Question:

I am planning on going to Aruba withing a few months and was wondering about where the nightlife is.  I am 26 yo male and single going there with another buddy and looking for some bars with attractive women.  I’ve read that there are some bars in downtown Oranjestad and as always in the casinos.  Are the bars downtown all located within walking distance from each other?  Any suggestions for bars to visit?  I am also trying to find a cheap hotel to stay at, possibly the coconut inn(inland, but cheap).  Are all the beaches easily accesible to the public or do you have to be in that hotel to get there?

Response:

IMO, as a guy a couple of years older, that just got married, you could have picked a bunch of different islands better suited for hooking up.  I go to aruba with my wife frequently and you really don’t see too many singles. You’re only shot may be when the cruise ships come in and the bars get crowded.  Otherwise, enjoy a relaxing trip on a gorgeous island. good luck

Response:

Its not very important that I hook up, just want some eye candy LOL.  What other islands would you suggest.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> IMO, as a guy a couple of years older, that just got married, you could have > picked a bunch of different islands better suited for hooking up.  I go to > aruba with my wife frequently and you really don’t see too many singles. > You’re only shot may be when the cruise ships come in and the bars get crowded. >  Otherwise, enjoy a relaxing trip on a gorgeous island. > good luck

Response:

>Its not very important that I hook up, just want some eye candy LOL.  What >other islands would you suggest.

The most singles I’ve seen on an island have been on Barbados. Generally the greater the population the more singles you will find. Don <donwiss at panix.com>.

Response:

Coconut Inn is quite a way from the beach. I would stay at Quality Apartments $85 per night high season and closer to stores and beach.  The beaches are open to everyone. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I am planning on going to Aruba withing a few months and was wondering about > where the nightlife is.  I am 26 yo male and single going there with another > buddy and looking for some bars with attractive women.  I’ve read that there > are some bars in downtown Oranjestad and as always in the casinos.  Are the > bars downtown all located within walking distance from each other?  Any > suggestions for bars to visit?  I am also trying to find a cheap hotel to > stay at, possibly the coconut inn(inland, but cheap).  Are all the beaches > easily accesible to the public or do you have to be in that hotel to get > there?

Response:

Yes, the beaches are open to everyone, but if I were you, I would stay at a place on the beach if you are going in high season.  With all the hotels plus the overbuilding of the timeshares and apartments, I just shudder to think what it would be like to just rent a beach chair or to find an unoccupied umbrella type shelter if you aren’t at least staying right there.  I have heard more than once about people staking out the beach shelters and fights ensuing over this.  There simply are not enough to accommodate everyone, even at low season, let alone high. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Coconut Inn is quite a way from the beach. I would stay at Quality Apartments > $85 per night high season and closer to stores and beach.  The beaches are open > to everyone. >I am planning on going to Aruba withing a few months and was wondering about >where the nightlife is.  I am 26 yo male and single going there with another >buddy and looking for some bars with attractive women.  I’ve read that there >are some bars in downtown Oranjestad and as always in the casinos.  Are the >bars downtown all located within walking distance from each other?  Any >suggestions for bars to visit?  I am also trying to find a cheap hotel to >stay at, possibly the coconut inn(inland, but cheap).  Are all the beaches >easily accesible to the public or do you have to be in that hotel to get >there?

Response:

Back in my hook up days -)….we used to go to the ultimate party hook up place..Cancun, which is filled with eye candy…Bahamas is more couples but we still used to have a great time…there is always south beach, the keys, and of course Viva las Vegas. Nothing beats the afternoon pool at Mandalay bay or Hard Rock where you can see all the show girls tanning their silicone..   Good luck

Response:

Just back..the party busses are a hoot..Tattoo night booze cruise is fun too…Lots to do…enjoy.. JF – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Back in my hook up days -)….we used to go to the ultimate party hook up > place..Cancun, which is filled with eye candy…Bahamas is more couples but we > still used to have a great time…there is always south beach, the keys, and of > course Viva las Vegas. Nothing beats the afternoon pool at Mandalay bay or Hard > Rock where you can see all the show girls tanning their silicone.. >   Good luck

