European vacation

Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
michaelj:

You can find a
Night Train from Rome to Paris. Its too early to reserve for May but I
see fares of 200 to 350 economy to first class. That's seems higher
than a discount airfare, but it saves on a hotel night because you're
sleeping on the train.

I don't really think this is fair comparison. After all, you're saying
that sleeping in 6-some couchettes on a train is comparable to a hotel
room with breakfast.

If that was comparable, why not suggest to fly budget airline, then sleep
under a bridge to save money? ;-)

--
Erick


Erick I have slept in the car upon occasion to save money on a hotel
night. But not under a bridge. But get one with a good reclining seat.
;-)

It all depends on what your object is. A 3-4 couchette is a little more
comfortable than the 6 berth economy. And not as nice as a hotel unless
you want a first class sleeper. And if budget is a concern some hotels
you might stay in might not be better than the couchette. But I can
save the breakfast for the city I'm visiting. The goal is to get from
one city to another. And often a hotel is just a place to drop your
head for a night. Sure you can fly faster and maybe cheaper (though not
a huge amount, depending on the fare and all things added in). And the
train has advantages of sight seeing and stopping places, which if it
is someone's first trip to Europe lets you see more than from 24
thousand feet and the baggage claim chect at CDG.

And if you got a Railpass to do traveling around between cities, the
night train is only about an added 15 Euro reservation fee.

Michael
www.bargaintraveleurope.com

A J Smith wrote:
Michael,
We are planning for a group of people.
Are you saying we should wait until early January 2007 to book the May 2007
trip for better prices?
Is that what you mean by "after the holiday seasons"?
Thank you.

"michaelj" wrote in message
s.com...


It's probably a little far out to get the best price. Airlines get more
competitve after the holiday season. Fare should be closer to 600 with
competive prices.


A J

If its a group you may want to book earlier since blocks of tickets may
start to get spotty, depending on the size of the group. Early January
might still be okay for May thats almost 4 months in advance. You
should probably check toward the middle of December. And you might even
check for group discounts. After all that's how ticket discounters get
their prices.

Michael

A J Smith wrote:

Michael,
We are planning for a group of people.
Are you saying we should wait until early January 2007 to book the May 2007
trip for better prices?
Is that what you mean by "after the holiday seasons"?
Thank you.

When booking for a group it is best to book well in advance. It is generally
not hard to find a room closer to your arrival date or even at the last minute.
Booking a block of rooms is a different matter. The sooner you book the
better. I don't usually have trouble finding a room at the last minute but I
had two situations where we did have difficulty.

The first was when travelling with two other couples. One of the wives hated
the hotel and did not want to stay. We had booked the rooms and prepaid through
travel agent who dealt through a booking company. We wasted a day in Paris
while they tried to find us a place that deals with the same company and a
hotel with three rooms.

The second time was in Copenhagen. I was unhappy with the hotel and tried to
find another place. I had booked it because they advertised that they had
parking. It turned out they meant that is was available...... three blocks away
and it was really expensive. I had a Danish speaking friend with me who called
at least a dozen hotels and not one of them had an immediate vacancy, though
one would have a room available the next day.

A J Smith wrote:
michael,
How about booking air flight for mid-May 2007?
Should we wait or book it at Orbitz now?

"Dave Smith" wrote in message
...
A J Smith wrote:

Michael,
We are planning for a group of people.
Are you saying we should wait until early January 2007 to book the May
2007
trip for better prices?
Is that what you mean by "after the holiday seasons"?
Thank you.

A J

You don't say how large a group you're talking about or the dates in
May 2007.
I checked again on Economy Travel. You can book up to four tickets at a
time online. British Airways SFO to Rome returning from Heathrow-SFO at
$670 leaving on May 8 returning May 22. BA is a very nice airline and
about $288 cheaper than Orbitz on AA. This is an example, but you can
book it now. You could maybe get something less by waiting and shopping
around, but this is not a bad price. They also book groups by phone
888-222-2110 (They even have Missionary Rates if you want to all dress
like Nuns going to Rome) ;-)

http://www.bargaintraveleurope.com/A...h_Discount.htm

Michael
www.bargaintraveleurope.com

Billzz wrote:


The second time was in Copenhagen. I was unhappy with the hotel and tried
to
find another place. I had booked it because they advertised that they had
parking. It turned out they meant that is was available...... three blocks
away
and it was really expensive. I had a Danish speaking friend with me who
called
at least a dozen hotels and not one of them had an immediate vacancy,
though
one would have a room available the next day.

