Traveling with friends--a few logistical questions (France)
Jan 3rd, 2012, 08:04 AM
#41
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A couple of things:
You could save one day by taking the overnight train from Paris to Venice. If you fly, you lose a lot of time getting to the airport, etc. and essentially have lost at least 1/2 day out of your trip days.
There is an overnight direct train (meaning NO CHANGE OF TRAINS) that leaves Paris Lyon at 7:45pm and gets into Venice Santa Lucia at 9:34am
check out bahn.com for train schedules.
I'm also wondering why you have to drive around in different cars when the public transportation system is so developed in Europe.
You could train/fly to your destinations, then rent cars locally for one/two/three/however-many days. Return cars locally and train on to the next destination.
It's much easier herding cats onto the same train than to coordinate several cars.
Just a couple of thoughts.
Oh, and the last one is the luggage allowance for Easyjet. It is ONE piece of carryon only - a purse, a computer bag counts as ONE piece. If you have to check in a bag, then you have to pay the extra baggage fee, which may pretty much wipe out your savings for flying on a "budget" airline.
You could save one day by taking the overnight train from Paris to Venice. If you fly, you lose a lot of time getting to the airport, etc. and essentially have lost at least 1/2 day out of your trip days.
There is an overnight direct train (meaning NO CHANGE OF TRAINS) that leaves Paris Lyon at 7:45pm and gets into Venice Santa Lucia at 9:34am
check out bahn.com for train schedules.
I'm also wondering why you have to drive around in different cars when the public transportation system is so developed in Europe.
You could train/fly to your destinations, then rent cars locally for one/two/three/however-many days. Return cars locally and train on to the next destination.
It's much easier herding cats onto the same train than to coordinate several cars.
Just a couple of thoughts.
Oh, and the last one is the luggage allowance for Easyjet. It is ONE piece of carryon only - a purse, a computer bag counts as ONE piece. If you have to check in a bag, then you have to pay the extra baggage fee, which may pretty much wipe out your savings for flying on a "budget" airline.
Jan 3rd, 2012, 08:24 AM
#42
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I think a bus tour is a great idea. It doesn't matter what it costs, it is much more convenient and they will certainly have enough time there to look at that place. Time is money, as they say, there is no need for all the complicated logistics that way. How much time can you possibly spend at a tourist site like that, anyway. That way the ones who want to go can easily do so without bothering those who don't. NO one suggested the OP go on that bus tour.
Jan 3rd, 2012, 08:40 AM
#43
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I highly recommend the water taxi into Venice from the airport. We did this in 2006 with just 4 of us and it made the entry a lot of fun. It did cost a bit with just 4 but from what I recall the price was the same for the boat no matter how many...so with 8 it would be a no brainer.
I think Venice, Nice and Paris are VERY reasonable for 12 days. With the way I typically travel I'd probably find a 4th stop to shoehorn in there in fact. So those three in 12 days sounds relaxing to me.
I think Venice, Nice and Paris are VERY reasonable for 12 days. With the way I typically travel I'd probably find a 4th stop to shoehorn in there in fact. So those three in 12 days sounds relaxing to me.
Jan 3rd, 2012, 11:04 AM
#44
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Response to the last few posters:
Easytraveler, taking an overnight train to Venice would mean killing the time between early morning arrival in Paris and late afternoon train, and we would lose that day. We are able to arrive at CDG and fly right out of there for Venice, giving us the rest of that day in Venice. Even if we had the time to take the overnight train, it's too expensive ((I've done that before)
Why cars? "You could train/fly and use cars locally." Exactly what we're doing. Car is faster, easier much more convenient for getting back and forth on the Riviera coast. Lots of small towns to explore. Trains wouldn't work. We are only renting the cars for the week in St. Jeannet.
Flying Nice to Paris is cheap and fast. Train would cost us another day.
