Help -Our Paris tour guide Cancelled on us!
Jun 3rd, 2006, 05:17 PM
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Help -Our Paris tour guide Cancelled on us!
I had booked Michael Osman in January to guide our party of 6 around Paris for two days on June 21 and June 23. He just today emailed me and cancelled. I have a feeling that I will not be able to get another private guide unless he/she has a cancellation. Any ideas on how I can piece together tours to hit the major sites in Paris. For instance, are there guides at Louvre that can do a "highlights" tour? Is there a good bus tour that you can take around the city and get off at sites?
Any help will be appreciated - this has really left us in a lurch with less than 2 weeks until we leave.
Liz
Any help will be appreciated - this has really left us in a lurch with less than 2 weeks until we leave.
Liz
Jun 3rd, 2006, 05:34 PM
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Why do you need a tour guide? Just do some research (get a good book like Eyewitness), go, and enjoy everything! You don't need a tour guide to do the best stuff - eat, hang at cafes, wander the streets. The Louvre has a brochure for "highlights" or you can do a little advance work on that too. I mean, the Louvre is HUGE and you could spend all 3 days in there.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 05:36 PM
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Liz, there is a hop on / hop off tour take a look at http://tinyurl.com/h6hjj
The Louvre does have a highlights tour, and you can use the Audio Guide (many museums have them and they are a great tool for understanding what you are looking at)
Maybe you can do these things on your own and use Surfmom's guide to plan a special day out?
The Louvre does have a highlights tour, and you can use the Audio Guide (many museums have them and they are a great tool for understanding what you are looking at)
Maybe you can do these things on your own and use Surfmom's guide to plan a special day out?
Jun 3rd, 2006, 05:38 PM
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Not cheap, but very good if you happen to be able to book her:
http://www.parispersonalized.com/index.html
http://www.parispersonalized.com/index.html
Jun 3rd, 2006, 05:43 PM
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Try www.contextparis.com. I have used their guides extensively in Rome and they are the best!
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Jun 3rd, 2006, 05:46 PM
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I think you'll be fine with the hop on hop off bus tour that Grantop suggested. You may also enjoy the hop on hop off boat tour of the Seine -the Batobus.(http://www.batobus.com/english/mentions.htm)
I'm curious though, what reason did Michael Osman give you for cancelling at the last minute? Did he suggest an alternative?
I'm curious though, what reason did Michael Osman give you for cancelling at the last minute? Did he suggest an alternative?
Jun 3rd, 2006, 06:00 PM
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Hi, he said that his family suddenly decided to come and visit him in Paris after 9 years of not visiting him. I do not doubt this but I also do not like our group of 6 (ages 9 to 68) being left in the lurch. If it was just myself and my husband, I wouldn't care that much but I have volunteered to provide 2 seemless days of touring to our group and was depending on Michael to help me...
Sorry, I know we'll figure it out. I just want everyone to have a good time.
Sorry, I know we'll figure it out. I just want everyone to have a good time.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 06:04 PM
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There was a sort of similar thread not too long ago, and in the end the poster booked with "Andre". Maybe this will help you out.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2
Jun 3rd, 2006, 06:05 PM
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That link wasn't helpful!