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> hi:-) > how far is salamanca from madrid? can i go there  by bus? > Yes, Salamanca has frequent bus service from Madrid (over 20 busses > daily). It takes about 2-3 hours. According to my Let’s Go, they leave > from Estacion Auto Res, at Pl. Conde de Casal. Since my guide is a few > years old, the price is probably out of date, and is quoted in pesetas > instead of euros. However, figure about $10-$12 each way. > For cheap hotels, I suggest you check out Let’s Go, Spain, which I have > used for lodging in Spain with good results. In Madrid, we stayed in a > place recommended by the Rough Guide, which I wouldn’t recommend to > anyone. Another good guide to Spain is the Guide Routard, which is a > French backpacker’s guide. I don’t know if it’s available in English > translation. > Both Let’s Go and the Guide Routard are good investments for anyone who > wants to plan a low-cost trip to Spain.

I had mistakenly assumed you were posting from the US, but then realized you had posted from Germany. Make that 10 to 12 euros! And maybe you can find the Guide Routard in German translation. I had an Italian translation. It is really an excellent guide and led us to many charming and inexpensive hotels. Barbara

Response:

>I had mistakenly assumed you were posting from the US, but then realized >you had posted from Germany. Make that 10 to 12 euros! And maybe you can >find the Guide Routard in German translation. I had an Italian >translation. It is really an excellent guide and led us to many charming >and inexpensive hotels. >Barbara

Auto res has a website www.auto-res.net They are now quite more expensive , 17.80 the "normal" and 25 euros the "express" buses — one way Trains are less frequent ( 5 or 6 daily) , take around 2hours 20 min and are cheaper – a return ticket costs 24.12 euros including reservation (they are TRD, a regional train that does require a reservation)

Response:

thanx all

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I had mistakenly assumed you were posting from the US, but then realized >you had posted from Germany. Make that 10 to 12 euros! And maybe you can >find the Guide Routard in German translation. I had an Italian >translation. It is really an excellent guide and led us to many charming >and inexpensive hotels. >Barbara > Auto res has a website www.auto-res.net > They are now quite more expensive , 17.80 the "normal" and 25 euros > the "express" buses — one way > Trains are less frequent ( 5 or 6 daily) , take around 2hours 20 min > and are cheaper – a return ticket costs 24.12 euros including > reservation (they are TRD, a regional train that does require a > reservation)

Response:

Steven… I went to language school in Salamanca in Aug. & Sept.  It’s easy to get there by bus from Madrid like the other replies already told you.  But the best part is that you are going to have so much FUN in delightful Salamanca.   I have such good memories of the other students (and I’m not a teenager), the Plaza Mayor, the historic sites, the bars, the food, the city walks… it’s wonderful!    Arlette in Los Angeles

Response:

hi:-) how far is salamanca from madrid? can i go there  by bus? How much does it cost, and where in madrid can i get a bus to salamanca? im coming mid february i also want to ask how much the taxis in spain cost and something last: does anyone know a good and cheap hotel in the centre of madrid? (50-80euro/2beds) thanx guys!

Response:

> hi:-) > how far is salamanca from madrid? can i go there  by bus?

Yes, Salamanca has frequent bus service from Madrid (over 20 busses daily). It takes about 2-3 hours. According to my Let’s Go, they leave from Estacion Auto Res, at Pl. Conde de Casal. Since my guide is a few years old, the price is probably out of date, and is quoted in pesetas instead of euros. However, figure about $10-$12 each way. For cheap hotels, I suggest you check out Let’s Go, Spain, which I have used for lodging in Spain with good results. In Madrid, we stayed in a place recommended by the Rough Guide, which I wouldn’t recommend to anyone. Another good guide to Spain is the Guide Routard, which is a French backpacker’s guide. I don’t know if it’s available in English translation. Both Let’s Go and the Guide Routard are good investments for anyone who wants to plan a low-cost trip to Spain. Barbara

Response:

hi:-) how far is salamanca from madrid? can i go there  by bus? How much does it cost, and where in madrid can i get a bus to salamanca? im coming mid february i also want to ask how much the taxis in spain cost and something last: does anyone know a good and cheap hotel in the centre of madrid? (50-80euro/2beds) thanx guys!

Response:

> hi:-) > how far is salamanca from madrid? can i go there  by bus?

