The long awaited trip report! Part 2 France
Jun 30th, 2013, 07:29 AM
#42
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If you haven't already, try AutoEurope, phone them with your requirements. They scan all available agencies for best price and for your requirements.
One more comment then I will leave you to it, if you were to drive from CDG, and since cost is no object, you might be more likely to be able to rent a car there which could be dropped off in Barcelona.
One more comment then I will leave you to it, if you were to drive from CDG, and since cost is no object, you might be more likely to be able to rent a car there which could be dropped off in Barcelona.
Jun 30th, 2013, 09:18 AM
#44
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in regards to the phone . .we assume that when we got home ..in those 20 mins of unpacking the shopping my 2yr old decided to take the phone out of my bag and "post it" somewhere . .either way the cleaners found it .. they didn't say where. I am very lucky and at least now it will ALWAYS be out of reach from anyone and everyone! EVen with insurance to cover it I don't want to go through that drama ever again!
Doppio - I hadn't booked trains because I was having dramas with it in Australia and thank goodness I did wait as today I got the tickets at more then half the price it would of cost me months ago from back home on rail Europe.
The last little detail is this car hire . . .hubby really felt that driving from Disney to Sarlat was just too far so we were going to break it up. My kids are fine and are great sleepers in cars . . so if you guys feel like the drive isn't too much of a nightmare in length we can do it. what do you think?
I will call autoeurope and see what they come up with ...thanks for the tip!
now onto today.
The children are FINALLY into the normal sleep patterns 8-8 . . 9-9 . .etc so much so that by 8:30 my 4 yr old fell asleep while eating in the café next door to where we are staying ...literally while he was eating!
So today was what I call a lazy day.
My son and I walked the streets this morning until we got lost . .loved it . . bought some items from the bakery and then by following the flag from the castle we made our way back home. To me this is what dreams are made of. The streets here are just beautiful. I can not believe what a hidden gem this place is. Anyone who is anywhere near this area must take a day trip or better yet stay here. I feel so lucky to have the week to enjoy it.
We all rested over the rest time 11-3pm . .my daughter slept and son watched TV.
Then after we walked to the medieval gardens . .which the kids loved! and then made our way to the castle.
The castle I thought was a bit expensive and the walk up the tower isn't for the faint hearted! I thought Arc de Triomphe was a long way up with those stairs . .this tower was even worse . . but in saying that my son loved it and the view was just amazing! Just wish I could of enjoyed it a bit more rather then fearing that my children would literally jump off the edge.
After this we decided it was time for icecream . . .there was this AMAZING icecream shop that did icecream in the most incredible glasses . . like cocktails . . .bit expensive but we had to do it at least once!
For tea tonight we are heading into the commonsquare where there is a fountain and we have already chosen which restaurant . .the one that has the fruit of the seas of menu . .my kids love seafood!
Then we will turn it in.
Not sure about tomorrow as I believe Avignon is closed so we might try Nimes or Pont du Guard. We will be doing those three things just not sure of the order yet.
Thanks everyone for your help! Will be back soon!
Doppio - I hadn't booked trains because I was having dramas with it in Australia and thank goodness I did wait as today I got the tickets at more then half the price it would of cost me months ago from back home on rail Europe.
The last little detail is this car hire . . .hubby really felt that driving from Disney to Sarlat was just too far so we were going to break it up. My kids are fine and are great sleepers in cars . . so if you guys feel like the drive isn't too much of a nightmare in length we can do it. what do you think?
I will call autoeurope and see what they come up with ...thanks for the tip!
now onto today.
The children are FINALLY into the normal sleep patterns 8-8 . . 9-9 . .etc so much so that by 8:30 my 4 yr old fell asleep while eating in the café next door to where we are staying ...literally while he was eating!
So today was what I call a lazy day.
My son and I walked the streets this morning until we got lost . .loved it . . bought some items from the bakery and then by following the flag from the castle we made our way back home. To me this is what dreams are made of. The streets here are just beautiful. I can not believe what a hidden gem this place is. Anyone who is anywhere near this area must take a day trip or better yet stay here. I feel so lucky to have the week to enjoy it.
