Just joined the forums here have used the some of the deals which were great.
I am planning our honeymoon to Paris and having not travelled as an adult, I am quite new to all this, so was hoping to get some major cost saving methods and recommendations.
We are planning on travelling sometime in March/April/May with about two weeks in Paris (and travelling to other parts of France) and 2-4 weeks in Tashkent.
I have had a look at a few websites already, but cannot seem to find a site that will allow me to filter accommodation well enough.
What I am looking to do is stay at accommodation with the following:
- Full Kitchen (so that we can cook food in the room, in order to reduce our costs)
- Reverse Cycle Aircon or heater (I hear it can get fairly cold by Sydney Australia standards {I don't the heat would be anywhere in comparison to our summers})
- Lifts (so that we don't need to carry suitcases upstairs)
- Located in a safe and secure neighbourhood (as Paris does on occasion have crime problems)
- Shower and bath (which are big enough for two people)
- Within 1-2km walking distance from public transport, supermarkets, sites
- Flexible check-in/check-out times (as I imagine cheap flights may mean unusual arrival and departure times)
- Staff who can communicate in English, Russian, Turkish or Uzbek)
As for flights, I found last night cheap flights from KAYAK, but not sure if this is the best comparison website. Any suggestions on how to minimise costs would be great, however we are not willing to sacrifice safety or security for price.
Also will probably require a good deal on a prepaid mobile SIM card with data for either an iPhone 5 or HTC Desire S or if there is any short term post paid plans that could work well too.
Also, are there any other savings costs that we could use, as our finances are quite depleted after our wedding.
That's an extensive list - I'm not sure that you'll be able to tick every single item off. For example, a lot of older hotels in Europe won't have lifts, and if they do have one it'll be tiny. But the trade off is a the ambience. Luckily, since the winters are so cold, every hotel room I've been in has had a heater, so that one should be fairly easy. For value for money and a full kitchen, try airbnb.com - but that may mean compromises on #8!
Judging from your post, you might want to look at accommodation that isn't on Montmartre, which is the red light district. I liked Marais, close to the Seine.
Chateau de Versailles is obviously a must-do, but take a picnic down to the Queen's Hamlet as well, where Marie Antoinette would play at being a country girl. I'd also try and visit Musee d'Orsey which is an old train station filled with impressionist art.