Who is along for the ride???Still needing help on this INTERESTING trip
Apr 30th, 2013, 09:19 AM
#201
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Apr 30th, 2013, 10:53 AM
#202
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Uzès- transportation:
By car,Uzès is 10 minutes from Pont du Gard and 30 minutes from Nimes and Avignon.
By bus, from Nimes (8/day Mon-Fri, 6/day Sat, 2/day Sun, 1 hour)
By bus, from Avignon (3-5/day Mon-Sat, none Sun, 1 hour, stops at Pont du Gard)
So if you want to see something outside of Uzès you need a car. I would think the best location for car pickup would be Avignon TGV Railroad station.
http://www.autoeurope.com.au/go/car-hire/europe/
By car,Uzès is 10 minutes from Pont du Gard and 30 minutes from Nimes and Avignon.
By bus, from Nimes (8/day Mon-Fri, 6/day Sat, 2/day Sun, 1 hour)
By bus, from Avignon (3-5/day Mon-Sat, none Sun, 1 hour, stops at Pont du Gard)
So if you want to see something outside of Uzès you need a car. I would think the best location for car pickup would be Avignon TGV Railroad station.
http://www.autoeurope.com.au/go/car-hire/europe/
Apr 30th, 2013, 12:01 PM
#203
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...having just come across this bewildering thread, and briefly browsing thru it, I have one question:
Just what do the little kids get out of this, being shuffled around from pillar to post for two months?
Oh, I know, breakfast with Snow White and the seven dwarfs.
Just what do the little kids get out of this, being shuffled around from pillar to post for two months?
Oh, I know, breakfast with Snow White and the seven dwarfs.
Apr 30th, 2013, 01:44 PM
#208
"If we want we can train [from Varenna] to Venice for a day trip ...."
It's 4+ hours each way by train from Varenna to Venice. The train will stop at Varenna for 4 minutes only, but your connecting time in Milan will be at least 25 minutes.
It's 4+ hours each way by train from Varenna to Venice. The train will stop at Varenna for 4 minutes only, but your connecting time in Milan will be at least 25 minutes.
Apr 30th, 2013, 02:15 PM
#209
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". . we know that USA disney will be much better and we hope that in 5-7years time we will be able to go to america and do a big trip that they will remember!"
So watch out US Forum, the madness is heading in your direction...
So watch out US Forum, the madness is heading in your direction...
Apr 30th, 2013, 02:29 PM
#210
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Quick look at internet yielded this bus info for Uzes.
The bus line number 205, Avignon - Uzès - Alès, stops at Pont du Gard. There are around 5 or 6 buses a day in each direction.
- From Avignon: Pont du Gard (45 min), Uzès (1hr), Alès (2hrs)
- From Alès: Uzès (45 min), Pont du Gard (1hr10), Avignon (2hrs)
The bus line number 150, Nîmes - Uzès - St Ambroix, has around 6 buses a day in each direction. It's about 45 minutes from Nîmes to Uzès. Then you take the number 205 from Uzès to Pont du Gard (15 minutes).
So it looks as if getting to the Pont d Gard is doable. But other trips?
As StCirq said, French roads are excellent. But it's driving on the 'wrong' side of the road that can be daunting for those from Oz. I don't think you would have trouble with the roads around P d Gard area. Lots of countryside.
There is a lovely playground nr P d Gard and lots of area to run around.
The bus line number 205, Avignon - Uzès - Alès, stops at Pont du Gard. There are around 5 or 6 buses a day in each direction.
- From Avignon: Pont du Gard (45 min), Uzès (1hr), Alès (2hrs)
- From Alès: Uzès (45 min), Pont du Gard (1hr10), Avignon (2hrs)
The bus line number 150, Nîmes - Uzès - St Ambroix, has around 6 buses a day in each direction. It's about 45 minutes from Nîmes to Uzès. Then you take the number 205 from Uzès to Pont du Gard (15 minutes).
So it looks as if getting to the Pont d Gard is doable. But other trips?
As StCirq said, French roads are excellent. But it's driving on the 'wrong' side of the road that can be daunting for those from Oz. I don't think you would have trouble with the roads around P d Gard area. Lots of countryside.
There is a lovely playground nr P d Gard and lots of area to run around.
Apr 30th, 2013, 07:25 PM
#212
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Can you even imagine hauling a 2- and 4-year-old around on those local buses from Uzès??
I took my kids to Europe every year for weeks at a time after they were born until they were in their 20s, but never in a million years did I plan anything as remotely as bizarre and ungodly as this.
