Travel Agent or DIY

Just AlItalia as well, their flights for the day run via AirFrance anyway.
 
Last time I flew to Europe Emirates was the best deal to Frankfurt. The two shorter flights and 4 hour stopover in Dubai was actually better than the previous direct flights that I had taken there.

Will certainly consider again, especially as Emirates fly into Gatwick.
 
Billy said:
Last time I flew to Europe Emirates was the best deal to Frankfurt. The two shorter flights and 4 hour stopover in Dubai was actually better than the previous direct flights that I had taken there.

Will certainly consider again, especially as Emirates fly into Gatwick.
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Nothing is set in stone yet, will keep looking as the prices change continously. Apparently the best time to book is on a Tuesday as most airlines put out specials on a Monday and then competitors adjust the next day.

I did have a look at Emirates now in comparison to AirFrance, difference in price of about R2k Emirates being more expensive and travel time being 6 hours longer.
 
Took the plunge and booked the plane tickets last night. Wife was checking some stuff by chance and noticed there were only 2 seats remaining on our outbound flight.

5 more were made available directly after booking but at R1kpp more expensive.
 
Started working on the accomodation now. First point of call was TripAdvisor to check ratings, availability and dates, identified some places we're interested in.

As part of the process though we made a point of checking the hotels own websites as well when comparing prices. Interestingly a lot of them now have an embedded window that basically tells you not to use the likes of bookings.com etc. They go as far as to try and draw in comparative prices from the web and then show that booking directly with the hotel is cheaper. In many instances its not though.
 
Arzy said:
Started working on the accomodation now. First point of call was TripAdvisor to check ratings, availability and dates, identified some places we're interested in.

As part of the process though we made a point of checking the hotels own websites as well when comparing prices. Interestingly a lot of them now have an embedded window that basically tells you not to use the likes of bookings.com etc. They go as far as to try and draw in comparative prices from the web and then show that booking directly with the hotel is cheaper. In many instances its not though.
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On my last Europe trip I booked all hotels through the hotel booking sites. I found that the convienience outweighed the often marginal cost saving from booking sites. Booking sites also did not offer the cheaper chains.
 
Hotels have now also been booked, went with the option of not paying up front and being able to still cancel so it works out a bit more expensive. Took a lot of time finding the right places though :p Settled on good hotels within walking distance of some attractions and main terminals.

All in cost so far for flights, accomodation, breakfasts and transfers is R11k per person. Nearest quote on the specific days is R18k per person.
 
My wife and I travel quite a lot. My default is google flights and airbnb. A couple of times cheapflights has saved me R100-R200 over google flights though. I LOVE airbnb. I always manage to get a really decent place very cheaply with it. It always has internet, and a kitchen so I can save money on restaurants.
 
Was thinking of doing airbnb, decided to go with the hotels rather based on their locations for this trip.

My one issue with cheapflights was that I couldn't do the multi destination trip.
 
Busy organising visas now. Bank statements, forex and letter from the bank all organised over the phone.

Guessing I go to the embassy of the country that is my point of entry? I'm only in transit in France on the way in so I need to work with the Italian embassy?
 
Arzy said:
Busy organising visas now. Bank statements, forex and letter from the bank all organised over the phone.

Guessing I go to the embassy of the country that is my point of entry? I'm only in transit in France on the way in so I need to work with the Italian embassy?
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Schengen visa perhaps
 
So, trip is now just 4 days away, all organised by ourselves.

Initial idea of viator for booking activities got tossed out the window. In most instances it was better to simply go direct or find a local agent. As an illustration, Eiffel Tower summit access booked directly comes to EUR17pp, Viator starts at $35pp for just the 1st and 2nd floor and easily gets to $99pp if you include summit access.

Timing is important though, agents do block bookings for the main attractions about 2-3 weeks ahead of time gobbling up all available tickets.

Viator also resells the same product under a number of different names so while it seems they have a huge range of products in many instances its just one agency's standard offering with different wording or transfers included.

