islandmom

Here is a language course I am ordering for my daughter and myself. Maybe someone else would like one also.

http://www.early-advantage.com

nonnafelice

Re going to the south of France: When we went to Provence in 2002, I recall reading in a guidebook (I forget now which one -- maybe Lonely Planet?) that there was a lot of racial prejudice in Provence. I wonder if anyone here has any firsthand experience about this, one way or the other.

islandmom

Well, that wouldn't be good. I need to find out then.

nonnafelice

If you are seriously considering Provence, you might want to post another message with something in the subject line that would get more responses on the question of racial prejudice. I personally don't know anything more than what I read in the guidebook, but I think the French politician (I forget his name now) who ran on such a right-wing, biased platform, came from that area, so that might have been the source of the statement.

suze

The race issue maybe comes up more in small towns or the countryside? That certainly is true in the U.S. As mentioned above, Paris is a mix of all kinds of colors and couples. You would not even stand out there.

Take with a grain of salt stories told of bad experiences towards Americans. That taxi tale sounds like something more was going on (as mentioned, too many people, too large a group, whatever). Scared people seem to bring on bad experiences, or interpret them that way. Your group sounds brave and straight-forward, I bet you will find a warm welcome most places you go.

Have you said how long you have to travel? I ask this only because you said something about France, Italy, AND Greece. Especially with health issues unless you have a couple months, I would pick one or two places with easy travel between.

Happy planning!

MaureenB

We had a conversation with a Parisian couple this past June, whom we met at a reception in Vienna. We asked them your question about the existence of an anti-American atittude in France. Their response was that, in their experience, the French don't like our politics, but they separate the politics from the people themselves. In other words, they may dislike American politicians without disliking American people. We thought that was a good way of looking at it.

islandmom

That is too much for one trip for us. I'm thinking Paris and maybe one side trip. I would love to see Monet's garden. Is that a simple plan?

Eloise

I've read the entire thread, but I haven't been able to find two important pieces of information:
1. When do you intend to travel? How early is "early spring"?
2. How long are you planning to spend in Europe?

Paris definitely offers everything that you have mentioned, but I would suggest making it late spring rather than early spring to enjoy the strolls, the outside cafes, etc.

You are very unlikely to encounter any difficulties as a multiracial family in or near Paris.

For Monet's garden in Giverny, which is eminently do-able from Paris, have a look at the following Web site, which includes a calendar of the flowers that are blooming each month:

http://giverny.org/

But if you're planning a trip of longer than a week or two, I would suggest that you also look into spending some time in the countryside;
Paris is splendid, but I think you will want to get away from the city for at least part of the time.

You are also likely to find more luxurious accommodations (the "pampering" you mention) at lower prices outside of Paris than in Paris.

Enjoy the planning and the preparation, and enjoy your trip!

sognatrice2

There's a little hotel in Governy, unfortunately I have forgotten the name, I went to the Monet's gardens on a minivan tour, then went back myself and stayed the night. A nice place. Perhaps it's listed on that website!

cigalechanta

If it is in Giverny, it's down the road from Monet's house and called Jardin de Giverny. The only hotel except for B&Bs in the vicinity of Monet's garden.

islandmom

Thank you so much for the leads. I really don't have exact dates or how many days. I'm still gathering information then will try to decide how much we will be able to afford. Our income varies.

islandmom

Okay, I have more specific info now if you can lead me in the right direction.

Looks like I don't have anything serious so I'll be around to harass everyone for years to come. It's probably fibromyalgia, CFS ...something in that family. We will probably still take the kids. I just couldn't relax without them. Is the shortest direct flight to Paris from NYC?

So I've narrowed this down. Two weeks starting in Paris. Including Monet's garden. What else can't I miss in France?

islandmom

Here are a few more questions-

Obviously we dress very casual (probably tacky) to the culture of Europe since we are living in Hawaii. What should I pack as far as clothing goes for adults and children in June?

Also, what is the average hotel room cost for something with large rooms, modern bathrooms and close to everything? Where should I begin looking? What parts of the city should be avoided?

nonnafelice

I'd suggest starting by searching the forum for hotel and paris to get previiously posted suggestions -- there are lots of them! Also, check tripadvisor.com to see reviews. When you narrow down your selection, post another message here with Paris in the subject line, so you might get more specific responses.

amelia

You are going in June. WONDERFUL! I had supposed you were doing late March, early April. Sorry about the Fibromyalgia, but you're right, compared to MS...

One of the most wonderful things about summer Paris is that it is farther north than one assumes. Therefore June days have really long daylight periods.

Coming from Hawaii, you will need more layers--the chance of temperature variability is markedly greater.

OK--in general, European hotel rooms are smaller than American rooms. As a result, most of us going to Paris on this forum have readjusted our thinking as it regards hotel rooms. Nevertheless, a search with "Paris large rooms" and "Paris luxury hotels" would be informative.

Everyone has his general preference as to type of accomodation--for example, my family generally does 3-star hotels, others find great 2-stars, some people want 4-star--and everyone also has a prejudice about their favorite part of Paris in which to stay. In the past, we tried to pay no more than $200 per room and were frequently able to get something for as low as $100 in the off-season. The recent exchange rate will inflate that number greatly!

My family considers Notre Dame and the Louvre to be our sightseeing home bases, so we stay in neighborhoods that radiate out from them. This means that we spend most of our time walking along the Seine, something we enjoy winter or summer. We personally have considered our stays in the 5th, 6th, 4th to have been the most convenient. Others disagree. Do a search on "Paris Neighborhoods."

Even in good weather, we try to stay within one block of a Metro stop.

There has been a marked increase in apartment rental in the past few years, and if you plan to stay in the city for one week, I think it would be a most suitable alternative for your family. "Paris apartments" search would give you the background there.

My best advice is to avoid any "tour group" type accomodation. My aunt, for example, was so proud of the fact that she was staying right near the Arc de Triomphe. I can tell you that her hotel room is large and her bathroom is big. And that big bathroom will pretty much be her impression of Paris--she's in a "sterile" area that has no feel of the Paris cafes, museums, walkways, and parks.

Good luck as you plan your trip.