F&E Paris


Dear yongee,

Wow, that's expensive. We used http://www.europcar.com, and this is what we paid for 11 days car rental:
=========================
Pick-up 09-06-2007 / 10h30 - LYON PART DIEU RAILWAY STATION (LYSL01)
Return 20-06-2007 / 10h30 - RENNES RAILWAY STATION (RNSL01)
Duration: 11 day(s)
Vehicle Category
CDMR - Compact 4-Door Manual Air Conditioning ( VOLKSWAGEN GOLF V TDI CONFORT
105CH or similar )

Total Price 348.94 EUR
This rate includes Unlimited kilometers
=========================
Note that this was not for the smallest car category, but the third-smallest car. So the cost for us of renting a nice decent car for 11 days was the same as the cost of your day trip.
happy.gif


I did check out europcar for a one-day car rental and you're right; it's not that cheap. But it's not that expensive either: SGD 242.06.

Agree as I said though that the hassle of having to plan everything and drive in and out of Paris can be too much for a first timer who just wants to enjoy everything. For us we just like to DIY and like the privacy, freedom, and we always thoroughly enjoy it. But then as I mentioned before, Europe is like a second home to me and I am very familiar with it. To each his/her own and there is no right or wrong.
happy.gif
 
midas, here's something to tempt you. image of chenonceau. :p

523354.jpg


raymond, that's weird. i checked online for a few car rentals and almost all quote similar price. anyway, doesn't matter coz already been there and back. kekek..

yeah, it doesn't matter how you arrive the place, the most important thing is enjoying the sights that france can offer!
 
Hi Raymond,

my budget is less than $100 euro per day.

1) Is the IBIS hotel the same building as the ETAP hotel just that it is allocated to different storeys?
2) Is the ETAP or IBIS hotel room and service good?
3) Any toilet n shower inside the room?
4) Staff english speaking?
5) How's the location? Near to metro station?
6) Have you heard about Hotel Wilson and Hotel De la Place des Alpes - Paris?

Many thanks for asking my enquiry.
happy.gif
 
Hi lilo,

Your budget allows you to stay at most IBIS hotels, the typical prices are about EUR 80 - 90 per night. ETAP hotels are a lot cheaper, think about EUR 50 per night.

1) No, they are separate hotels. ETAP hotels can sleep up to three persons, it contains a bunk bed, so not romantic. IBIS hotels can sleep only two persons and is more suitable for a honeymoon.

2) IBIS is just a two-star hotel, so please do not expect five-star hotel service. The room is small but functional, toilets and bathroom are not luxurious but good enough. Service? Haha.

3) Yes.

4) Selected staff yes, but you are well advised to at least start with a little bit of French first.

5) There are so many of them? Did you explore the website?

6) No.

Happy planning and do explore the website more.
happy.gif
 
hi there... can someone recommend good dining places in paris that are not too ex (say 30 euro per person)? will be in paris for 1 year anniversary in coming dec, so hope can find a good place to celebrate... thanks.
 
hi,

is anyone still around? i just bought my ticket during natas last feb.
I bought Qatar for $1350 going to Paris and return from Roma. I'm wondering if it's a good deal or not. I'm a bit regret coz Qatas has a waiting time of 5hrs.

Anyone can suggest hotel that is convinient in city, but not more then 80Euro? thx anyone..
 
Hi Kwan,

What time is the transit? If it's during the day, it's not so bad. If it's at some wee hours of the morning, then it's going to be quite bad. Anyway in 2005, the Qatar airport terminal was so small and there is really nothing to see. I wonder if things have improved since then.

Which city? Paris or Rome? When will you be there?
 
hi Raymond,

Glad that you still arround.. I'll be travelling 28apr til 19th may.

My flight itinerary
03.20am Depart from Changi, Singapore – 7hrs 50mins
06.10am Arrive at Doha
12.00pm Depart from Doha – 7hrs 05mins
07.25pm Arrive at Charles De Gaulle, Paris

10.50pm Depart from Fiumicino, Rome (terminal C) – 5hrs 20mins
07.25pm Arrive at Doha
12.40am Depart from Doha- 8hrs 10mins
15.00pm Arrive at Singapore
 
Hi Raymond,

Which will be the best selection for traveling to multicountries (France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy)?
1. 5 days Eurail Select Pass or
2. Buy 1 trip ticket (let's say Paris to Geneva)+ pass for particular country (e.g. Swiss pass)

Thanks for your help.
 