Here is a cut and paste:
Author: dcd
Date: 05/14/2006, 11:57 am
fun_4_us -- Now at home, I can tell you that the other guide I recommend is Andre whose primary job is doing tours for the large tour companies like ParisVision. Sounds like he's a subcontractor in that regard. We had him all day for a trip in a minibus to Loire Valley and were totally impressed. Very professional, very personable and not afraid to let his hair down (if requested) and tell you what he thinks about the issues of the day. Very thoughtful and intelligent man. Probably in his early or mid 30s. Started out with an economics degree and ended up sitting in front of a computer screen all day. Wasn't his thing. So in 1999, he decided to pursue his passions, people and Paris, and began touring. At the end of our tour, I asked him whether he gave private tours of Paris and he said definitely. He charges 130 E per day which covers everything, including metro tickets and museum tickets. He gave me his email address which is: [email protected] Good luck! Dave
Here is a cut and paste:
Author: dcd
Date: 05/14/2006, 11:57 am
fun_4_us -- Now at home, I can tell you that the other guide I recommend is Andre whose primary job is doing tours for the large tour companies like ParisVision. Sounds like he's a subcontractor in that regard. We had him all day for a trip in a minibus to Loire Valley and were totally impressed. Very professional, very personable and not afraid to let his hair down (if requested) and tell you what he thinks about the issues of the day. Very thoughtful and intelligent man. Probably in his early or mid 30s. Started out with an economics degree and ended up sitting in front of a computer screen all day. Wasn't his thing. So in 1999, he decided to pursue his passions, people and Paris, and began touring. At the end of our tour, I asked him whether he gave private tours of Paris and he said definitely. He charges 130 E per day which covers everything, including metro tickets and museum tickets. He gave me his email address which is: [email protected] Good luck! Dave
Jun 3rd, 2006, 06:17 PM
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Try contacting: [email protected]
She writes for www.bonjourparis.com and it's reported that her tours are super.
She writes for www.bonjourparis.com and it's reported that her tours are super.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 06:43 PM
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Hi Lizkn:
Well, my post to you will be of absolutely no help, but I just wanted to commiserate with you.
I was the first person on Michael's April 06 calendar. I had originally contacted him in Sept of 05 to arrange a days tour, and we firmed up the date in December when he set up his April Calendar.
Just 10 days before our tour day he cancelled on me. Said he had "forced travel" out of town. I don't think I would have known about the cancellation even 10 days ahead except I wrote TO HIM to reconfirm my date. Actually, he never responded to my first two emails to reconfirm and only cancelled on my third attempt to reach him. I found it very difficult to communicate with him. He either would not respond to emails or he would take his sweet time to do so.
He advised his partner Scott was also unavailable, but he recommended Linda Mathieu Paris tours.
Well, my post to you will be of absolutely no help, but I just wanted to commiserate with you.
I was the first person on Michael's April 06 calendar. I had originally contacted him in Sept of 05 to arrange a days tour, and we firmed up the date in December when he set up his April Calendar.
Just 10 days before our tour day he cancelled on me. Said he had "forced travel" out of town. I don't think I would have known about the cancellation even 10 days ahead except I wrote TO HIM to reconfirm my date. Actually, he never responded to my first two emails to reconfirm and only cancelled on my third attempt to reach him. I found it very difficult to communicate with him. He either would not respond to emails or he would take his sweet time to do so.
He advised his partner Scott was also unavailable, but he recommended Linda Mathieu Paris tours.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 06:55 PM
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HappyCheesehead - Hum. I hate to say it but the same thing happened here. I sent two emails with my requested itineraries and only got this cancellation response on the second try. I am sure that he probably has alot of people cancel on him too but I think that he can probably pick up another client where I am not sure if I can pick up another guide.
Thank you all for advice so far - I will check with guides and if all else fails will put together a tour using bus and maps.
Thank you all for advice so far - I will check with guides and if all else fails will put together a tour using bus and maps.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 07:06 PM
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Liz,
I have not followed all of your posts, but Paris is the easiest city to visit. I never even thought of getting a guide for Paris. They have the best subway system I have ever encountered. I can't speak a word of French and we never got lost once. It is such a great place that my first instinct is that a guide would mess up the experience. Is there a particular reason why you want a guide? A good guide book (I think we used eye witness) is all you need. What sort of things are you looking to do? We do often get guides and they are wonderful for many places. But not so sure for Paris...
I have not followed all of your posts, but Paris is the easiest city to visit. I never even thought of getting a guide for Paris. They have the best subway system I have ever encountered. I can't speak a word of French and we never got lost once. It is such a great place that my first instinct is that a guide would mess up the experience. Is there a particular reason why you want a guide? A good guide book (I think we used eye witness) is all you need. What sort of things are you looking to do? We do often get guides and they are wonderful for many places. But not so sure for Paris...
