Trip Report Day 1 - Arras enroute to DLP

davewasbaloo · 08-31-2008, 04:28 AM

Hi folks,

We returned 1am yesterday from our trip to France (inc DLP of course). I don't know if anyone is interested, but I thought I would share.

We departed our house at about 8:00 and drove down to the Channel Tunnel, a pretty smooth uneventful 3 hours and then we were able to take an earlier train through the tunnel. Loaded the cars on and off we went, 35 mins later we were in France, and off to our first stop in Arras (about halfway between Calais and DLP).

We had stopped here before when Mikey was a baby, but never really looked around. This day we explored. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express for about 70 euro, £56, $112 for bed, breakfast and parking. Not bad and a great location (me missed Metallica's concert in the Grand Place by a few days

)

We explored, shopped a little and then went into the wonderful caves under the town. A facinating tour presented in French in English. It rained a little, but not too bad.

We then had a a lovely dinner in a Medeterranian restaurant and an early night. we had hoped to go to Parc Asterix the next day.

Pics including more detail trip report:

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?...localeid=en_GB

Hathaway Browne · 08-31-2008, 04:46 AM

Arras looks really nice. Reminds me a bit of Brugge.

I think I stopped at Arras services on my way to DLRP earlier in the year. Small world isn't it?

davewasbaloo · 08-31-2008, 04:52 AM

We got up early today, hoping to head out to Parc Asterix on the Friday rather than a weekend. When we woke up, the heavens had opened up, and clearly going to a non DLP theme park with little ones was a bad idea.

We decided to take a leisurely journey for the day (only a 90 min drive to the next hotel if we were pushing it).

We first of all went to the lovely town of Noyon and enjoyed the mix of architectural styles.

Then off to Compiegne, where I went on French exchange as a teen. Drove around the town including past the palace of Napolean and Josephine and into the forest.

After encountering a cross country horse race, we passed the Armistace Carriage of WWI (will stop by when the kids are a little older) and went to the storybook town of Pierrefonds.

We enjoyed the views of the castle, took in a small lunch at the cafe (croque Massuers, Saucisse de Frankfort avec frites and Leffe). Not the healthiest, but quick as the kids were hungry.

It was pouring with rain, so we went to a free craft exhibits where using my broken french and their broken english, we chatted for about an hour while the kids played with the yorkshire terrier puppy that was there. The quilting work and paintings were good too and it was a fun little diversion.

At about 3pm we decided to head to our hotel. We decided to stop at the Holiday Inn at Roissy near Charle de Gaul airport. No pool, but other than that, it was definately 4 star all the way.

We were upgraded to an executive room with robes and slippers and we were very pleased with the hotel.

We chose it to earn more points towards future DLP trips and also because of it's location. 15mins from Parc Asterix, a free shuttle to the metro station for easy access to Paris, and about 45 mins from DLP. We thought it would give us lots of options (which it did).

That evening we dolled ourselves up a bit and went down for dinner. We had a wonderful 3 course meal with a bottle of Cote de Rhone, and Sarah's duck was to die for (plus kids eat free).

This was a great choice. The room was a special rate of 79 Euro (£64 or $128 a night including parking). Dinner was good value considering it was an airport hotel - 124 euro - much cheaper than the DLP offerings (£100, $200). I recommend it for those that want a clean, modern, large room with good service not in the city.

More details and pics:

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?...localeid=en_GB

Olivier · 08-31-2008, 07:28 AM

Very good trip repot davewasbaloo !!!
I've never been to Arras nor parc Astérix.

I realise I don't know much about north of France...
However, it seems quite like, we, southern French assume it is : rainy.

