Hotel Metropole LaFayette

When you think of Paris visions of luxury, excess, beauty, sophistication, and fabulousness certainly come to mind. It is easy to think that any and every accommodation will be filled with decor to die for, well that just isn't quite the case. Especially if you are traveling on a budget! For the bargin price of $150 a night you too can enjoy the splendors of the Hotel Metropole LaFayette.

It sported the typical steep and narrow staircases of European budget hotels, creaking loose steps and all. Though this one sported the added feature of a steep stairway that greeted you at the hotel entrance. At the top of the steps is the reception area and a small bar/restaurant..? (we didn't try it) and more stairs (of the spiral variety). Our room was two more flights up, so lucky us, we got some exercise as a free bonus.

The floors in the bedroom and bathroom were rather soft, leaving us fearful that while we may go to bed in our room, we might wake up in the one below--Which might not have been so bad if they had newer bedding that was minus the love stains, cigarette burns, and bed bugs left by previous room patrons.

It was nice to have an en-suite bathroom, but the saggy and water damaged ceiling above the shower made for necessarily quick use of the tub, lest ye be joined by the upstairs neighbor. Who, incidentally, we always knew the comings and goings of, due to the rather thin walls and flimsy bedroom door.

The staff was friendly in general, they just couldn't speak English very well (surprising since every other guest in the hotel was American, English or some other non-French speaking tourist). The front desk clerk did seem especially afraid we would leave with our room key on checkout. We had several bags and with each trip up and down the stars she would yell at us to give her the key (which I finally did, once we were done).

The convenient location above a Metro stop was one of the Hotel's few redeeming qualities. This metro stop will take you to the center of the city and all major stations within minutes. There were also some nice local bars, bakeries and food stores close by (much cheaper than in the center of the city).

Short-term Car Leasing is the Way to Go!

My dad and I preparing to leave Bayonne, France ~ July 7, 2007

There are many options for traveling through Europe. Depending upon your needs you may wish to use one or several methods. For the type of far-ranging travel I typically engage in there is really only one reasonable option for me: a short-term car lease. This option was brought to my attention by my friend Lori while planning a trip in 2004. She came across it while looking at car rental options in Europe. 

The program works like this: 1) you must not be a resident of the EU, 2) you must lease the car for a minimum of 17 days, 3) you must pick it up in France (for free) or in a neighboring country (for a fee), 4) you must return it to a designated location, 5) you must pay in advance, 6) you must reserve the car at least 2-3 weeks in advance (so they have time to do the necessary paperwork). 

The deal is: 1) the cost is significantly less than it would be to rent a comparable car, 2) full insurance is included (so no matter what condition the car is in when you drop it off you do not pay extra), 3) roadside assistance is included, 4) theft insurance is included (if someone steals the car they replace it with no questions asked), 5) there is no mileage restriction, 6) you own the car for the time you have it, and 7) the car is brand new!

I have leased a car in Europe twice ( in 2004 and 2007) and I plan to do it again this summer. Aside from the benefits mentioned above, this option appealed to me for many reasons. I like the freedom a car provides. Traveling by train limits your ability to stop and smell the flowers, literally. 

On the road to Salmanca we spotted an old cliff-side church and 

decided to investigate ~ July 7, 2007

A sunflower farm along the roadside north of Barcelona ~ July 20, 2007

Tracy hadden't noticed the bees buzzing around her yet ~ July 20, 2007

My dad and Hope wait by the Kangoo ~ July 20, 2007

Traveling by car makes it much easier to transport luggage. I have had nightmarish experiences lugging suitcases on and off of trains. Wheels have broken, luggage has gotten stuck, I've gotten bumps and bruises and worst of all, because my luggage slowed me down, I have missed stops and wasted time changing trains backtracking to my planned stop. The Renault Kangoo, the car I leased both times, has amazing storage capacity and made transporting and storing luggage simple and hastle free (when traveling with three girls some creativity may be required). 

Tracy, Hope, my dad and I preparing to leave Barcelona 

and head to Nimes, France ~ July 20, 2007

You may be wondering how this works and what is in it for the car dealers, here's the scoop. When you buy a new car in France it comes with a lot of taxes. When you buy a used car in France the taxes are much lower. By leasing the cars for short periods of time, everyone wins. The Frenchman looking for a new car gets one that has been only slightly used for a low price and pays low taxes on it. The tourist looking for an inexpensive and convenient way to get around Europe for a few weeks or months, gets a new car and doesn't have to worry about any of the issues that come with renting a car. It is a win-win deal! 

I have been very happy both times I leased a car. I did everything online using Idea Merge, a company specializing in sort-term leasing of Renaults and Pugeos (they also lease motor-homes if you are looking for something a little bigger). They lease over 20 types of cars, SUVs and vans. 

I have been very happy with their service and have had no problems, other than some small wait times when picking up and dropping off the cars. The first time I leased a  car I picked it up and dropped it off in Amsterdam. The second time I picked it up in Paris and dropped it off in Amsterdam. The Paris location is at the airport (and is a bit difficult to find), the Amsterdam location is in the city, but fortunately they do provide a free shuttle service to and from the airport.

The insurance came in handy when this monkey in Gibraltar scratched the paint and broke the mirror while trying to get in. It had spotted the crate of cherries we bought earlier from a farmer selling them on the roadside. 

~July 12, 2007~

Preparing for Travel by Reflecting on the Past

Bayonne, France ~ July 6, 2007

As I once again begin to consider what I should do and where I should go this summer, I cannot help but think about where I have been. Thoughts bring me back to 2007, and the last time I took an extended trip in Europe. That trip centered around two goals: 1) going to Grenada, Spain to attend a conference and 2) visiting my boyfriend's family in Poland. In order to accomplish these goals I ended up staying in Europe for 54 days! Fortunately, I was able to see a lot of great things, do a lot of fun things and share these memories with friends and family.

After much time spent on the phone and on the internet the plan for the trip the itinerary unfolded nicely and included visits to eleven countries: France, Spain, Morocco, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, and Poland.

Some highlights of the trip included experiencing the opening night of the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain with my father and the welcoming of the Catholic Pilgrims in Częstochowa, Poland with my boyfriend and his family.

Pamplona, Spain ~ July 6, 2007

Pamplona, Spain ~ July 7, 2007

Pamplona, Spain ~ July 7, 2007

Częstochowa, Poland ~ August 13, 2007

Częstochowa, Poland ~ August 13, 2007

Częstochowa, Poland ~ August 13, 2007