CherylMomOf3
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 23
I'm booked for the June 5th. Also doing the Disneyland add on. Any good tips from those that have been on this trip?? We have 3 kids going DS(13) and twin DD's (11) 
Just Booked London/Paris!!
- Thread starter CherylMomOf3
- Start date
Congrats, Cheryl! My family of 4 took this tour last July - and it was awesome. We also added a day to visit Disneyland.
I'm finally getting around to posting trip reports, so keep an eye out at my blog.
I'll try to include some tips there for you.
I'm finally getting around to posting trip reports, so keep an eye out at my blog.
I'll try to include some tips there for you.
PiperPilot
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- May 30, 2007
- Messages
- 74
Tips in random order:
Add-on some pre & post nights to your trip! If you book the nights with ABD, they will still pickup/dropoff at the airport (verify with the agent).
Take a day trip to Windsor Castle. It is darn easy to get to via train from the Waterloo station, which is about a mile from the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel (walk or taxi). The train station in the town of Windsor is literally just a few hundred yards from the castle. Exit the train station and walk up the street and around the corner to the left. There's the castle (voilà).
Another fairly simple trip is to Hampton Court. The walk from the train station is about 1/2 mile.
IMO, the "Must Do" that is not included in the ABD intinerary is a cruise at night on the Seine River. We did this after the hotel group dinner on the evening of Day-4 (first day in Paris). Looking back, I think I would have skipped the dinner in the hotel.
My wife and I got some helpful hints from Alex, our guide, on how to navigate and purchase tickets for the Metro and we took 3 other women from the group with us. The view of the major landmarks, lit up at night, was magnificent! We were able to catch a 9:00 pm cruise near the Eiffel Tower and we were back in our room by 11:00 pm. I believe the cost was 9.50 Euro each (a steal in my mind).
There is a pharmacy/convenience store one block away from the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel as you walk towards the Holborn metro station. It was very similar to a Walgreen's or Rite Aid store. We were able to replace the things that didn't survive the flight in the cargo hold.
There is also a pharmacy and two bank ATM machines within one block of the Hotel Arc de Triomphe.
I asked the front desk at the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel if they do any money exchanges. They indicated that they will give you a cash advance and assess a room charge to your bill in that amount. I think the maximum amount was 200 pounds. At check-out, I paid off the room incidental charges (i.e. the 200 pounds) with my remaining pounds and the cash that I spent was then placed as a charge against my credit card. They did not assess any conversion charges. The hotel in Paris did not offer this perk.
Both hotels offered a wide array of breakfast foods. Fruits, cereals, pastries, eggs, meats, etc. Plenty of breakfast foods that you will recognize.
On the day trip to Versailles, dress appropriately to do the bike ride around the outer gardens. Don't miss out on doing the bike ride!
At the Gatwick Airport, as you are walking from your gate to the customs area, look for a small red London tourist guidebook that will be located on the wall in a dispenser. The guidebook is free and it was the best one that I found anywhere.
Be watchful of the "gypsy" ladies in Paris (as you leave the bus station, at the Eiffel Tower, at the Tuileries, etc.). You'll know them when you see them. They will be asking everyone "Do you speak English?". Ignore them and move on and watch your purse/wallet closely. If they have string, hide your fingers. They work in teams and try to distract you while the others circle behind.
Learn at least a few courtesy words in French. A feeble attempt to converse in French is met with help in English quickly. At least be able to ask politely if they speak English first.
If you ride the Paris Metro system, keep your validated tickets after you place them through the reader. The metro police make spot checks. We were talking with one of the local Paris guides, and she warned us about this. She said it only happens to her once or twice a year.
Well, on our third Metro trip, we were walking towards the Sortie (exit) with the crowd. Suddenly, many people in the crowd started scattering and running in the other direction. Hidden around the corner, running forward was the Metro police. They checked that we had validated ticket stubs and we were on our way.
Use the Concierge desks at the hotel. They are very very helpful and will assist with tickets, schedules, etc.
Finally, call your credit card company before you leave on your trip and inform them where you will be traveling in Europe and on what dates. The fraud departments are very quick to suspend charging privileges on credit cards. Charges in a foreign country is an automatic trigger.
I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you may have. Cheers.
Add-on some pre & post nights to your trip! If you book the nights with ABD, they will still pickup/dropoff at the airport (verify with the agent).
Take a day trip to Windsor Castle. It is darn easy to get to via train from the Waterloo station, which is about a mile from the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel (walk or taxi). The train station in the town of Windsor is literally just a few hundred yards from the castle. Exit the train station and walk up the street and around the corner to the left. There's the castle (voilà).
Another fairly simple trip is to Hampton Court. The walk from the train station is about 1/2 mile.
