Leslapins

Grateful for recommendations for a good day tour of Loire Valley. We were hoping to take the TVG from Paris to Tours or wherever else makes sense, and pick up a van/mini-bus tour.

I hear Acco-Dispo is one of the best, can anyone chime in on their experiences with this tour company?

Also, I have a question on the booking method. I plugged my request into their website and they said I had to fax or email my cc information to them. Huh? I can't believe they don't have a more secure way to secure a booking with credit card.

Thanks!

justineparis

Fax is secure , why not do what I do, I email 1/2 the CC number on one email and half in another one, the chances of two of your emails being intercepted isn't great I have been told.Anyways I have had to do it for some hotels ,, last summer for one in Spain.

Have you just googled "reviews of Acco Dispo" that usually gets you a few hits.

Sarastro

There is usually an early TGV from Montparnasse to Tours Centre which will arrive in time for you to walk across the street to the Office de Tourisme and take one of the many minibus tours which depart from there, usually around 9am.

http://www.tours-tourisme.fr/excursions.php

For train schedules:

www.voyages-sncf.com (in French only)

Leslapins

>
Thanks -- I did google, and it does seem like a good tour, but I didn't see anyone address the credit card question.

>
Thanks, do you think I could do that without securing a booking ahead of time, then? I'm worried I'll get all the way to Tours only to find all the tours are totally booked. It'll be during high season (late May).

FrenchMystiqueTours

You'll need to book your tour ahead of time. You also need to buy your train tickets ahead of time to get the cheapest prices. I don't know when you're going but the train schedules won't be posted for any date more than 3 months in advance of your trip.

If you decide on this you'll need to use the TGV website to buy/reserve your tickets. For info on these trains use the website www.tgv-europe.com for schedules and prices. Don't forget to uncheck the box marked "Direct Trains" to see all possible options. If the TGV site redirects you to the RailEurope website then try again and enter Great Britain or Antarctic as your ticket collection country. Other countries may also work but just try to find a country that doesn't get you redirected to RailEurope. The RailEurope website often doesn't show all the trains and generally has higher prices but you can check just to compare. For trains that require reservations you can buy tickets up to 3 months or more in advance and the earlier you buy them the cheaper they will be. The discounted tickets are known as PREM tickets but these are non-refundable and can't be exchanged.

Here is a website that will tell you how to navigate the TGV website:

http://www.nickbooth.id.au/Tips/FrenchTrain.htm

Leslapins

Thank you - that's what I figured, I will need to book everything ahead of time. I'll bite the bullet and send the cc number, but watch my cc transactions like a hawk.... I will set about booking everything and follow up if I screw it up! LOL.

Sarastro

You can reserve any tour through the Tours Office de Tourisme, even the Acco-Dispo tours. I would absolutely not send any personal financial information of any kind via email. If someone is intercepting emails, splitting a credit card number between two emails offers you absolutely no protection.

If you must pay in advance, either fax the information or call.

Leslapins

Arghhh...I already sent the credit card number by email.

I have no international calling ability, which is why I didn't call. I also doubt I have international faxing ability.

Leslapins

I didn't realize I could reserve through Tours Office de Tourisme, I thought I would lose out. This trip planning is killing me, I just can't seem to do anything right!

Leslapins

And the thing is, I'm not paying in advance, I'm holding the reservation by providing cc information. I have to pay in cash during the actual trip.

Sarastro

Just for future reference, you can always send an international fax through any Kinko/FedEx or UPS retail outlet. It might cost a few dollars but you probably will not need to do this very often.

Leslapins

So in terms of security, how screwed am I now? Should I have a new credit card issued? Though that might screw up my hotel bookings...Should I just watch my credit card activity? I realize this isn't really the optimal forum for asking such a question, but I'm worried now.

Sarastro

Not point in worrying. Just keep a watchful eye on your credit card account and, if it is compromised while you are away, make sure you have a second credit card account you can use in emergencies.