A few questions about our trip to Paris/Switzerland
Nov 11th, 2004, 07:22 AM
#1
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A few questions about our trip to Paris/Switzerland
Hello - this forum has been bery helpful to me in the past - so once again, I am looking to you for help.
My husband and I travel to Paris every year for Thanksgiving. This year is no exception. We are staying at the Hotel de Buci. We are also taking our 13 year old cousin and 2 year old son. The 13 year old will help with the baby and it is just nice to bring a relative to Paris for the first time. This guarantees my place as her favorite relative...
After two quick days in Paris, we are flying from Paris to Geneva on EasyJet. We are staying at the Mirador Kempsinski on Lake Geneva (near Vevey I think). The choice of hotel is non-negotiable (it was a gift).
We are planning on renting a car in Geneva in order to give ourselves maximum flexibility. We are both originally from cold weather states (Alaska and North Dakota) so are used to driving in snow.) We have three days in Switzerland and then it is home to the States.
Here are the questions:
1. Can you rent a car seat when renting a car in Switzerland?
2. What are the restrictions about travelling with a minor (not your child) on an international trip?
3. What is there to do in the Lake Geneva area with two great kids? Simple things are best for us - boat rides, train rides, sled rides.
4. In addition, my husband and I will escape in the evenings for a little adult time - any restaurant recommendations in the Vevey area?
Thanks so much for your help.
KK2
My husband and I travel to Paris every year for Thanksgiving. This year is no exception. We are staying at the Hotel de Buci. We are also taking our 13 year old cousin and 2 year old son. The 13 year old will help with the baby and it is just nice to bring a relative to Paris for the first time. This guarantees my place as her favorite relative...
After two quick days in Paris, we are flying from Paris to Geneva on EasyJet. We are staying at the Mirador Kempsinski on Lake Geneva (near Vevey I think). The choice of hotel is non-negotiable (it was a gift).
We are planning on renting a car in Geneva in order to give ourselves maximum flexibility. We are both originally from cold weather states (Alaska and North Dakota) so are used to driving in snow.) We have three days in Switzerland and then it is home to the States.
Here are the questions:
1. Can you rent a car seat when renting a car in Switzerland?
2. What are the restrictions about travelling with a minor (not your child) on an international trip?
3. What is there to do in the Lake Geneva area with two great kids? Simple things are best for us - boat rides, train rides, sled rides.
4. In addition, my husband and I will escape in the evenings for a little adult time - any restaurant recommendations in the Vevey area?
Thanks so much for your help.
KK2
Nov 11th, 2004, 09:39 AM
#3
You probably won't encounter snow down along the lake in November. Possible but not likely. I'm sure you could drive to it up at higher altitude if you want to.
I've only traveled around in the area by train so can't answer car questions. The towns of Lausanne, Vevey, and Montreux, which are +/- 1 hour from Geneva are all absolutely lovely. Chateux de Chillon outside Montreux is a fabulous OLD castle the kids might enjoy. There are boat rides or ferries from all the towns along the lake. This summer there was a carousel in the town square in Vevey. Vevey has quite a few restaurants, if I only had one night I'd probably go for fondue at a local place.
I've only traveled around in the area by train so can't answer car questions. The towns of Lausanne, Vevey, and Montreux, which are +/- 1 hour from Geneva are all absolutely lovely. Chateux de Chillon outside Montreux is a fabulous OLD castle the kids might enjoy. There are boat rides or ferries from all the towns along the lake. This summer there was a carousel in the town square in Vevey. Vevey has quite a few restaurants, if I only had one night I'd probably go for fondue at a local place.
Nov 11th, 2004, 09:44 AM
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Check with the hotel about the boat schedules as they are reduced in frequency during the Winter months. Approaching Chillon by boat can be exciting but yopu can also get there by car.
I would normally recommend the spectacular trip up to Rochers de Naye from Montreux by rail; the trip up would excite the older child I suspect (as well as the adults) and the views from the top are spectacular. However, it can be socked in, view-wise, in the Winter and may not be worth the effort.
Geneva is nice for a walk along the lake, etc., but with such a short time I'd spend time elsewhere closer to Vevey/Lausanne, etc.
I would normally recommend the spectacular trip up to Rochers de Naye from Montreux by rail; the trip up would excite the older child I suspect (as well as the adults) and the views from the top are spectacular. However, it can be socked in, view-wise, in the Winter and may not be worth the effort.
Geneva is nice for a walk along the lake, etc., but with such a short time I'd spend time elsewhere closer to Vevey/Lausanne, etc.
Nov 11th, 2004, 09:52 AM
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..re travelling with a minor (your cousin). Have a letter from her parents. If her parents are divorced, be sure to have them each give you a letter saying she is travelling with you and that they have given permission ect. In addition, get a power of attorney in case of accident or illness (and if divorced be sure the parent with custody signs).
Nov 12th, 2004, 01:40 AM
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The Mirador is a beautiful hotel with absolutely stunning views of the lake and mountains. There is also an indoor pool and an excellent health club and spa. There is a very fun incline railway which you can take to the hotel from the train station area in downtown Vevey. There are walking paths from the hotel to various areas on the mountain behind the hotel, and an elevator to the highest location, all of which the kids would enjoy. There is also walking and biking on flatter parts along the lake. It is unlikely that there will be any snow at all, as that end of Lake Geneva has a warmer micro-climate.
I am not sure you would really want or need a car, as the train system is excellent and if ferries are running, they are a great way to see the sights and appreciate the views. With so many walking path options and only three days, IMO I would stay in the Vevey area.
The Chillon castle mentioned above is a good trip.