Yes, Salamanca has frequent bus service from Madrid (over 20 busses daily). It takes about 2-3 hours. According to my Let’s Go, they leave from Estacion Auto Res, at Pl. Conde de Casal. Since my guide is a few years old, the price is probably out of date, and is quoted in pesetas instead of euros. However, figure about $10-$12 each way. For cheap hotels, I suggest you check out Let’s Go, Spain, which I have used for lodging in Spain with good results. In Madrid, we stayed in a place recommended by the Rough Guide, which I wouldn’t recommend to anyone. Another good guide to Spain is the Guide Routard, which is a French backpacker’s guide. I don’t know if it’s available in English translation. Both Let’s Go and the Guide Routard are good investments for anyone who wants to plan a low-cost trip to Spain. Barbara

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> hi:-) > how far is salamanca from madrid? can i go there  by bus? > Yes, Salamanca has frequent bus service from Madrid (over 20 busses > daily). It takes about 2-3 hours. According to my Let’s Go, they leave > from Estacion Auto Res, at Pl. Conde de Casal. Since my guide is a few > years old, the price is probably out of date, and is quoted in pesetas > instead of euros. However, figure about $10-$12 each way. > For cheap hotels, I suggest you check out Let’s Go, Spain, which I have > used for lodging in Spain with good results. In Madrid, we stayed in a > place recommended by the Rough Guide, which I wouldn’t recommend to > anyone. Another good guide to Spain is the Guide Routard, which is a > French backpacker’s guide. I don’t know if it’s available in English > translation. > Both Let’s Go and the Guide Routard are good investments for anyone who > wants to plan a low-cost trip to Spain.

I had mistakenly assumed you were posting from the US, but then realized you had posted from Germany. Make that 10 to 12 euros! And maybe you can find the Guide Routard in German translation. I had an Italian translation. It is really an excellent guide and led us to many charming and inexpensive hotels. Barbara

Response:

>I had mistakenly assumed you were posting from the US, but then realized >you had posted from Germany. Make that 10 to 12 euros! And maybe you can >find the Guide Routard in German translation. I had an Italian >translation. It is really an excellent guide and led us to many charming >and inexpensive hotels. >Barbara

Auto res has a website www.auto-res.net They are now quite more expensive , 17.80 the "normal" and 25 euros the "express" buses — one way Trains are less frequent ( 5 or 6 daily) , take around 2hours 20 min and are cheaper – a return ticket costs 24.12 euros including reservation (they are TRD, a regional train that does require a reservation)

Response:

thanx all

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I had mistakenly assumed you were posting from the US, but then realized >you had posted from Germany. Make that 10 to 12 euros! And maybe you can >find the Guide Routard in German translation. I had an Italian >translation. It is really an excellent guide and led us to many charming >and inexpensive hotels. >Barbara > Auto res has a website www.auto-res.net > They are now quite more expensive , 17.80 the "normal" and 25 euros > the "express" buses — one way > Trains are less frequent ( 5 or 6 daily) , take around 2hours 20 min > and are cheaper – a return ticket costs 24.12 euros including > reservation (they are TRD, a regional train that does require a > reservation)

Response:

Steven… I went to language school in Salamanca in Aug. & Sept.  It’s easy to get there by bus from Madrid like the other replies already told you.  But the best part is that you are going to have so much FUN in delightful Salamanca.   I have such good memories of the other students (and I’m not a teenager), the Plaza Mayor, the historic sites, the bars, the food, the city walks… it’s wonderful!    Arlette in Los Angeles

Response:

Question:

Hi, Has anyone had any experience with TravelMall. They have some very cheap deals on hotels so its very tempting to use them. Anyone with any bad experiences with them to put me off? Or any other advice in terms of cheap hotel bookings (in Cairns) via the web Thanks for any help Spencer

Response:

> Hi, > Has anyone had any experience with TravelMall. They have some very cheap > deals on hotels so its very tempting to use them. > Anyone with any bad experiences with them to put me off? Or any other advice > in terms of cheap hotel bookings (in Cairns) via the web > Thanks for any help > Spencer

I have used TravelMall several times and have had no problems.  They were very helpful on the occasion that I had to change all my travel arrangements. However, shop around – TravelMall are not always the cheapest.  Compare with www.reservation.com.au www.wotif.com www.ratestogo.com www.sunloverholidays.com MS

Response:

> Hi, > Has anyone had any experience with TravelMall. They have some very cheap > deals on hotels so its very tempting to use them.

