Serge the Concierge

For 3 Weeks Minimum Stay in France, Peugeot Open Europe offers Alternative to Car Rental

Unless they have travelled to Europe, the name Peugeot will probably draw a blank stare from many of my fellow Americans if I mentioned it as one of the common picks when renting a car in France.

As I continue planning my visit to Europe (a bit less than 6 weeks from today), I have spent time looking at car rentals options that do not break the bank from my base in Toulouse.

Complicating the search (and raising the price) is fact that I am looking for a vehicle with an automatic transmission.

I only plan to rent a vehicle on 2 or 3 separate days for specific excursions and this might complicate my search as vehicles with automatic transmission might not be available on these dates.

Best rates I found so far for a Toulouse intra-muros pickup and drop off (rather than airport location) were from Budget and National at around $140 per day.

Some sites speed up search for an automatic vehicle by offering it as an additional search option, others don't which means you have to scroll through the list.

I was a bit puzzled to see mostly midsize cars (including Mercedes) offered as 'automatic' options rather than compact models.

In my quest, I also discovered Peugeot Open Europe represented in the USA by Auto France which happens to be based in New Jersey.

I will not qualify for their program as it is more like a lease and it requires a 21 days minimum and up to 175 days. Alongside their tourist program, they also have a student option.

They offer the 308 SELECT DIESEL 2.0L AUTOMATIC (with GPS & CIELO ROOF) seating 5 that runs on Diesel for example.

There is a Peugeot Open Europe pick up and drop off point at Toulouse Airport. 

Besides 20 something locations in France, service is also available in London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Milan, Rome, San Sebastian, Barcelona and Madrid.

(* Peugeot Open Europe image from their Facebook page)

Ping Pong and String Quartet at New Music 20x12 Festival, London, July 13 to 15

Movie festivals feature short films.

At Southbank Centre, this summer 2012, 20 compositions commissioned by PRS for Music Foundation, each 12 minutes long, will be performed at New Music 20x12 Festival (July 13 to 15).

"Every single New Music 20x12 commission will be performed over one weekend at London’s Southbank Centre, with most performances completely free.

The weekend will also include two full days on one-to-one composer surgeries and four workshops for composers of all ages and abilities."

Amongst the works, London premiere of Ping! for table tennis players, string quartet and soundtrack and Spinal Chords, Sally Beamish's new work for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment sets a text by Melanie Reid who broke her neck and back in a horse-riding accident in April 2010 which left her paralyzed.

Tried and Gave Up Booking Internet Only Toulouse-Paris Train Trip on Voyages SNCF Site

As I continue planning my 2 weeks in Europe, late August, early September, I had my mind set on booking the Toulouse-Paris segment of the trip and got to work on it last week-end.

As airfares for the date and time I was interested in had shot up to $150 a piece, I turned to Voyages SNCF for rail options.

I discovered a new (to me) 'internet only' option named Intercites 100% Eco where the fare on Toulouse-Paris for 1 person at the beginning of my search last Saturday was 26 Euros, You get a 10% discount if you travel as a family (say 4 people). As of today (June 29) fare for same train is 30 Euros per person.

From what I understand Intercites 100% Eco is a service similar to iDTGV.

Unfortunately, after selecting trip, seats, number of passengers and all other necessary booking information, I hit a wall during payment ( I chose e-ticket option of course).

I tried 2 or 3 times only to see my payment fail.

I contacted card issuer who told me that they had blocked transaction (and card) because of repeated tries. Being informed of my intended purchase, they told me to try again and that all should be smooth sailing.

I tried again to no avail, called Toulouse train station, Voyages SNCF and i forgot who else to find what the issue was and was told in the end it was because I used a foreign card and the system would not accept it unless it was from American Express.

I am not sure that information I was given was 100% accurate.

Nevertheless, I got tired of trying and passed the buck to a relative in France who will get tickets for me.

There is always Rail Europe but often their fares are more expensive (cheapest fare on similar train for same date was listed as $75 per person) and this particular train I was interested in was not part of what they offered.

I will try to get to the bottom of the issue when I am in France.

I wonder if things would have turned out differently had I tried to book via TGV Europe instead?

If you want to practice your French, Kelbillet has a piece titled  SNCF, Les trains Intercités ont aussi des prix « low-cost » on 100% Eco.

(* Intercites image from Kelbillet piece)

50 KW Wind Turbine to Microtractor, How to Build Your Own, Open Source Ecology Guide

Tinkerers, utopians, urban farmers and others will have a smile on their face when they visit Open Source Ecology, they will see 50 machines that compose the Global Village Construction Set, not a Lego set but machines that do jobs from producing Compressed Earth Blocks to Well Digging Rig.

