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Post by gracejoan on Feb 11, 2008 20:08:08 GMT -5
I have been working on a month for Spring, 2009 for some time. I knew where I wanted to be and what I was looking for. Many places now furnish laptops, but not all!. I finally broke down and bought one. That settled a lot of things for me. Today I finalized this very cute place in the exact location that I wanted. Here is one of the websites for it: www.tinyurl.com/2uk6mrIt now does have a 160 cm bed, not the double shown. I have many other pictures that were sent to me. The bathroom is as nice as the rest of the place. I like it being on the ground level with a lovely courtyard, that is also gated. Great bus and metro connections. Will rent it from mid April to mid May, 2009. I will wait til fall and book my flights..might even get FF seats! So, I am now all set for 3 trips! April with my granddaughter and then by myself, a month Sept. 10 - Oct. 10 and this one for Spring, 2009. That is it for planning for awhile! I am now busy making dining reservations for April, that need to be done in advance. Doing well, so far. Now if the weather cooperates, and the strikes settle down, I am ready for April in Paris!! Joan |
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Feb 11, 2008 20:15:27 GMT -5
That looks like a very nice place! Congratulations on finding it and getting things set.
One thing - having just gone through contortions to get FF tickets for next December, I would suggest doing your tickets at the earliest possible time (most airlines seem to book about 325 days out, which is calculated from the return date although sometimes they will hold the outbound date for you until the return date arrives so you can book the whole trip).
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Post by gracejoan on Feb 11, 2008 20:30:30 GMT -5
Becky,
I know what you mean about what can be a hassle with the FF. I have been doing it for many, many years. Many a midnight call and whatever time period another mightnight call for the return.
I use Delta. They seem to have made some changes and do not release their seats the 330 days out, but push their codeshare partners. I found this out when using FF for my granddaughter's tickets for April. They didn't know when they would release theirs and pushed the Continental...sooo, she is flying Tampa to Newark and CDG via Continental. In April I am going via ATL and CDG. In Sept I will go via CVG. I much prefer that airport, but in April I thought forweather it might be safer to go via ATL. I may wait til I return in Oct. from Paris to get my April, 2009 tickets, with or without FF. Will see what happens..............
Joan
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Feb 11, 2008 20:45:17 GMT -5
Hey, who really cares what airline, if you actually can use the miles!
I used to fly Delta all the time (back in the "old days" when they still flew to lots of the places I needed to go for business) and I went through CVG regularly on trips to Europe (I still really miss the old system-wide upgrade certificates, good for an upgrade on any published fare! Wwwwaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!).
I wouldn't worry about weather at CVG (especially for April). It's a nonstop flight from there to Paris, so even if there are delays it won't be a problem because Paris is the end destination (i.e, no problems with possible missed connections). And I agree, it's a much nicer airport than ATL!
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Post by gracejoan on Feb 11, 2008 21:27:22 GMT -5
We don't have a lot of choice here in Asheville. Shuttle to ATL or to CVG. Can go to Charlotte and then it is US Air to Philly or DC...that is a real no, no!!
There is only the one Delta flight from CVG to CDG..7:30 PM..if it does not fly, you have a big problem!!
Delta is trying to fly you from ATL to either Detroit or Minneapolis and then to CDG...no way!!! These are the FF seats.
The airllines are doing a lot of things with their FF seats. Delta with its two different classifications etc. The shuttle flights from Asheville are always full..they only allow a couple FF seats on the flights....
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Feb 11, 2008 21:56:29 GMT -5
Joan - here's another trick I used to do on Delta. Try flying into Brussels instead of Paris (but out of Paris, if possible). It's only about 1.5 hours from BRU into the heart of Paris (not all that much longer than taking a taxi from CDG on a bad day!) now that the train is so fast. There is a station right at BRU (no need to go into downtown Brussels), and by booking the train part well in advance you can get good fares.
I did that a couple of times when I couldn't get FF tickets into Paris (I think you also can do that from Amsterdam, although obviously farther on the train to make the transit to Paris).
One thing about that route, however, if they still are in partnership with Sabena (or whatever the official Belgian airline is), avoid a Sabena code share like the plague - I did that on one trip and they sent my luggage from CVG to Zurich (and when it finally arrived the next day, it was missing a wheel - not a lot of fun for a three-week trip!) Plus the food was worse than coach on most airlines (I was in business class), the entertainment screen wouldn't work, etc., etc. (the only good part was that after the meal service the flight attendants walked around with five-pound boxes of Godiva handing out whatever people wanted!)
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Post by susanb on Feb 12, 2008 0:39:26 GMT -5
Gracejoan, You've been holding out on us! That is exactly how I'd like my house to look. It's VERY lovely.
