France Thread 2 (Paris and all other cities) *Check Pg. 1 for reference links*

[mama squeak!]

@bluestar_65, we did Paris to Lourdes via train but we got the overnight train that left from Gare D'Austerlitz. If you'll be leaving from Gare Montparnasse, you will be taking the TGV (fast trains) which will take roughly 5 hours. I've seen a lot of old folks taking the trains, no problems whatsoever. The big stations naman are elderly/handicap friendly. The platforms are level with the train doors if not it's just a step up. Problem lang would be if you'll be bringing big bags with you since you don't get to check them in but take them with you inside the compartment.

When we went to Lourdes we were two couples traveling together so we took the 4-berth sleeper/couchettes. We left around 10PM and arrived in Lourdes at 6AM. So we practically had the whole day to see Lourdes. We decided to stay overnight since we wanted to join their nightly procession.

Next day it was off to Toulouse (1 hr train ride away) to pick up hubby's airplane. 


@aquacharly, when we did the Baths we had to stand in line for 3-4 hours! The men's queue was shorter. Go figure!

I just don't know how it is right now but when we did the Baths we had our purses with us and cameras of course. When it was our turn, we were led to the changing rooms where we left our stuff. We had to strip (undies and all!) kasi cotton gown lang suot mo when they dip you. I was kinda worried catching a cold since this was in October and it was freezing na for me. But surprisingly as soon as I made ahon from the pool I was dry as a bone! I didn't feel cold or anything. Probably why they don't provide towels as well. It was eerily weird. Iba yung feeling mo after!

Re water, Paris' tap water is actually potable but hubby and I don't attempt to drink it. Hehe! Hirap na to have a bum stomach while traveling. But their tap water is clean. What we do though since we stay at an apartment we buy those mineral water that comes in big gallons that you can buy in any Monoprix or Franprix grocery. We also buy mga 500ml or liter-sized mineral water bottles then just refill them with the water we bought every time we go out.

If you stay at an apartment it will definitely be cheaper because you will have the option to cook food or buy ready to serve food and just eat in. Any leftovers just stick them in the fridge then zap them in the micro for next day's meal. We love their version of Andok's manok, the Poulet Roti. The potato wedges are so good too since they're cooked using the roti's drippings. Yikes! 

I love breakfast! We would just run down to the nearest boulangerie and buy us those baguettes (cost around .80 to .85) and carry them typical French style over the shoulder    Then off to the cremerie to buy a stick of butter and a wedge of cheese. Coffee will be the French-press style, of course!

My upcoming trip in September, I'll be traveling with my sister and we'll be flying in from New York. I redeemed points with my AsiaMiles for both of us. Just had to pay for the tax, USD100 each round trip ticket. I love AsiaMiles!

Yeah, the nearer the departure you buy your tickets the more expensive. Right now the cheapest tickets so far I've seen are with KLM and CX.

 

[riksy07]

Sisses, here's my report on the Paris leg of my trip:

LODGING

I opted to stay at a room rented out through AirBnb.com. The owner is a lovely French lady who is an English school teacher with three kids, a husband, and a nanny. The room is sort of annexed from the house. I still had to pass the living room and dining room, then go out to the garden, and voila, there was my room. I had a bathroom all to myself, a work desk of sorts, a mini fridge, pantry, oven, microwave, and pretty much all the utensils and plates I was to need. My bed was on the upper floor which was accessed through a pull down ladder (it was loft style). The house owner did my laundry for 5 Euros. I was charged 236Euros for 6 nights, with food included. I just drank tap water and refilled my water bottle everytime I'd go out. I didn't have stomach problems or anything from the water. It was great staying at a rented out room and all but next time I'd probably opt to stay somewhere in the center where all the chaos is going on. I think a hostel/two-star hotel would be better for me or maybe a room but somewhere near the more populated or touristy arrondisements.

PARIS MUSEUM PASS

A must, definitely. I was able to gain instant access to the Louvre with it. I just skipped the long line with a smug face and the pass in my hand. I also used it for Versailles, the Conciergerie, Arc du Triomphe, and Sainte- Chapelle. I think it's very much worth it.