This last is to find water not oil.

The whole Open Source Ecology effort is presented as "Open Source - Low-Cost - Modular - User-Serviceable - DIY - Closed-Loop Manufacturing - High Performance - Heirloom Design - Flexible Fabrication."

Grown up Mecano for Green Day # 224

Previously:  Have a Green Saturday, Celebrate National Train Day on May 12

Copenhagen to Istanbul, Map of Air France Escapes To/ From Marseille, One Way from 50 Euros

Travel bug bites us all especially as summer season gets closer.

If your vacation budget is minimal and your dates flexible, Air France offers great escapes to and from its 3 French hubs of Marseille, Nice and Toulouse. Fares start at 50 Euros one way.

After writing about the program in general in Great Escapes, i thought that sharing maps of destinations served from each hub would be better than writing them down.

I start with Marseille connected to cities from Copenhagen to Istanbul.

Bon voyage!

 

Great Escapes, Berlin-Toulouse, Marseille-Copenhagen, Nice-Athens, Air France Flights From 50 Euros One Way

While planning my summer escape to Europe, I discovered that Air France is not conceding the domestic field to budget airlines and instead is now using some of its regional bases including Toulouse to offer travelers new direct flights both within France and to and from other European countries as well as across the Mediterranean for fares as low as 50 euros one way.

I was made aware of the 'Evadez Vous' (Escape) flights after I booked my flight from New York area to Berlin (RT for $650 for late August departure and return on September 4) and learned that Air France had just launched, on April 1st, direct flights from Berlin to Toulouse.

The 'Evadez Vous' campaign was started in Marseille in fall 2011 and Nice and Toulouse came on board in April 2012.

Fares depending on destination start at 50 Euros, then 80 Euros with higher fare at 110 Euros .

In my case, on date I am looking at for travel from Berlin to Toulouse, August 22, fare is currently 80 Euros ($114).

I will not return to Berlin from Toulouse as I will stop in Paris on way back so I did not look at round trip ticket option.

Passengers can selecti multi city option when booking. In my case I could book Berlin to Toulouse as first leg and Toulouse to Paris as second segment.

People traveling to/from Nice could pick Amsterdam-Nice then Nice-Athens as second leg.

With Marseille as hub, you could fly from Copenhagen to Marseille and then Marseille to Marrakech for example.

Frequency of flights to each destination varies so being somehow flexible with your travel schedule will help fetch a good fare.

For Berlin to Toulouse on August 22, there is one flight at that fare leaving at 12:55 PM and arriving at 3:15 Pm.

Besides the attractive fares, Air France is committed to offering the level of service you expect from them.

You will not be charged for peanuts.

On flights under 1H and 40 minutes, passengers get a hot drink and baked goods in the morning and soft drinks and snacks the rest of the day.

On those between 1 hour and 40 minutes and 2 hours and 30 minutes, baked goods are served in the morning, a sandwich for lunch or dinner and a selection of snacks the rest of the day.

For flights that last between 2 hous 30 and 3 hours (Athens for example), breakfast is served in the morning, a cold meal for lunch and dinner and a sandwich the rest of the day.

For those over 3 hours (Moscow and Beyrouth to name two), breakfast is served in the morning and a cold meal including cookies is ogffered the rest of the day.

A selection of French and International newspapers is available for free before boarding.

Each passenger can register a luggage of up to 23 kilos plus take onboard a garment bag, a messenger or laptop bag and a 12 kilos carry on bag, all that at no additional cost.

New 'Evadez Vous' destinations added on April first include:

To/ From Toulouse:

Hamburg, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Venice, Naples, Istanbul, Athens, Malta, Tunis, Sevilla, Malaga, Casablancam Marrakech

To/ From Marseille:

Hamburg, Berlin, Venice, Barcelona, Marrakech

To/ From Nice:

Venice, Naples, Athens, Tel Aviv

Thanks to Cecile and Marina of Air France Media Team for taking the time to speak with me and share details on these new Escapes that make flying fun and affordable again.

Time to pack your traveling bags.

P.S: If you want to see the full map of flights offered from/ to each hub, let me know and I will forward it to you.

(* illustration from Air France prmotional campaign for 'Evadez Vous')

New York-Paris late August, Round Trip Via Berlin for Just Under 800 Dollars

Once the dust settles, I will sure have explored a myriad combinations of trips in search of airfares from New York to France that don't break the bank.

After seeing someone suggest in a recent article that Berlin was the cheapest gateway to Europe, i decided to check it.

The tip was accurate as I found RT fares as low as $637 for departures from Newark between August 22 and 24 and return from Berlin on September 4.

