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Post by Megan on Feb 25, 2010 4:05:13 GMT -5
Hi
Exciting news , my Dad has decided that for his 70th birthday in April 2011 he will be shouting Mum, Dad my brother and I for a few weeks in France rather than having a party. I do have plenty of time and plenty of apartments saved in my file but most of them that sleep 4 have two double beds - does anyone know of one that has a double bed and then two singles at a reasonable cost. If I know the Wildys we will hardly be there so its not really worth it for 3 nights going to the expense of a three bedroom. From Paris we are driving to the South of France , back through Alsace and then back into Paris ! The arguments have started already ha ha ha
Megan x
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Post by Shoesy on Feb 25, 2010 4:15:23 GMT -5
Sounds wonderful. A trip is definitely better than a party. Your dad is obviously a very smart man, Megan.
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Post by GitteK on Feb 25, 2010 4:50:13 GMT -5
Super !! Congrats !! But shouldn't you rather be going by train around in France - to please your train-buff dad ? 425 USD per night - fabulous view ! www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_193.htmYou may be able to find something cheaper, though.
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Post by Jody on Feb 25, 2010 5:23:47 GMT -5
Oh you lucky lassie! You'll have such fun with the whole family along. Your Dad sounds like my kind of guy!
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Post by Megan on Feb 25, 2010 5:24:40 GMT -5
Thanks Gitte - have sent it through ! There will be one train trip in there but we (or I ha ha ) have decided that we want the freedom of a car so that we can pull off and see the little towns along the way . The rough itin will be something like this ( I have only put in the main cities as reference points to the direction )
Auckland - Mum , Dad and Christian Paris Strasbourg Nice Marseilles < Barcelona > - that's just me trying to get the Wildys out of France but I think I will be pushing my luck both in terms of time and inclination ! Toulouse Nantes Paris London Auckland ( probably for all of us ! )
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Post by Megan on Feb 25, 2010 5:27:14 GMT -5
Jody - you know the Griswolds in National Lampoons Vacation - thats us ! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Lampoon's_Vacation_(series) Just change the names and the locations and you get the picture ! n Paris, Clark throws Rusty's beret cap off the Eiffel Tower observation deck, causing a lady's dachshund to jump off after it; later, young Rusty meets a hooker at a bawdy Paris can-can dance show. While in Paris, the family's video camera is stolen by a passerby (Victor Lanoux) whom Clark had asked to take a picture of the family. Also, Clark, with his terrible French, manages to insult every native Frenchman.
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Post by Roniece on Feb 25, 2010 5:36:20 GMT -5
love the itinerary Megs!! but please try and REFRAIN from throwing the daschund off the ET!! LOL!! I had to cover Oliver James and Otto Jacques ears when I read that out loud!! lol
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Post by Jody on Feb 25, 2010 6:46:59 GMT -5
Of course I remember National Lampoon. I'll look for the series Vacation sounds like fun
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Post by jo on Feb 25, 2010 7:21:31 GMT -5
Hey Megan, We are renting this apartment with our friends in September this year: www.vrbo.com/15502It is on rue de Turenne about half a block from Place des Voges in the Marais. One bedroom has a queen size bed and the other has 2 singles. David has been really easy to deal with, he takes credit card payments and there is no security deposit other than the right to charge your credit card if you break something. We haven't stayed there yet, but the location is great and we are really looking forward to it. He is charging us 1400 euros per week and we are staying 16 nights, so he is giving us 2 nights for free. When doing my due diligence on the apartment, I ran across this blog, this family stayed in the apartment for a month and here's their take on it: piercetakesparis.blogspot.com/2009/03/home-sweet-home.htmlI also have some other references if you are interested in reading them. Happy Hunting!! JO
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Post by sistereurope on Feb 25, 2010 7:55:46 GMT -5
Hi Megan, YEA! Congrats! Your trip sounds fabulous and I am very happy for you and your family. I agree that your dad sounds very cool... You are going to have a wonderful time. You might want to look at some of the Perfectly Paris apartments. We stayed in an apartment through Feels Like Home in Paris in December. This one actually: www.feelslikehomeinparis.com/lepicretreat.htmlIt would fit you needs in terms of beds and it was lovely and in a great location (rue Lepic), but it lacks a proper dining area. Yetunde has some others that might work though, along with everyone else's recommendations. Feels like home in Paris used to be more affordable - she's raised her rates a lot this year. And your road trip sounds great!! One of my favorite vacations ever was the trip we took a few years ago. We flew into Nice, spent some time there and then rented a car and drove from Nice to Barcelona, with stops in Provence and the Corrbieres along the way. I have some many wonderful memories of that trip - Nice and Eze, the market in Lourmarin, drinking wine at the Palais des Papes in Avignon, walking through the vineyards in Chateauneuf des Papes, les calanques outside of Marsailles, Cassis, Bages and Sete (on the sea south of Montpellier), the Roman ruins in Arles, Carcassone and Narbonne, Lagrasse, Collioure (one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen), and finally Barcelona (which you may want to visit without the parents in tow...unless they like a wild time!!! ;D) Whew, I could go on....I am so excited for YOUR trip!!! ;D
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Post by Anne on Feb 25, 2010 8:06:39 GMT -5
How cool Megan ! I'll be waiting de pied ferme for the Wildermoth tribe in Strasbourg . I still haven't met your brother yet, but in the meantime I will try and find a comely little Alsacienne to introduce him to ;D. BTW, doesn't Artie want to take advantage of the year to come to do some genealogical research and then be able to visit family places/people during his stay ? Yes, there is some serious work needed on the rest of your itinerary ...