METRO

At first, I was very, very confused with their metro. I was still missing the Tube and my first impression with their metro was, "Ay bakit ang panghi?" For me, it was always dark, smelly, and shady. I couldn't help comparing it to the Tube which I liked more. There were stations that were okay, like the one at Chateau de Vincennes (maybe because I was always here) and the really busy ones near the touristy areas. I didn't like the Musee d'Orsay station. It was just so big and so scary and it was a Monday when I got there which meant the Musee d'Orsay was closed and there were practically no people in the station.

PICKPOCKETING/THIEVES/HOMELESS PEOPLE

I did not have any pickpocketing experiences in Paris which I am very glad because there was something about Paris that made me feel not too safe compared to London. I'm not sure where I can attribute such feelings but my instincts and alertness sort of doubled when I was in Paris. There were just a bunch of gypsies and homeless people and beggars on trains.

NAVIGATING

I downloaded the Pocket Earth app on my iPhone and basically this was what I used to navigate around Paris. But I also had this foldable map book thing I bought from Powerbooks and it was useful in giving a bigger picture of where the tourist spots were located in terms of proximity to each other. It wasn't really hard going around but I wished I used more of the buses than the metro.

FOOD

I basically survived on baguettes, croissants, macarons, crepes, cereals, and salads. There was this one time when my French cousin took me out for lunch and I just loved the food at Paradis du Fruit. It's at Rue St. Honore. Other than that, I was munching on macarons or trying out different crepes.

COMMUNICATION

I was on roaming the whole time because I did not want to be burdened bringing another phone for all the various SIMs I'll be using. I didn't have to use it much anyway because I also brought my netbook and wifi was good at the place where I was staying. Plus, whenever I'd find free wifi at places I was eating, I'd connect to their wifi and then surf. GPS was all I needed anyway for navigating.

That's all I could think of for now. Will try to update again.

[bluestar_65]

^^ thanks for the assurance, mama squeak! i want my parents to be as comfortable as possible, and was worrying about the height of the TGV doors vis-a-vis the platform. if it's going to be something like italy's frecciarossa trains, my mom might find it difficult na bumwelo from the platform. great to hear that's not the case. 

Atchi said when you go to the baths -- someone must stay  behind to watch your bags and jackets oz you leave these outside daw (no can bring inside) eh di waste of time, palitan sa pila (unless 1 of you won't go lublob).  So we plan to go with no jackets & no bags  to the baths --  just cash in pants pocket, and heat tech undershirt if day is chilly.   

ANYMORE useful tips for Lourdes, PLEASE? 

@aquacharly - i did the baths a little over a year ago (once per day for the two days i was there -- first day for me, second day for loved ones back home), and both times i didn't leave my bag/coat with anyone outside. well, i didn't have a choice as i was alone.  like what mama squeak said, there is a changing area inside - just adjacent to the "bathing area" - where the nice, old lola volunteers help pilgrims undress. they also watch over the clothes/purses/jackets left behind, so i was never really worried that someone was going to get my stuff.

the baths are not open all day long...if i remember correctly, three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon. weekends, only in the afternoon. as the queue for the women's section can get VERY long, i suggest you line up early for the morning session. maybe an hour and a half before the baths open? you'd be done by about 10:30 and you can enjoy the rest of your day. sayang your lourdes experience if you're just lining up the the entire time. 

if you are going with someone who's sick, tell him/her to get a medical certificate. you show the med cert to a certain office in lourdes (name escapes me now -- sorry), and the sick pilgrim gets issued a 'carte de malade'. that's a badge of some sort that's meant to be worn so the lourdes people know you're supposed to be given priority (baths/mass/blessings/grotto, etc.). no more lining up in that case.

i'd recommend my hotel -- small but very clean room, not very touristy because it was patronized mostly by french pilgrims (i was the oddity during meal times -- the one asian haha), the homecooked meals for breakfast and dinner were VERY good -- BUT wifi is available ONLY in the  little lobby/dining area. i'm sure ngunguynguy your husband, so wag na lang. 

[mama squeak!]

^It's still the same pala for the Baths. When we got to the grotto around 11AM the gates were closed already and there was another queue for the 2PM schedule. Kaya we queued up na rin for the afternoon Bath since the line was getting long. Good thing we were travelling with another couple kaya we took turns na maka-ikot while the other two kept our place in line.