Yes I’ve used them several times > Anyone with any bad experiences with them to put me off? Or any other advice > in terms of cheap hotel bookings (in Cairns) via the web

No bad experiences and  IRC you get 10% off all bookings if you book more than 7 nights so I booked my rental car with them too. Keith

Response:

Question:

> in all their years, how many hotel guests have WALKED to national airport? ha! > fuck the tip seeking service industries. that money belongs to me.

way to go, dude! BUT: whatever you do, don’t be late… I was laughing in the face of a beijing cab driver once, saying I had enough time to take the bus. missed the flight, and that mistake cost me four days and, finally, $700 for a new ticket…

Response:

Whilst undoubtedly under the effects of alcohol, "drexler, andreas"

There there, go and have a Bex and a good lie down. ===== Dave There are 10 types of people – those who understand binary and those who don’t.

Response:

> Whilst undoubtedly under the effects of alcohol, "drexler, andreas" > There there, go and have a Bex and a good lie down.

   You must have borrowed that one from Scott Hillard. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> ===== > Dave > There are 10 types of people – those who understand binary and > those who don’t.

Response:

> x-no-archive: yes > oh yuck, four days in china sounds like purgatory. i’m always on time when > i pull off these capers. > another way that i used to economize was, if the flight was extremely > early, to show up at the airport on the last transit of the night before > and crash there.  www.sleepinginairports.net is run by a kindred soul. > but now i have the wealth to stay in a pricelined hotel, tip nobody, and > walk to the airport!  walked to DTW too a few years ago.

What guarantee do you have that a PL hotel will be within a mile or so of the airport?

Response:

> What guarantee do you have that a PL hotel will be within a mile or so > of the airport?

I think there is no way to be sure. You have to look at the map boundaries of the area you are bidding in and determine if the farthest possible distance is acceptable to you. The odds are your hotel won’t be the farthest possible distance, but you can’t be sure. I recommend this site for Priceline bidding: http://www.biddingfortravel.com

Response:

Gee, do you enjoy working on Christmas?  I doubt it.  Most good employers pay at least time and a half for working on a holiday.  If you were an employer I wouldn’t work for you for anything and I wouldn’t send the most desperate for work to you. — Mike D. Remove .spamnot to respond by email — How true is the saying that what you see is what you get! As Steve Goodier in his book, "Are You Living on the Past?" shared how both the vulture and hummingbird fly over the same desert. The vulture sees rotting flesh. The hummingbird sees colorful desert plants.

> x-no-archive: yes > to show you the cheapness and tip hatred that i live with, –maybe i sent

you this already—- > my flight was 12/25 at 6:40 am. xmas day, one of the cheapest days of year to fly! > the conundrum is that on holidays subway doesn’t open till 8. hell, even

the hotel shuttle where i was staying didn’t start till 6.  and if i were to order one of those shuttle vans to pick me up at home, i’d be rising at around 4 am and the driver would expect a fat generous xmas day tip. > well fuck those people. > so i got a very cheap hotel room through priceline, less than a mile from

the airport.  would be $75 if i paid rack rate. i bid $45 and got a marriott courtyard inn room for $45. > at 4:30 am my wakeup call went off. the clerk asked,  "do you need a taxi?" > "nooooo,"  i snarled, and having only 1 shoulder bag, i immediately

stalked out. i had scouted the foot route to the airport from the 11th floor of the hotel.  i climbed a chain-link fence, crossed the double CSX main line that i’d ridden freights on, climbed another chain-link fence, and scrambled up a muddy slope to the overpass to the airport. walked along the overpass and down airport service roads to my terminal. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> in all their years, how many hotel guests have WALKED to national airport? ha! > fuck the tip seeking service industries. that money belongs to me.

Response:

Question:

> I’ve already checked Citadines and Flatotels > but they are just above the price range.

Did you factor in the savings from being able to fix your own meals and eat them at home.  It is quite significant! I’m not familiar with Flatotels, but Citadines is good value for the money, and some of them are extremely well located.

