The long awaited trip report! Part 2 France
Jun 29th, 2013, 02:47 PM
#22
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A very interesting trip so far, Claire. I thought you would enjoy Uzes. Pont du Gard is fantastic - the playground next to it is great, especially for your 4 year old.
When we were in France with our young children, we taught them how to ask for icecream and cakes in French and other simple phrases. They loved it and so did the French shopkeepers.
One of my sons last night remarked that one of his favourite things in France was shopping for food in small shops, markets and large supermarkets, as it was so different to Australia.
Continue to have a wonderful trip Claire!
When we were in France with our young children, we taught them how to ask for icecream and cakes in French and other simple phrases. They loved it and so did the French shopkeepers.
One of my sons last night remarked that one of his favourite things in France was shopping for food in small shops, markets and large supermarkets, as it was so different to Australia.
Continue to have a wonderful trip Claire!
Jun 29th, 2013, 06:50 PM
#23
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Crazy: glad you made it to Uzes. I've been there twice, both times years ago, but fell in love with the area. I remember the outdoor market withe lovely lavendar smells.
How did you decide to stay there?
How did you decide to stay there?
Jun 30th, 2013, 01:55 AM
#24
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Morning everyone,
SO nice to have the time to let the kids sleep in and then just do a lazy walk around the streets.
Anyway . . as some of you know I am a little stuck with the travel plans on the 12th of July.
We are going to be
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...lle-de-france/
and we need to catch a direct train to Brive.
SO how much do you think a taxi would be from there to Paris Austerlitz or since mum is also leaving that day. that we all go together on the airport shuttle and then catch a taxi from there to this train station?
thanks as always for helping me plan it out! Chat soon
SO nice to have the time to let the kids sleep in and then just do a lazy walk around the streets.
Anyway . . as some of you know I am a little stuck with the travel plans on the 12th of July.
We are going to be
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...lle-de-france/
and we need to catch a direct train to Brive.
SO how much do you think a taxi would be from there to Paris Austerlitz or since mum is also leaving that day. that we all go together on the airport shuttle and then catch a taxi from there to this train station?
thanks as always for helping me plan it out! Chat soon
Jun 30th, 2013, 03:57 AM
#26
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Claire,
I just looked at your hotel's web site which states it does not provide a shuttle to CDG. I assume they would help you organize transport.
What might be most cost effective is to book a car/van (large enough for 3 adults, two kids and luggage) to have your mom dropped off at CDG and the rest of you taken in to Gare Austerlitz. I would get a quote for that and another quote for your mom to travel separately to CDG and the rest of you into the Paris station.
Phone the hotel to discuss options.
I looked at trains from CDG, 6-7 hours plus two transfers, which I think you know. Assume you have ruled that out but give yourself ample time to get into Paris. If it weren't for the two transfers, I'd be tempted take the train from CDG.
Use www.bahn.de for the Prague-Berlin, etc. tickets.
Hope you have your Paris-Brive tickets but if not use www.voyages-sncf.com
I just looked at your hotel's web site which states it does not provide a shuttle to CDG. I assume they would help you organize transport.
What might be most cost effective is to book a car/van (large enough for 3 adults, two kids and luggage) to have your mom dropped off at CDG and the rest of you taken in to Gare Austerlitz. I would get a quote for that and another quote for your mom to travel separately to CDG and the rest of you into the Paris station.
Phone the hotel to discuss options.
I looked at trains from CDG, 6-7 hours plus two transfers, which I think you know. Assume you have ruled that out but give yourself ample time to get into Paris. If it weren't for the two transfers, I'd be tempted take the train from CDG.
Use www.bahn.de for the Prague-Berlin, etc. tickets.
Hope you have your Paris-Brive tickets but if not use www.voyages-sncf.com
Jun 30th, 2013, 04:05 AM
#27
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From your hotel's website:
Charles de Gaulle International Airport - CDG
Visit CDG airport website
Airport Phone
#160;33 014 8622280
Hotel direction: 27.3 mile(s) SE
Driving directions:
This hotel does not provide shuttle service.
Alternate transportation: Transfer service or Bus;on request
Subway service, fee#160; 18 EUR (one way)
Estimated taxi fare: 120 EUR (one way)
That taxi fare seems outrageous.
Charles de Gaulle International Airport - CDG
Visit CDG airport website
Airport Phone
#160;33 014 8622280Hotel direction: 27.3 mile(s) SE
Driving directions:
This hotel does not provide shuttle service.
Alternate transportation: Transfer service or Bus;on request
Subway service, fee
#160; 18 EUR (one way)Estimated taxi fare: 120 EUR (one way)
That taxi fare seems outrageous.
Jun 30th, 2013, 04:31 AM
#28
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Claire, when last we left your other thread, Mum was going to be a big girl and go to the airport by herself, and you and the children were going to strike off by Yourselves. You can take the RER to Paris. Mum can get to CDG on her own.
Do NOT use RailEurope unless you just want to spend twice as much for the fare as needed.