Another tip on Lourdes, the town is small lang and the cathedral is only a short walk from most hotels but if you prefer to take the bus you can save a bit if you buy round trip tickets. The bus fare is cheap to start with but if you're penny pinching, good idea to buy return tickets. And say "salamat" to the driver. Just goes to show Pinoys are regulars at Lourdes.

Bring your own water bottles if you intend to take home holy water. Take as much as you can, it's free. Then just buy those small bottles for refill and as pasalubongs. The souvenir stores are just outside the gates of the Pilgrimage center. Buy from the stores located further inside as they're cheaper as compared to the ones right by the street.

If you want to go around town, no need to get a tour. As I've mentioned earlier the town is small lang you can walk it or take the bus.

Of course, you have to try the region's local dish, the cassoulet. It's a heavy stew made with beans, duck or pork meat and sausages. Very tasty. Best to have it for lunch since it is very filling.

We stayed at the Best Western Beausejour just right across the train station. Very convenient if you have big bags with you. There is also a bus stop in front of the hotel that can take you to the cathedral. If you decide to stay at this hotel request for a room with a view of the Pyrenees mountains. Great to wake up to in the mornings!

 

[mama squeak!]

@aquacharly, answered your PM  I re-read your earlier post and just wanted to add about train travel to Lourdes. In general for me if the duration of train travel is more than 4hours I go First Class. It's more comfy and more space for your bags. Plus most of the time if tickets are bought in advance the price difference between First and Second class is minimal though First class will have more ticket restriction (non-refundable, non-rebookable, etc). If your travel dates are fixed this shouldn't be an issue.

I always get my tickets online. For our Lourdes trip, we got our train tickets online direct from the SNCF website since it was an overnight train. For the TGV trains you can buy online too.

Re SIM cards, any Tabac stall in the city will sell them. Not sure lang how much and what the rates are. Or you can always ask the tourist info counter at CDG where you can buy at the terminal. Best to buy everything there na including museum and transport passes since the lines at the train stations can be very long.

 

[aquacharly]

BLUESTAR:  thanks for the updates
MAMASQUEAK:  thank you a million times for the help.

This is, God willing, gonna be my 4th trip to France, Italy & Spain.
But this is the 1st time ever!  I had to make the arrangements and think things through, and not go the usual way of hubby.
Kasi, this spur of the moment trip decided on just a week ago (for May 15-18 departures) became a "talaba phenomenon".  Yung from 3, eh running 24 na kami.  hehe
So, hubby is forced to junk his usual "best hotels", no fixed itinerary, 1st-class manner of travel.  Otherwise, wala sasama!  lol
OO nga naman, better scrimp and divert to shopping. hehe

Anyway, we 2 got the earliest interview of our group at the French Embassy. 
So the burden of making the blueprint everybody will copy fell on me.  hopia.
Ka tense!  MAMA SQUEAK sure had a lot of answers.  THANK YOU!

The info I got from 2 friends who just arrived from Europe:
    The French Embassy will want to see the train/plane ticket/booking from place to place, not just the hotels. 
IF you are pressed for time, you cannot purchase on line and wait for the rail tickets to be fedexed to you (kasi eto na like us, interview date na!) -- use a tour operator/travel agency to make the booking for you. 
    It also helps if you can show any online tickets you purchase for any day tour, Eiffel Tower/museum  entry, etc. etc.   Eto wala na ko time to get, so am crossing my fingers and legs hindi ako kulitin dito.
Pero teka, I still have a few hours to go online so baka ma gets ko pa.  susko photo finish.

I am quite confident, if I did not forget any document required (I am OC and kinda paranoid, weird) --  hubby and I will get approved. 

What I want to know is, if ANYBODY has done this?  Como you come back for denial/approval of visa in what -- 7 or 10 days -- puede ko kaya request that I just bring back our passports the day before or on the day of visa approval/release?  Gusto ko sana fastbreak visa application sa British Embassy.  We got our previous visas there approved in just 3 days (as in we got our passports with approved visas couriered to us on the 3rd day). haynako.  I hope ganon pa rin ang system.

Also, MAMASQUEAK -- supposedly, there are GPS (for walking units)  for rent in Paris.  Would you know if that is true, and where do I go to rent it?  THANK YOU!!

