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Post by mary on Apr 9, 2015 2:13:14 GMT
Just starting to read your tale. I'm particularly looking forward to the Benelux portion as I have not traveled in those countries.
I'm sure to have some questions as I move through each day. Thank you in advance for writing this!
Mary
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Post by californian on Apr 9, 2015 2:54:22 GMT
Hi Californian, The saving would be around US$6,800 for a 24 day tour. Now you can see why I didn't dare put this travel tale on the Trafalgar forum - Colonel Trafalgar wouldn't have been pleased to see his own resources used to show how you can do it so much cheaper yourself. I should add that a very important factor is research. I had thoroughly planned the trip and had an itinerary that we generally kept to through the first half of the tour. During the second half we tended to make things up as we went, visiting the main tourist places but making little side trips here and there as things captured our attention and if time permitted. This doesn't go right unless you have access to research material so you know why you're going to a particular place. To achieve this, I had travel literature at my fingertips because I'd purchased e-books and loaded them onto my i-Pad. I'd re-read this while Mrs Oz was driving so I could ensure we knew about all the important things in each city before we got there. And I would explain the history and back stories to her when we were at each place, very much in the way a travel director would do. I sort of developed this approach from various Trafalgar tours because the TD always did a great job explaining things but I'd usually have already researched that material and was looking for more. I not only found my own 'hidden treasures' but visited many more of them than you could ever do on a guided tour. To supplement this research I did spend maybe 30 minutes each day (usually in the hotel room after dinner) having a look at the online road maps and understanding both the distances and driving times for the next day's travel. It was easy and fun, although something you never have to do while on a guided tour. It paid off because despite having flexibility with times, you do have to follow some sort of itinerary if you're going to cover that much ground in the available time. Many moons ago, before GPS and hybrid cars, we rented a car in Sicily, got lost a lot, but good people always helped us, even getting in their own cars so we can follow them, Sicily is one of those places! not too many signs or lots of signs that only make you drive in circles. Don't remember how much we spent in gas, but the rent was 150 dls a day. We had reserved the car in Taormina (or near by) and we dropped it off at the Catania Airport. So I think your rental car in France was a bargain, Oz. A question, was your car automatic? ours was stick shift, which added to the madness of driving in those hilly, narrow roads.
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Post by Oz-T on Apr 9, 2015 3:30:46 GMT
Yes, it was an automatic transmission. Mrs Oz would have been fine with driving a manual, but I persuaded her that it was worth an extra A$46 surcharge on the entire rental price to get a car that had auto. There were far too many things to think about with fast traffic, non-English signs, an unfamiliar car, driving on the opposite side of the road to what we're used to, and unfamiliar roads - anything to simplify things was worthwhile.
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Post by purvis on Apr 9, 2015 3:34:38 GMT
OZ: I have given up on my 4 days in London and 4 days in Paris due to a unscrupulous scammer but am still holding out hope of having a 7day (6nite vacation in London). Like you I do my homework and plan each day and although the cost is not important I do calculate that also. I really am cost conscious and also do not spend much on food as I really don't care for food and McD's is my most favorite easting establishment. Sorry Tulips and those of you enjoy fine food. I am hoping to check off one of the final items on my "BUCKET LIST" Time will tell if I manage to get to London this Sept. but if it doesn't happen then I will accept the fact that I have been able to have over 20 trips to Cuba, Florida, UK, Canada and Europe in the last 10years.and that's not to bad for an old girl. RIGHT. Purvis
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Post by Oz-T on Apr 9, 2015 4:22:02 GMT
Hi Purvis, I'm sure that your other friends on this forum would share my hope that you do get to both London and Paris when you feel the time is right to do so. The Paris excursions I wrote about in this travel tale are only a small part of our many adventures in Paris spanning many years; there are plenty more things to see and do that aren't necessarily included in the itineraries of the travel companies.
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Post by marielouise on Apr 9, 2015 5:29:41 GMT
Oz, I have really enjoyed your tale and am so glad that you were able to write it. I remember last year being curious about how it went. It reminds me of the good times I had travelling with my parents over many summers when I was young. I am now at an age where I appreciate not having to plan and drive anywhere in Europe. We have enjoyed staying in London in an apartment several times but unfortunately it is not in operation any more, we had no problems with payments. We would like to go back but would to fins another place.
We also rented an apartment in Paris on the recommendation of a friend but I don't know if it is still in operation. It was a bit run down then and that was 8 years ago. We enjoyed spending time on our own and cooking a few of our meals. We also visited many museums.
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Post by scottie on Apr 14, 2015 13:14:06 GMT
Wow! I have just finished reading your fantastic tour tale, felt I was right there with you. The pictures were stunning and I loved the history - and humour - of all the places you and MrsOz visited. Normandy is on my "bucket list". My Dad was one of the first to land in the very early hours of June 6th, he was a paratrooper. His picture is hanging in the Merville Battery Museum and I hope to see it for myself either this year or next.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip, enjoyed every km of it.
Scottie
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