Another thing that irked me about Viator was their pricing on the website, hotel transfers for example are listed from $25. The rate is only applicable if you have 8 people in the vehicle so total of $200 for a shared transfer. A private transfer organised with the hotel comes in at EUR110 return.

Approaching a number of different local agencies also offered many different options which could also be customised.

Final planning includes:
Colloseum (Underground, Arena and Third floor)
Vatican, Sistine and St Peter's with access from 7:30am
Food Tour of Rome
Moulin Rouge, couldn't book direct as it kept refusing card so ended up going through an agency at the same price
Eiffel Tower
Seine River Dinner Cruise
Versailles
 
HavocXphere said:
Sounds amazing. :)

Hope you left enough time...most of those are going to take time.
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Yeah, timing is good, basically comes down to 1 major attraction a day with access at set times.

This is then followed by time to just explore on our own.
 
Looks like a good trip. I must admit that after spending 2 hours in a queue in Florence to see "David" pre-booking is a good idea, but that was the only time that we have had to queue. We are generally first in at attractions in Europe, as we are up with the Lark.
 
Arzy said:
So, trip is now just 4 days away, all organised by ourselves.

Initial idea of viator for booking activities got tossed out the window. In most instances it was better to simply go direct or find a local agent. As an illustration, Eiffel Tower summit access booked directly comes to EUR17pp, Viator starts at $35pp for just the 1st and 2nd floor and easily gets to $99pp if you include summit access.

Timing is important though, agents do block bookings for the main attractions about 2-3 weeks ahead of time gobbling up all available tickets.

Viator also resells the same product under a number of different names so while it seems they have a huge range of products in many instances its just one agency's standard offering with different wording or transfers included.

Another thing that irked me about Viator was their pricing on the website, hotel transfers for example are listed from $25. The rate is only applicable if you have 8 people in the vehicle so total of $200 for a shared transfer. A private transfer organised with the hotel comes in at EUR110 return.

Approaching a number of different local agencies also offered many different options which could also be customised.

Final planning includes:
Colloseum (Underground, Arena and Third floor)
Vatican, Sistine and St Peter's with access from 7:30am
Food Tour of Rome
Moulin Rouge, couldn't book direct as it kept refusing card so ended up going through an agency at the same price
Eiffel Tower
Seine River Dinner Cruise
Versailles
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About to start the same exercise for later this year. DIY booking of trip to Italy and possibly a day or two in Munchen during Oktoberfest (assuming it's still going ahead which is not yet confirmed). So that would mean the trip would have to be mid September to early October.

Thinking of +- 4 days in Italy (3 Rome, 1 Florence) and 2-3 in Munchen.

Using Cheapflights for checking flights at the moment (not buying yet - still awaiting passport from Homeaffairs - dont want to buy too soon in case anything happens. Then must also still get the VISA etc.

Lastly I am considering booking.com for accommodation. Want to check on Google maps for places close to our attractions (which also still needs to be finalized).

As for the attractions to visit in Italy - so far I guess it will have to be Colosseum, Spanish steps (or whateva its called), Vatican and surroundings. Might also want to take a trip to Florence.
 
SeRpEnT said:
About to start the same exercise for later this year. DIY booking of trip to Italy and possibly a day or two in Munchen during Oktoberfest (assuming it's still going ahead which is not yet confirmed). So that would mean the trip would have to be mid September to early October.

Thinking of +- 4 days in Italy (3 Rome, 1 Florence) and 2-3 in Munchen.

Using Cheapflights for checking flights at the moment (not buying yet - still awaiting passport from Homeaffairs - dont want to buy too soon in case anything happens. Then must also still get the VISA etc.

Lastly I am considering booking.com for accommodation. Want to check on Google maps for places close to our attractions (which also still needs to be finalized).

As for the attractions to visit in Italy - so far I guess it will have to be Colosseum, Spanish steps (or whateva its called), Vatican and surroundings. Might also want to take a trip to Florence.
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There's a high speed train between Rome and Florence, much easier than flights.
 
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