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DEUX BONNES COLLECTIONS D'ADRESSES INTERNET POUR NOUS OFFRIR DES VOYAGES CHOUETTES!
1. WEBSITE DIRECTORY FOR GEEZERS (offered by J. McSunas) (soyez très actif!! surfez à l'esprit vif!!) Airline
Sites www.aa.com - American Airlines reservations (800-433-7300) and awards (800-882-8880) www.delta.com/skymiles - Delta Airlines Skymiles (800-323-2323), Reservations (800-221-1212) www.americawest.com - American West Flightfund (800-247-5691), Res. (800-2FLYAWA) www.flycontinental.com/onepass www.itn.net/cgi/get?itn/pl/amex_personal/index - Amer.Express Air, Car, Hotel link www.ryanair.com - low cost European travel www.buzzaway.com - low cost European travel www.gofly.com - low cost European travel www.easyjet.com - low cost European travel, offert en français, anglais, et espagnol! www.mexicana.com - flights from a "star alliance" member; this site loads slowly!! www.airfrance.fr - make reservations, find lowest-cost flights Flight Status www.trip.com www.flightprogress.com track a flight, find out about weather, et ainsi de suite Train Travel www.eurorailways.com - rail passes throughout Europe, including Brit Rail www.voyages-sncf.com - connect to the French rail system and also to Expedia here www.raileurope.com/us/ - schedules, tickets, etc., in English Auto Rental www.autoeurope.com www.hertz.fr/indexen.html - Hertz en français! Or choose your language www.avis.com www.alamo.com -from Lille to Lyon, from Mulhouse to Marseille, Alamo en France! Maps www.mapquest.com - US maps http://www.ismap.com - itinéraires, info trafic, cartes pour toute l'Europe Weather www.wunderground.com - Weather Underground - Data for travel dates going back 7 yrs www.meteo.fr - Rapports météorologiques pour l'Europe et le monde Primary Travel Planners www.expedia.com - travel www.travelocity.fr - séjours pas chers, liens et hyperliens www.orbitz.com - travel www.biztravel.com - vacances autour du monde www.quikbook.com - discounted Hotel room rates www.concierge.com - destination guides, deals www.fodors.com - full service online planning plus chat room for questions www.independenttraveler.com - for independent travelers, complete with "bargain box" www.ricksteves.com - lower cost travel guides www.digitalcity.com - city guides www.mytravelguide.com - destination guides, travel planning www.travel.org - worldwide guides www.planetrider.com - maps, weather reports, links to other destinations www.lastminutetravel.com - travel offers, including hotel discounts www.smarterliving.com - offres à ne pas refuser! www.11thhourvacations.com www.travelscape.com - express search from Expedia www.travelnow.com www.vacationtogether.com - family vacations, group specials www.priceline.com www.travel.guardian.co.uk/ - London "Guardian Unlimited" web site Accommodations - rental & swapping www.karenbrown.com - inns, B & Bs, et ainsi de suite. Guide aux guides de Karen Brown www.londonapartment.co.uk - Manors & Co apartment rental www.londonguestsuites.com - London Apartments www.parador.es -Paradores of Spain www.relaischateaux.com - Relais & Chateaux group www.homeabroad.com - Vacanze in Italia, 200+ homes en France, Europe, Maroc, etc. www.communicart.it - 25 Tuscan homes plus B & Bs www.gites-de-france.fr - version française de " Bed & Breakfast " www.provencewest.com - 80 Gîtes en Provence www.francehomestyle.com - a cut above a gîte www.hoteldiscounts.com www.intervac.com - home swapping www.rentvillas.com - France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Portugal & Spain rentals www.spafinder.com - resorts and health spas www.weekendguide.com - lodgings and vacations in U.S., Canada, Britain and Germany www.theinnkeeper.com - photos and links to inns www.bedandbreakfast.com - 25,000+ B & Bs worldwide www.bbonline.com - 3,000+ inns in U.S., Canada and Caribbean www.travelweb.com - hotels/flights and reservations retrievals www.site59.com - flights, car rentals, places to stay.. et et et www.opodo.fr - service français de voyage http://www.olf.gouv.qc.ca/ - Office de la langue française, Canada Official and Americans abroad sites www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html - CIA world fact book http://www.travel.state.gov - US Dept of State, including indexes of foreign laws and assistance contacts, how to exchange $ for euros, travel
"warnings" http://www.travel.state.gov/passport_services.html - passport renewal service/advice www.aca.ch - American citizens abroad www.aaro-intl.org -Americans resident overseas www.escapeartist.com - location of embassies abroad www.liveabroad - Network for living abroad Guidebook Publishers online http://www.accessguides.com http://www.moon.com - Avalon Travel http://www.berkshirehouse.com - travel guides in US and abroad http://www.chronicle.com --Chronicle of Higher Education (has international links) http://www.countrymanpress.com - explorer's and traveler's guides in USA http://www.dk.com - guides from diverse countries, pub. by DorlingKindersley http://www.falcon.com --travel and recreation books publisher http://www.fodors.com - Discussion - Travel Talk - Swap stories with fellow travelers http://www.footprint-handbooks.co.uk http://www.frommers.com -- Newsletter, guides, tips, letters from other travelers http://www.gayot.com -- Restaurants, travel advice, et un lien au American Institute of Wine & Food! http://www.globe-pequot.com http://www.insiders.com http://www.interlinkbooks.com
