The long awaited trip report! Part 2 France
Jul 10th, 2013, 03:58 PM
#221
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Whilst an LV is not on my wish list, I enjoyed scrolling through the offerings on their French site. Bags start from 200 EUR and then all the way up to 7,000 EUR. The range on the Australian site was much more limited. Enjoy your LV, Claire!
Jul 10th, 2013, 05:17 PM
#224
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Enjoying your trip report Claire.
I remember our first trip to the USA with our kids when they were 8 & 11. They loved the shopping too. My younger son walked into FAO Schwarz with 5 stories and exclaimed all his dreams had come true.
Yes shopping overseas for Aussies is so much cheaper than here, mostly. My older son has just returned from 2 years in the UK and is blown away by the expensive prices here, on clothing and food.
We loved Disney! Enjoy!
Loving your energy Claire!
I remember our first trip to the USA with our kids when they were 8 & 11. They loved the shopping too. My younger son walked into FAO Schwarz with 5 stories and exclaimed all his dreams had come true.
Yes shopping overseas for Aussies is so much cheaper than here, mostly. My older son has just returned from 2 years in the UK and is blown away by the expensive prices here, on clothing and food.
We loved Disney! Enjoy!
Loving your energy Claire!
Jul 11th, 2013, 02:26 AM
#226
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KTTravel
<One interesting difference with churches in Italy is the dress code -- no shorts, skirts above the knee or sleeveless tops.>
When I first saw the graphic signs at St Peters in Rome I thought they meant "no underwear".
I was about to head off to the nearest bathroom to re-arrange myself, when my wife explained what they meant - boy, the different customs ion sme countries can be confusing! ;-)
<One interesting difference with churches in Italy is the dress code -- no shorts, skirts above the knee or sleeveless tops.>
When I first saw the graphic signs at St Peters in Rome I thought they meant "no underwear".
I was about to head off to the nearest bathroom to re-arrange myself, when my wife explained what they meant - boy, the different customs ion sme countries can be confusing! ;-)
Jul 11th, 2013, 10:31 AM
#229
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Hey Gretchen:
How are you doing? Good. You sound a bit hot under the collar and a wee bit angry. Why? (that is rhetorical)
TR= Trip Report.
For the sake of peace, and in giving you the benefit of the doubt, here is what I asked CLAIRE:
Post 1)
"Back to France, Crazyfamilyof4, I too am going to Musee d' Orsay when I visit. Awesome! You meant museum not art gallery, right?
(I'm just funnin' with you Claire) I know you are busy and typing fast and doing a great job filling us in. Thanks!
I have planned a half day for the visit. What exhibitions did you get to see? How did you and your mom decide which parts of the museum to focus on with your limited time? How much time would you suggest based on your visit? Did you do the audio tour or small group tour or did you go it alone? Did you love the train architecture? Isn't it fabulous?
Like your kids, I too LOVE trains. Don't tell them they missed this amazing sight and unique experience. Thanks!"
Post 2) "Later, when you get settled, please share your experiences at Orsay."
Since you must know, and can't read so well, I told her MY day at Orsay was PLANNED (see above post). I asked her questions about HER visit, chit-chatted with HER, and I gushed a bit about Orsay--with HER.
I did not ask Claire for information in the context that you throw at me, or claim that I did. Your attitudinal approach with me (and others) about another grown woman's TR--is rude.
Stand down. Stay in your lane. Chill.
Enjoy Claire's journey!
Peace,
Oaktown Traveler
How are you doing? Good. You sound a bit hot under the collar and a wee bit angry. Why? (that is rhetorical)
TR= Trip Report.
For the sake of peace, and in giving you the benefit of the doubt, here is what I asked CLAIRE:
Post 1)
"Back to France, Crazyfamilyof4, I too am going to Musee d' Orsay when I visit. Awesome! You meant museum not art gallery, right?
(I'm just funnin' with you Claire) I know you are busy and typing fast and doing a great job filling us in. Thanks!
I have planned a half day for the visit. What exhibitions did you get to see? How did you and your mom decide which parts of the museum to focus on with your limited time? How much time would you suggest based on your visit? Did you do the audio tour or small group tour or did you go it alone? Did you love the train architecture? Isn't it fabulous?
Like your kids, I too LOVE trains. Don't tell them they missed this amazing sight and unique experience. Thanks!"
Post 2) "Later, when you get settled, please share your experiences at Orsay."
Since you must know, and can't read so well, I told her MY day at Orsay was PLANNED (see above post). I asked her questions about HER visit, chit-chatted with HER, and I gushed a bit about Orsay--with HER.
I did not ask Claire for information in the context that you throw at me, or claim that I did. Your attitudinal approach with me (and others) about another grown woman's TR--is rude.
Stand down. Stay in your lane. Chill.
Enjoy Claire's journey!
Peace,
Oaktown Traveler
Jul 11th, 2013, 10:34 PM
#232
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Back from morning at Disney ... Went to Disney village last night for tea and ate at Mickey Mouse cafe and the kids got to meet the characters! That was fantastic! Overpriced but still fantastic for the kids... Got a special Disney autograph book for the characters to sign and then we can put the photo next to it.
Also went there this morning for breakfast and then went to the smaller of the two parks just so the kids could do the cars and toy story rides. The lines seemed ok 20/30min wait ...I believe that's pretty good.
Anyway got back by 2pm and the kids both fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep while we took them from the car to their beds ..so it looks like that will be having a 2/3hr sleep.