Wekiva: I'm glad someone earlier suggested a water taxi to enter Venice (instead of the bus) and that's what we'll do. Much more dramatically beautiful arrival
Easytraveler, taking an overnight train to Venice would mean killing the time between early morning arrival in Paris and late afternoon train, and we would lose that day. We are able to arrive at CDG and fly right out of there for Venice, giving us the rest of that day in Venice. Even if we had the time to take the overnight train, it's too expensive ((I've done that before)
Why cars? "You could train/fly and use cars locally." Exactly what we're doing. Car is faster, easier much more convenient for getting back and forth on the Riviera coast. Lots of small towns to explore. Trains wouldn't work. We are only renting the cars for the week in St. Jeannet.
Flying Nice to Paris is cheap and fast. Train would cost us another day.
Wekiva: I'm glad someone earlier suggested a water taxi to enter Venice (instead of the bus) and that's what we'll do. Much more dramatically beautiful arrival
Jan 4th, 2012, 07:33 AM
#46
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AJPeabody--yup, thought of that. We'll take a car service from the airport because the cost of taxi's could soar due to traffic jams. I think we'll be staying in the 15th, so crowds shouldn't be a problem once we're in our neighborhood.
Mar 2nd, 2012, 05:03 PM
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Thought this would be a good time to update all you wonderful people who so thoughtfully gave me recommendations (and warnings) regarding adventure. So here's where we are now:
July 4th departing for Venice.
arriving at Marco Polo in morning of July 5
water taxi into Venice
Secured an apartment close to St. Mark's for Thursday and Friday night. I chose it because we will have only 1.5 days in Venice so wanted to be as close to the area as possible. Everyone knows we won't be doing anything but wandering around while there--no special tours. This is just to get a taste for Venice.
Saturday morning (July 7) fly to Nice. Only one flight from Venice to Nice on Easyjet that day and it departs at 9:00 a.m., which is a shame, but we'll be fine.
Arrive Nice, pick up the cars (and a stray who is arriving from Florida to do just the week there) and head to the villa in St. Jeanet.
We'll be at the villa for one week (Saturday to Saturday) and we'll visit surrounding towns, beaches, do a little cooking, a lot of wine-drinking and time by the pool.
Saturday, July 14th we say good-bye to our Florida pal at the Nice airport and the rest of us fly to Paris (Easyjet to CDG).
Car into Paris to the hotel in the 14th where we'll stay until Tuesday, the 17th.
I'm planning a few things for the weekend in Paris, based on things different people have said they'd like to see. It will be very low-key. Like Venice, just an overview.
Tuesday the 17th the group heads to CDG and home.
The hub and I have taken an apartment off the Champs for the next week or so (departing on the 26th). The Champs is not an ideal place, IMHO, as a base for wandering, but we'll be front and center to see the Tour de France end on the 22nd! This week will be for us to unwind and relax together after our wonderful time with friends.
So, that's where we are at this point. Feel free to comment, of course. I wish I could translate just how terrific these friends are and you'd understand why I have no (okay, very little) worries. There was one person (a now-single guy) who wanted to go but was pulling a lot of diva-ish stuff (wanted his own room, but didn't want to pay the price for it in the villa, for example) and he's never been overseas so had a lot of nervous moments and was back and forth on whether he was going so I just made his decision for him and opted him out. (Frankly, he was relieved, I think.)
Now I just have to find my passport or order a replacement. Can't believe it's disappeared and I'm so careful about keeping them in the same place, but I had to use it to open a post office box and now it's gone. The only way to find it is to order a new one
July 4th departing for Venice.
arriving at Marco Polo in morning of July 5
water taxi into Venice
Secured an apartment close to St. Mark's for Thursday and Friday night. I chose it because we will have only 1.5 days in Venice so wanted to be as close to the area as possible. Everyone knows we won't be doing anything but wandering around while there--no special tours. This is just to get a taste for Venice.
Saturday morning (July 7) fly to Nice. Only one flight from Venice to Nice on Easyjet that day and it departs at 9:00 a.m., which is a shame, but we'll be fine.
Arrive Nice, pick up the cars (and a stray who is arriving from Florida to do just the week there) and head to the villa in St. Jeanet.
We'll be at the villa for one week (Saturday to Saturday) and we'll visit surrounding towns, beaches, do a little cooking, a lot of wine-drinking and time by the pool.
Saturday, July 14th we say good-bye to our Florida pal at the Nice airport and the rest of us fly to Paris (Easyjet to CDG).