We all rested over the rest time 11-3pm . .my daughter slept and son watched TV.
Then after we walked to the medieval gardens . .which the kids loved! and then made our way to the castle.
The castle I thought was a bit expensive and the walk up the tower isn't for the faint hearted! I thought Arc de Triomphe was a long way up with those stairs . .this tower was even worse . . but in saying that my son loved it and the view was just amazing! Just wish I could of enjoyed it a bit more rather then fearing that my children would literally jump off the edge.
After this we decided it was time for icecream . . .there was this AMAZING icecream shop that did icecream in the most incredible glasses . . like cocktails . . .bit expensive but we had to do it at least once!
For tea tonight we are heading into the commonsquare where there is a fountain and we have already chosen which restaurant . .the one that has the fruit of the seas of menu . .my kids love seafood!
Then we will turn it in.
Not sure about tomorrow as I believe Avignon is closed so we might try Nimes or Pont du Guard. We will be doing those three things just not sure of the order yet.
Thanks everyone for your help! Will be back soon!
Jun 30th, 2013, 09:26 AM
#45
ah, tomorrow is Monday, when loads of museums are closed, the town itself will be open. I guess you know this link http://www.avignon-tourisme.com/home-1-2.html
Jun 30th, 2013, 09:30 AM
#46
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Avignon is closed? Whatever are you meaning? Every town/city in France has closures on Monday...is that what you are referring to? At any rate, it will be completely impossible to visit Avignon, Pont du Gard, and Nîmes in a single day.
The SNCF tickets to Brive are getting more and more expensive every day that you delay in buying.
The SNCF tickets to Brive are getting more and more expensive every day that you delay in buying.
Jun 30th, 2013, 10:18 AM
#47
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St Cirq is right about train prices and possibly choice of seats.
About driving down to Brive, if your husband will be doing most of the driving, I would suggest he look seriously at the various routes and options. You will be skirting Paris which means very heavy traffic at the onset.
We have a gps but I use www.viamichelin.com, mapquest is also good, to plan. Depending on the route, vimichelin shows times ranging from 5 hours 10 mins to 6 hours 30 mins. Add at least 1 to 1.5 hours to that for breaks.
About driving down to Brive, if your husband will be doing most of the driving, I would suggest he look seriously at the various routes and options. You will be skirting Paris which means very heavy traffic at the onset.
We have a gps but I use www.viamichelin.com, mapquest is also good, to plan. Depending on the route, vimichelin shows times ranging from 5 hours 10 mins to 6 hours 30 mins. Add at least 1 to 1.5 hours to that for breaks.
Jun 30th, 2013, 10:34 AM
#48
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Oh I wasn't thinking about doing those three things in one day! I know I am crazy but I am not insane 
those are the three places we want to do over three separate days. We also plan on being in Uzes for Wednesday markets again as I just loved that.
I will chat with hubby about if we should just take the drive and be done with it. the idea of taking a car and dropping it off to catch a train and then pick up another car does seem a bit crazy . . I am sure I will manage some of the driving we have done longer drives with the kids. that way it'll be easier and cheaper overall on the car hire as we will have it for longer.
Dinner got cancelled tonight. Kids had scrambled eggs and we are having pizza from downstairs (as a takeaway) just felt the kids seemed tired so we would do what works for them and tonight we will plan out our week a bit better etc.
Goodnight everyone!
those are the three places we want to do over three separate days. We also plan on being in Uzes for Wednesday markets again as I just loved that.I will chat with hubby about if we should just take the drive and be done with it. the idea of taking a car and dropping it off to catch a train and then pick up another car does seem a bit crazy . . I am sure I will manage some of the driving we have done longer drives with the kids. that way it'll be easier and cheaper overall on the car hire as we will have it for longer.