Hi Kwan,

You'll be there for about three weeks. Why rush to cover so many countries? Two to three countries is more than enough.

I've never done any itinerary like that; the most I did is three countries (actually only two because we were in France for only three nights), and we always rented a car to drive around.
 
Hi Kwan,

do agree with Raymond that you selected too many countries. If you really want to visit these countries, Eurail select pass is more worth it.
Do you have time to plan and research so many places? Now is already mid March.
 
hi,

Thanks for your comment. Sorry to confuse you two.
In fact, I just want to visit Paris, some cities in Switzerland, Munich, Vienna, and some cities in Italy.

but i confuse which train will be the best for this trip.
 
Try doing a search online for cost of point to point ticket as compared to Eurail pass. Buy Swiss pass only if you are travelling extensively in Switzerland.
 
Dear Kwan,

Sorry, but I still think it is too many places in three weeks. The distances between these cities are not exactly very small, and you will spend a lot of the time on the train. Also, the accommodation in cities for hotels near to train stations is not the cheapest either. You would also have to pick up some basic French, German, and Italian.

Furthermore, why only cities? Why not the countryside?

Another question: have you been to Europe before?

Your itinerary looks very much like those itineraries taken from tour packages. If you are going on your own, please do not follow them. They are honestly quite unsuitable for F&E, where you have to travel around on your own. Create your own itinerary, and I suggest that you stick to two, at most three countries.

My wife and I will be going to France for three weeks in May / June. Just one country.
 
Do you know how this eurail works? how do i make reservation after i got the ticket?

do you know the official site of Eurail?
My travel agent said this one www.eurorailways.com is the official one.. but i doubt it
I saw www.eurail.com instead that is more like the official site

Sorry.. a lot of questions :P Thanks for replying though..
 
Thanks Raymond,

No, I've never been to Europe before
happy.gif

Well, here are my reasons for choosing those cities.. (it's cities, because it's my first time)
- Paris (i'll arrive in Paris, so why not)
- Geneva, Interlaken, Zermatt, Luzern (They are a must. Me and my husband I love scenery)
- Munich (just because it's in between Luzern and Vienna).. maybe i can skip this one.
- Vienna (i want to watch 1-2 concerts there, but maybe i can find it also in Italy)
- Italy (will join Contiki tour and F&E in Rome)

How many times you've been to Europe? you seems know a lot about it.

Thanks for sharing your experience here..
 
Dear Kwan,

I stayed in The Netherlands (often erroneously called Holland) for four years when I was growing up. So Europe is like a second home to me, and I'm as comfortable in The Netherlands as I am in Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France, northern Italy, and yes, Liechtenstein.
happy.gif


More recently, we've been to France three times in the last three years. This year, it will be four out of four.

Some things for you to consider:

(1) First time does not mean you have to stick to only cities. You can check out the lesser known towns which often have their own charm, have far less tourists, and are much less crowded. If you love scenery, you have to check out the Swiss countryside or Austrian countryside. You won't find that in any of the cities or towns.

(2) Paris ... yeah, but it's also a great place. You should spend a minimum of four days there exploring both the touristy as well as the non-touristy areas. Walk around randomly.

(3) Those four places in Switzerland will take you at least 1.5 weeks.

(4) Munich: it's in between Luzern and Vienna? Not according to my map. Just skip it.

(5) Vienna: It is so very out of the way. You should leave it to your next Europe trip.

(6) Italy: how many days is your Contiki tour? Rome is nice, but beware the pickpockets and snatch thieves, as in any large city.

See, I've managed to cut it down to three countries already for you. I think it's much more manageable and your holiday will be much more enjoyable too.
happy.gif


Also what is your budget like per person? Seems like you would be spending quite a lot of money, given your current itinerary.
 
Hi Kwan,

Lets say u only spend 2 days each for the town you mention in Switzerland...that will be 8 days gone. Paris should spend at least 4 days...
I am guessing your contiki tour should be at least 1 week. Already 19 days gone and I did not add in the time taken to travel from one place to another. Not forgetting that arrival and departure usually counted as half a day gone.
 
