Going Abroad With My Sisters ... Without Going Crazy
Oct 26th, 2005 | 05:48 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2003
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Going Abroad With My Sisters ... Without Going Crazy
If you've ever been the travel agent for a group of family and/or friends, I could use your help.
My mother wants to take her daughters to Paris for a week or so. There are three of us; none of us is under 30. Okay, 40. My mother and I have been abroad together before. My sisters have never been out of the country. But everyone loves the idea of Paris....
As the designated travel planner, I'd appreciate some advice.
What are some strategies for tailoring an itinerary to please everyone at least once in a while? Send out questionnaires? Dictate?
How have you accommodated differing travel styles -- from the person who has to have a couple of hours to herself everyday to the one who won't go the ladies' room by herself?
Is there anything I can do to lessen some of the anxiety my sisters may have about foreign travel (like packing and meeting up in Paris from our homes in the U.S.)?
What is the best way to handle group expenses for things we'll be paying for ourselves (like meals and local transportation)?
I'm also wondering how to ask them about the intangible: What do you want to bring home from this trip? (In the case of one of my sisters, it will have to do with discounted perfume or gorgeous linens -- something very tangible indeed!) But because they they long to see Paris more than anywhere else, I want to help them experience a little of the Paris of their dreams.
And just how tough will it be to travel with a bunch of related women?!?!
My trip happens to be to Paris, but the dynamics would be the same for any destination.
My mother wants to take her daughters to Paris for a week or so. There are three of us; none of us is under 30. Okay, 40. My mother and I have been abroad together before. My sisters have never been out of the country. But everyone loves the idea of Paris....
As the designated travel planner, I'd appreciate some advice.
What are some strategies for tailoring an itinerary to please everyone at least once in a while? Send out questionnaires? Dictate?
How have you accommodated differing travel styles -- from the person who has to have a couple of hours to herself everyday to the one who won't go the ladies' room by herself?
Is there anything I can do to lessen some of the anxiety my sisters may have about foreign travel (like packing and meeting up in Paris from our homes in the U.S.)?
What is the best way to handle group expenses for things we'll be paying for ourselves (like meals and local transportation)?
I'm also wondering how to ask them about the intangible: What do you want to bring home from this trip? (In the case of one of my sisters, it will have to do with discounted perfume or gorgeous linens -- something very tangible indeed!) But because they they long to see Paris more than anywhere else, I want to help them experience a little of the Paris of their dreams.
And just how tough will it be to travel with a bunch of related women?!?!
My trip happens to be to Paris, but the dynamics would be the same for any destination.
Oct 26th, 2005 | 06:15 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,605
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Each traveler should provide you with their 'top 3' (or top 5, whatever) things they want to do or see.
Each traveler should have 'permission' to go or not go with the group on any given day.
If flying in from different cities and at different times, it's easiest to meet up at the hotel.
If booking twin rooms and doubling up, try to match like-types, ie. don't pair up a woman who drags brush thru hair, pulls on her clothes and is ready to go with a woman who needs to use hot-rollers, and can't decide what to wear until she's tried on 3 things.
Each traveler should have 'permission' to go or not go with the group on any given day.
If flying in from different cities and at different times, it's easiest to meet up at the hotel.
If booking twin rooms and doubling up, try to match like-types, ie. don't pair up a woman who drags brush thru hair, pulls on her clothes and is ready to go with a woman who needs to use hot-rollers, and can't decide what to wear until she's tried on 3 things.
Oct 26th, 2005 | 06:29 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,704
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See a couple of really good Paris-based movies, rent some travel videos (Rudy Maxa etc) and get out a map and guidebook. Have everyone make a list of their fav. places and mark them on the map. I think becoming more familiar with the layout of the city, seeing movies so that you get a good idea of the look and feel of street life etc will lessen the anxiety. Don't forget ti include down-time for everyone to go their own way for an afternoon, or nap, what ever they want.
Oct 26th, 2005 | 06:30 AM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,098
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No one itinerary will please everyone.
Do you all have to sightsee together in a pack every day? If interests vary, can't you split up, and then meet on an agreed upon place for lunch and/or dinner?
That's what Mrs. Fly and I do when we have very differing interests; e.g., she could spend 2 days in the Louvre while I'm ready to leave after an hour. So I leave to visit some modern art museum or military-related site, and we meet later. Most things we are both interested in, so we're usually together, but it doesn't stress us out to be separated for a few hours. In fact, travel can be quite stressful, and being apart for a bit now and then can be very helpful.