Also, for the older members of our group -- we thought of them going ahead by a day, breaking the trip by train to Lourdes with an overnight stop to Toulouse.  Meron may health problems, meron may pacemaker, meron may ewan ko ano pa reklamo! - so hindi daw puede a 7hr train trip. 
MAMASQUEAK?  Worth spending a day ba there?  If yes, we will have all  go as 1 group and make that halfday-overnight stop.  May hotel daw right there smack near the train station?

I am soo excited over this DIY trip, if I don't drop dead of a heart attack first sa tension of putting it all together.  Susko.  But it is fun, the "talaba phenomenon".  Masaya naman my sisters and their families.  Dapat lang talaga economical and efficient ang travel so more can go.   





 

[mama squeak!]

Wow Aquacharly! Exciting and extra challenge! 

Here are some links that can help you more in your planning:

Paris Museum Pass - you can purchase this online. Choose the option for visitor's office pick up to save on time and shipping cost.
Although you don't have the museum pass on hand, you can show the embassy the confirmation receipt of your purchase.

Eiffel Tower tickets or better yet make reservations with Le Jules Verne restaurant. You can cancel your online reservation as soon as you're done with your interview. At least no cancellation fees involved. Or you can always go ahead and dine there 

For train tickets WITHIN France (for your Paris-Lourdes leg), I discovered a new website where you can purchase online and get an e-ticket. Problem lang the website is in French, no translation. But it's easy to navigate naman. You might want to try it, Capitaine Train. I made a mock booking for the TGV on First class, it came out to EUR164 for two pax while EUR102 on Second Classe naman.

We did Lourdes as an overnight trip mainly because we wanted to join their night procession. But you can easily do this as a day trip from Toulouse (start early). There are regular local trains plying the Toulouse-Lourdes route. In case you want to overnight it, there is a hotel just across the train station. It's the Best Western Beausejour. That's where we stayed, clean, convenient and affordable.

If you decide to base in Toulouse and if it will be your first time there, get a hotel right at the city center. It's going to be a bit expensive but you will be where the action is. Transpo either via bus or metro is easier there unlike in Paris. Cleaner pa!

You can dine typical French style at the Marche Victor Hugo. It's a building with a market on the ground floor and dining facilities on the 1st floor (American 2nd floor). Yum!

Not sure about the GPS rentals, but if you have an iPhone just download any Paris walking tour app and you're good to go. Aside from our iPhones, hubby and I also have the Garmin Nuvi that we use for our road trips that can also be handheld. We just upload the latest Euro maps.

Ay naku! Masaya talaga yang gagawin mo   Good luck!

[vhanya]

mamasqueak, buti pala may links na on the first page. im planning our 2nd european trip. one month ulit wuhoooo!!
Btw, ok ba gamitin Vueling for our Paris-Madrid-Barcelona-Milan trip? Ayoko talaga mag-overnight train!

[mama squeak!]

^I'm so inggit! Hanggang three weeks max lang kami because of hubby's work.   

I haven't tried flying between cities in Europe because for some reason or another we always end up taking the trains. So far maganda naman our experiences. Well except for that time I lost my phone but that was still at the station. On board okay naman.

Our recent overnight trips (Amsterdam-Prague and Prague-Strasbourg), we got the deluxe compartment complete with our own toilet and shower. Though not all European trains have these kind of compartments. Swerte lang for our routes meron.

Madrid-Barcelona, you can probably take the train since short travel time lang. One of our GT is based in Madrid, si letters_to_cleo. You can probably send her a PM or post your concerns in the Spain thread.

  

[vhanya]

^^thanks mamasqueak. I checked the train schedule and yes, i think we can take the train for the Madrid-Barcelona trip. So, going out of Paris and out of Spain lang kami mag-plane =)

[waychraych]

Hi, just want to ask -- if the French embassy requires train bookings, how can this be done?
Meron bang refundable tickets for the train? Sayang naman kasi kung magbobook ka and then denied pala.
Our planned route is Paris - Rome - Barcelona. Is there a way to book trains for this route with a non-refundable fee?

Also, if needed din bookings for the attractions, may non-refundable ticket ba for Disneyland Paris? 

Thanks!

[melvel]

Finally got my Schengen visa today!  Paris, I'll finally see you in about 2 months!  Yahoo!

[mama squeak!]