Dear Peng,

It's a losing battle, what with Chan brothers and all the rest offering x countries in y days sort of tours, where x is only slightly less than y. I think these sort of tours are good for those with young kids or the elderly; but otherwise, they really give a rather warped view of Europe.

Perhaps you may have mentioned earlier, but I forgot. You went to Europe last year? Do you have any photos?

Thanks.
happy.gif
 
Hi,

Thanks to your advise.. I really cut down to 3 countries now. Will leave the Austria for future trip

- France - Paris 4 nights
happy.gif
(on the 1st may they will have holiday.. any idea where to go? most of the shops, museum will be close on this day)
- Switzerland - Luzern (1N), Mt.Pilatus (1N), Interlaken(1N), Lauterbrunnen(2N), Zermatt(1N), Geneva (1N)
- Italy - 8Nights

My budget is 14K-15K (max limit) for 2 person

Looking at the photos, i know very sure i'll never get enough... there are so much to see :D
 
Hi Raymond,

I bet you and your wife loves food...haha.
Yes I only went Nice, EZE and Saint Tropez. It was great and I really enjoyed it. By the way, I've never been to a place where I see so many ppl basking in nude. They are so open and so carefree....I really love it.

Hi Kwan,
I don't think shops will close in Paris on holiday. For Switzerland, Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken is near. Why don't u just choose 2 town as a base instead of moving hotels every night.
 
Dear Kwan,

Sorry I did not mean to say anything bad about your original itinerary. I just felt that it might be too rushed and you would not enjoy your holiday since there was so much moving around. I think it's now better.
happy.gif


Agree with Peng that you can consider moving around less. I will suggest:

Luzern (2N), Lauterbrunnen (2N), Zermatt (2N), Geneva (2N). Oops, you'll have to remove one night from somewhere else, but I think this is a lot more manageable and enjoyable.
happy.gif
I think even if you remove one place, it's actually ok.

14k-15k is a very high budget. We never spent more than 8k-9k in our 3 week holidays, and we really feasted quite a lot and stayed in decent (2-3 star) hotels.

Sorry Peng, but I think most (all?) places are closed on 1 May as it is a *major* public holiday. I suggest Montmartre and some random walking around Paris.

What's your Italy itinerary like?

Dear Peng,

Yes, they are very liberal. In the Netherlands, they are even more liberal; the beaches by default are all nudist (completely nude) beaches; only the prudish (pardon me!
happy.gif
) British keep their bottoms on. It was a great shock to us at first, but eventually we got used to it. The trick is not to stare (as much as you want to, as it is considered to be extremely rude), but to blend in, and to even try it yourself.
happy.gif


Yes, we both love food... and the food in France was just great. How was the food like in Cote D'Azur? We love Provencal food and suspect we would like the food in Cote D'Azur too.
happy.gif
We might even hop over to nearby Italy if we get the chance... but I guess the pasta in Cote D'Azur must be fantastic too.
happy.gif
 
Dear Peng,

Saw your photo of a Metro Station in Paris... that station is rather unique, since it is above ground, right? From what I know, the majority of the metro stations are underground.

Nice angles and use of B&W photos. You took them yourself?
 
Oh..thought Paris is a big city so most shops should be open, guess I am wrong.

The food is great in Cote D'Azur, especially their seafood. Actually, I notice Pasta in France is not delicous?? Or perhaps I am at the wrong restaurant every time.

Thanks...photos mostly took by my husband, some by me. I've been wanting to take a shot at the metro and finally got the chance to do it. u know lah, we don't want to flash our camera in metro station to let ppl know we are tourist. We always joke that if we keep our mouth shut, they might thought we are asian parisian...haha.
Metro station above ground are along dupliex line. The photo is at Lecourbe Station where my hotel is.
 
Dear Peng,

Perhaps you were at the wrong place? We had pizza from a street market in Provence and it was the nicest juciest pizza we've ever had.

Yes you're right. I always try to act and blend in like a poor overseas student in Paris. So there is nothing worth taking from me and I won't be targeted. Haha.

Any further plans for Europe trips?
 
Hi there,

Can anyone advise what and where I should cover for Manchester, Liverpool, London & Paris?

