London or Paris?

I'm traveling outside of the U.S. for the first time EVER in my entire life. I was going to start my adventure in either LON or PAR. Which one should i go to? Also, i would be doing my first stop alone and later meeting my friend in Vienna. Im a little scared to go to either LON or PAR on my own and not quite sure what to do and not to do or if it's even a good idea...

I was going to start my adventure in either LON or PAR. Which one should i go to?

I suppose that LON stands for London, and PAR for Paris.

We don't know you nor your interests, so nobody can tell you which one you should go to. People here will just tell you to go to their own favourite city - most probably having in mind things to do and see different from those you'd like to do and see. Other than that, if I were you and had absolutely no idea of which one I might prefer visiting, I'd simply go to the one for which I can get the cheapest airfare. Also consider that one does not exclude the other. You don't say how long you plan to travel, but if you have enough time you might as well start in London, go to Paris and then to Vienna.

Thousands of people travel solo to both London and Paris, so just use common sense and exercise the same precautions as you'd do in your home place and you'll be fine. To meet up with other travellers and/or local people, you may want to consider joining one hospitality network like Couchsurfing or Hospitality Club. Membership is free, but please note this should not be used to find free hostels, but to meet like-minded people for a cultural exchange.

The more im looking into it i think i will go to LON. I was more concerned with being a blonde, blue eyed girl traveling alone outside of her country for the first time. Ive seen the movie taken and though im not as ignorant and naive i still have some skepticism of going alone.

Both cities are fantastic places to visit. If you're an English speaker it might be easier to start in London while you get used to travelling on your own. Obviously you have to look after yourself and be sensible about who you talk to but don't let a few nerves put you off. Have a fantastic time.

Relax. You're not exactly diving into the deep end of the pool with either city.

There are plenty of single, blonde, blue-eyed women in both London and Paris. Though I had no idea that males were so much more gentlemanly in the USA than in France or the UK.

Start in Rome. Forget London and Paris.

Rome is the best and most interesting city in Europe.

And before you go to London you should have been to Rome, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam and Prague.

Ive seen the movie taken

The least I can say is that if European women had to be influenced by the dozens of American movies starring the bloodiest types of torturers and serial killers, they would never leave home. Besides, there're more chances a woman is raped and slaughtered in a large American city than being sold to the white slave market while being in PAR or LON.

And no, don't mention it. You're welcome.

cgbleak, congratulations for your 1000th post!!!

Oh, ty Soosh--a bit under the weather here (I strongly suspect the germ-ridden Milano Metro is to blame), so frankly and truly, I didn't notice.

Sheesh, it only took 4 1/2 years....I'm such a shy, quiet fellow....

I didn't notice

Oh, I did, Sigiblik. That's what friends are for.

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I suppose there won't be any wild celebrations tonight...

You don't say how much time you have available to you. Why don't you do both? Spend a week in each place. Don't worry about language in Paris, you can get by if you don't know a single word of French, but I think you would enjoy learning a few words like, bonjour, Merci, au revoir, etc.

Check the price of the air tickets to Paris and London and take the one that is the least expensive. Then take the tunnel between Paris and London. Both cities can be done on a budget.

Dear Unsuccessful White Slaver,

what is Magenta supposed to mean? In Italian it's the name of a town* and a colour (a kind of red).

*This could be a good test for your students. An important battle during the Italian second independence war was fought there. They say that so much blood was shed that the name Magenta started to be associated to the colour of blood.

Edited by: an Unsuccessful White Slave

Im not that clueless, but thanks guys.

And as far as my reference to Taken, i was semi being facetious. I dont base all foreign countries off of movies i watch. I was just curious if traveling outside the US, for the first time and alone for the first couple of days, could be overwhelming.

What's the wheather like around the end of Dec? Obviously, it'll be a lot colder than what im used to in CA, but are there certain items that'll make a huge difference when trying to keep warm?

Def start in London, it's a great place particuarly this time of year as the nights draw on. Obv from a language pov you'll fine it much easier to start (though it's Lester Sq not Lie-cess-terrr etc.) Central London can be quite cheap to eat in if you avoid the fancy places - check out China Town, Brick Lane and the like.

Plenty of hostels though not sure of the prices.

Tube network is excellent if a little crowded though everything in central london is walkable and sometimes its worth 'just getting lost' and find your way round. Central London is totally safe to walk around so do come.

London be a great place to start and then head across to Paris on the eurostar - might be worth looking up inter rail: http://www.interrailnet.com/

Just seen this your last post - weather end of December, it'll be cold c -2 to 3 degrees so a good jacket and decent walking shoes, gloves, hat & scarf and you'll be fine. rarely snows in London (when it does we grind to a halt!!) Daylight at that time of year is about 8 hours (our clocks go back one hour at the end of october) so it gets dark by about 4pm.

Don't think you'll be overwhelmed due to your speaking (bad!) english!!!