So, what we do when trip planning: We each individually make a list of what we'd like to see/do in a place.
The list is divided into 3 sections: 1. Things I must see/do or the trip will be ruined for me, or I'll obsess about missing it for months afterwards. 2. Things I'd like to see/do, but I wouldn't lose much sleep if I did miss it. 3. Things of some interest that I'd go to see/do if I happened to pass it in the street and everything in 1 and 2 has already been visited/done.
We then compare our lists and see where we match and differ. Any number 1's on both lists are definite visits. These we make sure to visit early in the trip. Next in priority come the #1's that don't match--we do some broad planning of how to mesh these in with the matching #1's (we never plan individual days to the minute or hour). Here's where we start looking at maps to see how some items can be grouped, which days might be best for each, etc.
Then we move on to the 2s. Now the lists can change a bit--sometimes a 2 will move up to 1 and vice versa. That most often happens when we both have an item listed in 2 and it gets more interesting as we discuss it.
Anyway, our available time (we don't schedule everything by the hour, but we can sort of tell how much time a particular item will take, more or less) is usually filled somewhere in the #2 section, but if not we can move on to the 3s.
Some people would consider it overplanning, others would consider it underplanning, but we find it just right for us--it would take a little more effort for more than 2 people, but I would certainly at least get input from each of your travelers on what they consider must sees and must dos. Even if you don't do the 3-tiered thing like we do.
And it requires each of them to do some research, so you aren't stuck leading someone around Paris who hasn't a clue about anything. Plus you all get some time away from one another--not a bad thing at all.
Do you all have to sightsee together in a pack every day? If interests vary, can't you split up, and then meet on an agreed upon place for lunch and/or dinner?
That's what Mrs. Fly and I do when we have very differing interests; e.g., she could spend 2 days in the Louvre while I'm ready to leave after an hour. So I leave to visit some modern art museum or military-related site, and we meet later. Most things we are both interested in, so we're usually together, but it doesn't stress us out to be separated for a few hours. In fact, travel can be quite stressful, and being apart for a bit now and then can be very helpful.
So, what we do when trip planning: We each individually make a list of what we'd like to see/do in a place.
The list is divided into 3 sections: 1. Things I must see/do or the trip will be ruined for me, or I'll obsess about missing it for months afterwards. 2. Things I'd like to see/do, but I wouldn't lose much sleep if I did miss it. 3. Things of some interest that I'd go to see/do if I happened to pass it in the street and everything in 1 and 2 has already been visited/done.
We then compare our lists and see where we match and differ. Any number 1's on both lists are definite visits. These we make sure to visit early in the trip. Next in priority come the #1's that don't match--we do some broad planning of how to mesh these in with the matching #1's (we never plan individual days to the minute or hour). Here's where we start looking at maps to see how some items can be grouped, which days might be best for each, etc.
Then we move on to the 2s. Now the lists can change a bit--sometimes a 2 will move up to 1 and vice versa. That most often happens when we both have an item listed in 2 and it gets more interesting as we discuss it.
Anyway, our available time (we don't schedule everything by the hour, but we can sort of tell how much time a particular item will take, more or less) is usually filled somewhere in the #2 section, but if not we can move on to the 3s.
Some people would consider it overplanning, others would consider it underplanning, but we find it just right for us--it would take a little more effort for more than 2 people, but I would certainly at least get input from each of your travelers on what they consider must sees and must dos. Even if you don't do the 3-tiered thing like we do.
And it requires each of them to do some research, so you aren't stuck leading someone around Paris who hasn't a clue about anything. Plus you all get some time away from one another--not a bad thing at all.
Oct 26th, 2005 | 06:42 AM
#5
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,236
Likes: 1
Bon Jour! Get a good guidebook and map. Read up on what's to see and do. Don't force anyone to do something they don't want to do. You don't always have to do everything together. And go with a good sense of humor.
I think it's absolutely terrific that you get to go to Paris with your sisters and your mother. The wonderful memories you will be making. The bonding! The laughter! Those memories will stay with you a lifetime.
I think it's absolutely terrific that you get to go to Paris with your sisters and your mother. The wonderful memories you will be making. The bonding! The laughter! Those memories will stay with you a lifetime.