Car into Paris to the hotel in the 14th where we'll stay until Tuesday, the 17th.
I'm planning a few things for the weekend in Paris, based on things different people have said they'd like to see. It will be very low-key. Like Venice, just an overview.
Tuesday the 17th the group heads to CDG and home.
The hub and I have taken an apartment off the Champs for the next week or so (departing on the 26th). The Champs is not an ideal place, IMHO, as a base for wandering, but we'll be front and center to see the Tour de France end on the 22nd! This week will be for us to unwind and relax together after our wonderful time with friends.
So, that's where we are at this point. Feel free to comment, of course. I wish I could translate just how terrific these friends are and you'd understand why I have no (okay, very little) worries. There was one person (a now-single guy) who wanted to go but was pulling a lot of diva-ish stuff (wanted his own room, but didn't want to pay the price for it in the villa, for example) and he's never been overseas so had a lot of nervous moments and was back and forth on whether he was going so I just made his decision for him and opted him out. (Frankly, he was relieved, I think.)
Now I just have to find my passport or order a replacement. Can't believe it's disappeared and I'm so careful about keeping them in the same place, but I had to use it to open a post office box and now it's gone. The only way to find it is to order a new one
Mar 3rd, 2012, 12:37 AM
#48
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Can I come?
It's a thankless task to organize a multi-country trip with a group of friends. You have to be enough of a dictator to get things done but not so much of one that you offend everyone forever.
Our friend who is best at this gives everyone three choices on everything (well, maybe two on restaurants): "Today we can do A, B, or C". If you want to do something else, you can stay at the villa. It works.
It's a thankless task to organize a multi-country trip with a group of friends. You have to be enough of a dictator to get things done but not so much of one that you offend everyone forever.
Our friend who is best at this gives everyone three choices on everything (well, maybe two on restaurants): "Today we can do A, B, or C". If you want to do something else, you can stay at the villa. It works.
Mar 3rd, 2012, 05:16 AM
#49
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Am so happy for you that your friends worked with you to come up with a much more reasonable plan.
Also very happy you and spouse will have a week on your own in Paris!
I can't remember whether or not you have experience with easyjet. If you have, you probably have clued everyone in on baggage weight limits, etc. They are serious.
I've used them several times with no problems, knock wood.
Have a great trip.
Also very happy you and spouse will have a week on your own in Paris!
I can't remember whether or not you have experience with easyjet. If you have, you probably have clued everyone in on baggage weight limits, etc. They are serious.
I've used them several times with no problems, knock wood.
Have a great trip.
Mar 3rd, 2012, 08:47 AM
#50
great plan. hope you all have a blast.
yes, do come back about the easyjet limits, but in essence they are per person 20kgs in the hold [for which you pay, but not ruinously] and ONE small bag in the cabin. that INCLUDES your handbag, computer bag, camera, etc, etc; their website gives you details.
yes, do come back about the easyjet limits, but in essence they are per person 20kgs in the hold [for which you pay, but not ruinously] and ONE small bag in the cabin. that INCLUDES your handbag, computer bag, camera, etc, etc; their website gives you details.
Mar 3rd, 2012, 09:49 AM
#51
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Ackislander, I wear a velvet glove 
Regarding Easyjet, I have already told everyone they MUST use carry-on only. The hub and I have been doing that for years and I'm trying hard to convert the others. I've been able to use the Easyjet restrictions to do this for them and I can only hope they take it seriously. I've also warned them that the cars will not accommodate large luggage. There is only one person that I feel pretty sure will ignore these warnings, but I'm not concerned because that's on her. She'll pay the price for extra baggage and, if it doesn't fit in the trunk she'll have to put it on her lap. That's not the kind of thing that will gum up the works, IMO.
Carving out time: Yup, we've all discussed that. No one feels (or wants) to be joined at the hip. Also, I think we have differing opinions as to what things will cost so I expect some to want to eat out (or better or more frequently) than others. That's why it's nice to have a "home" and not hotel rooms. We are also very honest with each other and no one has a problem saying "can't afford it."