@waychraych, the embassy will require proof of your transportation in getting from one place to the other basing on the itinerary you will be submitting. It doesn't necessarily have to be train tickets, it can be air or bus/coach bookings/tickets. So depende talaga yan sa itinerary mo.

Re refundable train tickets, yes just like plane tickets there are refundable train tickets. Understandably it will be more expensive. The rule is (and this is good for all modes of transportation) the cheaper the fare the more restrictions it will have i.e. non-refundable, non-reroutable, non-rebookable.

For attraction passes, most of them if not all will be non-refundable. You just have to read and understand the terms and conditions before you buy.

The bottom line is, if you want to play it safe because you are not sure if you will be given a visa, then you will have to purchase the more expensive kind of tickets. Bawi mo bayad mo in case denied ka.

But if you're the gambling-type of person, buy cheap and cross your fingers na mabigyan ka ng visa.

 

[paulina19]

Hi, just want to ask -- if the French embassy requires train bookings, how can this be done?
Meron bang refundable tickets for the train? Sayang naman kasi kung magbobook ka and then denied pala.
Our planned route is Paris - Rome - Barcelona. Is there a way to book trains for this route with a non-refundable fee?

Also, if needed din bookings for the attractions, may non-refundable ticket ba for Disneyland Paris? 

Thanks!

Hi Mama Squeak, are you referring this for the applicaiton of Schengen Visa or in France sa Immigration upon arrival? Pagdating po ba sa Immigraiton in France may mga interview pa din or nned to present documents like Hotels and trainbookings?  TIA

[mama squeak!]

^sis application pa lang yan sa embassy.

Of course when you enter a Schengen state you have to have these documents on-hand. But per my experience never pa hinanap sa amin yung mga tickets, hotel/apartment bookings, etc. during immig clearance at the port of entry. All the IOs ask is the purpose of our visit and until when kami sa Europe. Minsan nga wala ng tanong-tanong, stamp na lang sa passport.

[aquacharly]

Actually, mga Sis -- the easy way to go about it is to throw it at a tour operator/travel agency.  For a processing fee of  3thou - 10thou per pax (depende sa itinerary).  They fix your hotel bookings, transpo bookings --  pag gamit mo tour operator/travel agency accredited with the embassies -- you can get away with just bookings for everything, and you do not pay for anything except when you decide to use the bookings.  But there - you pay for the processing/pax.   ( Andon pa sa loob ng Embassy to make you alalay! ). After you get your visa, you can just DIY if you have time. 

Or,  you just join one of those organized tours.  Actually, Bihira na reject pag take an organized tour, even the cheaper Contiki tours. 
After the tour, you can extend your stay & go wherever.
Actually, once you get your Schengen visa --  puede ka na roam wherever - but be sure you don't exceed 90 days if single-entry your visa.

Now, the really best way to do it is the way MAMASQUEAK does it :  DIY months in advance.  You get better value for money, and maximize your time utilization.

Coz PAULINA 19, susko  --  sa French Embassy. talagang scrutinize your hotel accommodations, then your
Transpo (que rail/air/car/cariton your  transfer from city to city/country.   Each day of your trip must be covered by a hotel booking/reservation. 
You make tiaga and provide hotel bookings (choose free cancellation hotels) but the hard part is producing the rail tickets which they fedex to you here.   Your  plane ticket -- get booking from travel agency.  but the within-Schengen flights --  book & buy yan. 

So, think it out well, and plan months in advance like MAMASQUEAK.
She is generous, and shares her efficient tips.

sa POE -- ay maluwag basta, look like you can afford to travel.  Alam mo na why, I don't wanna be politically-incorrect at mabato pa ko dito. 

IF you are a business owner, they will not even look at your ITR during the interview --  but ask:  How much do you earn in a month?
Don't bother with credit cards, wala sila interest don at all.

Provide a 1pge brief company profile.
There is much interest in what projects your business has on-going.  Take note.

The interview is very much shortened, per my observation, if you answer "No" to: You have family or relatives in Europe? 

Bring your old passports with  US, Schengen, Other European countries, Japanese & Australian visas - all the expired & current.   

Even if you are legally husband & wife, sabay interview, and like us own a business we both manage or draw salaries from --  You must prep 2 separate xerox documents.  As if, each 1 of you went for interview alone.  oo, even if your travel accommodations involve 1 room, 1 bed. 

