Normandy
Oct 14th, 2008, 06:36 AM
#1
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Normandy
It is my father's dream to see Normandy. I have a large family, from the age of 10-65, about 15 of us.What is the best way to get there?
We have never been to Europe, we have never cruised.
Is it best to use a travel agent?
Can you cruise from the states to there? Better to fly? Use a group tour? We have two weeks off in June 2009.
Our group has some mobility issues, health issues, so I am looking for the best way to get there, and enjoy it.
Thanks
We have never been to Europe, we have never cruised.
Is it best to use a travel agent?
Can you cruise from the states to there? Better to fly? Use a group tour? We have two weeks off in June 2009.
Our group has some mobility issues, health issues, so I am looking for the best way to get there, and enjoy it.
Thanks
Oct 14th, 2008, 07:04 AM
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I would suggest that you really need to think about what type of travel you like. Do you like to plan and have some flexibility, or would you rather just follow along on a tour? Also, you may get better answers to your questions if you let people know where you will be travelling from in the States.
That said, I would think it would be easiest to take a direct flight into Paris and then travel to Normandy from there. From Paris you can rent vans/cars and make the easy drive to Normandy, or you can take the train and rent a car or hire a tour guide once you arrive.
I would also suggest that you take some time to figure out what you would like to do/see while you are there. With a large group, you might be better off renting a house/houses or apartments than staying at hotels/inns.
With two weeks, I would probably spend one week in the Normandy area and one week in Paris.
The more specific you can be with your questions, the better chance you have of getting those very helpful answers from other forum members who are more knowledgeable about the area of Normandy.
That said, I would think it would be easiest to take a direct flight into Paris and then travel to Normandy from there. From Paris you can rent vans/cars and make the easy drive to Normandy, or you can take the train and rent a car or hire a tour guide once you arrive.
I would also suggest that you take some time to figure out what you would like to do/see while you are there. With a large group, you might be better off renting a house/houses or apartments than staying at hotels/inns.
With two weeks, I would probably spend one week in the Normandy area and one week in Paris.
The more specific you can be with your questions, the better chance you have of getting those very helpful answers from other forum members who are more knowledgeable about the area of Normandy.
Oct 14th, 2008, 08:52 AM
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You cannot cruise to europe and back. First of all it would take 8 or 9 days out of your vacation. Second, ships cruise the atlantic only twice per year - repositioniong from the Med to the Carib. So - you have to fly.
With such a large group a tour makes no sense - unless you hire a private guide and put it together yourself.
Esp with health or mobility issues you don;t want to be stuck with someone else's schedule (7 am starts and long days sitting on a bus - not matter how anyone feels.)
In two weeks I would probably rent a house in Normandy, along with several vehicles, and spend time seeing what YOU wnat. then I would spend a week in Paris - probably staying in apartments - since, IMHO going to France without visiting Paris is close to criminal.
With so many traveling together (assume it is to/fro the same places) you may be able to get a group discount from the airline.
With such a large group a tour makes no sense - unless you hire a private guide and put it together yourself.
Esp with health or mobility issues you don;t want to be stuck with someone else's schedule (7 am starts and long days sitting on a bus - not matter how anyone feels.)
In two weeks I would probably rent a house in Normandy, along with several vehicles, and spend time seeing what YOU wnat. then I would spend a week in Paris - probably staying in apartments - since, IMHO going to France without visiting Paris is close to criminal.
With so many traveling together (assume it is to/fro the same places) you may be able to get a group discount from the airline.
Oct 14th, 2008, 09:08 AM
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Flying is best. The only passenger ship that I know is hugely expensive and takes several days.
Europe's train system is much better than the US's. For road travel, look to hire some vans with drivers. Cost will vary by size but I think $400 per day for a van and driver might be possible. If renting cars interest you, then you will need multiple rental cars. For a first trip to Europe, I would avoid a self-drive rental minivan.
Bayeux is propably the most popular town in Normandy. You could easily take the train to the Bayeaux station, take a cab to your hotel, apartment whatever and hire a bus and driver for seeing the invasion sights, etc.
With two weeks, it would be possible to do Paris, Normandy and one other location.
The reasonableness of a group tour depends on the severity of the mobility issues you mentioned. While a lot of tours cater to an older crowd, many group tours cover a lot of cities/towns rapidly. You might repost your question on this website asking specifically about group tours. A group tour would remove the planning and co-ordination duties from your shoulders.
Europe's train system is much better than the US's. For road travel, look to hire some vans with drivers. Cost will vary by size but I think $400 per day for a van and driver might be possible. If renting cars interest you, then you will need multiple rental cars. For a first trip to Europe, I would avoid a self-drive rental minivan.
Bayeux is propably the most popular town in Normandy. You could easily take the train to the Bayeaux station, take a cab to your hotel, apartment whatever and hire a bus and driver for seeing the invasion sights, etc.