I will be travelling from 23 June to 10 July 2008 via Qatar.

3D/2N - Manchester
3D/2N - Liverpool
9D/8N - London (will be catching Wimbledon Men's Semi-Finals match on 1 of the days)
5D/4N - Paris

Also, can you guys advise if I should reserve seats for train from Manchester to Liverpool & Liverpool to London? If yes, when, where and how should I reserve? Cos the TA is charging $20 per sector per person for seat reservation.

Many Thanks!!! =)
 
Dear Jmi,

Is this your first time to Europe? First time to Paris?

what is your preference? Arts and culture? Shopping? Dining? Street markets? Without this information, it is hard to answer this type of general question.
 
Hi Raymond,

Yes it's my first time to the UK and Paris. Have no distinct preference towards anything. Hope to cover a bit of everything during my 18 days there. =)
 
Hi Raymond,

2 countries in one trip...probably in my dreams :-)
I am thinking of either Austria or Canada. Both are countries that I really want to visit.
 
Dear Peng,

What attracts you to each country?

I've been to only a bit of both, and have a friend who gave up his Singapore PR and is staying in Montreal as a Canadian PR now. No regrets he says giving up his Singapore PR.
happy.gif
 
I choose Austria because the scenery is beautiful. Alot of ppl are attracted to the place because of the movie sound of music. I like the show but that is not what attracts me there. I believe Austria is comparable to switzerland and I enjoy going to places like this.

As for canada, I want to visit Vancouver since it is voted as the most livable cities in the world and also the canadian rockies. Montreal is in the french part of Canada right.
 
Dear Peng,

Yes, Montreal is in the French part. He spoke French that's why it gave him some points in his application for Canadian PR. Vancouver is really nice, and so are the Canadian rockies. They don't have the charm of the Swiss Alps, and the valleys tend to be wider and the mountains further apart. Lake Louise is really nice, albeit a little too touristy nowadays.

We have skied several times in Austria and went to Vienna once, but I was too young to remember much of it. The Austrian country side is just lovely; if you listen to classical music, the first movement (Allegro ma non troppo) of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony (his 6th) captures really well the serenity and peacefulness of the Austrian countryside, which was his inspiration. And Austria is cheaper than Switzerland too; though now with the rising Euro that's hard to say.
happy.gif
 
Helppp....

I have only budget of $3000 for 2 pax... is paris still possible?

As i searched the internet, the cheapest but still safe accommodation is like EUR 45 per night for 2 (shared bathroom) which comes to be about S$100 per night.
(Hotel Charma)

Assuming we stay for 5 nights... accomodation = S$500.

We intend to just walk ard the city plus taking the train/bus to soak in the culture of Paris.

Museums are a must as we are into that sort of thing but i understand many of them are actually free.

Pls help if u can...cos reno has already soaked me dry...but i love paris, and will be contend to just spend time there.

Will be taking up french too.
 
Hi woo83fy,

It depends on whether you can get cheap flights. some flights during promotion can be as low as S$900. If you can't get cheap flight and pay S$1400 per pax, it will be too tight. dont forget tax not yet included in the flight.
 
Dear Woo83fy,

Which museums in particular are you interested in? Where did you hear that many of them are actually free?

I think $3000 is very tight considering the high fuel surcharges nowadays and the high Euro. You may wish to take a look at my page:

http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/~rtan/Paris/

Taking up French is a fabulous thing to do before going to Paris. You'll not regret it.
happy.gif
 


Hi Peng,

Love the pics u took, can i check if u drove to Eze. Is it easy to find a carpark or do we park along the road side. I am planning to visit Eze from Nice before driving down to Provence later this month
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
WTS France Paris PWS (TW/SG) Pre-Wedding Shoot
Replies
1
Views
2K
msza
M
M
WTS: France Paris PWS in Taiwan/Singapore. (法國巴黎 Pre-Wedding Shoot)
Replies
1
Views
3K
msza
M
Q
Renovation & Interior Furnishing with budget
Replies
1
Views
3K
Lintaiyu
L
buddhabar
Rather be single and happy, than attached but irritated.
Replies
0
Views
5K
buddhabar
buddhabar
G
Hidden cost of bridal packages
Replies
8
Views
10K
JJ2812
J

Back
Top