Susan
I like it so much that I can't stop smiling for you ;D Tomorrow, I will be looking at much of the site and keep it in my files for "my next trip"!
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Post by Shoesy on Feb 12, 2008 1:12:44 GMT -5
Gracejoan - What a charming apt.! Hmmm... With all the days you spend in Paris every year, I think you should buy it. ;D Is it, by any chance, near our dear Truffy's place?
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Post by gracejoan on Feb 12, 2008 5:49:26 GMT -5
Yes, it is only a few blocks from there. A great neighborhood and area to be in. It may become a regular spot for me. I like everything about it.
Oh, it does not have a dryer, only a washer along with a drying rack. I have arranged for weekly fresh towels and linens. I am not doing that kind of laundry while there. Who knows, they may add one. It ight be a space problem.
Michele is a lovely gal. She lists a couple of her places with Gail on the Perfectly Paris site..because it is Gail's area.
Look at the other places that she has...........
I did send site to my French friends. They know the area well and werre pleased with my choice. Other friends of theirs that I have met, live up on lovely Junot, which is not far. We will definitely have some get togethers.
I am pleased with the "find" as I am with the other upcoming trip spots. It is fun looking..time consuming........
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Post by Happygoin on Feb 12, 2008 7:54:01 GMT -5
gracejoan, the apartment is really pretty! It's in an area of Paris I've yet to explore. I don't blame you for not doing laundry while there either. Good heavens...who wants to think of doing laundry when in Paris!?
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Post by luckyluc on Feb 12, 2008 8:05:56 GMT -5
Great choice Gracejoan. I know exactly the place it is really close to Truffaut apartement, where will we be staying this May, since our studio is to small for my SIL and us.
Great decor according to my taste even if it is not very French looking if I compared it to some of my French friends place (which generally prefer "stronger" color" to say the least!)
Do not miss the bio-market on Saturday, the great pastry shop on rue Legendre, the bistro gastronomique Le Bistral on rue Lemercier and all that the Batignolles have to offer.
I do hope you will find a little time to do LIVE reporting....
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Post by sistereurope on Feb 12, 2008 8:22:43 GMT -5
Thanks for that link Joan...those apartments look really nice, and the prices are very reasonable.
I hope that you will be able to give us some on the spot reports!
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Post by Truffaut on Feb 12, 2008 9:59:34 GMT -5
Congratulations, Gracejoan. Rue Mariotte is just around the corner from our apartment, and we know it well. It's a lovely apartment!
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Post by gracejoan on Feb 12, 2008 10:17:42 GMT -5
Thanks all! Yes, I am very pleased with it!! Yes, do look at all that Michele has to offer..never know, you just may just see something that you like. I don't know if most of you know it, but there are many who do discount for monthly stays. Generally it is a 3 week price for a month!! feelslikehomeinparis.com/ www.perfectlyparis.com/ and also Michele, just to name a few. Yetunde, at feelslikehomeinparis has many places, all with laptops and she is adding more all the time! I will be visiting the area in April of this year..may even be able to preview it, along with some other previews that I will be doing. I will have my new laptop with me, so will also be able to report what we are up to.................... |
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Post by sistereurope on Feb 12, 2008 10:36:13 GMT -5
We stayed in one of Yetunde's apartments www.feelslikehomeinparis.com in Dec 2006. I agree, Joan- the apartment was nicer than it had looked in the pictures, and Yetunde was great to work with. |
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Post by luvparee on Feb 12, 2008 11:23:03 GMT -5
What a beautiful apartment! .... love all the white/ivory/cream. And, the courtyard is a real bonus. That one has been added to my "favorites" as Batignolles is an area that I want to really "dig into" on my next trip. Also sounds like connections to central Paris are very easy.
Thanks for sharing this great information.
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Post by mez on Mar 9, 2008 9:40:16 GMT -5
Gracejoan, that apartment looks wonderful!
A great find.
Mez
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Post by holger on Mar 9, 2008 10:30:18 GMT -5
;D
The apartment looks great especially with the courtyard. We are there the last two weeks of March and I believe you come later. Would assume you will have milder weather.
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Post by gracejoan on Mar 9, 2008 11:50:34 GMT -5
It is a cute place..and great location!
I will be there from April 15- May 13, 2009. Too bad we will not be therre at the same time, Holger.
I am all set to leave next month taking my granddaughter and her husband for their first trip. I have most of our dining reservations made...some things for them as first timers. Should be a fun trip...
Joan
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Post by cigalechanta on Mar 29, 2008 17:49:45 GMT -5
WOW! it's one of the nicest I have ever seen!
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Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha