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Post by gyro on Mar 22, 2009 20:11:56 GMT
Is it worth going to in mid August, with two kids ?
Looking for some museum/history stuff as well as kid friendly things like beach/water fun etc. etc.
Is accommodation expensive ?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2009 20:26:13 GMT
La Rochelle is an excellent city. I will be returning there next month, but unfortunately I cannot take advantage of any of the attractions as I will have my mother in tow. I would love to see the aquarium some day.
For the second time, we'll be staying at the Ibis La Rochelle Vieux Port for about 60€ for a double (breakfast is 8€ per person for the unlimited buffet - continental, of course, but including cheese and cold cuts). It is exactly on the old port (left side), but there are two other Ibis hotels in the center with similar rates. If you are familiar with Ibis hotels, you will know that there are the prefab box Ibises in the suburbs and the reconditioned old hotel Ibises in the center of towns -- these La Rochelle Ibises are reconditioned historical buildings worthy of note.
There is no lack of historical attractions in the area, as well as beaches. On the weekends, the entire Old Port area is closed to traffic and becomes a very animated pedestrian zone in the evening.
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Post by gyro on Mar 22, 2009 20:30:07 GMT
So, that's a yes then ....
What about a small apartment or something for the week for the 4 of us ? Would that total more than an Ibis or equivalent ?
We can fly there mid-August for 200 pounds for all 4 of us, which is nice.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2009 20:39:11 GMT
That should be possible, but find a place NOW, because I'm sure you understand that August is an ultra peak month. Make sure that local transportation is available unless you are planning on renting a car. For renting a car, I would highly recommend www.autoeurope.com which is a consolidator. They generally give me a car through Europcar, but all of the other major companies are sometimes used as well.
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Post by gyro on Mar 22, 2009 20:54:04 GMT
Cheers. Not really thinking of hiring a car, to be fair. Hoping there's enough to do in and around La Rochelle for 5-7 days.
Am currently looking at accomodation, but, as usual, my budget expectations are ENTIRELY unrealistic ....
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Post by BigIain on Mar 22, 2009 21:56:40 GMT
Ibis also do family rooms. And chains such as Etap Hotel (part of the same group?) also doo family rooms at less than you may imagine. I tend to still look at www.accorhotels.com/gb/home/index.shtml because this masive group contains Ibis and many others, including budget hotels. Just beware that one of the really budget chains (Formule1 or Premier Classe?) do not always have ensuite toilet and shower.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2009 22:03:34 GMT
It's true that the Etap is right next to the La Rochelle train station, so in easy walking distance to the interesting parts of town.
Actually the only chain with toilet and showers in the corridor is Formule 1. All of the other cheap chains are ensuite.
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Post by BigIain on Mar 22, 2009 22:18:11 GMT
I had thought it was them, I have never used either of those two chains. Campanille was always my first choice but they seemed to get all pricey around 5 years ago. (I use Ibis a lot, particularly Reims Centre).
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2009 22:27:56 GMT
Campanile is good, but it is sometimes overpriced. I have found some good promotional rates on the internet, however. For people who love their in-room coffee, it is the only French chain with a coffeemaker in the room (also makes tea, of course) and even a few biscuits. I use Campanile when the price is right because they have free wifi, which has become a 'necessity' for me (the fact that the wifi exists, not the fact that it is free -- I accept to pay for it at Ibis).
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Post by lagatta on Mar 24, 2009 0:59:31 GMT
A self-catering place can be a big saving for a family because you can make your own meals - not necessarily cooking from scratch, there is suprisingly good prepared food at French supermarkets, shops etc, and of course fruit, veg you can eat raw and cheese at street markets. And sometimes it is a pain in the arse taking children to restaurants two or three times a day. I don't know how to search for one in La Rochelle - yes, do make sure it is accessible via public transport.
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Post by gyro on Mar 24, 2009 5:40:27 GMT
It's not looking too sharp at present. Can't find anything that's going to be around 300-400 euros for us for a min of 5 days. I'm sure that may well be an unrealistic budget for La Rochelle in high season, but that's pretty much the limit.
Might end up going somewhere else then. Pity; I quite fancied France this year.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2009 5:52:44 GMT
Have you looked at sites like this?
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Post by gyro on Mar 24, 2009 6:06:55 GMT
Bugger, can't access that at work ! What is it ?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2009 6:22:44 GMT
It is a holiday rental site with ads like this:
Dans une rue semi-piétonne du centre historique de la ville.
Appartement La Rochelle 3 Pièces, Charente-Maritime, Poitou-Charentes, France - Pour 6 personnes 10 Km de Rivedoux (ile de ré) Cuisine américaine, Salle à manger.
En plein coeur de la vieille ville, dans une rue très calme, à 200 m du marché. A 10 mn du vieux port et à 15mn de la gare à pied.