Oct 26th, 2005 | 06:43 AM
#6
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 631
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The above by "Mr. Fly" is a GREAT way to handle a group like the one you describe. I've travelled this way, and it works for me, too. The "killer" to be avoided is the one who is always late....my group had one of these. We learned the hard way that we had to agree & tell her that if she did not show up by X time, we would move on. The "default setting" when this occured was to move on as planned and meet up with her later for meals at pre-designated spots or the hotel at a particular time. That was the only workable solution for us to deal with a chronically late woman who was fraying the nerves of the rest of the group & creating a lot of ill will.
The other major problem type was the clinging vine, especially if she had no curiosity and was a complainer....someone who never seemed to know what she wanted to do yet complained about everything but would take no initiative and had to be joined at the hip with someone all the time. Over the years I never found a workable solution for this one, except to avoid travel with this type! Hope you don't have one of these!
The other major problem type was the clinging vine, especially if she had no curiosity and was a complainer....someone who never seemed to know what she wanted to do yet complained about everything but would take no initiative and had to be joined at the hip with someone all the time. Over the years I never found a workable solution for this one, except to avoid travel with this type! Hope you don't have one of these!
Oct 26th, 2005 | 06:58 AM
#7
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 386
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Hi Phyllis,
You are a saint! Saint Phyllis. : D I have been in your shoes several times and do have some advice. You are now the tour director.
The trip calls for significant advance planning but don't obsess about it. From the start, don't feel responsible for everyone's happiness. Just do the best you can.
1) Familiarize yourself with the mechanics of arrival at the airport
when everyone will be tired and cranky- Customs and convenient transport sufficient for 4 women with luggage. I would ask them to fly to the same US city for departure and fly over to Paris together.
2) Try to have a hotel reservation that will allow you to check in on arrival so that you aren't sleeping in the lobby waiting for a room to open up.
3)Try to encourage everyone to adjust to the local time ASAP or you will have morning slug-a-beds who can't get going.
4)I hope you have a very minimum of French language skills but you can get by if not. Take a small pocket sized phrase book along.
5) I hope you all adore one another but if being with one another 24hours a day gets to be too much and an "incident" happens, just make up quickly and laugh about it - chock it up to the stress of travel.(For instance if one sister spends two hours in the French Post Office for postcard stamps while the rest of the group waits outside, when the postcards could have been handed to the concierge).
6) Pick a nice hotel that everyone will be comfortable in.
7) Have some restaurants pre-selected so that you don't have bad and expensive eating experiences.
8)I would ask them what they want to see and develop a flexible plan that can be altered. Let sisters go it alone some days if they prefer.
9) I usually take the lead with the expenses and keep a running total for everyone and then they reimburse me as we go or when we get back. They are usually thankful for this service. If your family splits every meal cost in the US when you go out together then by all means do that in France.
10) Give the group a short safety warning about common sense when traveling.
Bless you!
kakalena
You are a saint! Saint Phyllis. : D I have been in your shoes several times and do have some advice. You are now the tour director.
The trip calls for significant advance planning but don't obsess about it. From the start, don't feel responsible for everyone's happiness. Just do the best you can.
1) Familiarize yourself with the mechanics of arrival at the airport
when everyone will be tired and cranky- Customs and convenient transport sufficient for 4 women with luggage. I would ask them to fly to the same US city for departure and fly over to Paris together.
2) Try to have a hotel reservation that will allow you to check in on arrival so that you aren't sleeping in the lobby waiting for a room to open up.
3)Try to encourage everyone to adjust to the local time ASAP or you will have morning slug-a-beds who can't get going.
4)I hope you have a very minimum of French language skills but you can get by if not. Take a small pocket sized phrase book along.
5) I hope you all adore one another but if being with one another 24hours a day gets to be too much and an "incident" happens, just make up quickly and laugh about it - chock it up to the stress of travel.(For instance if one sister spends two hours in the French Post Office for postcard stamps while the rest of the group waits outside, when the postcards could have been handed to the concierge).
6) Pick a nice hotel that everyone will be comfortable in.
7) Have some restaurants pre-selected so that you don't have bad and expensive eating experiences.
8)I would ask them what they want to see and develop a flexible plan that can be altered. Let sisters go it alone some days if they prefer.
