Where to go for a long weekend after several days in Paris - Please help!
Mar 3rd, 2009, 11:50 AM
#21
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Hi All,
My apologies for the delay in responding. So many questions to respond to.....
I'd like to start by saying how much I appreciate all your suggestions!
We are locked into the early part of our trip in London from April 24-27. On April 27 we are attending a concert in Paris, so that date is fixed as well. The concert is what prompted the trip so we can't skip it in order to rearrange our itinerary. From Apr 28-May 4 I suppose we could swap things around?? I'm just not sure how inclined I am to do that? 3 days in London, 1 in Paris and then if we were to move again, it seems like a lot of traveling as well as checking in & out of hotels.
Bruges & Strasbourg -- we've been to both already.
I think I'd be more inclined to take a cheap flight to Prague but, maybe next trip??
Burgundy-We've planned to stop at least 3 three times on previous trips but have always scratched it from our itinerary. I may revisit.
On a separate note...I found that the hotel I'd like to stay at in Provence requires a 3 night stay. That's still doable but if I move the dates back, air & rail is a little cheaper on Thursday. Also, I have a friend who is fluent in French and I had her call the tourist office in Isle Sur la Sorgue to ask if businesses would be open the weekend of May 1-3. The woman she spoke to said everything is open all three days but, I wonder if she's right? Why would everything be closed everywhere else but not here?
Julie, I'm intrigued by some of the towns you've mentioned in Brittany. I'm starting research. We have never been and could certainly drive which is appealing. I haven't 100% given up on Provence but for simplicity sake, Brittney sounds like a much easier option.
My apologies for the delay in responding. So many questions to respond to.....
I'd like to start by saying how much I appreciate all your suggestions!
We are locked into the early part of our trip in London from April 24-27. On April 27 we are attending a concert in Paris, so that date is fixed as well. The concert is what prompted the trip so we can't skip it in order to rearrange our itinerary. From Apr 28-May 4 I suppose we could swap things around?? I'm just not sure how inclined I am to do that? 3 days in London, 1 in Paris and then if we were to move again, it seems like a lot of traveling as well as checking in & out of hotels.
Bruges & Strasbourg -- we've been to both already.
I think I'd be more inclined to take a cheap flight to Prague but, maybe next trip??
Burgundy-We've planned to stop at least 3 three times on previous trips but have always scratched it from our itinerary. I may revisit.
On a separate note...I found that the hotel I'd like to stay at in Provence requires a 3 night stay. That's still doable but if I move the dates back, air & rail is a little cheaper on Thursday. Also, I have a friend who is fluent in French and I had her call the tourist office in Isle Sur la Sorgue to ask if businesses would be open the weekend of May 1-3. The woman she spoke to said everything is open all three days but, I wonder if she's right? Why would everything be closed everywhere else but not here?
Julie, I'm intrigued by some of the towns you've mentioned in Brittany. I'm starting research. We have never been and could certainly drive which is appealing. I haven't 100% given up on Provence but for simplicity sake, Brittney sounds like a much easier option.
Mar 3rd, 2009, 03:15 PM
#22
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Let me correct one inaccuracy in my post. I said the Morlaix area and Vannes, south of Rennes. Wrong. Morlaix is north and much further east. I meant the Golf of Morbihan which is south and one which Vannes is the largest town. After getting to Rennes, which itself is worthy of seeing, you could go north to St. Malo, Dinard, Dinan area or south to Vannes and Golf of Morbihan, also Carnac, and La Trinite Sur Mer where I'm working to reserve lodging near the really cute fishing/yachting harbor.
Mar 6th, 2009, 12:06 PM
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Well, I pulled the trigger and bought train tickets to Provence. I have been really looked forward to going to Provence and in the end, I wasn't going to let $150 additional stop me from going! I will definitely keep these other locations in mind for a future trip and I appreciate all the ideas you've shared.
On quick question I have re: rail. I purchased two 2nd class train tickets from Paris to Avignon RT on the voyages-sncf website. It's been several years since I traveled by rail from Provence to Paris but, I thought I remembered being assigned specific seats in a specific car when we bought our tickets last time?? Today I went through the process online in French (I don't speak it but, I thought it was easy enough to figure out) and the only question I was asked related to seating is whether we prefer the upper or lower level. I never received a seating assignment. Is this a problem that I should deal with now before we go or, do they not issue seat assignments in second class?
