Messages posted by : AllyG
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Ian,
Who did you have your insurance with? |
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That's a lot of snow Pablo - it looks about 2 metres deep!
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I'm quite sure European car recovery isn't included on my car insurance, so I had a look at how much European Breakdown Cover cost with the AA. The quote I had for one single trip for my car was very cheap - £14-07 - and included this:
Your quote: £14.07 Includes: 22.3% discount A saving of £2.89 Your quote includes: Single Trip Cover: Up to £2,000 for one trip, including roadside assistance, location and despatch of spare parts, vehicle recovery, alternative transport and accommodation. Parts and Labour Benefit: Provides up to £500 towards the cost of replacement parts and garage labour following a breakdown attended under your AA European Breakdown Cover. The family I met on the train a few years ago had taken out this AA insurance and it seemed to be working out very well for them. The AA paid for their train tickets and all the expenses to do with their car,including bringing it back to the U.K. The same thing as multi trip insurance with the AA for a year cost a lot more - £170 - so I suppose it would be better taking out several single trip insurances with them, for anyone driving out to their ski resort. Ally |
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I get to St Pancras on the train - of course - silly question :wink: It's 4 3/4 hours from here to Paddington on the train and then half an hour or so to St Pancras. Check in time closes 1/2 hour before train leaves, so keep about an hour spare. Train takes 6 1/2 hours. The bus transfer is about 20 yards from the station exit at Moutiers and Bourg St Maurice. Takes about 3/4 hour to Courchevel. I pick apartments that are close to the bus station - usually about 100 yards, or possibly 200 yards. Total time approx 13.5 hours But it takes about the same amount of time to drive to London from here, about 4 1/2 hours. Or, to drive to Dover or Folkestone from here would be about 6 hours, then wait to catch the chunnel train or ferry (about an hour I suppose), then the crossing (35 mins or 1 hr 1/4 on ferry), then 9 hour drive from Calais to e.g. Courchevel. Total about 17 hours. The train is still quicker from here than driving, even supposing I could drive for 17 hours. I don't think it would be possible for me to go by train or drive without an overnight stop somewhere. And stopping in London overnight at my parents and then catching the Eurostar works out very well for me. The train goes at 10 a.m. so I don't have to leave their house before about 8-15 a.m. The quickest way for me to get to the ski slopes is by plane, because I can go from Cardiff or Bristol, even though it means a 3 hour drive or so to get to Bristol. But as I'm sure everyone knows by now I am trying to fly as little as possible. I suppose it depends on where everyone lives in relation to St Pancras, a regional airport, Victoria coach station, or Dover/Folkestone as to which is the quickest and easiest method to get to the Alps. The train is definitely a lot slower if you try going to Austria, Italy or Switzerland. But it's pretty fast if you can get the direct train to Moutiers or Bourg-St-Maurice. Ally |
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Hi Jon,
I hope you have a great time - it sounds like you deserve a holiday :D Ally |
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Hi Eggman,
I hope you have a great time, wherever you end up ski-ing. Let's hope the weather improves for you :D Ally |
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Toni,
Going by train is much quicker and easier than driving. It's only 6 1/2 hours from St Pancras to Moutiers direct. All you have to do is go through one luggage and i.d. check at St Pancras and get on the train with your luggage. Then get off in Moutiers and get a bus - half an hour transfer depending on which resort you're going to - and you're there. What could be easier than that? I agree it's more expensive though, unless you can get one of the limited cheap tickets for £150. We had to pay £300 each for ours. Ally |
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That sounds really frightening :shock: What a huge avalanche! At least no-one was caught in it, and well done for helping to look for people.
Ally |
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