Things to start organizing for our adventure

Is your passport up-to-date? If not, now is the time to get this done right away.

How much and what kind of money should I bring?

Good question! Although I don't know how much you personally will want to spend, I will give you an idea of what worked for me in the past.
As far as how much cash you will want for daily expenses, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how little is needed. Our breakfasts are great and very plentiful and most of our fantastic dinners are at home. These meals are already paid for in your fees. We are responsible for our own lunches and these can be very simple with cheese, breads, fruit, pastries etc. that can be purchased quite inexpensively at the market or shops in Limoux and taken along with us. Wine is very cheap! "Coca light" is not. Although traditionally dinner is served late in France, our hosts recognize that westerners prefer to dine earlier and so they accommodate us. We are responsible for just one dinner out per week at a local restaurant, of your choosing, or you can bring something home from the market.
Our daily activities and visits to villages are arranged so you will experience real French life, rather than tourist traps. Therefore, you will not have to be constantly putting out euros to pay for admission etc. Money for souvenirs is up to you, but it might be wise to use a credit card for these, or why not give a little painting that you did to friends or family?
My suggestion is that you only carry in your pocket or money belt what you are comfortable with (or comfortable losing!) There is an ATM just down the street from our home base and although there is a fee to get cash, I think it wise not to carry too much money with you. My bank charges $4.00 for the service and there will most likely be a fee in France. I would rather pay $15.00 to get extra money, when I am running low, rather than risk a stash disappearing from my pocket or pack. We are in a very safe area and no one on my trips has had any problem, however it is wise to be cautious.

DEBIT CARDS - Do go to your bank and ask if your debit card will work in France. There are a variety of symbols on the back that your bank will check to confirm this. Also ask which account it will work with. (Most likely only your chequing account.) You will want to be sure to have money in that account. Unless things have changed in the recent past, bank cards works only in bank machines and not at stores.

CREDIT CARDS - work at most shops. Traveller's cheques are not happily accepted, if taken at all.

EUROS - I checked just today on the exchange rate to convert Canadian dollars to euros we are able to buy about 70+- euros for $100.00. The rates change daily, but this will give you an idea of the rates. Most banks will have euros on hand, but be sure to get your money changed a week or so ahead of our trip, just in case.

So to sum it up: bring along a few hundred euros and if you need more, walk up the street to the ATM machine.
Linda

Our Gang!

What a great group of people we have for our trips! I would like to officially welcome each of you and take this opportunity to introduce you.

April 24 - May 8                 

Anne Yundt                                
Barbara Rohde                          

Kathleen Dean                            

Shirley Clur                                

Janine Sobiski                           
Shirley Lancaster                       
Gale Abbey                                

Don Beaton
Sue Roth
Jim Roth


May 8 - 22

Biljana Baker
Liza Carter
Marilyn Roth
Margueritte Dastoor
Lynda Eads
Gary Duncan
Nermin Tekes


Please let me know if you have a web site or work posted on the internet - you will find a link to Biljana, Gary, Barbara and Tony's art at the right.

I will up-date our list with info. as to where you call home (I have requested this from the office). Do I have the correct spelling of your name? If not send me an email so I can make the correction.

Thanks for the corrections Gale, Anne and Janine!

February 15, 2010 - Collioures

Plans are well underway for our trip! .

As mentioned in our earlier information I am arranging for us to have one night in Collioures - "City of Painters". You can find lots of information on this Mediterranean village on the internet. To get you started, visit: http://www.collioure.com/gb/index-gb.htm


We will stay at a local hotel for this one night. This cost of the hotel for the one night is an added excursion that is not covered in our fees. The cost should be approximately 75 - 110 euros for a double room. There are also more expensive rooms available, but I would like to keep these additional costs as reasonable as possible. It is important to note that the accommodations are not of the usual "American Standard", but our host has checked them out and we will enjoy the village charm and "French Standard" such as smaller rooms with single beds. You will also need to cover your breakfast.


***This trip is optional! Should you decide that you don't want to participate, you may stay at Le Monastere.


In order to reserve the correct number of rooms I need to know if you would like to join me in this beautiful seaside village, or if you prefer to stay at Le Monastere.


Where possible, I plan to pair up students - so you would share with your regular roommate. If, however you would like to have a room to yourself, please let me know so that I can reserve the correct number of rooms.


I feel very confident that once you have a look at the photos of Collioures you will be as excited about this extra adventure as I am!
Please let me know as soon as possible what your thought are and if you wish to spend a day on the French Mediterranean coast!