With regard to travelling with children who are not yours, you might want to check the website for the US State Department to determine what documents you may need to exit the US. Take a look at http://travel.state.gov/. Any written authorization from the parent or parents should be notarized. It is leaving the US where you will encounter the most problems (due to custody disputes where a parent tries to take a child out of the US), you should not get any questions from French or Swiss authorities. However, you might take a look at the websites for the French and Swiss embassies in the US, at info-france-use.org and swissemb.org respectively. The Power of Attorney for medical care is an excellent suggestion, again the parent?s signature should be notarized. If you could get a French translation done as well that would probably be helpful but not essential.
I am not sure you would really want or need a car, as the train system is excellent and if ferries are running, they are a great way to see the sights and appreciate the views. With so many walking path options and only three days, IMO I would stay in the Vevey area.
The Chillon castle mentioned above is a good trip.
With regard to travelling with children who are not yours, you might want to check the website for the US State Department to determine what documents you may need to exit the US. Take a look at http://travel.state.gov/. Any written authorization from the parent or parents should be notarized. It is leaving the US where you will encounter the most problems (due to custody disputes where a parent tries to take a child out of the US), you should not get any questions from French or Swiss authorities. However, you might take a look at the websites for the French and Swiss embassies in the US, at info-france-use.org and swissemb.org respectively. The Power of Attorney for medical care is an excellent suggestion, again the parent?s signature should be notarized. If you could get a French translation done as well that would probably be helpful but not essential.
Nov 12th, 2004, 03:43 AM
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Have taken non-related minors to France and to Scotland. The advice about checking each countries' websites is correct. I always worry about two things--making sure the kid could get instant medical treatment and making sure that in case of separation, the kid would be safe.
I had a notorized form stating permission to leave the country with power of attorney to make medical decisions (included a line that attempts would be made to contact parent by both treating institution and me). I also had a medical record--tetenus shots, allergies, etc. with me.
On the inside of each kid's coat I pin an extensive label--name, hotel in which we're staying, hotel number, US number, flight number. My worst fear was always on Metro line to Champs Elysee--could see some kid lost in the crush during rush hour.
Each kid was given a pocket map and a French phone card, too, to carry inside a little backpack/purse that also had on an index card all the information above.
I had a notorized form stating permission to leave the country with power of attorney to make medical decisions (included a line that attempts would be made to contact parent by both treating institution and me). I also had a medical record--tetenus shots, allergies, etc. with me.
On the inside of each kid's coat I pin an extensive label--name, hotel in which we're staying, hotel number, US number, flight number. My worst fear was always on Metro line to Champs Elysee--could see some kid lost in the crush during rush hour.
Each kid was given a pocket map and a French phone card, too, to carry inside a little backpack/purse that also had on an index card all the information above.
Nov 16th, 2004, 08:07 AM
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Amelia - thank you - that is excellent advice - esp. about losing one on the metro. The little guy will be in a stroller but the older one may get caught up in the mix. I will start moving on these documents. Thanks again.
Nov 16th, 2004, 08:19 AM
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There is a cool little restaurant across the street from Chillon--name escapes me, but food was very good.
I've flown Easy Jet to Geneva once. Get to the check-in desk early (1.5 hours prior to departure) and to the gate so you can get early boarding permission--with children it should be no problem. There is no assigned seating, so an early board will allow you to sit together. Not much leg room, but for the cost it's fine.
Second the notion of taking the train. Geneva airport and train station are attached. Within an hour you are in Vevey. Parking can be difficult & expensive, and the public transportation system is good. Then again, I've never traveled with a 2 year old, so maybe a car offers convenience.
I've flown Easy Jet to Geneva once. Get to the check-in desk early (1.5 hours prior to departure) and to the gate so you can get early boarding permission--with children it should be no problem. There is no assigned seating, so an early board will allow you to sit together. Not much leg room, but for the cost it's fine.
Second the notion of taking the train. Geneva airport and train station are attached. Within an hour you are in Vevey. Parking can be difficult & expensive, and the public transportation system is good. Then again, I've never traveled with a 2 year old, so maybe a car offers convenience.
Nov 16th, 2004, 11:59 AM
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Holy cow.. after reading this forum - I feel like I shouldn't have been allowed to have children. But in any event, I have 3 and took my niece (15 years old) and my daughter (12 years old) to Europe for a month. I didn't have any of the things described (boy, I never would of thought of the name in the clothes idea!)... but we went to several countries - including both France and Switzerland - and I was never asked a question. I think once they are old enough to scream "help me - this nut that didn't think to put my name in my shirt is in fact kidnapping me" - if they feel the need, people stop worrying. But again, I would listen to the advice of parents that are clearly far better prepared than me...
Nov 16th, 2004, 12:05 PM
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Julie - you crack me up. I just had terrible visions of me getting my wonderful cousin to Switzerland - and then being unable to get her home. Really - how would I explain that to her parents? (Just kidding - I really wouldn't leave her there.)
Nov 16th, 2004, 12:38 PM
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Seriously, do have fun and enjoy. It never hurts to have an authorized letter (notorized) that permits travel and medical treatment ... I'm just personally not that smart - and if I had it I would have lost it anyways. My niece had the thrill of a lifetime - and the gift of travel is certainly more precious - and will result in more memories - than any other.
By the way, while in Switzerland we stayed in Lauterbrunnen (where not only were her clothes unmarked, but I took her paragliding)... it was really lovely. Not sure how far it is from Geneva - but the Interlocken area is written about quite a bit on this forum.
By the way, while in Switzerland we stayed in Lauterbrunnen (where not only were her clothes unmarked, but I took her paragliding)... it was really lovely. Not sure how far it is from Geneva - but the Interlocken area is written about quite a bit on this forum.
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