Response:

Hullo All. Asking for help on accommodation in Paris. I really appreciate the combined expertise and experience here. I’m finally starting to make some bookings for next year’s Grand Tour. I’ve booked London based on advice found here; lots of other cities to go. I’ll ask about just one city each time to avoid confusion. Our basic (impossible?) requirements for Paris are: 1. Self-catering; must have cooking facilities. This is a necessity for a T2 diabetic (and also for cost); 2. Staying from 4 to 7 days in late June 2003; 3. Central (pref 7th, 8th or 16th) preferrably in walking distance of some historic attractions. 4. Cheap, as in VERY cheap, budget might stretch to 90 euros/$s nightly or 400 euros weekly. Told you it was impossible:-) 5. Beds must be at least Queen size or twins – not a sofa-bed. So far I’ve looked at lots of apartments on the net but there’s always a glitch like 7th floor with no elevator. I’m happy to stay at a cheap hotel if we can find one with cooking facilities. We can find the price range out of town and commute, but I agree with other posters about staying central if we can. I’ve already checked Citadines and Flatotels but they are just above the price range. Amhotel seems a little far out in the 13th. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers – Alan

Response:

Hullo All. Asking for help on accommodation in Paris. I really appreciate the combined expertise and experience here. I’m finally starting to make some bookings for next year’s Grand Tour. I’ve booked London based on advice found here; lots of other cities to go. I’ll ask about just one city each time to avoid confusion. Our basic (impossible?) requirements for Paris are: 1. Self-catering; must have cooking facilities. This is a necessity for a T2 diabetic (and also for cost); 2. Staying from 4 to 7 days in late June 2003; 3. Central (pref 7th, 8th or 16th) preferrably in walking distance of some historic attractions. 4. Cheap, as in VERY cheap, budget might stretch to 90 euros/$s nightly or 400 euros weekly. Told you it was impossible:-) 5. Beds must be at least Queen size or twins – not a sofa-bed. So far I’ve looked at lots of apartments on the net but there’s always a glitch like 7th floor with no elevator. I’m happy to stay at a cheap hotel if we can find one with cooking facilities. We can find the price range out of town and commute, but I agree with other posters about staying central if we can. I’ve already checked Citadines and Flatotels but they are just above the price range. Amhotel seems a little far out in the 13th. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers – Alan

Response:

> I’ve already checked Citadines and Flatotels > but they are just above the price range.

Did you factor in the savings from being able to fix your own meals and eat them at home.  It is quite significant! I’m not familiar with Flatotels, but Citadines is good value for the money, and some of them are extremely well located.

Response:

Question:

I will be traveling in and around Sydney and Cairns between Jan 1. and Jan 15 and am looking for any recommendations on budget accomodations in both areas.  My friend and I have ISIC and Youth passes, so that is always an option, but I’m wondering if it is overall just the same cost/comfort to find a cheap hotel/motel. I’m more concerned about Cairns, since it is a smaller city than Sydney.  Also, this is a stupid question, but about how far can one go in each direction on a day trip from Cairns? Thanks for your help!

Response:

easy day trips are onto and around the Atherton Tablelands. Up to the Daintree for a quick look, and only 45mins to Port Douglas. Hostels are cheaper than motels and hotels and will also have more info on trips and places to see. Cairns relies on tourism. There are many many hostels of great quality, and some of dubious quality. Here’s a few accomodation listings I had. Let me know if you need any further info Cedar Park resort                           www.cedarparkresort.com.au Green Island www.greenislandresort.com.au Inn The Tropics www.cairns.net.au/~innthetropics Cairns beachhouse                              www.cairnsbeachhouse.com.au Club Croc Hides Hotel                  www.clubcroc.com.au Nomads Utopia                          www.nomadsutopiacairns.com.au Redbacks                                             www.redbacks.com.au Big BackYard                                      www.backyard.com.au Andrew

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I will be traveling in and around Sydney and Cairns between Jan 1. and > Jan 15 and am looking for any recommendations on budget accomodations > in both areas.  My friend and I have ISIC and Youth passes, so that is > always an option, but I’m wondering if it is overall just the same > cost/comfort to find a cheap hotel/motel. > I’m more concerned about Cairns, since it is a smaller city than > Sydney.  Also, this is a stupid question, but about how far can one go > in each direction on a day trip from Cairns? > Thanks for your help!

