 Henri
and I make every effort to update our web pages so you have current
information and news. In addition to our monthly newsletters, we update
each client on breaking news before and during their trip.
MONTHLY UPDATES: Your French
Connexion LLC provides clients and prospective clients a monthly
newsletter via email that is free and gives current updates and suggestions
and is sent on request only to those wishing a copy. We do NOT share
or sell out mailing list.
You can receive our Monthly Updates by
requesting it when you fill out our
Questionnaire or by
asking to be on the list via
Email.
General:
Our clients often ask us if they need
to book far in advance for some very popular cities and regions. Our 30
years of experience shows that over the decades there are shifting
patterns of travel and some cities very popular one year can be far less
popular the next.
Here is a good rule of thumb. It is
wise to book the following cities and regions as early as possible:
Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris,
Rome, Venice, Florence, Siena, and Provence.
Try and book these 60-90 days in
advance:
Tuscany, Lake Districts of UK,
Italian Lakes and all of Amalfi Coast and coast cities of Baltic
nations, Greece and the French regions of Normandy, Brittany and the
Loire during warm weather months.
For group travel in April-May-June
booking ten months before is reasonable for popular locations such as
Chartres, Paris, Rome, Carcassonne, Berlin and Ireland/Scotland.
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Packing
Pack lightly and carry on at least one
bag with a full change of clothes. If you are taking trains learn to pack and
live out of 22-inch cases. If you rent/lease a car then one 24-inch bag per couple plus
one 22-inch case each is a good rule.
Almost all airlines have lowered their baggage allotments to 50
pounds for one check-in bag and only one carry-on bag permitted.
Fuel surcharges are now ranging from
$125.00 to $185.00 per person.
Duty free (non taxed) exemptions for
travel purchases are now $800.00 a person.
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Let Your French
Connexion Help:
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If and when there is unrest in any
country or section of a nation you will be informed by phone or E-mail.
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We always compare all air costs with
mileage plans, redeemed options and best routings so you can make the selection
best for your travels and budget.
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Travel and/or cancellation insurance due
to illness, strikes and bankruptcy should be weighed against factors affecting
your health and family needs.
Special Interest and
Family News:
Kid
Friendly Travel: Need
a babysitter, child-friendly sites, special meals and/or activities? Whatever
your children’s ages we can take care of all that makes travel with children a
pleasant experience.
Accessible
Travel: Hands
on experience with lodging from bed height to toileting needs. Van and car
rentals can be booked for those needing special adaptation. Guides, drivers and
independent travel excellence as proved by references from previous travelers.
Opera/Ballet
Buffs: We
need to limit our ticket purchases to our paid clients and no longer will sell
seats to non-clients. We charge only a small surcharge for time and handling and
for our agents in Paris who buy directly.
 Train
Travel: Due to the new competition between fast trains and rail we compare all
options for each client’s proposed intra-European travel needs.
Gay/Lesbian
Travel: Travel
for couples, with and without children is a specialty. Finding you a vacation
that fills or exceeds your dreams is our goal. Special care is taken
to be sure all guests are in
situations where they are at ease with people who truly care for their comfort
and peace of mind.
Villa and other Lodging for over 6
Adults/Children: From modern estates to ancient palaces we inspect
and give you detailed pros and cons on each property before you sign any
contract.
Far
Off the Beaten Tract Travel: For those who want to stay with families, vacation with Europeans, stay
outside the regular tourist trade destinations and experience the nature,
history and traditions of any region we will prepare an unique trip.
Theme Travel: We have planned trips for
those into:
These are just a few examples of theme trips done over the past
two years. Our clients have visited with authors, chefs, violin makers and
restorers, historians, jewelry designers, organ makers, potters, lace makers,
actors and their backstages, engineers, and soap manufactures along with olive
oil producers, farmers, cattle breeders, ballet dancers and over 87 wine
makers.
Many clients wish to see and visit the major
attractions of Europe and others wish to be off the tourist track. No matter
your preferences we have researched and visited every type of request over the
past 33 years. We specialize in finding what you want from cooking and dining
in homes to concerts at dusk in mystic settings.
Besides our recommended city and
regional day trips we also arrange all your travel requests: air, car, leases,
rentals and personal guides and home visits if requested.
For special
requests,
fill out our
Questionnaire,
Email us
or call us at 206-363-6575.
From the caves of St. Ignatius to the temples
of hidden Greek conquests, from the coast retreats of southern France to the
Island of Iona, from hidden streets of Paris to Black Forest retreats, let us
help you explore and linger from Ireland to Crete.
Henri and I look forward to speaking with you
and opening our Europe to you and those you love.
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