9) I usually take the lead with the expenses and keep a running total for everyone and then they reimburse me as we go or when we get back. They are usually thankful for this service. If your family splits every meal cost in the US when you go out together then by all means do that in France.
10) Give the group a short safety warning about common sense when traveling.
Bless you!
kakalena
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Oct 26th, 2005 | 07:01 AM
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 98,235
Likes: 12
Logistics: Be willing to split up into pairs, single, etc. so that the entire group is not joined at the hip for the entire trip. Letting some go shopping and others to a museum for example.
Finances: Depends on how exactly even you all need/want them to come out. There is the 'kitty' method when everyone puts in an equal amount and the 'treasurer' pay meals and entrance fees from that. Or by keeping a notebook with a tally, you jot down who paid how much when and balance it out at the end of the trip. Another way but less accurate is simply alternating meals, one person pays for everyones lunch, the next for everyone's dinner.
Packing: Read some of the excellent packing lists here on Fodors and elsewhere. Share them with your sisters. Encourage everyone to pack light for their own ease in traveling.
Anxiety: Provide them the information they need to feel more secure. Make sure everyone has a passport well ahead of time. And an ATM card to withdraw Euro.
Family: Some of my best trips have been with my sister but that was just two of us. I'm guessing since everyone is excited about this, and you are planning with care, it will be a big success!!
Finances: Depends on how exactly even you all need/want them to come out. There is the 'kitty' method when everyone puts in an equal amount and the 'treasurer' pay meals and entrance fees from that. Or by keeping a notebook with a tally, you jot down who paid how much when and balance it out at the end of the trip. Another way but less accurate is simply alternating meals, one person pays for everyones lunch, the next for everyone's dinner.
Packing: Read some of the excellent packing lists here on Fodors and elsewhere. Share them with your sisters. Encourage everyone to pack light for their own ease in traveling.
Anxiety: Provide them the information they need to feel more secure. Make sure everyone has a passport well ahead of time. And an ATM card to withdraw Euro.
Family: Some of my best trips have been with my sister but that was just two of us. I'm guessing since everyone is excited about this, and you are planning with care, it will be a big success!!
Oct 26th, 2005 | 07:02 AM
#9
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Hi PS,
Funny you should ask.
Having recently taken my mother and sister (my sister's first time out of the US) to Paris, I can only suggest that:
you start your planning early
you make a draft itinerary and allow everyone to comment on it
you try to accomodate everyone's expectations as much as possible
you schedule plenty of rest stops for Mom (she will not admit to being tired)
you clearly explain each morning (or evening before) what the day's activities will be
you have a Plan B for each day
you have a good food dictionary
you expect that none of your careful planning will be appreciated,
that no one will listen to any of your suggestions after you get there,
there will be at least three times when it is advisable for you to take a long walk (while everyone wonders what's eating you)
when they get home, everyone will say what a wonderful visit it was and what a great job you did.
OR
arrange for a tour and let them complain about the tour guide.
Have a lovely visit.
PS, it's a good idea to have a healthy man along to carry the luggage and packages, hail cabs, read maps, etc...
Funny you should ask.
Having recently taken my mother and sister (my sister's first time out of the US) to Paris, I can only suggest that:
you start your planning early
you make a draft itinerary and allow everyone to comment on it
you try to accomodate everyone's expectations as much as possible
you schedule plenty of rest stops for Mom (she will not admit to being tired)
you clearly explain each morning (or evening before) what the day's activities will be
you have a Plan B for each day
you have a good food dictionary
you expect that none of your careful planning will be appreciated,
that no one will listen to any of your suggestions after you get there,
there will be at least three times when it is advisable for you to take a long walk (while everyone wonders what's eating you)
when they get home, everyone will say what a wonderful visit it was and what a great job you did.
OR
arrange for a tour and let them complain about the tour guide.
Have a lovely visit.
PS, it's a good idea to have a healthy man along to carry the luggage and packages, hail cabs, read maps, etc...
Oct 26th, 2005 | 07:19 AM
#12
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Hi s,
Never occurred to me.
However, if PS and her family need a good guide.....
Hi phyllis,
You might find my trip report helpful:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34497442
Never occurred to me.
However, if PS and her family need a good guide.....
Hi phyllis,
You might find my trip report helpful:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34497442
Oct 26th, 2005 | 07:32 AM
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Itiniterary flexibility will probably be the key. Don't expect everyone to want to do the same thing at the same time.