Hubby is enjoying himself ..he loves to shop like me and we enjoyed our late nights out together in Paris while mum stayed home with the kids. He didn't really get jet lagged but he was given the chance to rest those first few days which I think helped.
We have both gone off and had a spa and steam room session in the resort so that has been relaxing.
I love having a car! So nice being able to come and go as we please
coming home and then going back at 4:30pm was a huge hit! Kids were great! We paced ourselves and did everything we wanted! Mum looked after the kids for a couple of the big kid rides and planned out our time perfectly.
Both kids were awake for the light show! How incredible is that! I know they won't remember it but they were in total awe tonight.
Anyway we head for Sarlat tomorrow while mum heads home!
I know it's a huge drive ... Any suggestions were we should get off for lunch and refuel?
Night everyone
Also went there this morning for breakfast and then went to the smaller of the two parks just so the kids could do the cars and toy story rides. The lines seemed ok 20/30min wait ...I believe that's pretty good.
Anyway got back by 2pm and the kids both fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep while we took them from the car to their beds ..so it looks like that will be having a 2/3hr sleep.
Hubby is enjoying himself ..he loves to shop like me and we enjoyed our late nights out together in Paris while mum stayed home with the kids. He didn't really get jet lagged but he was given the chance to rest those first few days which I think helped.
We have both gone off and had a spa and steam room session in the resort so that has been relaxing.
I love having a car! So nice being able to come and go as we please
coming home and then going back at 4:30pm was a huge hit! Kids were great! We paced ourselves and did everything we wanted! Mum looked after the kids for a couple of the big kid rides and planned out our time perfectly.Both kids were awake for the light show! How incredible is that! I know they won't remember it but they were in total awe tonight.
Anyway we head for Sarlat tomorrow while mum heads home!
I know it's a huge drive ... Any suggestions were we should get off for lunch and refuel?
Night everyone
Jul 11th, 2013, 10:42 PM
#233
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Morning oak town ... Do you still need my thoughts still? Either way ... We loved it there although the line was soooo long though so we got less then an hour 
however having been there before I knew exactly where I wanted to take mum ... 5th floor! Only because these are my favourite! From here we did level 2 ... It was certainly rushed ... Which was a shame ... Half a day will be great ... You will love it there
however having been there before I knew exactly where I wanted to take mum ... 5th floor! Only because these are my favourite! From here we did level 2 ... It was certainly rushed ... Which was a shame ... Half a day will be great ... You will love it there
Jul 12th, 2013, 02:04 AM
#235
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On some autoroutes you'll see signs pointing to villages with services off the autoroute--knife and fork indicates restaurants.
Big HOWEVER, the restaurants are usually the three-course variety, although not fancy or expensive. Count on two hours when all is said and done.
There are frequent large rest stops with full facilities all along the autoroutes. The bathrooms are generally clean with very cool Dyson hand dryers (I want one). The restaurant food is fairly dire although if you stick to the cold food such as sandwiches, yoghurt, not too bad. Most rest stops have small groceries with cold drinks, biscuits, chips/crisps, etc. Some have picnic areas where the kids could run around a bit.
I would line up a few snacks and juices today, am sure you've thought of that.
You'll go through two or three péages (toll booths) along the autoroute. I'd have a load of euro coins handy although credit cards are accepted. Some cards don't work, it seems random. Most péages have at least one staffed booth (pictogram of a guy with a uniform hat) but not all.
Big HOWEVER, the restaurants are usually the three-course variety, although not fancy or expensive. Count on two hours when all is said and done.
There are frequent large rest stops with full facilities all along the autoroutes. The bathrooms are generally clean with very cool Dyson hand dryers (I want one). The restaurant food is fairly dire although if you stick to the cold food such as sandwiches, yoghurt, not too bad. Most rest stops have small groceries with cold drinks, biscuits, chips/crisps, etc. Some have picnic areas where the kids could run around a bit.
I would line up a few snacks and juices today, am sure you've thought of that.
You'll go through two or three péages (toll booths) along the autoroute. I'd have a load of euro coins handy although credit cards are accepted. Some cards don't work, it seems random. Most péages have at least one staffed booth (pictogram of a guy with a uniform hat) but not all.
Jul 12th, 2013, 05:24 AM
#236
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Ok quick pit stop report!!! Far out that traffic!!! One hour for an estimate 20mins!
We have gone off the beaten track for a mc Donald's .. Only thing I could think of that would do food for the kids and toilets p,us have a playground! Went through the toll booth ... No idea but we survived.
Can someone clarify the signs ... Can we go down any lane and get a ticket???
Ok off we go again
We have gone off the beaten track for a mc Donald's .. Only thing I could think of that would do food for the kids and toilets p,us have a playground! Went through the toll booth ... No idea but we survived.
Can someone clarify the signs ... Can we go down any lane and get a ticket???
Ok off we go again
Jul 12th, 2013, 07:51 AM
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Sarlat is a lovely little town. You will have to be sure to get a picture of your kids with the golden goose in the center square. Kids were climbing all over it when we were there.
I forget how long you are in Sarlat but if you have a chance, be sure to go to Marquessac Gardens (about 10 minutes from Sarlat) on Thursday evening. The gardens are lit up throughout and musicians are set up throughout the gardens. Kids were everywhere. There is a playground for them also. I think you would really enjoy it.
I forget how long you are in Sarlat but if you have a chance, be sure to go to Marquessac Gardens (about 10 minutes from Sarlat) on Thursday evening. The gardens are lit up throughout and musicians are set up throughout the gardens. Kids were everywhere. There is a playground for them also. I think you would really enjoy it.
