With so many choices available for planning a Chateau Holiday abroad you first need to determine how much time, effort and money you are willing to spend, with a big emphasis on ‘effort’.
Like anything, the more you put in to it, the more you will reap the rewards. If you really want to get the most for your money a prudent traveler must make serious efforts to research all the available options. Unless there is no other way, don’t plan an ‘On Your Own’ European trip for less than fourteen days.
It is also important to recognize that travel agencies can offer great assistance to you, despite the dozens of online options. Many tour operators sell their packages exclusively through travel agencies but some can be purchased direct. They even offer ‘On Your Own Tours’ but you can’t find the accommodations that I am trying to promote. With the Web at your fingertips the world is surely your oyster.
This Alternative Guide, is in no way meant to discourage travelers from seeking out travel agencies for their services. By all means stick with an agent you know, or one that comes highly recommended.
Now that you know Europe is your next vacation destination there are several questions one might ask to help narrow your plan of attack;
• How many days do I have to travel? Consider you will typically leave the US in late afternoon or early evening arriving in the morning, hence loosing a day of your holiday.
• Do I want to visit more than one country? If so, do you want to fly in to and back home out of the same airport?
• If one of your destinations is England how will you cross the English Channel?
• Keeping in mind this Guide is specifically written for “On Your Own” travel, do you wish to shop the numerous car rental agencies for the best rates or do you want a fly-drive (and maybe hotel) package? Another reason to call a travel agent.
• Keeping in mind that this guide was written to encourage and promote ‘alternative hotel accommodations’, do you 1) want to experience Chateau or Manor House living for some or all of your stay, or 2) try one of the many other offerings provided herein? Or is Holiday Inn what you are looking for?
• Do you want to prepay all costs prior to your trip (airfare, car rental, hotels) or just the airfare up-front? Prepaying hotel stays as much as six-months in advance can often get you a better rate and is something I do when negotiating rates. There is more on this subject further in this chapter.
• Might you have interest in utilizing the vast railroad system Europe has to offer? An American can find many terrific plans in the US for such travel. This author suggests visiting your local library and check out some of the brilliant travel books available on rail travel.
• Does a family member belong to a corporation that wouldn’t mind your utilizing their corporate account number? This can offer significant savings if you have a limited budget for hotels and car rental.
• If France is one of your destinations, do you plan to visit more than two museums while in Paris? A museum pass purchased in the US (though they are available in Paris) is the best way to experience as many museums your feet can stand.
• Would you prefer traveling in the spring, summer, fall, or winter? Pricing is drastically different during low seasons versus traveling from May to August. Are you prepared to negotiate your room rate? If yes is your answer, you need to know what other rooms are selling for in the same area, not to unlike purchasing real estate in the US.
Having traveled to Europe during the months of February, March, April, May, August, September and October, we have never traveled during the winter months. Most people however, want it reasonably warm when on vacation unless Skiing the Alps. You might also keep in mind if you’re visiting different climates on the same trip, you will need to bring clothing for both climates. This is especially important if planning to visit the Alps. To avoid that, travel from late-April to mid-September and should find that bringing a sweater or two (and maybe a light jacket) is all you’ll need for warmth.
These are just some of the questions you need to ask as you begin to make plans for this unforgettable holiday.
Copyright 10/16/2001 by Peggy S. Baker
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