I would highly recommend to anyone undertaking something like this to carve out the extra time at the end of the trip. The DH and I are not sweating anything because we know we have our own little vacation after (but I'm truly not expecting trouble).
I tend to promise trip reports and seldom come through (if you're interested, the last one I did was Venice). But I'll be sure to report back on this one--warts and all.
Thanks again to ALL!
Regarding Easyjet, I have already told everyone they MUST use carry-on only. The hub and I have been doing that for years and I'm trying hard to convert the others. I've been able to use the Easyjet restrictions to do this for them and I can only hope they take it seriously. I've also warned them that the cars will not accommodate large luggage. There is only one person that I feel pretty sure will ignore these warnings, but I'm not concerned because that's on her. She'll pay the price for extra baggage and, if it doesn't fit in the trunk she'll have to put it on her lap. That's not the kind of thing that will gum up the works, IMO.
Carving out time: Yup, we've all discussed that. No one feels (or wants) to be joined at the hip. Also, I think we have differing opinions as to what things will cost so I expect some to want to eat out (or better or more frequently) than others. That's why it's nice to have a "home" and not hotel rooms. We are also very honest with each other and no one has a problem saying "can't afford it."
I would highly recommend to anyone undertaking something like this to carve out the extra time at the end of the trip. The DH and I are not sweating anything because we know we have our own little vacation after (but I'm truly not expecting trouble).
I tend to promise trip reports and seldom come through (if you're interested, the last one I did was Venice). But I'll be sure to report back on this one--warts and all.
Thanks again to ALL!
Mar 3rd, 2012, 10:26 AM
#52
Regarding Easyjet, I have already told everyone they MUST use carry-on only. The hub and I have been doing that for years and I'm trying hard to convert the others. I've been able to use the Easyjet restrictions to do this for them and I can only hope they take it seriously>>
at the risk of teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, you do know how small the easyjet carry-on limits are, don't you?
http://www.easyjet.com/en/planning/baggage.html
56 x 45 x 25 cms. that's it. one bag, no bigger than that. for a 2 week trip that's very limited, especially as you will have to get EVERYTHING in it to get on the plane - cameras, handbags, rucksacs, computers, everything. if your bag is too big, they will put it in the hold and charge you double for it.
you might like to make sure that your party are up for this, or change the easyjet reservations so that they include a hold bag each - it costs about €15 for 20kgs I think.
at the risk of teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, you do know how small the easyjet carry-on limits are, don't you?
http://www.easyjet.com/en/planning/baggage.html
56 x 45 x 25 cms. that's it. one bag, no bigger than that. for a 2 week trip that's very limited, especially as you will have to get EVERYTHING in it to get on the plane - cameras, handbags, rucksacs, computers, everything. if your bag is too big, they will put it in the hold and charge you double for it.
you might like to make sure that your party are up for this, or change the easyjet reservations so that they include a hold bag each - it costs about €15 for 20kgs I think.
Mar 3rd, 2012, 10:58 AM
#53
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annhig, I do know about the limits and I've used it before (we use apartments with washers). But, I think the idea of pre-paying for the hold bags is a great idea and I'll pass this along to the newbies. THANK YOU!!
Mar 3rd, 2012, 02:59 PM
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I've flown easyjet and liked it a lot, I simply paid for my checked bag in advance, it isn't that expensive that way and I didn't have all these traumas about how to figure out how to get everything into carryon. I wouldn't allow someone to tell me what to do in that regard, because it is perfectly reasonable to check a bag on Easyjet.
Mar 3rd, 2012, 04:09 PM
#57
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Christina, just to clarify, the reason I am pushing for carry on is because there are other hassles with luggage that occurs if all 7 people take more than one: waiting at baggage claim in various cities, fitting it in the car trunks (if one disregards the suggestion and takes extra that's okay, but if I don't strongly recommend no extra luggage and everyone brings more than one we will never get it in two small cars.) If I, as the frequent traveler, didn't make this recommendation and everyone brought all they wanted because they were willing to pay for it, then we couldn't get it in the cars, one got lost, etc. they'd look to me for not warning them. The logistics of this particular trip call for less luggage, hence insuring there are washers in all locations.
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