Hakuna Makarla · 08-31-2008, 08:54 AM

I am glad you had a great trip, when I get time I will go look at the pics. maybe next time you will post them here so folks do not have to go else where to scroll thru them. makes it easier and best

pussnboots · 08-31-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hakuna Makarla

I am glad you had a great trip, when I get time I will go look at the pics. maybe next time you will post them here so folks do not have to go else where to scroll thru them. makes it easier and best

Actually, a forum post with 30 large pictures can crash many a computer. My four-year-old PowerBook is grateful he chose this.

Arras looks lovely – that castle! They obviously haven't sandblasted everything clean like they do in Paris, but maybe that's a good thing.

davewasbaloo · 08-31-2008, 09:34 AM

Thanks for the comments. And indeed I do not insert pictures in posts. As someone who often uses a hand held to post on forums, pics can be annoying. This way it gives people choice.

Hakuna Makarla · 08-31-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pussnboots

Actually, a forum post with 30 large pictures can crash many a computer. My four-year-old PowerBook is grateful he chose this.

Arras looks lovely – that castle! They obviously haven't sandblasted everything clean like they do in Paris, but maybe that's a good thing.

then we all would have crashed by now since this place is full of trip reports.and tons of pictures.

Dave I went and looked, them pictures are wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

davewasbaloo · 08-31-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hakuna Makarla

Dave I went and looked, them pictures are wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, more are coming...

mikeland · 08-31-2008, 10:32 AM

Excellent pictures and report! Did you take any of the train?

davewasbaloo · 08-31-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeland

Excellent pictures and report! Did you take any of the train?

Not this time, but I have old photos if you would like to see.

pussnboots · 08-31-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hakuna Makarla

then we all would have crashed by now since this place is full of trip reports.and tons of pictures.

Hence the steam my computer is forever emitting.

DLRP_bopazot · 09-01-2008, 01:32 AM

Nice Trip Report Davewasbaloo !!!!! It was a pleasure to see you for 5 sec with you Mickey Ears HaT .

davewasbaloo · 09-01-2008, 01:55 AM

Did you see us at the resort, or are you referring to the pics?

DLRP_bopazot · 09-01-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davewasbaloo

Did you see us at the resort, or are you referring to the pics?

i saw you at the resort !

08-31-2008, 04:28 AM	#1
davewasbaloo Gt Big Beautiful Tomorrow Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Live in the Uk, born in California Posts: 1,274	Day 1 - Arras enroute to DLP Hi folks, We returned 1am yesterday from our trip to France (inc DLP of course). I don't know if anyone is interested, but I thought I would share. We departed our house at about 8:00 and drove down to the Channel Tunnel, a pretty smooth uneventful 3 hours and then we were able to take an earlier train through the tunnel. Loaded the cars on and off we went, 35 mins later we were in France, and off to our first stop in Arras (about halfway between Calais and DLP). We had stopped here before when Mikey was a baby, but never really looked around. This day we explored. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express for about 70 euro, £56, $112 for bed, breakfast and parking. Not bad and a great location (me missed Metallica's concert in the Grand Place by a few days ) We explored, shopped a little and then went into the wonderful caves under the town. A facinating tour presented in French in English. It rained a little, but not too bad. We then had a a lovely dinner in a Medeterranian restaurant and an early night. we had hoped to go to Parc Asterix the next day. Pics including more detail trip report: http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?...localeid=en_GB __________________ Let's put the Walt back in Disney!

08-31-2008, 04:46 AM	#2
Hathaway Browne Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: England, United Kingdom Posts: 273	Re: Day 1 - Arras enroute to DLP Arras looks really nice. Reminds me a bit of Brugge. I think I stopped at Arras services on my way to DLRP earlier in the year. Small world isn't it? __________________