ILP
On quick question I have re: rail. I purchased two 2nd class train tickets from Paris to Avignon RT on the voyages-sncf website. It's been several years since I traveled by rail from Provence to Paris but, I thought I remembered being assigned specific seats in a specific car when we bought our tickets last time?? Today I went through the process online in French (I don't speak it but, I thought it was easy enough to figure out) and the only question I was asked related to seating is whether we prefer the upper or lower level. I never received a seating assignment. Is this a problem that I should deal with now before we go or, do they not issue seat assignments in second class?
ILP
Mar 6th, 2009, 02:19 PM
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I used the site about a week ago for 4/20 and returning 4/23. I have 1st class upper seats, with my cnfirmation..R/T for 120 euros. I an taking my confirmation to the SNCF Boutique around the corner from me on St. Dominique to pick up my tickets ahead of time.
When I did mine, there was a little spot for seats to click on. Perhpas it is different for 2nd class? You have a confirmation recipt for the tickets? If so, I would go to one of their boutiques and get the tickets ahead of time. They seem to be all over Paris...I just googled for locations. I did notice that the hours open vary, so you might check the one that you would be going to.
Joan
When I did mine, there was a little spot for seats to click on. Perhpas it is different for 2nd class? You have a confirmation recipt for the tickets? If so, I would go to one of their boutiques and get the tickets ahead of time. They seem to be all over Paris...I just googled for locations. I did notice that the hours open vary, so you might check the one that you would be going to.
Joan
Mar 6th, 2009, 02:21 PM
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Yes, you will be given a specific seating assignment in second class. Did you buy a regular ticket or a PREM? If a PREM, your assignment should show up when you print the ticket. If a regular ticket, you'll get an assignment when you pick it up and may be able to choose from among several options at the ticket window.
Mar 9th, 2009, 09:20 AM
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My apologies--It appears that needed to expand the drop down box to see the seating they assigned.
The seat assignments aren't listed on the email confirmation they sent. I had go to their website and enter my confirmation number. Then I clicked on "details" and it popped up.
Most important, at least I have them so I don't have to worry about it. Thanks Grace & St Cirq
The seat assignments aren't listed on the email confirmation they sent. I had go to their website and enter my confirmation number. Then I clicked on "details" and it popped up.
Most important, at least I have them so I don't have to worry about it. Thanks Grace & St Cirq
May 16th, 2009, 02:53 PM
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We stayed at La Bastide de Marie which translated into English means, A Slice of Heaven! Actually that's not true but, I have to say this was one of the prettiest hotels & magical settings ---period! Definitely understated elegance. I have wanted to stay here since it opened and it certainly did not disappoint. I suppose it helped that the weather was perfect, the setting was perfect, the public areas are gorgeous---I just can't gush enough. The location in Menerbes, which is actually between Menerbes & Bonnieux, is fabulous! It's very centrally located. The only thing, meals are included so there's no option for half board. A buffet breakfast & dinner (with wine) are included in the rates. At dinner you are served a four course meal including appetizer, entree, cheese & dessert. For us, the options for dinner were just too over-the-top gourmet. DH was a bit tired of every fish entree coming with a side of foam --or "fish foam" as he called it. We ate vegetables we'd never heard of and honestly, I have no idea what I ate most of the time! 
Still, I kept looking at the perfect surroundings so in spite of the fact that I wasn't overly thrilled with my meal, I couldn't complain. In the warmer weather guests sit outside overlooking the vineyards---I imagine that would be even more amazing! I so wish you could stay and do half board but, it's just not an option. The accommodations are very pricey so I doubt we'd stay here again.
But, If you have a special occasion to celebrate in Provence, this is your place!! I can think of no finer hotel or setting! Sigh.......
www.labastidedemarie.com/uk/
When the website comes up, click on bedrooms. At the bottom of the page you will see 3 small pictures. Our room was Ocre Rouge and a picture of it is the first button on the left. The room is located in the main house on the 2nd floor. I didn't see any elevators so if you have mobility issues, this might not be the best hotel for you.
It's only been two weeks but I want to go back so bad!
Still, I kept looking at the perfect surroundings so in spite of the fact that I wasn't overly thrilled with my meal, I couldn't complain. In the warmer weather guests sit outside overlooking the vineyards---I imagine that would be even more amazing! I so wish you could stay and do half board but, it's just not an option. The accommodations are very pricey so I doubt we'd stay here again.But, If you have a special occasion to celebrate in Provence, this is your place!! I can think of no finer hotel or setting! Sigh.......
www.labastidedemarie.com/uk/
When the website comes up, click on bedrooms. At the bottom of the page you will see 3 small pictures. Our room was Ocre Rouge and a picture of it is the first button on the left. The room is located in the main house on the 2nd floor. I didn't see any elevators so if you have mobility issues, this might not be the best hotel for you.
It's only been two weeks but I want to go back so bad!
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