To accomodate this, I'd suggest you have at least a couple of cell phones, so you can split into groups of two and keep in touch as your day progresses. My famiily of four had a hard time in Paris w/o a cell phone, when we wanted to split up, because we couldn't easily designate a meet-up time and place.
Also, with four people, I'd suggest two rooms and two baths, to minimize stress.
For budgeting, my sisters and I used the notebook tally idea for a three-day weekend and it worked wonderfully. For your longer stay, maybe have a common kitty for petty cash, and also keep a tally for larger purchases, to balance at the end. Much easier than trying to settle up at each meal, or rotating meals which doesn't usually work out equitably, and could cause some problems.
Have fun! Don't worry! Lots of good advice on this forum.
Oh, and drink lots of wine!
To accomodate this, I'd suggest you have at least a couple of cell phones, so you can split into groups of two and keep in touch as your day progresses. My famiily of four had a hard time in Paris w/o a cell phone, when we wanted to split up, because we couldn't easily designate a meet-up time and place.
Also, with four people, I'd suggest two rooms and two baths, to minimize stress.
For budgeting, my sisters and I used the notebook tally idea for a three-day weekend and it worked wonderfully. For your longer stay, maybe have a common kitty for petty cash, and also keep a tally for larger purchases, to balance at the end. Much easier than trying to settle up at each meal, or rotating meals which doesn't usually work out equitably, and could cause some problems.
Have fun! Don't worry! Lots of good advice on this forum.
Oh, and drink lots of wine!
Oct 26th, 2005 | 07:47 AM
#14
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 0
My sisters and I went to Paris and Provence about 5 years ago and it was a great trip. We did a lot of planning and several draft itineraries so that everyone could get her "must dos" included.
We agreed that we would be comfortable spending time on our own, especially if one wanted to do something that wasn't on the others's list. We had all been to Paris at least once and we all have very similar interests. We combined active (lots of walking) sightseeing with cafe and park sitting to experience not only the sights but the ambience of Paris.
We had a fabulous time, no one got on anyone's nerves, we ended up spending all of our time together and enjoying the same things.
I think it is important, when traveling with friends or family, to agree on logistics and inineraries before setting out. And when you get there, it is important to be flexible. Try to make sure you include the things that each person considers most important in your trip.
We agreed that we would be comfortable spending time on our own, especially if one wanted to do something that wasn't on the others's list. We had all been to Paris at least once and we all have very similar interests. We combined active (lots of walking) sightseeing with cafe and park sitting to experience not only the sights but the ambience of Paris.
We had a fabulous time, no one got on anyone's nerves, we ended up spending all of our time together and enjoying the same things.
I think it is important, when traveling with friends or family, to agree on logistics and inineraries before setting out. And when you get there, it is important to be flexible. Try to make sure you include the things that each person considers most important in your trip.
Oct 26th, 2005 | 07:57 AM
#15
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Thank you all so much!
I really appreciate your thoughtful, detailed replies; I have a lot of work ahead of me, I can see.
One nice thing: the goosebumps I have at the thought of being there are replacing the stomach cramps I had at the thought of getting there....
I'm becoming convinced that some of you know my family, though: the stiff-upper-lip mom, the clinging vine, the one who's always late, the martyr.... (This is beginning to sound like a request to Central Casting.)
I really appreciate your thoughtful, detailed replies; I have a lot of work ahead of me, I can see.
One nice thing: the goosebumps I have at the thought of being there are replacing the stomach cramps I had at the thought of getting there....
I'm becoming convinced that some of you know my family, though: the stiff-upper-lip mom, the clinging vine, the one who's always late, the martyr.... (This is beginning to sound like a request to Central Casting.)
Oct 26th, 2005 | 08:11 AM
#16
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
Hi Phyllis!
I had some of the same stress you do when planning a trip to Europe for myself and 3 girlfriends in May. We ended up having an amazing, amazing trips with not one catfight between us. For that matter, I don't even remember one annoyed sentence or sarcastic remark. It was literally a dream come true in terms of getting along. We talked after returning home about why we got along so well, and came to the agreement that it was a combination of several factors:
1. Everyone came with the mentality that they might not get to do absolutely everything they want, and that the key was being flexible.
