Where to Visit in Normandy & Brittany
Dec 9th, 2017, 12:09 PM
#42
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Michelin maps are good for highlighting scenic roads by colors and back roads - stay off the busy N (National) roads and take the D (departmental or local) roads which outside of cities are well-paved often untrafficked and go thru not around villages and towns - yes they take longer but are oh so sweet.
Dec 10th, 2017, 12:14 PM
#44
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PalenQ -- thanks for the train info. I'll mark my calendar to start paying attention come late Spring.>
Keep in mind discounted tickets non-refundable non-changeable so if training out when flying in leave a lot of fudge factor time or you'll have to pay full price and lose the discounted ticket prices.
And 3-4 nights in Rennes itself sans car - been to Rennes and nice town but a day was enough for me.
Keep in mind discounted tickets non-refundable non-changeable so if training out when flying in leave a lot of fudge factor time or you'll have to pay full price and lose the discounted ticket prices.
And 3-4 nights in Rennes itself sans car - been to Rennes and nice town but a day was enough for me.
Dec 10th, 2017, 12:37 PM
#45
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I didn't have any problem with AutoEurope showing me multiple possiilities for picking up a car in Rennes and dropping it off at Rouen (in both places, the rail station, but there were other possibilities). Of course, I don't know your actual dates, but it's clear renting from Rennes to Rouen is totally possible.
Vernon?Probably not, as it's a dot on the map and doesn't even have a car rental facility to my knowledge.
Vernon?Probably not, as it's a dot on the map and doesn't even have a car rental facility to my knowledge.
Dec 10th, 2017, 01:11 PM
#46
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Vernon is not too far from Rouen however so maybe bop there first and end up returning car in Rouen and spending the night. Trains from Rouen also offer discounts but full-fare on that line is not that expensive, basically being a commuter rail line still can save a bit by booking specific train in advance.
Dec 10th, 2017, 01:54 PM
#47
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Underhill -- thanks! Yes, I will contact you on TA.
kja -- thanks for the Gemut link. Never used them. I alwys find the best rates with AutoEurope and their service cant be beat. I sent Gemut a request, but haven't heard back from them yet.
Pal -- we like to spend 2-3 nights in our first destination after an overnight flight to mitigate jet lag. We could go to Giverny before Rouen. Hadnt thought to do that. I have to figure out what we want to do and the costs. Got lots of time to decide!
StCirq -- Hi there! I looked again and the problem is I was hitting with either the pick up or return on weekend dates. The rentals have odd hours or are not open on Saturday/Sunday. I will need to call to see the hours for the various locations. Vernon has a couple car rentals. They have a a Hertz about 1 mile from the train station.
kja -- thanks for the Gemut link. Never used them. I alwys find the best rates with AutoEurope and their service cant be beat. I sent Gemut a request, but haven't heard back from them yet.
Pal -- we like to spend 2-3 nights in our first destination after an overnight flight to mitigate jet lag. We could go to Giverny before Rouen. Hadnt thought to do that. I have to figure out what we want to do and the costs. Got lots of time to decide!
StCirq -- Hi there! I looked again and the problem is I was hitting with either the pick up or return on weekend dates. The rentals have odd hours or are not open on Saturday/Sunday. I will need to call to see the hours for the various locations. Vernon has a couple car rentals. They have a a Hertz about 1 mile from the train station.
Dec 10th, 2017, 02:09 PM
#48
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gemut works through AutoEurope and IME, meets or beats any quote I've gotten directly from AutoEurope, but with 24/7 English support -- which I can attest works very well. It sometimes takes a while to hear from them, and may take a phone call or two to make sure the contracts are the way you want them.
Dec 10th, 2017, 02:29 PM
#49
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kja - interesting you find better rates at Gemut as that has not been my experience which is why I have never used them. How do you reach them as they don't answer their phone on the website apparently over the weekend when is when I tried to call. I left a vm, but havent heard back. I did fill the form on their site.
I wasn't aware that AE doesn't have 24/7 English support. Anytime I've contacted AE from Europe they have been available. I probably have emailed though, not called. We'll see what they each give me for a rate once I figure out what we want to do.
I wasn't aware that AE doesn't have 24/7 English support. Anytime I've contacted AE from Europe they have been available. I probably have emailed though, not called. We'll see what they each give me for a rate once I figure out what we want to do.
Dec 10th, 2017, 02:56 PM
#50
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I've always heard back from gemut within a few days, but not necessarily over weekends. I've never felt the need for an immediate response when I'm planning months in advance; YMMV. ;-) I don't know what support AE has -- all I know is that gemut has been there for me when I needed them. (The number of emergency support for an arranged rental is different than the number for arranging a rental.)
Dec 10th, 2017, 04:14 PM
#53
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AE has excellent customer support. They have been great when we have had additional charges after a rental. They have taken care of it expeditiously. In al issues I have had over the many years I have used them, they have always been efficient and responsive.
@kja - Yes, I like to plan when it's convenient to me. And yes, I prefer responses promptly regardless of the time frame involved. YMMV.
@kja - Yes, I like to plan when it's convenient to me. And yes, I prefer responses promptly regardless of the time frame involved. YMMV.
