How many planning for France 2008?
 

I am sort of sheepish about the fact that I have been 'actively planning' our 2008 trip to France for over a year already (in my defense... it was originally going to be a June 2007 trip!). I've recently seen a couple of other posts from 2008 travellers to be - how many of us are there out there right now?
This will be our first trip to France, and I have to say that one main benefit I've found from this "way in advance" (way too in advance?) research, is that I now how too many 'things to see or do' on my list to possibly fit into our 24 day trip, that it totally takes the pressure off feeling we should 'do it all'!

I plan at least a year in advance. We rent Gites, and sometimes they must be reserved 1 1/2 yrs ahead. Also, Frequent Flyer tickets first become available 330 days in advance.

Stu Dudley

There probably is no such thing as "too far in advance"....

I have had my Oct. 2007 reservations for several months, and my April, 2008 for a month..I am now working on Oct. of 2008.

Don't be sheepish - going to France September/October 2007 and actively planning Spring or Fall 2008.

Myself and a friend are starting to plan a trip to Prague in September 2008!

I figure if I have to schedule professional conferences and trainings a year or two out, why not vacations?

It's given me a chance to track what happens to airfares, so I know now approx when I'll buy, and I know exactly the day I'm going to get any TGV tickets! Anything you've been burned on settling on too early? (I already know not to look at airfares after buying... no matter what!)

I'm another that plans far in advance. I secured "my" Paris apartment rental for this July well over a year in advance when the selection was best. I was able to make my choice based on what I was looking for rather than what might be available. I do the same thing when renting a place for my kids' spring break each year.

Witness:

>>> have finally purchased my ticket to Paris for 3 weeks. I want to stay in Paris for one week in either an apartment or a hotel, anytime between May 22 and June 11. I can only spend $100 per night.<<<

Author: namaka
Date: 03/29/2007, 03:48 pm
This one has gotten some great reviews;

http://www.vrbo.com/28993


Author: amwosu
Date: 03/29/2007, 03:51 pm
That apartment would be perfectly suited to meet your needs except when checking the availability calendar it is appears to be booked solid.

Am I the only one to plan 1-2 months before? I really do not know what my schedule is going to be until then. Going to France/Czech in August/Septemeber, hope to get FF mile tickets and reservation. Have done this for past 20 years, and haven't failed yet. I don't always get my first choice though.

i have been planning for over a yera to our trip to Germany and France in 2008. My biggest irritant is not knowing the route of the 2008 tour de france until this oct. I would like to have a hotel somewhere near the route, but i will probably go ahead and make all my reservations by then and just plan on driving to the route.

Yes, planning on May 2008, Brittany/Normandy then back to Paris through Loire. However, I have a job where it's impossible to predict if/how much I will make so it depends on that. If so, it will be trip #2 for 18-20 days.

Stu, are you actually able to find mileage tickets to France? After we had 1 mileage and 1 paid and got stuck for a week in Dublin September 11, 2001, I've been leary.

I lucked out this year & got Delta FF tickets for Sept. I'm flying to Brussels, however. It's only 1 1/2 hrs to Paris by the TGV or Thalys. Trains are frequent. You could take the TGV from Brussels (30E) to CDG, rent a car there, and then head to Normandy.

There is actually a no-train-change TGV that goes directly from Brussels to Provence - via CDG.

We are landing in BRU at 8:20am, and spending about 5 hours exploring Brussels (moules/frites lunch) before getting on the TGV to Paris.

Stu Dudley

I'll look forward to hearing about the trip. My husband really wants to go back to Provence--but also see some Belgium, so that's a great combo to know about.

Well, I've had a house there for 16 years, so I tend to just look at the calendar and go "next week looks good" and hop on a plane! Works for me, but obviously not for most people.

When I use FF miles, I must call the 331 days out or they are not available. It is partly due to the shuttle that I must take from Asheville to either ATL or CVG for my International flight. I call at midnight for the departure and then call back at midnight for the return..fun, fun.

I have FF for my Oct. 2007 trip. I am taking my granddaughter in April of 2008. I will use FF for her ticket as she will be flying from Tampa, via ATL. I will do the midnight thing in May for her!

Our Sept trip includes 2 weeks in a Gite in Brittany near the Pink Rock area. Look for some additions to my Brittany itinerary this winter.

Stu Dudley

! I always plan 1 and 2 years out! It's half the fun, as you can be dreaming and taking a mini vacation in your mind at the same time. My DH and I are going to France mid May 08' till about the 4th or 5th of June. We are planning a stay in Uzes, in the provence area and then the balance of the week in a chateau in the Aubergne area, which is more the middle of France. We will tie our trip up and stay for a few days in Paris,(where I've never been) which I still have to plan, and as I can see from some of the posts on this forum, I had better get my butt in gear soon!!
What part of Canada are you from?..I'm assuming you are from Canada...

It all works out in the end. Those of us who don't plan far ahead often benefit from the cancellations of those who planned too far in advance, thus saving them their cancellation penalties.

I love planning my next trip, even if it just a short trip for a night or two.
Yes I have already planned the major part of my Jan. 2008 trip.
I am using Qantas FF points, so I had to book a year a head to ensure I would get a seat. Flying Sydney to London for a couple of nights, then Paris for a week, and an Umbrian apartment for a week. At this stage I have a few free nights because I am not really sure where I want to go.
In summary I have the flight, plus two apartments already booked. It it a great feeling knowing I have the trip in 2008.

Thanks!! I've found a home here! I got a bit of attitude on another forum for posting a question about a trip that far out (sort of a "things change - it's too early to ask for advice") Probably just one 'bad vibe'... but still.
I am with ctoner and others - the mental vacation is part of the fun! In the past I've planned detailed vacations other places that never came about, but still enjoyed the planning! And I also agree that circumstances impact planning style as well. When my husband and I travelled with just the two of us (backpacking around Europe... driving around Scotland... honeymooning in Wales) we had very few pre-plans, and just went with the flow. This time we will be going with the kids and it will be the first time we have made this kind of trip (i.e. longer and more dynamic then a week at a cottage!) as a family together, so I am more comfortable with the idea of removing some of the "framework variables" earlier (like anchoring accomodation etc), and doing more research to pick areas and timings. Ctoner - I'm from the vaguely Toronto area, and actually, one thing that is now part of my plans which probably wouldn't have been if I hadn't researched as much is that I think we will be looking for flights out of Hamilton, via Montreal, rather then out of Toronto. Where abouts are you from?