Response:

 My search for reasonable priced but well located and suitable for a family Coral Tree Inn: http://www.coraltreeinn.com.au/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I will be traveling in and around Sydney and Cairns between Jan 1. and > Jan 15 and am looking for any recommendations on budget accomodations > in both areas.  My friend and I have ISIC and Youth passes, so that is > always an option, but I’m wondering if it is overall just the same > cost/comfort to find a cheap hotel/motel. > I’m more concerned about Cairns, since it is a smaller city than > Sydney.  Also, this is a stupid question, but about how far can one go > in each direction on a day trip from Cairns? > Thanks for your help!

Response:

thanks everyone! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My search for reasonable priced but well located and suitable for a family > Coral Tree Inn: http://www.coraltreeinn.com.au/ > I will be traveling in and around Sydney and Cairns between Jan 1. and > Jan 15 and am looking for any recommendations on budget accomodations > in both areas.  My friend and I have ISIC and Youth passes, so that is > always an option, but I’m wondering if it is overall just the same > cost/comfort to find a cheap hotel/motel. > I’m more concerned about Cairns, since it is a smaller city than > Sydney.  Also, this is a stupid question, but about how far can one go > in each direction on a day trip from Cairns? > Thanks for your help!

Response:

Question:

> +0200: >> He COULD go check out the Gare du Nord, if he’s >> on an "Amelie" sight seeing trip >He’ll need to wear yellow-tinted glasses for that, in order to get the >same distorted color used in the film. > I know Amelie is a movie, as you have noted. But what does the movie > have to do Gare du Nord? Care to elaborate?

You mean other than that much of the action takes place there?

Response:

> I know Amelie is a movie, as you have noted. > But what does the movie have to do Gare du > Nord? Care to elaborate?

I don’t know.  Most of the movie takes place around Montmartre.  There were some scenes in a railway station, as I recall; perhaps they took place at the Gare du Nord (I don’t remember).

Response:

Speaking of Amelie…I wondered if the veg-stall in the film was Le Consulat in Montmartre transformed. I suppose these days they can make anywhere look like anywhere but…… Smallpiece — Replies to newsgroup only unless you already have my addy in which case knock yerself out.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> they didn’t build a wall between the 10th and the 19th did they?  He COULD > go check out the Gare du Nord, if he’s on an "Amelie" sight seeing trip > > Other than the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, > > there isn’t that much in the area … > Buttes-Chaumont is in the 19th, although that is right next door.

Response:

Other than the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, there isn’t that much in the area, though it would be an opportunity to sample the Parisian’s Paris.  Why don’t you check out Jack’s website (www.jack-travel.com) and check his list of inexpensive hotels in more interesting arrondissments?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I plan on staying at a cheap hotel in that area and have heard that it > is unsafe. Is this true? What it the area like otherwise?

Response:

> Other than the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, > there isn’t that much in the area …

Buttes-Chaumont is in the 19th, although that is right next door.

Response:

they didn’t build a wall between the 10th and the 19th did they?  He COULD go check out the Gare du Nord, if he’s on an "Amelie" sight seeing trip

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Other than the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, > there isn’t that much in the area … > Buttes-Chaumont is in the 19th, although that is right next door.

Response:

> He COULD go check out the Gare du Nord, if he’s > on an "Amelie" sight seeing trip

He’ll need to wear yellow-tinted glasses for that, in order to get the same distorted color used in the film.

Response:

+0200: > He COULD go check out the Gare du Nord, if he’s > on an "Amelie" sight seeing trip >He’ll need to wear yellow-tinted glasses for that, in order to get the same >distorted color used in the film.

I know Amelie is a movie, as you have noted. But what does the movie have to do Gare du Nord? Care to elaborate?

Response:

I plan on staying at a cheap hotel in that area and have heard that it is unsafe. Is this true? What it the area like otherwise?

