European Tours Thread 3

[summer_princess]

^ Yey! Great! I don't really like thick crowd though. Pictures will turn out soooo nice sans any people in the background LOL!

My biggest concern I'm travelling with a senior mom, she's not naman limited mobility but then of course i have to consider her welfare. Hopefully winter is just right for her, she hates warm weather though.
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Anyway, I received a Euro package for 2013. Paris-Switzerland-Rome 14days travel complete airfare,
4* accommodation, daily meals (except lunch) entrance to some spots in France, Italy & Switzerland.
The rate is only $3000+/pax.

I was computing our expenses parang napakamura nito noh, trusted agency naman as I know some friends who joined the tour already. I was just wondering how come napakamura ng tour, EU trip can be affordable rin naman pala.

[mama squeak!]

^sis, when ang travel dates na offered sa yo? With that price I'm assuming during low season. Is that based on twin sharing? How about your meals? Usually ang libre sa mga packaged tours is breakfast lang. Unless there is a special arrangement na kasama dinner.

Also make sure talagang 4* ang hotels nyo ha. Sometimes kasi they will classify a 2-3* hotel as 4* or kung talagang 4* it might be far from the center.

Not to burst your bubble basta tanungin mo lang mabuti yung details before you commit. Plus it's good that you do your own computation to compare the prices.

 

[summer_princess]

^ sis September or October 2013 travel via Gulf air. Probably they're filling up slots yet so no fixed date yet.

Had I receive this offer much sooner, I would've consider this. At least wala na akong problemahin sa itis. At wala pa raw naade deny na visa sa mga tours nila.

[foxymom]

^@summer_princess: i was in paris last year for the holidays weather was great, around 40-50sF (mga 5-10C ), drizzled once only and during the evening. but reports said europe had a mild winter last year. im praying that this year will also experience a relatively mild winter, but i doubt since i think it has started snowing in some parts :S

i'm worried though about your mom. hopefully she doesn't have athritis yet? the cold weather might activate/ aggravate it. and i'm not sure how much you will be using the metro (subway). just note that the metro stations rarely have escalators, you will be doing a lot of walking up and down the stairs. hindi din uso ang disabled access sa europe. hassle nga if meron ka anak at meron ka dala na stroller. also do not expect people to give way to elders, kanya kanya talaga mga tao dun :S

[Starlust]

@summer_princess: Re-weather my in laws & friends have started to complain about the weather in France, Germany, Switzerland & Belgium already. It's starting to snow in some places as early as now na din daw My MIL said maybe things will get a bit

I'll be back in Paris by Nov 21 hope it's not too freezing cold!

[summer_princess]

@foxymom my mom is kind of strong pa naman and is used to long walks as she jogs regularly not sure in the cold weather. In Paris we'll do some bus tours  but when we get to Nice as where our Titas are we'll do land travels (car) going to Italy so less public transpo for us.

You're right sisses, my Tita from nice said ang lamiiggg na raw and it's getting colder pa.

I dont know if I'll get happy or scared eh hahaha.

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Guys can you suggest possible iti for car travel coming from Nice, yung madadaanan Sana ng route going to Italy. Kaya ba to include ang Switzerland just for sight see and alis na rin agad within the day?

Were doing Dec23-27 Nice-Italy via car travel.

[mama squeak!]

^This website is very helpful. Every time hubby and I do a road trip in Europe this is the first website I check. You can even see the estimate toll fees and gas expenses.

[Mhoirae]

Just got back from a month in Europe.
Last stop was Barcelona, one day the weather was pleasantly cool, around 15C, the next day, it was windy and cold, below 10C !
Patong patong na lang ng Heattech shirts from Uniqlo, since they are thin and lightweight plus the tights.
Don't forget the scarf, they are lifesavers during cold weather and not just for porma. 
Barcelona is great, first time there, but it was more than I expected.

Had a great time in Europe !

[melvel]

Finally found a hotel in Paris.  It's in 3rd arr., and they have triple rooms.  The other two choices we had were in the 11th arr (close to Nation RER and Metro stations), but ultimately it was the location that made us choose our hotel.

Grabe the elevators in Paris are so small, unless you stay in a 4/5 star chain hotel!

I am still looking in case I find a better deal, refundable naman ang downpayment.

[Mhoirae]

@melvel, you may want to check out Hotel Tourisme.  It's at the 15th arr. very near the Eiffel Tower.  We stayed 5 nights this October, very good location, near grocery stores and across from it is a little street where most locals do their shopping.  It is also in front of a Metro stop where three lines converge, makes it easy to go everywhere.
We also had a triple room and the hotel has an elevator as well.

[melvel]

^Thanks!  Just checked it out and it looks great!  Kaso their website doesn't allow booking for my dates yet.  Will just email them directly.