08-31-2008, 04:52 AM	#3
davewasbaloo Gt Big Beautiful Tomorrow Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Live in the Uk, born in California Posts: 1,274	Re: Day 1 - Arras enroute to DLP We got up early today, hoping to head out to Parc Asterix on the Friday rather than a weekend. When we woke up, the heavens had opened up, and clearly going to a non DLP theme park with little ones was a bad idea. We decided to take a leisurely journey for the day (only a 90 min drive to the next hotel if we were pushing it). We first of all went to the lovely town of Noyon and enjoyed the mix of architectural styles. Then off to Compiegne, where I went on French exchange as a teen. Drove around the town including past the palace of Napolean and Josephine and into the forest. After encountering a cross country horse race, we passed the Armistace Carriage of WWI (will stop by when the kids are a little older) and went to the storybook town of Pierrefonds. We enjoyed the views of the castle, took in a small lunch at the cafe (croque Massuers, Saucisse de Frankfort avec frites and Leffe). Not the healthiest, but quick as the kids were hungry. It was pouring with rain, so we went to a free craft exhibits where using my broken french and their broken english, we chatted for about an hour while the kids played with the yorkshire terrier puppy that was there. The quilting work and paintings were good too and it was a fun little diversion. At about 3pm we decided to head to our hotel. We decided to stop at the Holiday Inn at Roissy near Charle de Gaul airport. No pool, but other than that, it was definately 4 star all the way. We were upgraded to an executive room with robes and slippers and we were very pleased with the hotel. We chose it to earn more points towards future DLP trips and also because of it's location. 15mins from Parc Asterix, a free shuttle to the metro station for easy access to Paris, and about 45 mins from DLP. We thought it would give us lots of options (which it did). That evening we dolled ourselves up a bit and went down for dinner. We had a wonderful 3 course meal with a bottle of Cote de Rhone, and Sarah's duck was to die for (plus kids eat free). This was a great choice. The room was a special rate of 79 Euro (£64 or $128 a night including parking). Dinner was good value considering it was an airport hotel - 124 euro - much cheaper than the DLP offerings (£100, $200). I recommend it for those that want a clean, modern, large room with good service not in the city. More details and pics: http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?...localeid=en_GB __________________ Let's put the Walt back in Disney!

08-31-2008, 07:28 AM	#4
Olivier Membre Join Date: May 2005 Location: France Posts: 812	Re: Day 1 - Arras enroute to DLP Very good trip repot davewasbaloo !!! I've never been to Arras nor parc Astérix. I realise I don't know much about north of France... However, it seems quite like, we, southern French assume it is : rainy. __________________ livier My Tokyo Disney Resort Trip Report + Pics!

08-31-2008, 08:54 AM	#5
Hakuna Makarla Banned User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: well thats none of your buisness Posts: 41,151	Re: Day 1 - Arras enroute to DLP I am glad you had a great trip, when I get time I will go look at the pics. maybe next time you will post them here so folks do not have to go else where to scroll thru them. makes it easier and best

08-31-2008, 09:34 AM	#7
davewasbaloo Gt Big Beautiful Tomorrow Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Live in the Uk, born in California Posts: 1,274	Re: Day 1 - Arras enroute to DLP Thanks for the comments. And indeed I do not insert pictures in posts. As someone who often uses a hand held to post on forums, pics can be annoying. This way it gives people choice. __________________ Let's put the Walt back in Disney!

08-31-2008, 10:32 AM	#10
mikeland World Traveler Join Date: May 2005 Location: Aventura, FL Posts: 3,732	Re: Day 1 - Arras enroute to DLP Excellent pictures and report! Did you take any of the train? __________________

09-01-2008, 01:32 AM	#13
DLRP_bopazot Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: front seat on a Roller Coaster ! Posts: 1,484	Re: Day 1 - Arras enroute to DLP Nice Trip Report Davewasbaloo !!!!! It was a pleasure to see you for 5 sec with you Mickey Ears HaT .

09-01-2008, 01:55 AM	#14
davewasbaloo Gt Big Beautiful Tomorrow Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Live in the Uk, born in California Posts: 1,274	Re: Day 1 - Arras enroute to DLP Did you see us at the resort, or are you referring to the pics? __________________ Let's put the Walt back in Disney!

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