IMO, the "Must Do" that is not included in the ABD intinerary is a cruise at night on the Seine River. We did this after the hotel group dinner on the evening of Day-4 (first day in Paris). Looking back, I think I would have skipped the dinner in the hotel.
My wife and I got some helpful hints from Alex, our guide, on how to navigate and purchase tickets for the Metro and we took 3 other women from the group with us. The view of the major landmarks, lit up at night, was magnificent! We were able to catch a 9:00 pm cruise near the Eiffel Tower and we were back in our room by 11:00 pm. I believe the cost was 9.50 Euro each (a steal in my mind).
There is a pharmacy/convenience store one block away from the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel as you walk towards the Holborn metro station. It was very similar to a Walgreen's or Rite Aid store. We were able to replace the things that didn't survive the flight in the cargo hold.
There is also a pharmacy and two bank ATM machines within one block of the Hotel Arc de Triomphe.
I asked the front desk at the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel if they do any money exchanges. They indicated that they will give you a cash advance and assess a room charge to your bill in that amount. I think the maximum amount was 200 pounds. At check-out, I paid off the room incidental charges (i.e. the 200 pounds) with my remaining pounds and the cash that I spent was then placed as a charge against my credit card. They did not assess any conversion charges. The hotel in Paris did not offer this perk.
Both hotels offered a wide array of breakfast foods. Fruits, cereals, pastries, eggs, meats, etc. Plenty of breakfast foods that you will recognize.
On the day trip to Versailles, dress appropriately to do the bike ride around the outer gardens. Don't miss out on doing the bike ride!
At the Gatwick Airport, as you are walking from your gate to the customs area, look for a small red London tourist guidebook that will be located on the wall in a dispenser. The guidebook is free and it was the best one that I found anywhere.
Be watchful of the "gypsy" ladies in Paris (as you leave the bus station, at the Eiffel Tower, at the Tuileries, etc.). You'll know them when you see them. They will be asking everyone "Do you speak English?". Ignore them and move on and watch your purse/wallet closely. If they have string, hide your fingers. They work in teams and try to distract you while the others circle behind.
Learn at least a few courtesy words in French. A feeble attempt to converse in French is met with help in English quickly. At least be able to ask politely if they speak English first.
If you ride the Paris Metro system, keep your validated tickets after you place them through the reader. The metro police make spot checks. We were talking with one of the local Paris guides, and she warned us about this. She said it only happens to her once or twice a year.
Well, on our third Metro trip, we were walking towards the Sortie (exit) with the crowd. Suddenly, many people in the crowd started scattering and running in the other direction. Hidden around the corner, running forward was the Metro police. They checked that we had validated ticket stubs and we were on our way.
Use the Concierge desks at the hotel. They are very very helpful and will assist with tickets, schedules, etc.
Finally, call your credit card company before you leave on your trip and inform them where you will be traveling in Europe and on what dates. The fraud departments are very quick to suspend charging privileges on credit cards. Charges in a foreign country is an automatic trigger.
I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you may have. Cheers.
CherylMomOf3
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 23
Thanks for all of the great advice. I learned a lot from your post. I definatly want to do the Seine cruise. We have been practicing some basic French already. The kids think that is fun. We like the website bonjour.com
I'll be watching for that trip report KLondon, thanks!
I'll be watching for that trip report KLondon, thanks!
I also just booked this trip for the same week! I'm waiting for my DH to get home (and for the kids to be in bed) to discuss the particulars and decide if we'll go for it or cancel within the 14 day window. I'm really excited about it b/c we haven't been on a family vacation for over a year! 
My DD will be 9 and my DS will be 7 at the time of the trip.
I too, really appreciate all the above advice from an experienced traveler with children! I've already printed it all out.
Where do you learn about the Disney add-on? Are you doing that through Disney or on your own?
I never knew about these Disney group trips and think they are a great idea! I'm already considering the Australia trip for 12/20 - 12/29, with possible add-ons over New Year's!
My DD will be 9 and my DS will be 7 at the time of the trip.I too, really appreciate all the above advice from an experienced traveler with children! I've already printed it all out.
Where do you learn about the Disney add-on? Are you doing that through Disney or on your own?
I never knew about these Disney group trips and think they are a great idea! I'm already considering the Australia trip for 12/20 - 12/29, with possible add-ons over New Year's!
CherylMomOf3
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 23
I booked the add on with my travel agent through ABD. We could choose between Disneyland Hotel or the New York Hotel. It includes transportation and tickets for the parks. Glad to see someone else going with us!
arbonnette
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2007
- Messages
- 447
So glad for you, Cheryl. This is only week we can't go during the summer and, alas, it is the only one available for our group size (9) this summer. I will have to live vicariously through you!
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