The rooms are ok naman?  And the elevator is standard size or the small one?

[foxymom]

@melvel: naku super small ang mga elevators and bathrooms! hahahahaha as in i know why europeans cannot get fat :S

[summer_princess]

Slight OT. Sisses stock up your winter wardrobe, Uniqlo is on sale
Ph590 for diff kinds of turtle neck shirts, the heat tech kind ha, tights are just ph190, the michelin type jackets are just 1990 (coming from 3990)

Gotta hoard those heattech clothing, I'm wondering if theyre really effective though.

[melvel]

@melvel: naku super small ang mga elevators and bathrooms! hahahahaha as in i know why europeans cannot get fat :S

True! Pang two persons lang ang elevator. And they don't get fat kasi ang daming stairs! Haha!

I'm really liking that Tourisme Hotel ha. Sana may available pa on our dates, the rooms looks more spacious!

[annecel]

Hi sis! May i know the name of your travel agency? I'm still looking for a reliable and cost- effective one for our trip on april. My parents, both senior citizens already but still active, might join us. Thanks so much!

^ Yey! Great! I don't really like thick crowd though. Pictures will turn out soooo nice sans any people in the background LOL!

My biggest concern I'm travelling with a senior mom, she's not naman limited mobility but then of course i have to consider her welfare. Hopefully winter is just right for her, she hates warm weather though.
-----
Anyway, I received a Euro package for 2013. Paris-Switzerland-Rome 14days travel complete airfare,
4* accommodation, daily meals (except lunch) entrance to some spots in France, Italy & Switzerland.
The rate is only $3000+/pax.

I was computing our expenses parang napakamura nito noh, trusted agency naman as I know some friends who joined the tour already. I was just wondering how come napakamura ng tour, EU trip can be affordable rin naman pala.

[Mhoirae]

@melvel, the elevator is small but 3 people with luggage can fit into it.
tip pala, do not get the breakfast from the hotel, we didn't, since we felt that 9 euro for croissant, jam and coffee is too much.
there is a mcdonald's right across the street, where you can get delicious breakfast for so much less.
or you could just get yogurt and bread from the Monoprix a few steps away from the hotel the night before.
Try the yogurt in the glass bottles, they are delicious, we had them everyday, tried every flavor.  yum!

[Mhoirae]

@summer_princess, heattech does work.  I have loads of them, from short sleeves, turtleneck and longsleeves.

Wear them as your first layer, the second layer should be something warm like cashmere, wool or knit.  the top layer should be windproof, that would block the cold wind from seeping in, like leather either real or synthetic.
If it is really cold, i layer two heattechs since they are thin and not bulky.

[melvel]

@melvel, the elevator is small but 3 people with luggage can fit into it.
tip pala, do not get the breakfast from the hotel, we didn't, since we felt that 9 euro for croissant, jam and coffee is too much.
there is a mcdonald's right across the street, where you can get delicious breakfast for so much less.
or you could just get yogurt and bread from the Monoprix a few steps away from the hotel the night before.
Try the yogurt in the glass bottles, they are delicious, we had them everyday, tried every flavor.  yum!

Thanks for all the tips!  I'm waiting to hear back from them.

How are the bathrooms naman?  We're thinking of booking the junior suite since it's not that much more expensive that the triple occupancy room.

Re Heattech:  I love their leggings, in fact I just stocked up a few weeks ago.  They were my lifesaver when I went to the US in February last year.  I like them so much more than the ordinary thermal underwear.

[summer_princess]

Sis @mhoirae yay! Is that the weather now? 3 layer na agad? Can't imagine on December oh nooo!
Dko alam if I'll be scared or happy sa December trip namin.
It's so hot in Manila now so I'm really itching to leave na:)

I'm thinking of this set up: heattech top, coat + scarf.
For bottom naman, definitely double or triple layer: tights, extra length socks, leggings plus knee high boots. Sana naman enough na ang layering na rin Ayayayy!!

Prob ko pa I've more dresses than jeans. Mas tipid kase mag pack ng dress no need to worry on bottom wear, guess my dresses are useless in this euro trip, winter time in its full glory!

Hi sis! May i know the name of your travel agency? I'm still looking for a reliable and cost- effective one for our trip on april. My parents, both senior citizens already but still active, might join us. Thanks so much!

Sis PM me your email add will just forward you the packages.

[foxymom]

Slight OT. Sisses stock up your winter wardrobe, Uniqlo is on sale
Ph590 for diff kinds of turtle neck shirts, the heat tech kind ha, tights are just ph190, the michelin type jackets are just 1990 (coming from 3990)

Gotta hoard those heattech clothing, I'm wondering if theyre really effective though.

omg, thanks for the heads up!! i super love heattech!!