France - only 3 departures in 2018?

[rmm7e]

Any insight as to why this trip is so limited? The England/France version has a couple dozen departures. I'm looking into France + a Disneyland Paris add on for next year but I'm not sure the dates will work for me.

 

[Cousin Orville]

I'm not sure the France ABD was ever hugely popular. It rarely received much interest here on the boards. I did it and loved it, but they changed the itinerary dramatically the following year cutting out the Loire Valley. It also could be a reflection of French tourism struggling among US families - just a guess. I think the London/Paris itinerary will stay popular. That and Italy will probably remain their most popular trips.

 

[Jess_S]

This is an interesting question because France is one of the most visited countries in Europe for US travellers. It is odd that the ABD is not more popular. (I admit bias because I lived in France and adore it, but travel stats support its popularity).

My perception is that ABD decreased the number of departures for more than just France. I was not able to get the month i wanted for my 2018 trip because there were no departures. I thought that perhaps they were anticipating fewer people travelling to Europe at all because of terrorism concerns. (I am not saying people should be concerned, but it does seem like the thought is in some people's heads). Or maybe it's just France and Scotland....

 

[rmm7e]

If I was concerned about terrorism (I'm not!) I'd be less likely to take the England/France version than the France-only version as it's more city-oriented, so that's interesting speculation. Maybe people think two countries is more bang for the buck and that's why it's more popular. I might jump on the France spring departure as it may be discontinued altogether in the future.

 

[AddictedtoTravel]

We did the Flavors of France trip that started in Provence(Aix-en-Provence & surrounding area), and ended in Paris. We absolutely loved it!
My sense this year is that ABD played it safe. I agree Jess_S, it seemed to me that there are less departures overall on many trips. I'm hoping that there may be some new things coming out at a later date. A girl can dream.
Hopefully something other than the river cruises. We did the Danube over the holidays last December and although it was fun I prefer the land based trips.

 

[Cousin Orville]

If I was concerned about terrorism (I'm not!) I'd be less likely to take the England/France version than the France-only version as it's more city-oriented, so that's interesting speculation. Maybe people think two countries is more bang for the buck and that's why it's more popular. I might jump on the France spring departure as it may be discontinued altogether in the future.

I agree with London/Paris being perceived as more bang for the buck. I think it's probably a combination of factors of why the France ABD isn't hugely popular. I think most people traveling on ABD's are going to Europe for their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd time. I think Normandy is often a "B-level destination" for many families. First up will be London, Paris and Italy. Greece or Scotland may be families' 1st or 2nd visits. I think Normandy (which is much of the attraction to the France ABD), Norway, N. Italy & Switzerland, and Spain likely attract guests that have been to Europe several times already and are looking for something different.

It's really a shame, because I think the France ABD has a great balance of the big city - Paris and the countryside. Mont Saint Michel and beaches of Normandy were highlights. They also had Giverney and the Loire Valley was spectacular...

Maybe removing the Loire Valley ultimately hurt interest in the ABD.

 

[rmm7e]

I'm OK without the Loire Valley, I think. I've also discovered that I like being on the coast or on the water no matter what country I'm in!

 

[BluesTraveler]

We looked closely at the France trip, but we didn't want 6 nights. It felt too short for the cost.

 

[Mommywithapassport]

France in August 2018 will be my family's first ABD trip. Having been before and seeing many of the sites I'm not as excited as I would be for China or S. Africa, but we're taking my grandmother and my 12 YO son (one is excited for Normandy and the other for DLP). I expect the reason the itinerary isn't very popular is the very reason we chose it- there's not a ton of activity required. My grandmother doesn't move as quickly as she used to and when I discussed that with a vacationista she said our best bets were Ireland or France. I'm personally looking forward to having someone else handle all the logistics (I'm the vacation planner in the family). My only concern is that there won't be any other children on this trip. I'm sure my grandma will make friends, just worried there won't other children to interact with my son.

 

[rmm7e]

Having just returned from a 10 day, self-drive, self-planned trip to Ireland, I'm also ready to let someone else handle the details.

I'm sure there will be families on your trip and your son will have a great time.

 

[Woodview]

To rmm7e

We live in Cork ...... Did you ask on this Thread for advice ?

We are here in Florida from 16th May to 6th June

So we might have missed you anyway .

 

[Woodview]

France in August 2018 will be my family's first ABD trip. Having been before and seeing many of the sites I'm not as excited as I would be for China or S. Africa, but we're taking my grandmother and my 12 YO son (one is excited for Normandy and the other for DLP). I expect the reason the itinerary isn't very popular is the very reason we chose it- there's not a ton of activity required. My grandmother doesn't move as quickly as she used to and when I discussed that with a vacationista she said our best bets were Ireland or France. I'm personally looking forward to having someone else handle all the logistics (I'm the vacation planner in the family). My only concern is that there won't be any other children on this trip. I'm sure my grandma will make friends, just worried there won't other children to interact with my son.

Have you thought about bringing your own wheelchair for your grandmother .? ( Buy one )

It travels free & would help you All to have a great time.

It should be No Hassel for ABD .

 

[Mommywithapassport]

Have you thought about bringing your own wheelchair for your grandmother .? ( Buy one )

It travels free & would help you All to have a great time.

It should be No Hassel for ABD .

Yes! We are planning on doing exactly that . She may not need it, but we thought it would be a good idea to have one handy (just in case). So now I'm on the hunt for something that can fold but still be comfy. We're going to test drive it in Toronto this September so we can all become accustomed to it.

 

[rmm7e]

To rmm7e

We live in Cork ...... Did you ask on this Thread for advice ?

We are here in Florida from 16th May to 6th June

So we might have missed you anyway .

No I didn't ask for Ireland advice here (except Cousin Orville gave me a lead on a photography service that I did not end up using after all.)

The trip worked out great - the only problem was it was too short!

 

[Woodview]

To rmm7e

Thank you for the reply

When Posters Reply to their Original Post it keeps people like me

" Posting " true & hopefully accurate replies

Come back to Ireland Soon.

 

[carpenta]

Yes! We are planning on doing exactly that . She may not need it, but we thought it would be a good idea to have one handy (just in case). So now I'm on the hunt for something that can fold but still be comfy. We're going to test drive it in Toronto this September so we can all become accustomed to it.

You may look at a travel scooter called "Travelscoot" (. com). It is a very lightweight electric travel scooter that was developed by an aircraft designer for his personal travel and made of aircraft metals. folds very small and the airlines carry it because of the handicap laws. Great item for travel.

 

[kris10399]

France in August 2018 will be my family's first ABD trip. Having been before and seeing many of the sites I'm not as excited as I would be for China or S. Africa, but we're taking my grandmother and my 12 YO son (one is excited for Normandy and the other for DLP). I expect the reason the itinerary isn't very popular is the very reason we chose it- there's not a ton of activity required. My grandmother doesn't move as quickly as she used to and when I discussed that with a vacationista she said our best bets were Ireland or France. I'm personally looking forward to having someone else handle all the logistics (I'm the vacation planner in the family). My only concern is that there won't be any other children on this trip. I'm sure my grandma will make friends, just worried there won't other children to interact with my son.

We just booked the August 2018. DD will be 14 and DS will be just shy of 11 so your son will have some pals!