2. We did the pairing up based on personablity that someone else mentioned. Sometimes we all stayed in one room (quad) and sometimes my best friend and I (who need less time to get ready in the morning) stayed in our own room and the other two could get up and take 3 hours to get dressed if they really wanted. Rather than designating a time to get up, we designated a time to leave the hotel/hostel by (most days around 10am) and that worked perfect)
3. (and this is the big one) I, as the designated travel planner, made a duo tang that ended up looking like a personalized guidebook. I included directions to each hotel (from mapquest) so we wouldn't get lost, train schedules, and copies of all our reservations for things. Even put in some suggested itineraries for each city that I printed out from travel sites. This meant that there were no fights about how to get to a certain place, what time the train was at etc. Basically we were very prepared and it made everyone very relaxed.
I hope that helps and I really hope you have a wonderful trip!!
I had some of the same stress you do when planning a trip to Europe for myself and 3 girlfriends in May. We ended up having an amazing, amazing trips with not one catfight between us. For that matter, I don't even remember one annoyed sentence or sarcastic remark. It was literally a dream come true in terms of getting along. We talked after returning home about why we got along so well, and came to the agreement that it was a combination of several factors:
1. Everyone came with the mentality that they might not get to do absolutely everything they want, and that the key was being flexible.
2. We did the pairing up based on personablity that someone else mentioned. Sometimes we all stayed in one room (quad) and sometimes my best friend and I (who need less time to get ready in the morning) stayed in our own room and the other two could get up and take 3 hours to get dressed if they really wanted. Rather than designating a time to get up, we designated a time to leave the hotel/hostel by (most days around 10am) and that worked perfect)
3. (and this is the big one) I, as the designated travel planner, made a duo tang that ended up looking like a personalized guidebook. I included directions to each hotel (from mapquest) so we wouldn't get lost, train schedules, and copies of all our reservations for things. Even put in some suggested itineraries for each city that I printed out from travel sites. This meant that there were no fights about how to get to a certain place, what time the train was at etc. Basically we were very prepared and it made everyone very relaxed.
I hope that helps and I really hope you have a wonderful trip!!
Oct 26th, 2005 | 08:14 AM
#17
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Hi Phyllis--
You've received some great suggestions so far. As a fellow travel planner, my rule of thumb is to plan 1-2 must-do's per day, leaving the rest of the day to wander around, or split up and do your own thing. Also, if someone doesn't do ANY research to figure out what they'd like to see and do, then they ARE NOT allowed to complain.
Have a great trip!
You've received some great suggestions so far. As a fellow travel planner, my rule of thumb is to plan 1-2 must-do's per day, leaving the rest of the day to wander around, or split up and do your own thing. Also, if someone doesn't do ANY research to figure out what they'd like to see and do, then they ARE NOT allowed to complain.
Have a great trip!
Oct 26th, 2005 | 08:18 AM
#18
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
I lug half of the free world to Europe every year. I'll largely reiterate the advice above:
1. Draft an itinerary and send it to everyone. Ask if there is anything they want to do/see that you didn't include. If someone has special needs (my mother in law can no longer walk as far) accomodate it. I pay extra for a hotel in the middle of the action so she doesn't have as far to go.
2. Make everything optional (I'm going to the Louvre at 10 for anyone that wants to join me... otherwise, be here at 7 tonight if you want to eat with me).
3. Let everyone do their own thing - and don't feel guilty. Many of our family love to follow me anywhere - and others hate it. To each their own. Everyone knows I don't shop - but if you want to shop .. that's fine. Just skip something that I am doing and go shopping.
4. Meet at an airport somewhere... My mother in law lives in Traverse City and I live in Colorado... we fly northwest and meet in Detroit. Or we fly Aer Lingus and meet in Boston... or whatever.
5. Accomodate the morning schedule... I can get up at any time... My husband is a dead man until at least 8. I take an early walk - and if I see something really cool, we go back when he is ready. I also never pick a flight before around 9 or 10... even if it means overnighting somewhere on the connection home. Understand what each person's definition of "an ungodly hour" is. (I also say everynight... I'm walking to Pierre LaChaise tomorrow morning at 7 - if anyone is interested... I'll buy coffee for all that join).
Best of all, enjoy. Even when I think I may kill every member of my family during a trip - I always come back and think the trip was wonderful.
1. Draft an itinerary and send it to everyone. Ask if there is anything they want to do/see that you didn't include. If someone has special needs (my mother in law can no longer walk as far) accomodate it. I pay extra for a hotel in the middle of the action so she doesn't have as far to go.