Dinner got cancelled tonight. Kids had scrambled eggs and we are having pizza from downstairs (as a takeaway) just felt the kids seemed tired so we would do what works for them and tonight we will plan out our week a bit better etc.
Goodnight everyone!
Jun 30th, 2013, 11:18 AM
#49
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I'd still like to know if you sent back all of your power shopping. I am curious, as my wife may need to do this next year! If so, where did you post it? London? Or did each store you shopped at post the items? If not, did you just gather up the total and take it to the post office? If so, did they box it all up for you, or did you have to buy the shipping materials and pack it up yourself? Thanks
Jun 30th, 2013, 11:23 AM
#50
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Why do you think any of the shopping has been shipped back home? By the way this all reads, the shopping is now part of the baggage on the trip. God help me if I really remember this from way back when, but I do think Claire said she was packing light in order to shop.
Jun 30th, 2013, 12:31 PM
#53
Doppio, I shop, not as much as I once did but then and now I mail most of it home along with things I no longer need wherever I am.
In the UK the post offices have mailing supplies. One must have them ready to go when approaching the window to send it off. There are scales that I use to keep the boxes just under the "small packet" weight, 2 kg if I recall. Boxes the size that qualify as small packets are also available for purchase. By keeping within these restrictions the rate paid per kilo or part thereof is less than if you go over, not just less overall. So there's a big incentive to keep it under 2 kg. After weighing it at the P.O. I seal it up then I mail everything by surface mail which is very economical. From the UK the time it takes to arrive is always less than their estimates.
As I shop I keep in mind the fact that I'll be mailing the things so always considering the question is this worth mailing. It all works very nicely.
In the UK the post offices have mailing supplies. One must have them ready to go when approaching the window to send it off. There are scales that I use to keep the boxes just under the "small packet" weight, 2 kg if I recall. Boxes the size that qualify as small packets are also available for purchase. By keeping within these restrictions the rate paid per kilo or part thereof is less than if you go over, not just less overall. So there's a big incentive to keep it under 2 kg. After weighing it at the P.O. I seal it up then I mail everything by surface mail which is very economical. From the UK the time it takes to arrive is always less than their estimates.
As I shop I keep in mind the fact that I'll be mailing the things so always considering the question is this worth mailing. It all works very nicely.
Jun 30th, 2013, 12:59 PM
#54
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I thought I read something about Claire loving her backpack and she was going to repack and put the heavy items in there. Perhaps that is where she is stashing her purchases.
This report is a fun read, Claire.
This report is a fun read, Claire.
Jun 30th, 2013, 01:21 PM
#56
"thank goodness I did wait as today I got the tickets at more then half the price it would of cost me months ago from back home on rail Europe."
Surely we told you ages ago NOT to book on Rail Europe?
Glad you're enjoying Uzes. BTW, Pont du Gard is a good place to picnic.
Surely we told you ages ago NOT to book on Rail Europe?
Glad you're enjoying Uzes. BTW, Pont du Gard is a good place to picnic.
Jun 30th, 2013, 09:59 PM
#57
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MOrning everyone...yes you all told me NOT to book with Rail Europe. However, from Australia it seems the only way possible! I am just glad I took the gamble and waited and got the saving!
I packed really light . .well light for me ...half a case and then packed a hand luggage bag, a small backpack that holds 55L and a backpackers big backpack.
The toys I have bought along the way for the kids are going into the small handluggage bag, my dirty washing I was putting into the small back pack for ease when it came to washing day( thins bag does still fit in my case though for the moment. and the large backpack holds the clothes and items I am not wearing while in my weeks stay, the new clothes, clothes for cold days etc.
Basically when I arrive I use my zip lock bags and take out 7 "outfits" outfits for the week. Each bag has everything the kids need for the day ..clothing wise . .and then I can keep the luggage neat and tidy . .does this make sense?