With two weeks, it would be possible to do Paris, Normandy and one other location.
The reasonableness of a group tour depends on the severity of the mobility issues you mentioned. While a lot of tours cater to an older crowd, many group tours cover a lot of cities/towns rapidly. You might repost your question on this website asking specifically about group tours. A group tour would remove the planning and co-ordination duties from your shoulders.
Oct 14th, 2008, 09:39 AM
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Does everyone want to go? If so you will really need to arrange a tour through a travel agent since you are as inexperienced as you are. That is just reality.
I assume money and budget is not a problem.
Air fare at that time of year might be in the neighborhood of $1000. Per diem per person could be in the neighborhood of $2-300 including a modest hotel choice and carefully choosing restaurants. Then there is transportation within the country/city, entry fees, incidentals, transfers, etc.
Since this is a first time trip, you (the original poster) really cannot plan the sightseeing adequately and the transportation arrangements needed for that number. SO all in all, I think a travel agent who will treat your family as a tour group is what will be required. You can certainly have all the input into the itinerary that you desire. I hope you get something worked out. Two weeks might be a long trip, for a lot of reasons.
I assume money and budget is not a problem.
Air fare at that time of year might be in the neighborhood of $1000. Per diem per person could be in the neighborhood of $2-300 including a modest hotel choice and carefully choosing restaurants. Then there is transportation within the country/city, entry fees, incidentals, transfers, etc.
Since this is a first time trip, you (the original poster) really cannot plan the sightseeing adequately and the transportation arrangements needed for that number. SO all in all, I think a travel agent who will treat your family as a tour group is what will be required. You can certainly have all the input into the itinerary that you desire. I hope you get something worked out. Two weeks might be a long trip, for a lot of reasons.
Oct 14th, 2008, 10:05 AM
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Just for a point of reference, I did not see the amount of handicap accessability Paris that we see here in the States in my recent trip. Lots of cobblestones and very few ramps at buildings / intersections / places to eat.
Oct 14th, 2008, 02:43 PM
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In Normandy we stayed at some lovely appartments at Berville su Mer near Honfleur. they would be Ideal for anyone with mobility problems,& the prices are very reasonable, Des & Shiela owners are a delaightful English couple, they have contacts tour guides etc.Go to
www.cronbridge-holidays.com we were able to drive to the Normandy beaches for a day trip.
www.cronbridge-holidays.com we were able to drive to the Normandy beaches for a day trip.
Oct 15th, 2008, 05:51 AM
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Kr0745,
I know that it was noted in one response that, "you will really need to arrange a tour through a travel agent since you are as inexperienced as you are. That is just reality.".
If you are willing to take some time and research and plan now, I don't think you have to book with a travel agent. You will really need to jump right into the planning because you will need to book accomodations for that size group soon.
Come up with very specific questions and ask them on this forum. The members are a wealth of knowledge and can help you plan a trip that works wonderfully for your group. Go to the library or book store and check out books on the region and check out some of the resources on the web for ideas (this forum, tripadvisor, Rick Steve's, and many others...)
I know that it was noted in one response that, "you will really need to arrange a tour through a travel agent since you are as inexperienced as you are. That is just reality.".
If you are willing to take some time and research and plan now, I don't think you have to book with a travel agent. You will really need to jump right into the planning because you will need to book accomodations for that size group soon.
Come up with very specific questions and ask them on this forum. The members are a wealth of knowledge and can help you plan a trip that works wonderfully for your group. Go to the library or book store and check out books on the region and check out some of the resources on the web for ideas (this forum, tripadvisor, Rick Steve's, and many others...)
Oct 15th, 2008, 07:16 AM
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Momof3sons, I have to disagree. Much as I prefer to do all the planning myself, I think it would be much too difficult for somebody who has never been to Europe and who must transport 15 people, including some who have mobility problems.
To the OP, look for a travel agent experienced in handicapped travel in Europe. Maybe somebody on Fodors knows of such.
It would be nice if you could find a large house, but I think, with the mobility issues, a hotel is better. At least you can make sure it has an elevator and easy access to the restaurant/breakfast room. (And not all hotels will meet these criteria.)
And with so many people, don't dillydally. Time is short, until next June. Hotels book up.
Good luck to you.
To the OP, look for a travel agent experienced in handicapped travel in Europe. Maybe somebody on Fodors knows of such.
It would be nice if you could find a large house, but I think, with the mobility issues, a hotel is better. At least you can make sure it has an elevator and easy access to the restaurant/breakfast room. (And not all hotels will meet these criteria.)
And with so many people, don't dillydally. Time is short, until next June. Hotels book up.
Good luck to you.
Oct 15th, 2008, 07:58 AM
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I have a friend who has been to Europe twice, both times with a largish group of loosely related people all held together by a tour guide whom they hire to take them from place to place by bus according to a general plan that they make up with that guide based on the interests of the group. That sounds ideal for the kind of thing you're talking about.