I then went looking for RT fares from Berlin to Paris with departures from Berlin between August 23 and 25 and return on September 3.

Two options that gave me wiggle room regarding connecting flights were Easy Jet and Air France.

Air France at $143 for RT Ticket has the most civilized times both ways.

Cheapest option if my schedule was more flexible would have been Air Berlin.

OK it requires a little bit of creative thinking and 2 tickets, yet going to Paris from New York via Berlin can cost as little as $780 for a summer trip.

Not bad especially when there's more than 1 traveler.

On a closing note, classical music and theater fans in Berlin are in for special treat with 4th Long Night of Operas and Theatres on April 28, 2012.

(* Berlin image above from official Visit Berlin site)

BMI Flight Listed at $790 on Farecompare goes up to $950 When Trying to Book It via Flybmi.com

In case you have not noticed, I have been scouted best fares and itineraries for summer trip to Europe from New York area.

Barcelona seemed the best option for 10 days but prices have gone up almost 50%.

Since Barcelona price rise my focus as turned to London, my second option as train to Paris only takes 2 hours and change from St Pancras.

In past 24 hours, a search via Farecompare for departure from Newark on August 24 and return on September 4 comes up with best fare of $790 (RT) via BMI (British Midlands International) if booked through their site.

Unfortunately, once you land on flybmi.com the outbound leg is listed at $401 (close enough) while return flight comes in at $550 which means a RT ticket at $950 not $790, a $160 difference.

I tried to contact someone at the airline for clarification but the contact us page in media center section is bare (for now).

I don't know if the discrepancy is due to a mistake on farecompare side or flybmi.com.

I was just curious enough to want to find out.

(* Books for Cooks image from Visit London facebook page photo gallery)

Feed Your E-Reader Skinny Italian, Homesick Texan, Cook this Now , $3.99 a Piece Right Now

Want to decide all the good things you will cook and eat once you get off the plane, planning your weekly menu on the train or just looking for inspiration, feed your e-reader Skinny Italian by Teresa Giudice, Homesick Texan Cookbook by Lisa Fain, Cook this Now and In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite by Melissa Clark or More Make it Fast, Cook it Slow by Stephanie O'Dea to name a few for $3.99 a piece.

Hyperion, the publisher of all these titles, announced this as a limited time offer.

These books are available from e-book sellers like eBooks.com for Cook this Now or from local independent bookstores online for Make it Fast, Cook it Show, check listings by zip code via Indie Bound.

While you decide what titles to pick read my Beans to Pig Feet interview with Melissa and Saving without Skimping on Taste, Slow Cooker Therapy Session with Stephanie O'Dea.

(* This is not a sponsored post)

Gleaning, Fighting Food Waste from Department of Agriculture to Giamarese Farm

After following Sarah Henry (Lettuce Eat Kale) link to Amanda Hesser Advice for Future Food Writers on Food 52, I noticed her own story Gleaning for Good: An Old Idea Is New Again (Shareable, April 2, 2012) on "gleaning to feed the hungry in communities around the country."

It reminded me of Canadian program which I wrote about in 2595 Pounds of Urban Fruit Picked So Far in 2010, Not Far From The Tree, Toronto (August 9, 2010).

Gleaning as applied to food is described by Wikipedia as "the act of collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been commercially harvested or on fields where it is not economically profitable to harvest. Some ancient cultures promoted gleaning as an early form of a welfare system."

Australian site Slow Movement suggests "gleaning and Food recovery as tools to reconnect at the local level."

U.S department of Agriculture published A Citizen's Guide to Food Recovery part of a food recovery and gleaning initiative. It details How Americans can help recover food (Chapter 5), Lessons from USDA AmeriCorps summer of gleaning (Chapter 8).

The introduction highlights 4 most common methods:

1. Field Gleaning — The collection of crops from farmers' fields that have already been mechanically harvested or on fields where it is not economically profitable to harvest.
2. Perishable Food Rescue or Salvage — The collection of perishable produce from wholesale and retail sources.
3. Food Rescue — The collection of prepared foods from the food service industry.
4. Nonperishable Food Collection — The collection of processed foods with long shelf lives.

Brian Blake in Gleaning A Harvest For The Needy By Fighting Waste (NPR, January 20, 2011) quotes Linda Tozer of the Society of St Andrew a major 'gleaning' organization' as saying that "96 billion pounds of food goes to waste in this country."

Nearby me, students from School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers (NJ) practiced it as illustrated in Gleaning at Giamarese Farms...

Food for thought for Green Day # 219

Previously:

Organic Beauty, Hue, Tint, Shade and Color Exhibit, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

(* Chalk board image from Giamarese Farm website)