Dec 10th, 2017, 06:25 PM
#55
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Because the question of whether to go with gemut or work directly with AutoEurope has come up before, I decided to take a moment to consult my old trip planning notes to see if my recollections of cost estimates were correct, and here’s what I confirmed:
• The first time I rented a car while traveling was for 3 days in Sicily in 2007. At that time, the cost of a rental car was a stretch for me, so I wanted to be sure to get the best deal I could from a company I knew to be reliable. I got on-line estimates from Avis, Hertz, AutoEurope, and EuropCar, using every “discount” offer I knew I could claim. I also got an estimate from gemut, and it was the lowest. Since all of the companies said they would meet or better any offer I could document, I contacted them all again – they all met, but none beat, the offer from gemut. I went with the company that gave me the best offer first – gemut.
• The next time I rented a car in Europe was while in 2009, when I wanted 3 rentals: 1 day in Dubrovnik, 1 week later while in Croatia, and 2 days after that in Slovenia. My experience was the same – the best offers I got for all 3 rentals were from gemut, and while others were willing to match them, none beat an of the three.
• Since then, I’ve gone straight to gemut. So maybe other companies do now make better offers; I can’t say.
• The first time I rented a car while traveling was for 3 days in Sicily in 2007. At that time, the cost of a rental car was a stretch for me, so I wanted to be sure to get the best deal I could from a company I knew to be reliable. I got on-line estimates from Avis, Hertz, AutoEurope, and EuropCar, using every “discount” offer I knew I could claim. I also got an estimate from gemut, and it was the lowest. Since all of the companies said they would meet or better any offer I could document, I contacted them all again – they all met, but none beat, the offer from gemut. I went with the company that gave me the best offer first – gemut.
• The next time I rented a car in Europe was while in 2009, when I wanted 3 rentals: 1 day in Dubrovnik, 1 week later while in Croatia, and 2 days after that in Slovenia. My experience was the same – the best offers I got for all 3 rentals were from gemut, and while others were willing to match them, none beat an of the three.
• Since then, I’ve gone straight to gemut. So maybe other companies do now make better offers; I can’t say.
Dec 11th, 2017, 06:25 AM
#56
Original Poster
Got my Green Guide delivered early this am. Will dig into it later today.
On Rennes, I got fabulous reviews on it from a friend who did a house exchange there for 10 days or so. I'm wondering what people think of it? Pal indicted he might be bored after a few days. Given the car availability pick up times we would likely get a car the day before we leave. Thought we could do a day trip if Rennes doesnt occupy us? Any thoughts on visiting Rennes and what they did there?
kja -- I am very impressed that you keep your planning notes from trips gone by. We're fortunate to have notes on what we might have done on a trip, but no way would I have my planning notes. That is amazing organization!
On the auto rentals, with all things equal, I think we all go with what has worked for us. Gemut and Sixt always get mentioned as good agencies to check. But like you with Gemut, AE has had good prices and customer service so I go back to AE with our rentals. They don't do Morocco where we will be in Spring, so I will need to find another company.
On Rennes, I got fabulous reviews on it from a friend who did a house exchange there for 10 days or so. I'm wondering what people think of it? Pal indicted he might be bored after a few days. Given the car availability pick up times we would likely get a car the day before we leave. Thought we could do a day trip if Rennes doesnt occupy us? Any thoughts on visiting Rennes and what they did there?
kja -- I am very impressed that you keep your planning notes from trips gone by. We're fortunate to have notes on what we might have done on a trip, but no way would I have my planning notes. That is amazing organization!
On the auto rentals, with all things equal, I think we all go with what has worked for us. Gemut and Sixt always get mentioned as good agencies to check. But like you with Gemut, AE has had good prices and customer service so I go back to AE with our rentals. They don't do Morocco where we will be in Spring, so I will need to find another company.
Dec 11th, 2017, 07:37 AM
#57
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Pal -- we like to spend 2-3 nights in our first destination after an overnight flight to mitigate jet lag.>
Well you could do day trips but Rennes is relatively far from many neat sights -Mont Saint-Michel is possible if you do not want to stay there.
Well you could do day trips but Rennes is relatively far from many neat sights -Mont Saint-Michel is possible if you do not want to stay there.
Dec 11th, 2017, 07:48 AM
#58
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I've been to Rennes a few times but haven't stayed overnight there for many years. I absolutely loved the city. Great parks, markets, and festivals. The Piscine St-George is a marvel. The city just has a really good vibe to it. And of course it's not far from St-Malo and Dinard and other coastal places. I can't imagine being bored there, but I'm easy to please when traveling.
Gemut gets good reviews almost all the time, so no reason to avoid them. I was an AE customer for decades, though, and always got great service from them, so for me no need to switch.
Gemut gets good reviews almost all the time, so no reason to avoid them. I was an AE customer for decades, though, and always got great service from them, so for me no need to switch.
Dec 11th, 2017, 08:04 AM
#59
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Yes if doing day trips a good base and yes a swell city - I'd still say 3-4 days could be 2-3 days as you have lots on your agenda.
But I admire St-Cirq's takes and she has spent more time in Rennes than I have - large French cities just generally turn me off.
But I admire St-Cirq's takes and she has spent more time in Rennes than I have - large French cities just generally turn me off.