I've helped this friend pull together ideas to take to her travel guide to work out their itinerary since she's not been to any of their destinations herself before (the friend, that is, not the travel guide.) I'd suggest that you sort of use this forum as your friend to get some good advice that you can feed to the travel guide you select to shepard your group for your trip. You're already getting some good suggestions for lodging, etc. Take a look at a map and read some posts, etc. here to get started putting together a rough outline of what you might like to do. The more info you can provide about specific types of disabilities you need to accommodate and specific ages and interests you need to work with/around, the better suggestions you will get. You'll also need to think about the economic situation of your travelers--unless one person is paying for everything. Again, the more specific questions/information you can provide, the better the suggestions you can obtain here. This is a pretty big undertaking. Good luck.
You're starting to get
I've helped this friend pull together ideas to take to her travel guide to work out their itinerary since she's not been to any of their destinations herself before (the friend, that is, not the travel guide.) I'd suggest that you sort of use this forum as your friend to get some good advice that you can feed to the travel guide you select to shepard your group for your trip. You're already getting some good suggestions for lodging, etc. Take a look at a map and read some posts, etc. here to get started putting together a rough outline of what you might like to do. The more info you can provide about specific types of disabilities you need to accommodate and specific ages and interests you need to work with/around, the better suggestions you will get. You'll also need to think about the economic situation of your travelers--unless one person is paying for everything. Again, the more specific questions/information you can provide, the better the suggestions you can obtain here. This is a pretty big undertaking. Good luck.
You're starting to get
Oct 15th, 2008, 08:17 AM
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Having travelled with a similar number of people with a larger age span 6-80, several times in the US, I can honestly say I would never tackle that same job in Europe. customs. Having said that, if you do decide to become the de facto tour guide, my advice is to appoint a dictator and adopt a zero-tolerance policy for rebellion.
That is the only way you will get a group of this size and age-range from points A - B with any semblance of safety or sanity. Of course, they may disown you when you get home....
--Annie
That is the only way you will get a group of this size and age-range from points A - B with any semblance of safety or sanity. Of course, they may disown you when you get home....
--Annie
Oct 15th, 2008, 08:42 AM
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Well, I'll be the devils' advocate here and say, go for it. Agree with the one week in Normandy and one week in Paris idea; call United or American Airlines to get a group fare with direct flights if possible I(don't know where you'll be departing from); then I'd look at VRBO.com for a villa or chateau rental near Bayeux that has a pool and if possible, a cook and housekeeper as options; rent a couple of passenger vans to get you from CDG to Normandy; make a list of the things you want to see and keep your dad's wishes paramount as this sounds like his dream trip; determine what everyone will want to see and book that (like a battlebus type tour) and leave the other activities ala carte where folks join in or not. As for Paris, again, I'd look for either a set of apartments or even a house nearby - like Versailles or near Roland Garos stadium. If you want to be closer to Paris proper, look near Sacre Coeur or la Defense. Ask about group rates where ever you go; 15 total is what, 3 families max? Get your passports now - relax, enjoy. I wish I still had my father here to go to Normandy! We loved it as a family in 2003.
Oct 15th, 2008, 09:31 AM
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I think taking a lot of ideas to a travel planner is a great idea. But I will point out that for a first time traveller to Europe, not speaking the language, needing many rooms, restaurant seatings (we were 8 on our trip and that wasn't all that easy), I think there has to be a professional person in charge of the plans for the fallback position if something goes wrong. It should be handled much like a tour--"if it's Tuesday it must be Munich" situation. I didnt' even want to be the "dictator" for our family of 8 for a week in Paris. I hired a guide for 2 days, and then just made recommendations. They had all been before and were adults.
Mobility issues in Europe can be daunting but there are some good websites I have seen in teh past.
Actually we stayed at THE perfect hotel in Bayeux for mobility impaired individuals--and a large group. The Hotel Bayeux about 5 minutes from the Tapestry. VERY large rooms and bathrooms on the ground floor. And very inexpensive--downright cheap. Squeaky clean and nice.
As I said, I guess budget is not of consequence because my figures are getting to $50,000 at the moment for 2 weeks for 15 people.
And the point about the anniversary is very apt.
Mobility issues in Europe can be daunting but there are some good websites I have seen in teh past.
Actually we stayed at THE perfect hotel in Bayeux for mobility impaired individuals--and a large group. The Hotel Bayeux about 5 minutes from the Tapestry. VERY large rooms and bathrooms on the ground floor. And very inexpensive--downright cheap. Squeaky clean and nice.
As I said, I guess budget is not of consequence because my figures are getting to $50,000 at the moment for 2 weeks for 15 people.
And the point about the anniversary is very apt.