Loyer : 390 à 550 € / semaine
Location Appartement / Studio 586284 - Mer
Détail de l'annonce | Ajouter à ma sélection | Disponibilités
Location La Rochelle - Charente-Maritime - Poitou-Charentes - France
Appartement La Rochelle 2 Pièces, Charente-Maritime, Poitou-Charentes, France - Pour 4 personnes Cuisine, Salle à manger, Salon, Balcon, Parking privatif.
Etat neuf. A 1.5 km de la plage. A 10 mn de l'Ile de Ré
Loyer : 350 à 490 € / semaine
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Post by gyro on Mar 24, 2009 6:44:04 GMT
That looks and sounds better ! Will look at thsoe later when at home, cheers.
(What would an American kitchen be ? One with a breakfast bar/table or something ?)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2009 6:50:26 GMT
Yes, an 'American kitchen' is an open kitchen with a bar rather than a completely separate room.
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Post by gyro on Mar 24, 2009 7:12:18 GMT
That second one looks attractive, price-wise. Shame the euro is so fucked for us Brits though, otherwise I wouldn't have to worry so much.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2009 7:56:23 GMT
Well, feel free to fantasize, but probably when you look at the calendar of available dates, August will be full... That's when you start going to 7th choice, 8th choice, 9th choice... Maybe the current economic situation will work in your favor, though. Not only will people be taking fewer holidays, but some of them will be cancelling reservations that they already made. Some of the agencies will be happy to put you on a waiting list and inform you immediately of what becomes available.
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Post by gyro on Mar 24, 2009 8:08:54 GMT
hmmm.... Waiting list probably not an option seeing as how I'm not going to book flights unless I can book accom at the same time.
Oh well, Krakow it is then ..
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Post by BigIain on Mar 24, 2009 9:00:41 GMT
Yup, the Pound sucks right now.
My trips through the tunnel have been put on hold for the time being. I am not going to get away for an Easter holiday so I am going up to Edinburgh for the week. I would much rather have been heading South!
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Post by bjd on Mar 24, 2009 10:25:47 GMT
Gyro, I answered you on TT about gites around La Rochelle.
If you have changed your mind and are going to Krakow, I have the name of a guy who rents apartments close to the old city. My husband and I stayed in 2 of them in September of last year. At the time we paid about 40 euros a night, but the currency has dropped since then. The places were really fine, clean and had kitchens, bathrooms etc. Slept 4 -- 2 double beds.
You Brits complain so much about the £ but for years Britain has been so damned expensive for foreigners -- now it's a bit more accessible.
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Post by gyro on Mar 24, 2009 10:41:32 GMT
Thanks for that, I saw it. I'll give you a shout should we go to Krakow.
"You Brits complain so much about the £ but for years Britain has been so damned expensive for foreigners -- now it's a bit more accessible. "
Yes, what's wrong with that ? You can only look at things like this through your own eyes, can't you ? Are you trying to tell me that all those people that came over here DIDN'T complain about how expensive it was ?
Still, feel free to jump on the cliched 'whinging Pom' bandwagon ......
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Post by onlymark on Mar 24, 2009 12:17:15 GMT
I had to transfer a sum of money recently from a German bank account to my British one. When I received the figures I had a bit of a good shock in realising the exchange rate. I just need it to sit there now until they alter back again in my favour.
la Rochelle is not somewhere that was on my radar. After looking at it on the internet, it sounds like somewhere worthwhile having a few days at. Must remember it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2009 12:44:41 GMT
The iconic image of La Rochelle is the entrance to the old port with its watchtowers. It is also the first city in France that had a municipal bicycle program... starting in 1976.
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Post by gyro on Mar 24, 2009 12:46:21 GMT
Looks probable that'll have to save up for another year to go now ....
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Post by hwinpp on Mar 25, 2009 4:39:49 GMT
I envy you. A very nice town that I've enjoyed 3 times.
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Post by gyro on Mar 25, 2009 7:57:14 GMT
I don't think you envy ME, as it would appear we're probably not going now ... !
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Post by spindrift on Mar 25, 2009 9:19:04 GMT
Perhaps the Baz's know someone with a little house to rent in August. They're near Perpignan.
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Post by auntieannie on Mar 25, 2009 19:29:22 GMT
A Paris, Paris-paro Dans un joli p'tit bateau De Paris a La Rochelle Dans une jolie p'tite nacelle Mademoiselle, voulez-vous payer? Oui? Non? Oui? Non? Non!... alors... Plouf dans l'eau! that's a little ditty that you sing to a small child. The child should be sitting on your lap, looking at you and you move your legs rythmically during the singsong, and when you say "plouf dans l'eau" ... you play-let it "fall" between your legs. Obviously you accompany the "fall". so it is a little silly and safe game. NOT just after feeding time, though!
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Post by gyro on Apr 3, 2009 4:28:54 GMT
Looks like we're off to Vienna, which is nice. It's one of my favourite European cities.
And seeing as how I can't make OP's here at work, anybody got some suggestions for stuff to do with kids there ? I know some of the museums and the main sites, and we may well take a day trip to Bratislava, but I've not been there with children before.
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