I took my kids to Europe every year for weeks at a time after they were born until they were in their 20s, but never in a million years did I plan anything as remotely as bizarre and ungodly as this.
Apr 30th, 2013, 08:00 PM
#213
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Well that was also my thought, hauling toddlers around on buses in the French countryside seems crazy to me. Especially since they are scheduled to take naps in car seats most afternoons for most of this trip. Sorry, Claire, after all the great advice you have gotten for many months now, this just seems bizarre.
Apr 30th, 2013, 08:05 PM
#214
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Ungodly? I think I have a different definition of 'ungodly'. Bizarre to take 2 children on a 15 min bus trip? Such emotive language does not help this family.
My kids & grandkids love buses & trains - one in particular prefers these over cars, as he can 'talk' to passengers. Whilst a car would of course be easier, if Claire doesn't feel she can drive, throwing derogatory comments around is decidedly unhelpful.
My kids & grandkids love buses & trains - one in particular prefers these over cars, as he can 'talk' to passengers. Whilst a car would of course be easier, if Claire doesn't feel she can drive, throwing derogatory comments around is decidedly unhelpful.
Apr 30th, 2013, 08:12 PM
#215
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goodmorning everyone! Thanks for those who are continuing to help!
I didn't know the trip to venice was so long . . that's fine . . we won't do that ..it was just a thought.
To be honest Varenna is our breathing point . .we just wanted to sit back and have a chance to reconnect as a family . .do our washing . .relax by the pool etc etc ..
In regards to driving in Uzes . . .as mum and I won't have alot of luggage I guess we will survive in a small car and if everyone really does believe we will need one . .then .. deep breath . . I will hire one and then no doubt in my trip report thank you all for convincing me to do this
I did look a the other disney hotels .. . they all seem dated and old and snappy . .the explores had an awesome indoor pool though and a play gym for the kids . .but the rooms weren't as well set up as the marriott
in regards to what do the kids get out of it . .I guess they get things like icecream everyday, lots of fresh air and quality time with family everyday . .not just on weekends . . .but I know this trip is more for us . . we figured they won't remember it ...they will just have photos that show them they did it.
Surfmom . . would you get a car for the three days?? I agree that 3 things a day is too much but a morning outing .. home for afternoon and disney at night might work and also by having a car we can drive to the airport and catch our train to Brive and have less movement for the kids.
ok thanks everyone as always
I didn't know the trip to venice was so long . . that's fine . . we won't do that ..it was just a thought.
To be honest Varenna is our breathing point . .we just wanted to sit back and have a chance to reconnect as a family . .do our washing . .relax by the pool etc etc ..
In regards to driving in Uzes . . .as mum and I won't have alot of luggage I guess we will survive in a small car and if everyone really does believe we will need one . .then .. deep breath . . I will hire one and then no doubt in my trip report thank you all for convincing me to do this
I did look a the other disney hotels .. . they all seem dated and old and snappy . .the explores had an awesome indoor pool though and a play gym for the kids . .but the rooms weren't as well set up as the marriott
in regards to what do the kids get out of it . .I guess they get things like icecream everyday, lots of fresh air and quality time with family everyday . .not just on weekends . . .but I know this trip is more for us . . we figured they won't remember it ...they will just have photos that show them they did it.
Surfmom . . would you get a car for the three days?? I agree that 3 things a day is too much but a morning outing .. home for afternoon and disney at night might work and also by having a car we can drive to the airport and catch our train to Brive and have less movement for the kids.
ok thanks everyone as always
Apr 30th, 2013, 08:14 PM
#217
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Come on SusannahT, surely you can see that this is getting a way beyond reasonable. Most answers that I am familair with are not anything but helpful suggestions, although it does become frustrationg to read, see and respond to these off the wall plans..Everyone of the respondents have had good comments and Claire seems to ignore them all..
Apr 30th, 2013, 08:18 PM
#219
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Funny thing Susannah, only one of your bus trips is 15 minutes, the rest seem to be several hours, there and back. My grandsons also love trains and buses, but I know for certain a 9 week trip, with multiple bed changes, plus all the transportation involved in this plane, train and automobile saga would not make them happy. Actually, my toddlers flew from Los Angeles to visit their Australian relatives in December, so a 14 hour flight, plus a 3-4 hour drive to Canberra, and my daughter said they were zombies for 2 days. Small children are not pieces of luggage; yes, they may travel well, but having no schedule, and moving hither and yon, is also not a great thing. Many here have tried to give Claire excellent advice for balancing adult touring and kid needs, but at this point who knows where this is heading? It's her trip, of course, but unless you have read the 30 threads it's hard to understand some of these posts.