Do NOT use RailEurope unless you just want to spend twice as much for the fare as needed.
Jun 30th, 2013, 05:01 AM
#30
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HI Gretchen . .mum is happy to be a big girl and go on her own 
We just are not sure of what to do. DO we get the car option and take her to the airport and then go to Austerlitz train station (this was the only place I could find my direct train to Brive)
Also still finding it impossible to find a car rental company that will let me pick up a car from Brive and drop off in Barcelona 6 days
sorry for those who want to read my trip report . . I know I shouldn't be planning
We just are not sure of what to do. DO we get the car option and take her to the airport and then go to Austerlitz train station (this was the only place I could find my direct train to Brive)Also still finding it impossible to find a car rental company that will let me pick up a car from Brive and drop off in Barcelona 6 days
sorry for those who want to read my trip report . . I know I shouldn't be planning
Jun 30th, 2013, 05:07 AM
#31
Either you spend a lot of money, or you change trains. Pick one.
I'm not surprised you can't take a car over the border. You can probably get close if you want to pay a drop off fee. Take another look at the train schedules.
I'm not surprised you can't take a car over the border. You can probably get close if you want to pay a drop off fee. Take another look at the train schedules.
Jun 30th, 2013, 05:28 AM
#33
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Re rental car--drive to Perpignan and take the train from there to Barcelona. If you find a rental agency that allows a drop-off in Barcelona you are going to pay a bomb for the drop-off. This has been pointed out before. Find an agency with an office at or near Perpignan train station.
I think you know your options re getting to Brive, you just need more cost info. If you take the RER in to Paris you need to change lines or get a taxi from Gare du Nord to Austerlitz. With such little kids and luggage, I would get a taxi.
You say your kids are good sleepers. I would consider driving but without searching the old threads I think you rejected that before. Fastest route is 5-6 hours. www.viamichelin.com
http://m.viamichelin.fr/#itineraire
I think you know your options re getting to Brive, you just need more cost info. If you take the RER in to Paris you need to change lines or get a taxi from Gare du Nord to Austerlitz. With such little kids and luggage, I would get a taxi.
You say your kids are good sleepers. I would consider driving but without searching the old threads I think you rejected that before. Fastest route is 5-6 hours. www.viamichelin.com
http://m.viamichelin.fr/#itineraire
Jun 30th, 2013, 05:29 AM
#34
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yes I have been told . .originally we were going to take the train from . . peripignan??? to Barcelona . . but they are working on the tracks or something and then we figure since we have the kids we would just pay the fee and have the luxury of having the car outside our apartment for luggage drop off etc and then go and take the car to where ever etc.
I really don't want to change trains with these kids . .just from the airports I can see that getting on and off with luggage is something I want to keep at a minimum.
Thanks for helping!
I really don't want to change trains with these kids . .just from the airports I can see that getting on and off with luggage is something I want to keep at a minimum.
Thanks for helping!
Jun 30th, 2013, 05:34 AM
#35
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This news just in - apparently Australian travellers have been blowing their budgets on overseas trips - but I don't imagine we are alone in this!
http://www.theage.com.au/travel/trav...630-2p4yq.html
http://www.theage.com.au/travel/trav...630-2p4yq.html
Jun 30th, 2013, 05:45 AM
#37
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They seem to have their data prior to me coming home! I am sure I would have adjusted those figures to a much higher amount! I am just thankful you have all saved me money along the way to balance out the over spending I do on living the dream!
Jun 30th, 2013, 05:58 AM
#38
Having your husband with you should make the trains easier. You just need to agree on a system. One of you does the kids and the other the luggage, for instance. You did pack light right? (And mail that shopping home!)
Jun 30th, 2013, 06:26 AM
#39
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Glad you are having a great time, sounds like the kids are adapting nicely too. Uzes sounds lovely.
I'm curious, what did you do with the items you picked up on all of the "power shopping" sprees you have told us about?
I must have missed it, but I had assumed you had all your travel details worked out before you got there. We had four months and how many threads??? Doing things on the fly is going to be incredibly stressful. If you have anything else that is not worked out, by all means, get it sorted NOW. I'll be honest, I'm a bit aghast that there are still several connections, car rentals, etc, that haven't been booked yet. It's one thing if you are on your own - but with toddlers and big luggage, it can turn into a nightmare (emotionally and financially) if not taken care of in advance. So, I beg of you, if there are any more arrangements not made, let us know now.
Cheers!
I'm curious, what did you do with the items you picked up on all of the "power shopping" sprees you have told us about?
I must have missed it, but I had assumed you had all your travel details worked out before you got there. We had four months and how many threads??? Doing things on the fly is going to be incredibly stressful. If you have anything else that is not worked out, by all means, get it sorted NOW. I'll be honest, I'm a bit aghast that there are still several connections, car rentals, etc, that haven't been booked yet. It's one thing if you are on your own - but with toddlers and big luggage, it can turn into a nightmare (emotionally and financially) if not taken care of in advance. So, I beg of you, if there are any more arrangements not made, let us know now.
Cheers!