Response:

All of Paris is safe.  Situations and areas are unsafe only if you behave unsafely. The Tenth is not the garden spot of Paris by any measure, but it should not be a problem if you are not too na

Question:

I’d be very grateful for if anyone could suggest a pleasant, yet inexpensive hotel in Reims. Between 40 and 60 Euros is my budget. Thanks.

Response:

Hi, there’s an Ibis right next to the train station… easy parking, and since Reims isn’t a big city it’s not a bad neighborhood. say hi to St. Joan for me. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’d be very grateful for if anyone could suggest a pleasant, yet > inexpensive hotel in Reims. Between 40 and 60 Euros is my budget. > Thanks.

Response:

Ken Sternberg schrieb: > I’d be very grateful for if anyone could suggest a pleasant, yet > inexpensive hotel in Reims. Between 40 and 60 Euros is my budget.

See http://www.tourisme.fr/reims/reims4.htm Regards, ULF

Response:

and for all those English speakers, REIMS is pronounced RANCE (or near enough) Nige

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’d be very grateful for if anyone could suggest a pleasant, yet > inexpensive hotel in Reims. Between 40 and 60 Euros is my budget. > Thanks.

Response:

Yes, and with a pronounced nasal sound stressed at the end. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > and for all those English speakers, REIMS is pronounced RANCE (or near > enough) > Nige

Response:

Try www.accorhotels.com (site in english or french). You can book online. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’d be very grateful for if anyone could suggest a pleasant, yet > inexpensive hotel in Reims. Between 40 and 60 Euros is my budget. > Thanks.

Response:

I’d be very grateful for if anyone could suggest a pleasant, yet inexpensive hotel in Reims. Between 40 and 60 Euros is my budget. Thanks.

Response:

Hi, there’s an Ibis right next to the train station… easy parking, and since Reims isn’t a big city it’s not a bad neighborhood. say hi to St. Joan for me. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’d be very grateful for if anyone could suggest a pleasant, yet > inexpensive hotel in Reims. Between 40 and 60 Euros is my budget. > Thanks.

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Ken Sternberg schrieb: > I’d be very grateful for if anyone could suggest a pleasant, yet > inexpensive hotel in Reims. Between 40 and 60 Euros is my budget.

See http://www.tourisme.fr/reims/reims4.htm Regards, ULF

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and for all those English speakers, REIMS is pronounced RANCE (or near enough) Nige

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’d be very grateful for if anyone could suggest a pleasant, yet > inexpensive hotel in Reims. Between 40 and 60 Euros is my budget. > Thanks.

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Yes, and with a pronounced nasal sound stressed at the end. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > and for all those English speakers, REIMS is pronounced RANCE (or near > enough) > Nige

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Try www.accorhotels.com (site in english or french). You can book online. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’d be very grateful for if anyone could suggest a pleasant, yet > inexpensive hotel in Reims. Between 40 and 60 Euros is my budget. > Thanks.

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Question:

> I was born in Alaska, no worries about the cold. > what are the average temps at night in nov and dec ?

Based on my experiences in the Netherlands, I would be more worried about the wind than the temperature. It was the land of the windmills for a good reason! Barbara

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>> are cars expensive to rent in europe? i know the gas is outrageous >Please make sure to bring a driving license that has been issued at >least 6 months ago. But it may help if you offer to lick the balls of >the desk operator.

