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Post by cybee on Dec 12, 2008 15:48:42 GMT -5
That would be Cybee...confused. As you may or may not know, I have two (yes!!!) trips to Paris coming up. Will it be possible to get tired of Paris. No, I did not think so. However, on trip two (June 1 to ?), I will have two "children" ....daughter (15/16 years) and son (21 years) and we will spend time in Paris then head out to Belfort, France to visit daughter teaching there (she will not be on break at this time). Now, the question is...should we come back to fly out of Paris or is there another fly out spot that would make sense. I see flights out of Brussels are priced similarly to Paris flights out . Maybe fly out of there and see the sights there first for 2-3 nights? Well.....or head back to Paris just to fly out (one night stay)? Of course, I have to consult my pocket book with all this. But if anyone has thoughts, I would certainly welcome them! If your eyes are twirling...I understand that! That is how I feel!  |
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Post by Truffaut on Dec 12, 2008 16:49:34 GMT -5
The cost of tickets may be the deciding factor. I believe flying into one location and out from another is called an "open jaw" and they tend to be VERY expensive compared to a simple round-trip. You might play around online to see what kinds of prices you can get booking one-way tickets to accomodate the schedule you're considering.
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Post by Truffaut on Dec 12, 2008 16:49:44 GMT -5
The cost of tickets may be the deciding factor. I believe flying into one location and out from another is called an "open jaw" and they tend to be VERY expensive compared to a simple round-trip. You might play around online to see what kinds of prices you can get booking one-way tickets to accomodate the schedule you're considering.
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Post by Jody on Dec 12, 2008 17:08:07 GMT -5
The cost may be the same, but do you have any interest in seeing Brussells. It is not the most fascinating place I've visited. Now if you could arrange to go to Brugges for a day, a short train ride, then I would suggest doing it. Antwerp is a bit further but we loved it.
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Post by willow on Dec 12, 2008 17:11:41 GMT -5
My understanding of "open jaw" flights is the same as Truffaut.
They tend to be more expensive then simple round trips.
However, when I was looking at student fares I learned that some consolidaters/websites offer decent deals on them. Still not the same price, but more reasonable.
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Post by Truffaut on Dec 12, 2008 18:23:02 GMT -5
Air France is now offering a system whereby you can fly to any of their destinations in Europe via Paris. There's nothing novel in that, except now they're allowing you to stay over in Paris coming and going, if you wish, with no additional charge. So, you could fly Chicago to Paris, stay a few days in Paris, then fly to Rome, then fly back to Paris and stay a few more days, and then back to Chicago. Maybe something like that would work for you.
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Post by cybee on Dec 12, 2008 18:25:40 GMT -5
Ah, merci for your replies! Well, the return Brussels flight is about half of what my Paris round trip (as of now) theoretically would be (not bought yet..playing around online with options)...but so Brussels is not that interesting!? Good to know. Well, of course, I know I love Paris..but how sad to only come back..TO LEAVE...but a little extra time (one night) might be better than none!? (esp if Brussels is not really interesting). I have been major playing around online regarding flight possibilities. I think some airlines don't even release all their flights until six months ahead of the date (possibly AirFrance being one)...so am waiting a little bit before I actually book (as I am just entering that 6 month time frame). Likely going back to Paris will make the most costs sense and goodness...with two trips in one year...I am looking hard at that factor!
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Post by cybee on Dec 12, 2008 18:27:01 GMT -5
Oh, Truffaut, I just read your latest post (which I had not seen before I posted my last reply). I will check into that. That has some interesting potential that I will have to ponder about! Thank you!  DeMarais, Yes, I had seen that movie "In Brugges"...a very violent movie, but such a cute place Brugges looks to be. Apparently Brugges is much more interesting than Brussels, then? I had initially thought of adding Prague, but don't know if my pennies will go that far (and an open jaw from Prague is far too expensive comparatively!) Willow, Student fares? Where do you get "student" fares? I wil be bringing two students along, so that's an idea...and arguably I am a student of life? (or does that not quite do the trick?). Well, maybe I will have to pass on my wild new notion and go back to plan A....and head back to Paris ....and try to get a little extra bit of time there to enjoy (so it is not "just to catch a flight" ..which would be too sad!) . One last stroll ....stop at a café...ah, yes! I can tell already that serious ppd will ensue after my trip 2 return! |
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Post by Anne on Dec 13, 2008 8:26:53 GMT -5
Demarais is right, Brussels is a pleasant, lively city, but not a beautiful one . Of course the medieval Grand Place and its immediate surroundings are magnificent, and Brussels also has quite a few interesting pieces of Art Nouveau architecture (including Victor Horta's house that we visited, and also the Musée de la Bande Dessinée, which to me was more interesting for its architecture than for the cartoons on exhibit  ), but IMO that's about it as far as visiting is concerned . Also I was shocked by the lack of architectural homogeneity in town, like in many places you can see a beautiful Middle-Ages house surrounded by hideous 70s' concrete buildings, how could the city's authorities ever allow this  ? Bruges on the other hand is absolutely beautiful, it is called "la Venise du Nord", the old city is big and there are no shocking flaws like in Brussels . It has more of a museum feeling, not a lively city like Brussels, but Bruges is an absolute must-see IMO . I am surprised that you didn't find cheaper airfares to/from Brussels than Paris . I have been looking for airfares for next summer to/from Washington, and while the return ticket from Paris is about 1050 euros, Brussels is in the 900s . |
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Post by geordy on Dec 13, 2008 8:39:14 GMT -5
I think Brussels is definately worth seeing..for the (good) reasons Anne mentioned as well as the liveliness, food, bars, etc. I've been there twice for a few nights and had enough to do..and not..and had a lovely time. Bruges yes is a totally different thing..only there on a day trip, would like to spend a night sometime....I'd try to get both in! But I'm still digesting that the movie was nominated for a Golden Globe in the Comedy/Musical category!  Sure I've heard of dark comedies but they are usually just someone carrying around dead bodies or eating them..... I saw it on a plane so some of the darker parts may even have been removed! And I was in tears at the end....of course I was leaving Paris  but still.... And as for coming back to Paris only to leave..I always prefer my last stop in Europe to be Paris..for one night or even just a few hours....  |
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Post by cybee on Dec 18, 2008 21:54:45 GMT -5
Okay...I think we will return to Paris to fly out after Belfort! (thanks for all input!) Now my trip 2 is about six months away....should I wait to get tickets until about 4 months or ?? in advance of my flight date or get them now? I am trying to get the best price...but who knows when/what that is! I don't suppose anyone knows for sure..but I wonder if waiting a bit is advisable perhaps? Anyway... I surely don't like what the dollar is doing as against the Euro! ooooh! |
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Post by phread on Dec 19, 2008 2:46:21 GMT -5
Cybee, It is hard to predict the future, but prices are dropping across the globe, especially for leisure activities. I don't know if airlines have ditched the fuel surcharge yet, but if not, they should very shortly. The current financial crisis would make me bet on prices gong down a bit, so I would wait. BUT I could be entirely wrong...
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), but IMO that's about it as far as visiting is concerned . Also I was shocked by the lack of architectural homogeneity in town, like in many places you can see a beautiful Middle-Ages house surrounded by hideous 70s' concrete buildings, how could the city's authorities ever allow this 
? 
Sure I've heard of dark comedies but they are usually just someone carrying around dead bodies or eating them..... 
but still....
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha