Paris at Thanksgiving 2004, Nice trip but some problems
Written: Jan 02 '05
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Pros: Cheap trip, hotel had a good buffet and was close to Metro.
Cons: Gate 1 does not provide enough directions.
The Bottom Line: Cheap trip, you have to figure out most things. Cheap plane ride to Europe
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| rlesino's Full Review: Gate 1 Travel |
Hello:
I have traveled to Europe many times, but this was my 18 year old daughter's first trip. We booked with Gate 1 for the first time, we liked the price. However, my suspicions were confirmed that a low price does not equate to a good trip with all the details.
First, the airplane: We left from Newark, NJ on Air India, a 747-400. The fight was uneventful, but paacked. I had called Air India to reserve seat, as Gate 1 said, "they cannot reserve seats and you must do that at the gate." False! With the PNR number Gate 1 provided, I called Air India and reserved a window seat for my daughter. Good thing we did as the plane was full and a zoo. Lots of famillies travelling to India, we were only "one the bus" part to Paris.
Second, the arrival: At the airport, Gate 1 did NOT provide enough detailed instructions on the transfer ticket to explain where the van service "City Service" was located. We asked several English speaking terminal employees all "never heard of them". We tried to follow the number codes to the airport location. It was a twenty minute walk, dragging our suitcases to the location.
Third, the van service: While prompt and a good quality van, it took them 30 mins. to get organized and load the van to our hotel.
Fourth, the Kyriad Bercy Hotel: The Kyriad is a great 2 to 3 star hotel. If you have never been to Europe before you probably won't like it, as the rooms are too small, bathrooms too small. However, the breakfast (continental) was larger than most I have experienced in Switzerland or Itlay. The hotel is in a great location , one block from the Metro and near Bercy village where there are shops, many restaurants, and the local neighboorhood gives you the insights as to how the locals live.
Fifth, our Gate 1 trips to Eiffel Tower: Gate 1 told us to show up at the Touring Scope office on Haussman street. I had called GAte 1 before leaving and they WERE NOT HELPFUL. None of the staff had ever been to Paris and even the supervisor on duty had NO IDEA where the offices were located. I figured from the address they had to be near Galleries Lafayette. When we got there, we walked around for 30 minutes before finding the offices...a small office wedged between two large building about two blocks from Galleries Lafayette. None of the locals on the street had ever heard of it. The staff at Touring Scope were nice and spoke English and French. Both our trips using Touring Scope DID NOT LEAVE ON TIME, all us tourists waited from 15 mins to 30 mins for busses to arrive. Since there is NO parking for the bus , you have to walk down the street and load by the curb.
So, what is the final word on Gate 1. Yes, it is cheap, but not very informative. You have to figure things out on your own. If you don't mind doing that, and are a little adventuresome, you will be OK. The Kyriad is a clean, but very small hotel, with very small rooms, hard beds, and small showers, book an upgrade if you have never been to Europe and don't like small rooms. My daughter was shocked at how small...for me it was OK, since I was use to the small rooms and showers. The best part of the Kyraid Bercy is the large breakfast buffet which was grand for European standards, and the closeness to the Metro and Bercy Village.
Would I book more trips with Gate 1? If for myself and all I wanted was cheap airfare transport, cheap hotel, maybe yes. If traveling with my 18 year old daughter, NO! Would probably use AAA and do an upgraded room for Europe. (PS: After our GAte 1 trip to Franch, and my voicing the above complaints in an email to GAte 1, it took their staff over one month to respond and send me an email back addressing the above concerns...NOT VERY RESPONSIVE OR GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THEIR PART...THEY SAID THEY WOULD DISCUSS MY ISSUES AT THEIR NEXT STAFF MEETING!!!!!!!)
PSS: After returning from our Gate 1 travel, my daughter and I booked a trip thru AAA to Cancun, Mexico for about the same price as our trip to France with Gate 1. We had a large oceanview room, all meals included and a large room with balcony...so decide if France is really where you want to go, or some place warm and where the rooms are large....French people are still nasty and not deserving of our American dollars since they did not support the Gulf War!
Recommended:
No
Best Suited For: Singles
Tour type: Individual
Tour format: Various
Tour length: Several Days
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Epinions.com ID:
rlesino
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Location: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Retired from Federal Government. Served a Senior Executive.
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