2. LES SUGGESTIONS DE CECILIA... surfons voir juste comme ça!
" I got a lot of this stuff from this website: http://www.travelers-companion.com/ " So says Cecilia Schreyer, who adds the following notes: For around Paris,
we're going to want to stay somewhere in the city, so we don't spend too much time getting into the city each day. Those
chateaux look pretty good, though!
If you find something really good around or
in Paris, ask how close is it to the nearest Metro stop (and what is the name of that stop). That will give us an idea
of commute time. Paris will probably be
our most expensive accommodations. Find
out how much the Paris hostels are, so we have something to compare to. Here are four hostel internet addresses
(from the hostel book) - >paris.cite-des-sciences@fuaj.org
>paris.le-dartagnan@fuaj.org
>paris.jules-ferry@fuaj.org
>paris.clichy@fuaj.org
You can book 3/4 of these (no reservations
at Jules Ferry) up to 6 months ahead through >fuajbeau@caramail.com.
Info on getting around Paris by bus & Metro (we're not going to use the car!). http://www.ratp.fr/ If accommodations look really good, but the
prices too high. use the "enquiry form" to ask if they have anything cheaper. Prices are given in British Pounds, which are .58/$1. Just multiply the prices by 2 for
an estimate. For instance, if it says (pound symbol) 48 for two persons, that would be 24 pounds each, or about $48
dollars apiece (per night).
Check this out, too:
Welcome To Stopover Connections
For bed and breakfast in France from budget overnight stopovers to
luxury accommodation to self-catering to ski destinations
http://www.travelers-companion.com/resource/resource.html
Info about stuff to do in the area of SE France (between Italy & Paris): (I like the candied fruit place in Apt): The borders of Provence and the Cote d'Azur are defined by nature -
to the North, where the olive trees end, to the South by the Mediterranenan, to the West by the Rhone river and to the East
by the Alps and the border with Italy. From its herb-scented hills (don't miss the lavender harvest mid-end July) to its yacht-filled
harbours, its plummeting gorges and Camargue saltflats, its vivid landscape and luminous light have inspired artists and writers
from Van Gogh to Picasso, Scott Fitzgerald to Pagnol.
Inland you will find a paradise for walkers and nature lovers,whereas on the South Eastern
coastal region you will find a sun worshipper's paradise. Summer entertainment includes jazz festivals, car races, casinos
and bull fights.
Provence is also a region with a strong wine making tradition - explore
the vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape between Orange and Avignon, the Bouches-du-Rhone region stretching North West from Marseille,
the region South of Aix en Provence and the 'Cotes de Provence' producers surrounding Saint Tropez and Toulon.
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The borders of Provence and the Cote d'Azur
are defined by nature - to the North, where the olive trees end, to the South by the Mediterranenan, to the West by the Rhone
river and to the East by the Alps and the border with Italy. From its herb-scented hills (don't miss the lavender harvest
mid-end July) to its yacht-filled harbours, its plummeting gorges and Camargue saltflats, its vivid landscape and luminous
light have inspired artists and writers from Van Gogh to Picasso, Scott Fitzgerald to Pagnol.
Inland you will find a paradise for walkers and nature lovers,whereas on the South Eastern
coastal region you will find a sun worshipper's paradise. Summer entertainment includes jazz festivals, car races, casinos
and bull fights.
