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My Nice, France trip plan got screwed up this morning

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by rockbox, Jul 27, 2009.

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  1. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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    I was supposed to go Nice for a week in the end of August for work. I thought it would be fun to have my family there since they haven't been to France yet. The plan was for us to arrive the weekend before and go to Paris the weekend after. I booked the flights for them last week using airline miles. I found out this morning that they changed the venue for the event to Brussels because of logistical issues. Ugh!!! Not that Brussels isn't a nice place, but it isn't the French Riviera.

    Now I'm faced with the dilemma of what to do with the family. Do I spend the extra money to change the flights so they go with me to Brussels and then Paris or do I wait until next year and take them to Nice.
     
  2. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

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    Brussels is nice, but it isn't Nice.
     
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  3. joesr

    joesr Member

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    If you fork up the cash, will you still have the same amount of time to spend with each other?
     
  4. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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    Yes, nothing has changed in that regard. Just the location. Instead of the beach and fine looking Europeans in their bathing suits, we would get waffles.
     
  5. VanityHalfBlack

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    Spend the extra bucks, who knows what will happen next year...
     
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  6. rockets934life

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    Exactly...well said
     
  7. Yonkers

    Yonkers Member

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    Very good point
     
  8. s land balla

    s land balla Member

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    IMO, Nice isn't even nice. Sure they have a beach, but it's a pebble beach (no sand). Maybe other parts of the French Riviera are nicer, but I wasn't a big fan of Nice at all.

    My aunt lives in Brussels, so I've been there a few times as well. Not a whole lot going on there, either. My suggestion is you visit Amsterdam with your family, it's only a short train ride from Brussels.
     
  9. Fyreball

    Fyreball Member

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    You've already made the plans, and you've already paid so much as it is. You're kinda pot-committed. I say fork over the extra dough, and show your family a great time in Brussels. Remember, life is what you make of it. Who knows, maybe your family will enjoy Brussels even more than Nice?
     
  10. BenignDMD

    BenignDMD Member

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    I agree. Nice def. was not my favorite place in Europe. I guess you can take the train to Monaco or Ventamiglia. Slandballa is right about the beaches and the water. Its all stones. Not pebbles, but larger golf ball sized smooth rocks.

    Brussels should still be good. You can take the train to the Hague and visit Madurodam if you have younger kids. I liked the place too, its a miniature city. Although I did arrive there from Amsterdam:)
     
  11. rocketsjudoka

    rocketsjudoka Member

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    I've seen a lot of Europeans in bathing suits and they aren't all fine looking. Even though they give us a lot of grief there are plenty of fat @ss Euros and there are few things more unpleasent than looking at a chubby middle-aged guy in a tiny speedo.
     
  12. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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    Has anyone driven across France before? What of the options is to fly into Nice as originally planned, spend a few night and drive to Brussels, and then drive down to Paris on the weekend and spend 4 nights.
     
  13. dkoune

    dkoune Rookie

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    live in the moment. Spend the dough. :cool:
     
  14. KingCheetah

    KingCheetah Atomic Playboy
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    That sounded like it was going to be a really nice trip.
     
  15. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    I wouldn't recommend it. Crossing France is approximately like crossing Texas, except they don't have the US Intersate system. They do have toll-roads you'll be able to use in places, and those are pretty quick while they last, but the other roads don't allow the high-speed travel you get in the States. And, who knows, you might get stuck in a Fete de Velos for 50 miles like I did in the Loire Valley a month ago. Or a giant traffic jam caused by farmers protesting the price of milk, also like I did.

    You can take the trains. But, of course it will cost extra money for the two trips with all the people. I don't know how much luxury you need, but a couple of years ago, I flew into Paris and took a night train to Geneva. This had the two-fold benefit of being able to sleep through the travel and not having to pay for a hotel that night. You'd want to make sure you get a sleep car.
     
  16. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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    Its not about the dough. It about trying have as much fun as possible and seeing France.
     
  17. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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    We might take the train to Brussels and then to Paris, however I'm not sure if there is an overnight train there. I just thought it would allow me to stop off and see stuff on the way.
     
  18. Nero

    Nero Member

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    It should be illegal to use the word nice in the same sentence as the word France... :D
     
  19. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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    I've been to Paris 4 times and I thought it was very nice and found the people as friendly as anywhere else I've been.
     
  20. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    I can understand that. France has plenty to see. Maybe I'm still smarting from bad luck on my trip, but I would urge you to understand it would be a leisurely drive, not the 11 hours Google says it would take.

    You could also catch a plane from Marseilles, btw.
     

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