socaltraveler

I would keep passports, extra cash, and return tickets locked up in the hotel safe. And given that you are traveling with distractions of small children, I would be using a less expensive camera than an Iphone to take my pictures. The Iphone as camera just begs to be stolen IMHO. No one wants a point and shoot.

annhig

yes, i have a nice little sony that I can just stick in my pocket. no need to fumble in my handbag for a camera and invite the attention of thieves.

are i-phones so desirable? they seem to be ubiquitous.

StCirq

Well, if you want a direct train you're going to have to get into Paris to the Gare d'Austerlitz. And there aren't that many trains, so you'd best check the schedules now and make a plan.

Jean

iPhones seem to be the most popular item for pickpockets these days. Wonder where they all end up...?

socaltraveler

Someone blogged on another travel site about having her cell phone, which she admits to using for photos, stolen from her coat pocket in the Pantheon. She had the lockdown feature, so reported it. Months later the phone was turned on, and everything wiped off, in Croatia.

Gretchen

Crazy--WELCOME to the land of pickpockets. PLEASE pay attention to what is around you--people trying to push against you. Now you know the bump. Keep people away from you!! Of course you didn't know it happened!!
Put it in a POCKET. Only carry in your "handbag" whatever that is-maps,things for the kids, etc. Better yet, don't carry a "handbag".
Split things between you and your mother -and then you and DH. Don't carry the same credit cards, etc.

thursdaysd

"we will have a car"

You mean you will have a car at Disneyland, turn it in, and then take the train to Brive to rent another one???

Not getting into that, but if you don't want to change trains you'd need to drive to Les-Aubrais-Orleans to get on the train from Paris to Brive.

StCirq

I wouldn't keep an iPhone in a pocket. I wouldn't even have one to begin with, but it's no safer in a pocket than it is in an outside pocket of a handbag.

There are hundreds and hundreds of posts on Fodors and elsewhere about keeping things safe from pickpockets. Have been for years.

Aramis

It's Claire's fault because she should have known better and it is just so pleasing to be able to point that out after her loss.

Oh to be awash in such transcendancy. I bet it smells like lavender........

justineparis

Interesting learning curve.

As St Cirq and I have tried to tell you, spell the destination correctly and you will be able to find it, but yes, there are no direct trains from Marne la Vallee.

justineparis

and ., I am trying to understand how money upfront was a problem when you can afford to spend on 4 last minute airline tickets..

Gretchen

Claire, as much as I would like to know how you are doing, please don't feed the sharks/trolls who have now come back to haunt you.
Have a good time.
Make a diary.'
Post it in a couple of weeks when the frenzy here to trash you has died down.
Just a thought from a grandmother.
This is no longer funny folks. Give it a rest.

socaltraveler

You know, she is getting advice from the trolls as you put it Gretchen. Having reported on yet another disaster, I think some of today's advice about security from this point forward has been good, advice about not using your Iphone as a casual camera, not walking around with your passports and return tickets, dividing cash/cc's amongst the adults, all good advice. I do not disagree with you that the comments about her personal budget, and the airplane tickets, should be put to rest.

There is no frenzy here waiting to trash Claire, that's a wee bit melodramatic.

Just a thought from another grandmother.

StCirq

Sharks? Trolls? She doesn't know how to get from Disneyland to Brive (not Brieve)! We told her months ago, and I agree it's melodramatic to call us out on helping her, but gosh, she missed her flight to Europe, then got robbed almost instantly! The girl needs help getting her sh*t together! She's spent boatloads of money so far, is shopping like mad all over London, and her husband is a private school headmaster (trust me, my dad was one too and they don't exactly clean up, and in general here in the USA anyway make far less than principals in public schools). The wanting to "save the money upfront" has me wondering too. Do they actually have the funds for this trip or is it all going on a credit card? Lord help us if it's the latter.

It's been, what, less than a week, and two disasters? And they have how many weeks to go? Oh dear. Hope it gets better.

justineparis

amen

cathies

Stcirq, just for the record the pay scale is the opposite here from in the us. However it's not a dramatic difference.

To the people who say claire is being attacked, Claire would appear to need all the advice she can get!

Pvoyageuse

Incredible ! After checking her flights people are now checking her husband's salary and her bank account. It is none of our business how she spends her money. If you think she is a troll, don't feed her.

Cathinjoetown

Sorry about your Iphone. Pick pockets are every where--Paris, Barcelona probably worse than London so take care.

Re getting to Brive, the waits in Poitiers and Limoges are quite long, making the entire journey 7-8 hours. Best bet is going back into Paris. I found one train which is direct from CDG but it departs at around 7:00 pm, arriving near midnight.

Gretchen, in the UK a purse is a handbag, probably the same in OZ. A wallet or billfold is a purse. When I first knew my husband I would ask him to hand me my purse and he replied, "I'm not reaching in your handbag to look for your purse."

annhig

Gretchen, in the UK a purse is a handbag, probably the same in OZ. A wallet or billfold is a purse. When I first knew my husband I would ask him to hand me my purse and he replied, "I'm not reaching in your handbag to look for your purse.">>

exactly. we have those conversations regularly. However, I have no compunction about looking in his wallet.

millie2112

I can't believe everyone is telling her what to do. This is a women most likely in her mid 30's and is a mother to two small children. Believe it or not she is the adult here,
She needs to look after 2 small children as well as herself.

It is just really farcical - "Be Careful of the pickpockets", "put your things in a hotel safe", wear a money belt", etc etc blah blah blah.

both my children went to Europe on their own last year (at separate times).. My son was 19. He knew the times of all his flights, did not lose his phone and could work a train timetable.

I was always a supporter of Crazy, but this is just too much. so i am bowing out, and not reading this any more.