Provence is also a region with a strong wine making tradition - explore the vineyards
of Chateauneuf-du-Pape between Orange and Avignon, the Bouches-du-Rhone region stretching North West from Marseille, the region
South of Aix en Provence and the 'Cotes de Provence' producers surrounding Saint Tropez and Toulon.
Things to do and places to visit
At Saint-Saturnin-Les-Avignon (on the D28 heading East out of Avignon
towards Pernes-les-Fontaines) - Discover the secrets of hive, honey and beekeeping in Provence by watching the "abeillorama"
(the observation-glass hive). You can buy natural bee products (honeys, pollen, royal jelly, mead) in the shop. Free entrance
from Monday to Saturday (from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m/ from 2.00 p.m to 6.00p.m)
The sun and the cosmos Park - 3 Kms from
Avignon, going towards Nimes on the N100 at Les Angles - a discovery park on the themes of space and time. Open to all from
9 to 99 years old. From April 1st to October 15th every day except on Tuesday from October 16th to December 15th. From January
15th to March 31st every Saturday and Sunday P.M.
Thouzon Caves at Le Thor (off the N100
heading East from Avignon towards Isle-sur-la-Sorgue) - this underground cave network is famous for its thin stalactites and
the path system can easily be negotiated by the elderly and children. There is also a picnic area for you to enjoy. Open March
to November, Sunday p.m. and public holiday (from 2.00 p.m to 6.00 p.m). From April 1st to April 31st every day. In July and
August daily from 9.30 a.m to 7.00 p.m
Gordes - One of the most beautiful French villages. - Mecca of culture with its Renaissance Castle and the Pol Mara Museum, the
Senaque Cistercian abbey, the stained-glass window Museum and the "Bouillons" mill, the Bories Village and around 50 exhibitions
a year. It is also a favourite spot with nature-lovers with many possibilities for walking or riding.
Visit the candied fruit factory in Apt (East of Avignon via the N100)where you
can discover the secrets of the candied fruit - tastings possible!
Visit the The robots village in the heart of "Provence", near the village of Saint-Cannat (West of Aix-en-Provence via the N7) - here you will find
more than 500 robots. There is also a picnic area here
The children will enjoy"La Barben" zoological Park (East of Salon-de-Provence off
the A7) with more than 40 hectares containing more than 600 animals (giraffes, elephants, lions, tigers, ostriches, reptiles,
snakes, crocodiles, birds). There is also a 9 km walk in an unforgettable site. Picnic area, watering places, shades, waterfalls.
Open every day, all year.
The Chateau de Baux de Provence At the top of the famous village, this chateau contains many relics of its glorious
past and offers an exceptional panorama of The Alpilles, the Camargue and the whole region. There is also a permanent exhibition
of life-size medieval war apparatus. Open every day, all the year long. Guided tours available
The Pont Saint-Benezet in Avignon is the
famous 'Pont d'Avignon'. Built during the 12th century this is the oldest building ever set up over the Rhône between Lyon
and the sea, destroyed in 1226, and reconstructed during the 13th century. There is a self-guided visit of the chapels and
of the four remaining arches . Open all year.
Another place to visit in Avignon is the Palais des Papes, the most important 14th
century gothic palace in Europe. More than 20 rooms are open to the public which include the Pope's private apartments and
the marvellous frescos, work of the Italian Artist Matteo Giovannetti. Open all year long, except the 1st of January and the
25th of December. Free or guided visit. Visit by night in June, August and September.
Marseille
Besides
the wonderful old port, you should also not miss the small harbour of L'Estaque, one of the most picturesque parts of Marseille
frequented in the past by many famous artists. Visit their websitefor further details
There is a long tradition of soap-making in the city of Marseille - find out more about the
product at this website for further information about the product.
To get the most out of your stay in Marseille, buy a tourist city-pass
(Carte Privilège) for 15.24 euros (approx £10.00) for one day, 22.87 euros for two days and 30.49 euros for three days and
enjoy unlimited access to 14 museums and special prices or free access to sight-seeing train rides, guided visits and a mini
cruise to the Chateau d'If. Guided two-hour tours are also available through the tourist office in the town |
On our way to Rouen (if
we drive), may I suggest we stop by Giverny? It has Monet's home and gardens, restored and open to the public.
He painted those impressionist water lilies. If you want to click on the links, you have to go through the Traveler's
Companion Website: http://www.travelers-companion.com/
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