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Everything you always wanted to know about France |
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Rentals France Newsletter March 9 2000 No. 20 Contents.Hi, for two weeks I have been traveling from the UK to Spain. That is one of the big advantages of living here in the French "Midi", I am truly in the heart of Europe.From here I can drive to twelve different countries and states in a day (not quite all in the same day), Spain is only two hours from my home in Nizas. First a big thank you to everyone who wrote to me with advice and comments on what you all want to see in the newsletter and on the websites. Information, photos, maps, news and the best deals are some of the things you asked for. I will do my best to open new pages and to write about things which make your trip as enjoyable and trouble free as possible. I will reply to all the letters I promise.
1). Car Rentals in Europe ===== 1). CAR RENTALS I always advise you to book and pay for your car rental before you leave. You have recommended three companies to me for rentals and short term leases. I have put links to AutoEurope and TravelNow on the site at... ...I am still waiting to hear from Europe-By-Car which came recommended by several of you who have leased from them. Leasing can be for as short a term as 19 days and seems a very economical way of having a car in Europe. It takes a little longer to arrange but gives big savings. ===== 2). PRIVACY POLICY I will put a privacy statement on the web sites as I have been asked never to sell or give any e-mail addresses I receive for the subscribers to this newsletter. I promise this and this is why I pay for a mail list service and do not use the free ones which are available. I am regularly approached to sell my lists and to rent out my newsletter but I promise this will never be done. ===== 3). PHONE CALLS AND INTERNET ACCESS The new wireless technology is making the telephone companies in Europe offer much better deals for subscribers, - except in France-. From the UK I can phone the USA for half the price of the same call to France. Whenever possible I use a "callback" system to make long distance calls from France. You can get details of a number of companies from the links on most of the pages on our sites, or go to... http://telecom.nothing-but-net.net/1stVacations/ ..for information on how to sign up. For Internet access when you travel you pay more in France for a Cyber cafe than anywhere in Europe, we have to pay for every second of a local call, but it must get better . ===== 4). PEN PALS I have been asked several times for help in finding pen-pals for people coming to Europe. Not only the kids. I am looking for pen pals for 11, 14 and 15 year olds at the moment in France for families coming later this year. There must be some pen-pal sites out there, please let me know if you have found any or if you would like me to start one up. With the new free translation software this should be a great way for everyone to learn how the other half lives and for kids to improve their language skills. ===== 5). FLIGHTS I am trying to find sites where you can get good deals on flights to and in Europe. TravelNow are on our site at... ...and I would like to offer a selection. If you know where to look and keep asking there are some fantastic deals around. The problem is that the companies don't make it easy for you. I flew from the UK to The south of France by Ryan air last week for about $60 including all charges and taxes (I drove to the UK in a 27 year old VW Beetle). This was flying on Saturday, If I had asked for the Friday or the Sunday it was three times that price, but they don't make this clear on the site. The lesson is to keep looking and try as many different dates as you can. I hope to be able to do some research and advise good deals on our sites, but this all takes time and I only have ten fingers. Please let me know about any sites which have given you a good deal or service. ===== 6). SHAMELESS PLUG I promise to give 10 shares in my project outlined on my site at... ..to each person you introduce to the idea and who contacts me. This is just a way to get some feedback. In fact the last two newsletters have resulted in some strong interest and we are beginning to move forward in the UK. I said I will keep this offer open 'till the end of March so if you want to get in on the ground-floor of the next aol/Yahoo/Amazon, drop me a line. ===== If you would like any information or help, or if you have any requests for this newsletter. I ma also very happy to publish your letters or comments if you wish. A Bientôt Tony
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