Maybe we were lucky, but in five years in Europe, we drove (just liked to
roam around) to London, Paris, Rome, Basel, Florence, Rome, Venice,
Amsterdam, Austria, etc. Never made a reservation and always found a place
to stay, restaurant, parking place. Even with two kids. But we didn't care
if the bathroom was down the hall, etc. Go ahead and book ahead - to be
safe - but I think you can always find a place somewhere, if you are not too
hung up on the American amenities.

The first time I went to Europe we had a reservation for our first night and for
our last night, and the rest of the time we just winged it, with the exception
of Gimmelwald. We had no trouble finding a room. On my most recent trip there
we booked a room in Copenhagen because we had functions to attend there, and we
booked the last four nights in Paris. the rest of the time we just roamed and
showed up. We did book ahead once. We stayed in a nice Romantic hotel in Germany
and arranged for the next night in Bronkhurst NL. The next day we roamed around
NL and had to try 3 different places along the way before we got a room. After
that we roamed through Belgium and France for another week and lucked out every
time.

Of course, we were looking for one double room. In Uslar there were no doubles
so we took a suit. The OP is looking to book for a group. As I suggested, it is
considerably more difficult to book a block of rooms unless you do it well in
advance.

michaelj wrote:
I checked again on Economy Travel. You
can book up to four tickets at a time
online. British Airways SFO to Rome
returning from Heathrow-SFO at $670
leaving on May 8 returning May 22.

Except the 'after taxes' Economy Travel total is $958US.

But if you book directly thru BA the after taxes price is $952 (same
flights & dates).

$6 cheaper and no middleman to go thru if you have any problems.
Regards, Walter



...And Paradise Was Lost...like teardrops in the rain...

Lets' calcluate:

Overnight Train ticket for 3 persons, 300 euro each = 900 euro.
Hotel 1 room for 3 persons, with extra sleep = 150 to 200 euro a night.

This doesn't equal much. Or am I missing something?

A J Smith, I think you (and your friends) should not be penny wise and
pound foolish. If you want to economize to the extreme--don't go to
Europe! Given that you're willing to spend $3k or $5k or whatever per
person for the vacation of your life, +10% if it makes your experience
that much easier and smoother is worth it. That's not to argue that
throwing away money or getting ripped off is the way to go, but don't
obsess too much about a few dollars here and there.

On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 21:44:50 GMT, "A J Smith"
wrote:

michael,
How about booking air flight for mid-May 2007?
Should we wait or book it at Orbitz now?

"Dave Smith" wrote in message
...
A J Smith wrote:

Michael,
We are planning for a group of people.
Are you saying we should wait until early January 2007 to book the May
2007
trip for better prices?
Is that what you mean by "after the holiday seasons"?
Thank you.

A J Smith:
Lets' calcluate:

Overnight Train ticket for 3 persons, 300 euro each = 900 euro.

I thought we were talking 386 _dollars_ for two persons, so 900 euros for
three is a bit steep. More like 500 euros.
Still much more than the plane, and as Michael claimed, a train often
offers possibilities for getting off and do some sightseeing down the
road.

Hotel 1 room for 3 persons, with extra sleep = 150 to 200 euro a night.

I happen to know a very nice B&B which charges only 69 euros for a double
and a single room, shared spacious bathroom and excellent breakfast.
Unfortunately, not anywhere near Rome, Paris or London.
:-)

Isn't 150-200 euros for one night in one room a bit harsh?


Or am I missing something?

Depends. What were you looking for?


--
Erick
B&B Ardane: http://bed-and-breakfast.ardane.com/

A J Smith wrote:
Lets' calcluate:
Overnight Train ticket for 3 persons, 300
euro each = 900 euro. Hotel 1 room for 3
persons, with extra sleep = 150 to 200
euro a night.
This doesn't equal much. Or am I missing
something?

Is that Raileurope's price?

On Trenitalia.com;
For 3 persons sharing a 3-berth compartment in 2nd Class leaving
Nov/mid-week the total price is €480 ($600US).

So lets' just say €200 for the triple hotel room and transport for 3
to one of Rome's Airports.

€93 per ticket 3X on the Rome to Paris flight would be the break-even
price, not including Paris airport to city center transportation.

As I mentioned earlier, I suggested the sleeper train more as a novelty
rather than a money saver.
But it is probably going to be in the ballpark when all is totaled out.

For your Rome Airport transportation for 3 persons I suggest hiring a
private car and driver, it's cheaper than a taxi and only a few euro
(€3.5) more than public transportation plus alot less hassle.
I have used this company and they are the lowest priced in Rome
www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/Inglese_p.htm Regards, Walter



...And Paradise Was Lost...like teardrops in the rain...