Ok time for breakfast . . .just down stairs to get fresh treats ...what we get for 5 euros is amazing! 2x baked custard cake slices, 4x croissants, big baguette, some chocolate croissants, some custard snail thing and 2 other "cakes" that the kids pick out. Back home that would cost a small fortune! We don't eat all that for breakfast but it's our day of treats ..we also have found the local "casino" deli and have been able to buy basics, cereal, milk, eggs, yoghurt and most importantly top quality champagne at only 35euro a bottle! Moet, Mumm and Veurve! Makes a fun night at home when I get to enjoy a bottle of this with local cheeses and fresh baguettes!
One thing I did wish I had packed and hubby is bringing over with him is our cool bag/lunch box bag. Just so I could pack the kids a lunch pack for these site seeing days. My kids behavior is always determined by if they are hungry or not and if they are getting bored I find giving them an apple seems to occupy them just enough for me to power through the sites so I get the pictures I want etc.
Ok... chat soon everyone..time to get ready for todays adventure.
Thanks for the advice re car/trains . . .it'll be done this week and although you say the prices are going up I am far better having waited till I got here to book then doing it through Australian sites ..but yes I understand each day changes things.
I packed really light . .well light for me ...half a case and then packed a hand luggage bag, a small backpack that holds 55L and a backpackers big backpack.
The toys I have bought along the way for the kids are going into the small handluggage bag, my dirty washing I was putting into the small back pack for ease when it came to washing day( thins bag does still fit in my case though for the moment. and the large backpack holds the clothes and items I am not wearing while in my weeks stay, the new clothes, clothes for cold days etc.
Basically when I arrive I use my zip lock bags and take out 7 "outfits" outfits for the week. Each bag has everything the kids need for the day ..clothing wise . .and then I can keep the luggage neat and tidy . .does this make sense?
Ok time for breakfast . . .just down stairs to get fresh treats ...what we get for 5 euros is amazing! 2x baked custard cake slices, 4x croissants, big baguette, some chocolate croissants, some custard snail thing and 2 other "cakes" that the kids pick out. Back home that would cost a small fortune! We don't eat all that for breakfast but it's our day of treats ..we also have found the local "casino" deli and have been able to buy basics, cereal, milk, eggs, yoghurt and most importantly top quality champagne at only 35euro a bottle! Moet, Mumm and Veurve! Makes a fun night at home when I get to enjoy a bottle of this with local cheeses and fresh baguettes!
One thing I did wish I had packed and hubby is bringing over with him is our cool bag/lunch box bag. Just so I could pack the kids a lunch pack for these site seeing days. My kids behavior is always determined by if they are hungry or not and if they are getting bored I find giving them an apple seems to occupy them just enough for me to power through the sites so I get the pictures I want etc.
Ok... chat soon everyone..time to get ready for todays adventure.
Thanks for the advice re car/trains . . .it'll be done this week and although you say the prices are going up I am far better having waited till I got here to book then doing it through Australian sites ..but yes I understand each day changes things.
Jul 1st, 2013, 01:01 AM
#60
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Loving this thread.
Btw the Marriott Village Ile de France, your are staying in is great. Spacious and nice for the kids. The appartments even have washing machines and dryers.
If you need any advice regarding this hotel and/or Disneyland Paris, please let me know.
Because you like shopping; only a few km away (the bus stops right inf ront of the hotel) is a very lareg mall; Val d'Europe. They have everything you need and more, the best is the large Auchan hypermarket. Next door is a very large outlet mall with al the biggest brands. Make sure to spend some time there!
The mall is also next to the RER station. About 45 min tot Paris, easy train ride.
Btw the Marriott Village Ile de France, your are staying in is great. Spacious and nice for the kids. The appartments even have washing machines and dryers.
If you need any advice regarding this hotel and/or Disneyland Paris, please let me know.
Because you like shopping; only a few km away (the bus stops right inf ront of the hotel) is a very lareg mall; Val d'Europe. They have everything you need and more, the best is the large Auchan hypermarket. Next door is a very large outlet mall with al the biggest brands. Make sure to spend some time there!
The mall is also next to the RER station. About 45 min tot Paris, easy train ride.