Jun 4th, 2006, 01:18 AM
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There is virtually no legitimate excuse for a guide to cancel short of debilitating illness. Many people plan their trips months in advance and have a lot of money riding on them (much of which they will lose if they attempt any last-minute changes in their plans), and dropping them at the last minute is extraordinarily unprofessional. The family visit can wait, and "forced travel" is unlikely to really be necessary more than once in a lifetime, if at all.
Jun 4th, 2006, 02:03 AM
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I am sorry that Michael has let you down like this. This site features individual guides and their itineraries and dates and might assist
http://www.parisbalades.com/Visites/default.htm
I am going to try some of these walking tours in October and the beauty of them is that you just show up at the metro stop or other place at the appointed time and dont need to book. There are discounts for children and students
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pariswalking/
Otherwise I do agree that although you have not been given much time to plan for those two days, you can formulate a great tour by yourselves using bus and metro and guidebooks - Rick Steves has some good suggestions for walks in interesting areas. I really hope this cancellation does not affect your fantastic family trip.
http://www.parisbalades.com/Visites/default.htm
I am going to try some of these walking tours in October and the beauty of them is that you just show up at the metro stop or other place at the appointed time and dont need to book. There are discounts for children and students
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pariswalking/
Otherwise I do agree that although you have not been given much time to plan for those two days, you can formulate a great tour by yourselves using bus and metro and guidebooks - Rick Steves has some good suggestions for walks in interesting areas. I really hope this cancellation does not affect your fantastic family trip.
Jun 4th, 2006, 04:39 AM
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People who book with Michael Osman have to understand that he is sort of doing this casually, and doesn't have the same standards as many businesses would. It's kind of a "hobby" or sideline as a way to make money. I guess he's a student or something. That's why he only answers email when he wants, doesn't respond in a timely manner all the time, and then may cancel due to personal reasons. So, if you book with someone like that, I think those things come with the territory. I can understand the reason he wants to cancel, but that is not professional -- if you are running a legitimate business that depends on making appointsments months in advance for people only there a limited time, you have to inform your friends and families, that you need to plan in advance, that you can't just take off at the drop of a hat because they decide to visit you after nine years of whatever, without planning. I can understand that may happen and he could cancel and recommend someone in advance, but don't think he should be doing it with only a few weeks notice. But, you never know what family drama is behind that.
However, I don't see the need for a personal guide to major tourist sites in major cities, those are the ones you don't need a guide for. They are discussed in every guidebook, and major museums do have audioguides nowadays, which I think are enjoyable. As for the Louvre, they do have English language highlights tours, if you need that, and you can sign up for them at the welcome or reception desk. You'd better get there early, of course.
There are bus overviews of Paris, also, more detailed than the hopon, hopoff bus thing (which I wouldn't take for any real "guiding", just perhaps a convenient way to get around to the major tourist sites). I actually like those bus overview tours of cities, and they don't really take that long, a few hours out of a day. I think they are better for an overview of the city from a scenic viewpoint and seeing the buildings, rather than seeing any specific site, of course.
These are a couple that have those,
www.parisvision.com
www.cityrama.com
However, I don't see the need for a personal guide to major tourist sites in major cities, those are the ones you don't need a guide for. They are discussed in every guidebook, and major museums do have audioguides nowadays, which I think are enjoyable. As for the Louvre, they do have English language highlights tours, if you need that, and you can sign up for them at the welcome or reception desk. You'd better get there early, of course.
There are bus overviews of Paris, also, more detailed than the hopon, hopoff bus thing (which I wouldn't take for any real "guiding", just perhaps a convenient way to get around to the major tourist sites). I actually like those bus overview tours of cities, and they don't really take that long, a few hours out of a day. I think they are better for an overview of the city from a scenic viewpoint and seeing the buildings, rather than seeing any specific site, of course.
These are a couple that have those,
www.parisvision.com
www.cityrama.com