Now, if most of your assets are in company name (for reasons we business owners know why) --  bring CTCs of the latest GIS filed with the SEC.  Gets ng consul doon see how much, & if you really do, own the company.

What else? You will be asked about previous trips to Schengen & the year you went.  But they couldn't care less what you did, which cities you visited.  Just enumerate the year, the countries. 

Of course: Why are you going to Europe again? was asked. 
Lol, I controlled myself; it wouldn't be in my interest to respond with a filosofa reply.

All I can say is, the embassies that require no personal appearance are really more convenient -- pass your papers lang.   

[melvel]

I had a relatively easy time at the French embassy.  I was actually surprised at how quick the whole process was.   I'm single, no children, so in my mind that raises a red flag for consuls.   It was my first time applying for  a Schengen visa.

The guy just asked for my application form and photocopies of my supporting documents.  He didn't even check if my supporting documents were complete, and didn't even ask to see the originals!  He just scanned the documents, noted that I would be coming from London and would not be going to any other Schengen state except France.  Then all of his questions were related to my job: how long I've been a lawyer, how long I've been working for my current employer, if my friends were lawyers too.  That's it.  Interview was April 24, got my visa May 2 (6 working days).

My show money was not that stupendous kasi tinamad na akong kumuha ng certificates for my other accounts. Haha. I just showed them one bank account and my ITR and my certificate of employment and compensation.  Sa tingin ko they don't put that much weignt into bank accounts anyway kasi madaling manghiram ng money.  What is more important (IMO), is stable job and/or business, and your ITR.

I honestly think that you do not need a travel agent, even if you're busy with work (like me), just devote a couple of days to document gathering and you can complete all requirements yourself.

[aquacharly]

^What made me throw it to a travel agency (again) was the tediousness of getting the train/within- Schengen flights.   The charge of the agency vs what I bring into our business given the same hours, was a no brainer choice.  haha   But next time, I will rise to  the challenge, basta hindi 1 week between the go-fly decision and the interview appointment. 

MAMASQUEAK provides helpful tips for such;  but I really couldn't sort it out in 5 working days for us and our companion coming in from the US 

MELVEL:   May I know how you provided proofs/bookings for such; or did you outright purchase these?
And   of course your documents are hardly scrutinized.   Single, with no children, so what?  -- you are a lawyer.  There is your title:  "Atty." that dazzles all.  Aba, dapat lang!   

Actually,  it would have simplified matters if we just presented a simplified itinerary, as in the trip is just to 1 place. 
That way, all that is required to be provided is  just 1 booking for 1 hotel (internet, with no cost cancellation), plus just 1 booking for a dated round-trip Manila-Destination-Manila. (Which is sooo easy to get from any travel agency here, cost free).   
LOL  KISS, nga sabi sa MBA school (Keep It Simple, St*pid). hehe   

[mama squeak!]

^Aquacharly, it is no easy feat trying to accomplish what you are doing. I admire you for taking up the challenge of preparing a trip in such a short time. Okay lang sana if it were just you and your hubby but a big group? Hello, naging instant tour operator ang dating mo.    It is understandable to get the services of a travel agent since they have all the resources at their finger tips (for a fee, of course).

For those ladies who have sent me PMs, I'll try to consolidate all my files first para systematic. Then I'll send them via group email. Kindly be patient lang. thanks!

 

[melvel]

aquacharly:  Since I was coming from London, I provided a copy of my Eurostar bookimg. That was fully paid na, since there's no reservation system with Eurostar. Then I also provided a copy of my Cathay Pacific booking from CDG to Manila.  I made a reservation directly with Cathay, simple lang all I had to do was email the agent (referred to me by Mama Squeak). I didn't have to pay for my ticket until May 6, so I only paid for it as soon as I got my visa last Friday.

For hotels, we booked directly with the hotel (not through Agoda or similar websites). Even in my other trips, I prefer booking directly with the hotel. Paid 10% deposit plus booking fees lang, if I decide to cancel they'll just forfeit booking fee but refund the 10%. 

Truth be told, we did not really save much by not getting a travel agent. I probably could have found cheaper tickets and accommodations, but I put a premium on convenience and reliability in choosing airlines and hotels. 

You're right, the key is to prepare months in advance. But if short preparation time, I'll probably go with travel agent also.