The Talking Suitcase

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France

Tips to Get a Cheap Flight to France

July 20, 2014 by Dana Zeliff 1 Comment

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

cheap flight to france
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Going to France may just be a dream for some, but finding a cheap flight to France can easily make that dream come true. As far as other costs, you have to pay to live somewhere during that time and it may as well be France. Watch your budget when it comes to entertainment and food. Other than that, your only added expense will be the bills you already pay at home, a hotel, and your transportation to and from France.

How to Get a Cheap Flight to France:

Last Minute Deals

Last minute deals are always a great way to save money as long as you can be prepared to leave for France on very short notice. Airlines don’t like to have empty seats because they have to pay the expense of the flight whether the seats are full or not. Obviously they make more money if the seats are full. By selling you last minute tickets for a low rate that can at least recover some of their money. The downside is that you may not get the seat you want. You might also have to travel in a section that you don’t want to, like economy class instead of first class.

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Filed Under: Flying, France, Europe Travel with Kids, Travel Tips & Tricks, Travel Budget Tips

Why We Chose a France Rental Apartment

May 23, 2014 by Dana Zeliff 4 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

France Rental Apartment vs hotel
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One of the biggest decisions we had to make when planning our France vacation was where to stay. There are countless lodging choices in France (and throughout Europe) – hostels, bed and breakfasts, hotels and apartments. Obviously, a hostel with 2 kids was not even an option. Bed and Breakfasts were also out due to the kid factor. Most B&B’s don’t want kids running around crazy in their homes.

So do we stay in a hotel or a short term France rental apartment? Both options came with an array of location and price ranges. First and foremost, we knew we wanted to be centrally located. While public transport in France is great, we didn’t want to waste our time riding a bus or train in and out of the city multiple times a day.

Once we knew the areas we wanted to stay, we looked at rates. Hotel rooms in France are small compared to American hotel rooms, and finding a room to sleep 4 jumped the price up substantially. I do need to note that I’m also a hotel snob, so that does factor into the price 🙂

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Filed Under: France, Europe Travel with Kids

We’re Going to France! Planning a France Vacation

March 27, 2014 by Dana Zeliff 9 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Planning a France Vacation

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We’re finally fulfilling my life-long dream of going to France!  If I didn’t have the plane tickets as proof, I’d think it was just a dream.  But no, I’m really planning a France vacation!!

France has always been one of those places I’d hoped to explore, but never imagined I’d actually go.  Well, maybe when I was 60, retired and my kiddos had kids of their own.

So, how did all this come about?  After my back surgery in November 2013 (and even before) I spent a LOT of time laying around in bed.  It occurred to me that I might not be able to walk well enough when I’m older to take such a trip.  My back will continue to deteriorate and strolling through quaint French towns might not be possible.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized that life is too short.  Sometimes putting things off until the right time,  isn’t the best idea.  Will there ever really be a right time?

What’s even better than spending 2 weeks in France?  The possibility of moving there for a year or two!

The more my husband & I talked about it, the more I realized I wanted to live abroad. I desperately wanted to expose my kids to another culture, to another language.  Part of me is utterly terrified.  I’ve lived my entire life within a 30 mile radius of where I was born.  I’d always had my Mom and little brother close by.

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Filed Under: France, Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Dana. I believe planning a great trip doesn't mean spending endless evenings scrolling through travel forums and getting overwhelmed by all the logistics.

My approach to travel is built on real-world experience. Alongside my husband and our two kids (who are now 19 and 22), I’ve explored 48 countries across 4 continents including a life-changing four years living as expats in France.

Whether you want a custom European trip built from scratch or a seamless cruise vacation, I combine my firsthand travel knowledge with top industry credentials to handle the stress of planning. You just pack your bags and enjoy the journey. Read More…

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