2. Make everything optional (I'm going to the Louvre at 10 for anyone that wants to join me... otherwise, be here at 7 tonight if you want to eat with me).
3. Let everyone do their own thing - and don't feel guilty. Many of our family love to follow me anywhere - and others hate it. To each their own. Everyone knows I don't shop - but if you want to shop .. that's fine. Just skip something that I am doing and go shopping.
4. Meet at an airport somewhere... My mother in law lives in Traverse City and I live in Colorado... we fly northwest and meet in Detroit. Or we fly Aer Lingus and meet in Boston... or whatever.
5. Accomodate the morning schedule... I can get up at any time... My husband is a dead man until at least 8. I take an early walk - and if I see something really cool, we go back when he is ready. I also never pick a flight before around 9 or 10... even if it means overnighting somewhere on the connection home. Understand what each person's definition of "an ungodly hour" is. (I also say everynight... I'm walking to Pierre LaChaise tomorrow morning at 7 - if anyone is interested... I'll buy coffee for all that join).
Best of all, enjoy. Even when I think I may kill every member of my family during a trip - I always come back and think the trip was wonderful.
Oct 26th, 2005 | 08:35 AM
#19
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,150
Likes: 0
Sorry, I haven't read all the posts and I'm sure just about everything's been covered so pardon me if I'm repeating this:
Everyone should be responsible for their own shopping. If you've bought it, be prepared to carry it, pack it in your own suitcase and claim it at customs. If someone else offers to do it for you, that's nice, but the shopper shouldn't automatically assume that the non-shopper will have room in her suitcase (and guess which one I am).
Everyone should be responsible for their own shopping. If you've bought it, be prepared to carry it, pack it in your own suitcase and claim it at customs. If someone else offers to do it for you, that's nice, but the shopper shouldn't automatically assume that the non-shopper will have room in her suitcase (and guess which one I am).
Oct 26th, 2005 | 08:47 AM
#20
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
Hello phyllis stein-
I have just done the "tour guide" thing in Paris for friends from my home town. They arrived via the Eurostar and I met them at Gare de Nord, showed them to the taxi stand, checked them into the hotel, etc. etc. I was prepared to undertake this 5 day "tour guide expedition" if they left most sightseeing up to me. I asked them to please tell me if they had any specific places to visit and only 2 came up -Arc de Triomphe & the Mona Lisa.
They had never ever travelled before so I worked out a very simple Plan A -Plan B itinerary which took in the major sights:
Eiffel Tower, A Seine cruise by day, Arc de Triomphe & Champs Elysees, The Louvre, Walking along the Seine choosing posters & stuff, Notre Dame,
the stores Printemps & Galleries Lafayette, Sacre Coeur, Jardin Luxembourg.
I booked two different hotels which worked out great.
We had two venues in mind for "booked" dinners. One was Altitued 95 and the other Le Train Bleu. The rest were stroll around the area and pick a spot! Only one bad meal so I reckon we all did OK.
Only once did we go in various directions when 2 went off to EuroDisney for the day & 2 of us did the wine festival.
Nothing wrong with sticking together most of the time.
I have just done the "tour guide" thing in Paris for friends from my home town. They arrived via the Eurostar and I met them at Gare de Nord, showed them to the taxi stand, checked them into the hotel, etc. etc. I was prepared to undertake this 5 day "tour guide expedition" if they left most sightseeing up to me. I asked them to please tell me if they had any specific places to visit and only 2 came up -Arc de Triomphe & the Mona Lisa.
They had never ever travelled before so I worked out a very simple Plan A -Plan B itinerary which took in the major sights:
Eiffel Tower, A Seine cruise by day, Arc de Triomphe & Champs Elysees, The Louvre, Walking along the Seine choosing posters & stuff, Notre Dame,
the stores Printemps & Galleries Lafayette, Sacre Coeur, Jardin Luxembourg.
I booked two different hotels which worked out great.
We had two venues in mind for "booked" dinners. One was Altitued 95 and the other Le Train Bleu. The rest were stroll around the area and pick a spot! Only one bad meal so I reckon we all did OK.
Only once did we go in various directions when 2 went off to EuroDisney for the day & 2 of us did the wine festival.
Nothing wrong with sticking together most of the time.