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Post by sistereurope on Feb 25, 2010 8:09:57 GMT -5
I just looked at Jo's apartment...wow, it looks REALLY nice!
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Post by PariS on Feb 25, 2010 8:19:23 GMT -5
Wow Megan--what a blast you will have! I've seen lots of apartments with a king or queen in one room and twins in the other...but of course now that you ask I'm at a loss to remember any! Other than the one I stayed in with the girls a year ago October-- www.franceforrent.com/maraisrooftops2/ and the one we're staying in this May-- www.vrbo.com/206290 Oh! Here's another one I'd had bookmarked www.frenchyrentals.com/stlazare.html I know you'll find something--there are a lot out there to look at! When I get back, if you're still looking, I'll give you a shout with some more.
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Post by cybee on Feb 25, 2010 12:05:18 GMT -5
What fun, Megan! Three nights in Paris, eh? I know one apartment that may have fit your bill, but it has a one week minimum. Hmm...I will let you know if I think of/ find any others. Your dad has the perfect idea to celebrate his b-day! p.s.....to your dad......"BONJOUR!!!!!"
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Post by holger on Feb 25, 2010 14:12:54 GMT -5
Megan, How exciting! Would you parents like to adopt me? Seriously, check the perfectlyparis.com website. They have one three bedroom apartment that is quite reasonable and has two double bedrooms and then one with a twin. Gail often has a minimum of three nights which would work for you and might cut a break on the reasonable rate if you are coming back.
If that one doesn't appeal there are several of the two bedroom apartments that have one double and one two bedded room. She does book up so this is the right time to look.
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jazz
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by jazz on Mar 4, 2010 19:13:41 GMT -5
Megan, What a wonderful idea! Here is one apartment that I often fantasize about. Beautiful...in the 6th and has 2 fold out sofa beds in addition to the bedroom. Perhaps this could work? I am love with the garden, the walk out french doors, the stone walls....but I can't afford it when I travel alone. What do you think? www.haveninparis.com/rental/VieuxColombier.php
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Post by mez on Mar 5, 2010 23:14:10 GMT -5
The trip sounds fantastic! You'll have to let us know when dates become firmer as I plan on travelling back to Europe in April/May 2011, so hopefully we can meet one day.
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Post by Megan on Mar 17, 2010 15:42:10 GMT -5
I missed this Mez - yeah definitely. Looks like we will be in Paris from 8 to 14th April but I will be back in London from the 24 April - exhausted after the family shenanigans .( and numerous arguments ) Right all an update on the apartment hunting - we had one lined up overlooking the Pompidou Centre that Dad had his mind set on as it is opposite Rue Rambauteau . We stayed there last time and dad called in most nights for a beer at the cafe on the corner and I think he thinks they will recognise him like Norm in Cheers when he makes his return 20 months later with the double point and shake ! Anyhow that has fallen through so we are now waiting on Dawns apartment, Jos apartment and the favoured one at the moment is Annettes recomendation www.frenchyrentals.com/stlazare.htmlbecause of this article www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/travel/27martyrs.html and because Dad thinks Mum could just about manage to get herself to GL while he slips off for a beer OPF comes to the resuce again ! Thanks guys
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Post by GitteK on Mar 17, 2010 16:36:01 GMT -5
Megs, this is where the Laidbacks stayed last year !!! I was actually visiting them there, very very nice apt. Very "loud" bathroom, though ! ;D ;D I am sure Pat will give you some insider tips about the apt. - and Jim can give you the coordinates of the nearest decent bakery, wineshop and fromagerie !
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Post by Shoesy on Mar 17, 2010 23:23:02 GMT -5
Hmmm......I can't decide whether or not I should ask about the noisy bathroom. I guess in a way I just did. ;D
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