!)
The truth is you might not get either timeframe or you might not get those exact dates, so best to find out your options first. There aren't very many seats for FF anymore, and you are actually kind of late for May booking (should have started in June 06 for May 07!)
Nov 11th, 2006, 03:52 AM
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May 17 and 27-28, 2007 are national holidays in France.
Be aware that the French take their holidays very seriously!
(This does not mean, of course, that all Paris will grind to a halt. But still......)
Be aware that the French take their holidays very seriously!
(This does not mean, of course, that all Paris will grind to a halt. But still......)
Nov 11th, 2006, 04:43 AM
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I would take jet lag into account..always worse going west for me. Whenever I travel to Hawaii or Asia from NYC it takes me days and days to get adjusted. I would rather be out of sorts at home than while on a trip...ie, do New York first.
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Nov 11th, 2006, 05:33 AM
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I don't think there is enough separation of those dates to worry about. It can be colder on May 26 than on April 29 for example. And I remember the year we arrived in New York (2001) on May 1 for two or three days of record breaking heat in the upper 90's with sweltering humidity. We seem to end up London the end of May or the beginning of June nearly every year. Sometimes it's hot when we arrive and cold when we leave. You just can't count on weather in May!
That said, we often do a stopover in New York on the way to Europe, and I think that's how I'd do this as well. Besides, Paris always seems like such a bargain after New York -- we spend less than half as much per day in Paris as we do in New York!
That said, we often do a stopover in New York on the way to Europe, and I think that's how I'd do this as well. Besides, Paris always seems like such a bargain after New York -- we spend less than half as much per day in Paris as we do in New York!
Nov 11th, 2006, 08:16 AM
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Of course anything can happen with the weather, but on average, the end of May should be warmer than then beginning, and since you are concerned about that and say it would be difficult to go at the beginning of May -- why is there even a choice here? Why wouldn't you go at the end of May in this case?
Also, there are some holidays at the end of May, noted above, but those aren't during your dates and they are not the most major holidays in France (Ascencion and Pentecost and Whit Monday). However, your first dates cover May 1st (Labor Day), which is one of the biggest holidays in terms of closures, so that would be another reason to go at the end.
Also, there are some holidays at the end of May, noted above, but those aren't during your dates and they are not the most major holidays in France (Ascencion and Pentecost and Whit Monday). However, your first dates cover May 1st (Labor Day), which is one of the biggest holidays in terms of closures, so that would be another reason to go at the end.
Nov 11th, 2006, 10:52 AM
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Ugh - this is what happens when you post a question after doing research on the computer for 5 hour straight!
What I meant to say was that it would be harder to do New York first, and then Europe.
If we went at the ending of May, we would actually be avoiding all the holidays, but by going in the beginning, we hit May 1st.
Nothing but the Eiffel Tower open - would it be a good idea to take a day tour to the Loire Valley or will all the castles be closed also?
Also, I read in my Rough Guide book that May 8th(victory day) is also a holiday - is that date for this year, and will anything be open?
Degas - I'm sure people would never even think of traveling from Hawaii to Europe if they knew they would be traveling in the air about 16-17 hours, not including all those hours you are waiting in terminals for your next flight!
We actually have Aloha Air Miles, who work with United, and May isn't really out of the question yet, but we might have to change a few dates here and there.
What I meant to say was that it would be harder to do New York first, and then Europe.
If we went at the ending of May, we would actually be avoiding all the holidays, but by going in the beginning, we hit May 1st.
Nothing but the Eiffel Tower open - would it be a good idea to take a day tour to the Loire Valley or will all the castles be closed also?
Also, I read in my Rough Guide book that May 8th(victory day) is also a holiday - is that date for this year, and will anything be open?
Degas - I'm sure people would never even think of traveling from Hawaii to Europe if they knew they would be traveling in the air about 16-17 hours, not including all those hours you are waiting in terminals for your next flight!
We actually have Aloha Air Miles, who work with United, and May isn't really out of the question yet, but we might have to change a few dates here and there.
Nov 11th, 2006, 12:59 PM
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Not much difference between early-May or end-May. It's weather and while it would seem that end would be warmer, no guarantee. I've even hit a cold spell in Hawaii, yup. Not freezing, but temps dropped to the hi-50s.
Paris weather can be tricky year-round. Mid July can have temps in the 80s one week and the 50s the next.
Just have a jacket or sweater and if all else fails - go shopping!
Paris weather can be tricky year-round. Mid July can have temps in the 80s one week and the 50s the next.
Just have a jacket or sweater and if all else fails - go shopping!