Won’t help much if it’s a female manning the desk (not having the ’special external equipment’ unique to males) Um, well, as for original poster’s question… if he’s coming from the United States, then he’ll most likely find gas *quite* expensive in Europe, at about 4 to 5 times the cost of gas in the United States. While expensive, parking may ultimately prove to be just as a expensive problem as gas is. He’ll also have to be aware of local parking regulations and how to deal with different types of parking devices, as well as be prepared to pay through the nose for parking in certain crowded areas at certain times of the day. Let’s just say, the public transportation is *very* convenient, fast, comfortable (to me, it is!), cheap, frequent, goes pretty much everywhere. So if the original poster is really determined to drive a car, be sure to budget hundreds of euros, maybe up to a thousand or so, depending on distance travelled and duration of trip. Also, when renting a car overseas, won’t hurt to have paperwork with you. We rented a car in the Netherlands earlier this year, and they wanted to see passport, proof of insurance coverage, international driver’s license translation, and one or two other things before they’d let my friend rent the car. And of course, a valid credit card in good standing. We ended up parking it overnight at a parking garage, which cost us about 30 euros for 12 hours, just because we couldn’t find a single spot anywhere downtown and were way too tired to walk with lots of bulky items a long way. Also, weeks before we came to Europe, all the agencies quoted something outrageous like 350 euros for a single day to rent a car. We said ’screw that, we’ll just deal with it once we arrive.’ Arrived, and had the front desk clerk (at the hotel) who was helpful and called the local auto rental place, and secured us a deal for 122 euros per day with all fees and taxes included. This was with nothing more than a 24 hours notice to the local auto rental agency. Driving in Europe is a lot of fun. I’d actually worry more about parking and gas fees than car rental fees And be sure your map reading skills is *very* good — you’ll be expected to know names of cities on both endpoints of a road in order to pick the correct direction, and do it quickly. (Ever had the pleasure of looking all over a map in a *big* hurry and having to pick correctly within a few seconds?) Easy for a local, less easy for an unprepared tourist As long as your wallet is bulging with cash, or with credit cards that aren’t maxed out, and you or your navigator is good with map reading, and if you can drive in a disciplined manner, you’ll do just fine in Europe. -Dan

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>Why should you be worried about eating > meat anywhere in europe? What > disinformation has been spreading > across the US now? >Oh, and yes, you can drink the water > over here.

So the water is as potable as a tent??? Kara –

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. > Campgrounds in Holland are quite safe, especially in Nov or Dec (no drinking > parties). Don’t worry to let your tent up several days. However for a tent + > a car + 2 persons expect to pay 10 to 20 EUR per day.

Some campsites have wooden huts in dutch they call it trekkershut http://www.appelweide.nl/Startframe/startframe2.htm this will cost 20$ a night All huts can be found at http://www.trekkershutten.nl/english/index_uk.html

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> Would i not be able to leave my tent setup at the campgrounds? > if not , then hell no… im not going to carry our tent around the > city every day for a month.   Im sure we could find somewhere to store > them though, a large locker maybe? > are cars expensive to rent in europe? i know the gas is outrageous

‘gas’, or petrol as it is called in English, is a respectable price, based on using market controls to stop people destroying the planet. The tax raised obviously goes into social programmes, supporting oppressed minorities in areas of strife.

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> are cars expensive to rent in europe? i know the gas is outrageous

Please make sure to bring a driving license that has been issued at least 6 months ago. But it may help if you offer to lick the balls of the desk operator.

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> I was born in Alaska, no worries about the cold. > what are the average temps at night in nov and dec ?

Between 0 and 5 C with occasional frost. Sjoerd

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Sjoerd, Would it be possible to find an apartment or houseboat to rent for one month?  nothing fancy at all , four walls and a bed is perfect. 0-5 C. , thats pretty cold (but i would rather be cold than hot and sticky) thank you – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was born in Alaska, no worries about the cold. > what are the average temps at night in nov and dec ? > Between 0 and 5 C with occasional frost. > Sjoerd

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> Would it be possible to find an apartment or houseboat to rent for one > month?  nothing fancy at all , four walls and a bed is perfect.

Try a cheap hotel, close to Amsterdam there are some Formule I hotels, or make an arrangment with a bed and breakfast. http://www.hotel-boerenkamer.nl gives some nice places.

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> Sjoerd, > Would it be possible to find an apartment or houseboat to rent for one > month?  nothing fancy at all , four walls and a bed is perfect. > 0-5 C. , thats pretty cold (but i would rather be cold than hot and > sticky)

Don’t worry about temperature, Jeff. Holland has a maritime weather and it never goes to extremes. Further, along with your tent you will have to get decent mattress and sleeping bag. For the tent expect to spend in Western Europe 120 to 250 EUR depending on the size+comfort you want. If you don’t want to fly one here you probably won’t take it home; then durability is not a citerion. Nor lightweight. You can get a 0

Question:

Hi, Thanks to all who replied both on-list and off-list.  I think I have enough info to sort out something decent. Thanks again, Anthony

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > I will be in London for a weekend in October.  I will be using Victoria > train station a number of times so I was looking for a nice cheap hotel > (