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Andrew Gledhill
English 114B
Professor Florian
17 February 2014
Voyager l'tranger
Jack,
Ive been picking my brain the last few weeks trying to figure out something to make this
upcoming summer one to remember. Since my freshman year of high school Ive wanted to
travel the world and go visit Europe. More specifically I want to explore France. The tourist
attractions, sight-seeing, and culture are unforgettable. We could relax and see what the
European lifestyle is all about. This summer I think we should take a ten day trip to Paris, France
and visit the country sides to pick apart this Iconic city. After doing some basic research it will
cost us around 4,000 dollars to make this journey across the world.
The plan would be to meet up at the Van Nuys Flyaway station on June first at 7:00 pm
and take the shuttle down to LAX airport. The parking at the flyaway station is four dollars a day
so it will cost us 40 dollars to park our car while we are overseas. When we arrive at LAX we
will board the direct flight, Air Tahiti Nui, at 9:05 pm to Charles De Gaulle Airport arriving at
5:05pm the following day in France. Our hotel is the Millennium, which is across the street from
the airport so we can take a taxi and check in and go to bed. In total the flight and the hotel for 10
days only costs us 1684.04 each US currency.
Due to serious jet lag Im sure we wont wake up till about noon. By then the continental
breakfast will be over so we will have to go explore and look for something to eat for lunch.
Walking south bound towards the heart of Paris we could find a caf and stop for some food then
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figure out how to get to Paris, if the walk is too long we can take a bus or hope on the subway.
The rest of the first day in France we can tour around Paris and visit the Eiffel Tower. On
Thursday we could eat a fancy 7 course meal in a famous restaurant before switching cities. In
total we would probably spend close to $140 dollars in Paris due to delicious cuisine and a tour
of the Eiffel Tower.
In order to stay cost efficient I think its best if we venture out into surrounding cities
roughly twenty minutes away from the hotel such as Versailles. Theres several tourist
attractions in Versailles, on Friday Id like to go the Palace of Versailles that will basically take
the entire day due to the large palace along with the surrounding garden and property tour. After
the tours we could head back to the hotel and relax in the hot tube to soak our muscles from all
the standing and walking around.
Saturday morning we would again return to Versailles to visit the Saint Louis Cathedral
and take a tour examining the unique architecture and historic landmark. Then we would walk
down the street and eat lunch at a caf. After lunch we could go over to the Royal opera house
known in France as the Opera Royal de Versailles. This Landmark is ranked Versailles number
two attraction following the Cathedral which is only 25 minutes from our hotel. So in total for
the two days we would spend in Versailles the taxi fares would be roughly 85 dollars US
currency. In addition to the taxi fares, the money we would spend on food would average out to
about fifteen dollars a plate so if we eat four meals each in two days thats only 60 dollars,
adding 40 dollars for bottled water and snack packs, which would make the food cost out to 100
dollars. In addition to the food and transportation cost, there is a fee for the tours totaling about
50 dollars each, so in total for the two day, Friday and Saturday, we would be spending just
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under 300 dollars or 150 each. So far we are half way through our trip and we havent even gone
over half our budget. After Saturday we would have spent roughly 1874.04 in US currency.
On Sunday we would eat breakfast at the hotel for free then take a taxi over to
Argenteuil, France which is 12 Km north-east of Paris, roughly 15 minutes away from the hotel.
There we could go and horseback at Domaine Boer for 30 dollars and then have lunch after at a
caf along the riverside. After lunch we could stroll over to the Museum of Argenteuil and look
at all the famous paintings and history. Once we finished touring the free museum we could then
taxi back to Paris and eat out for dinner. Monday morning we would again eat at the hotel for
free then taxi back to Argenteuil to finish exploring the northern suburb. We would stop by the
cultural centre le figuier blanc which is a famous performance hall open to the public. Then have
lunch and walk over to another performance hall known as the salle jean vilar. After we were
finished site seeing we could eat at a restaurant near the river and then head back to the hotel. In
total we would spend approximately 200 dollars in Argenteuil factoring in all the tourist
attractions such as tours and the horseback riding, food, and transportation.
Our final day in France we would head back into France seeing as how were way under
budget sitting at 2074.04 each I would want to blow some fun money on presents and souvenirs.
So we would get up and stroll downtown to eat at a nice caf and eat some crapes and maybe
some French baguettes. After our breakfast we could head to the champs-elysee to go shopping
and visit all the historic landmarks in the shopping plaza. Personally I want to buy a nice watch
and pick up a gift for my girlfriend, which will cost me close to 500 dollars. Then we could go to
a Pub for lunch and hit up happy hour at 6pm and finish off our last night buying some ladies a
couple drinks and enjoying the night life in the city.
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I know moneys been tight for you lately but you have 104 days until the plan leaves. If
you put away 269.24 dollars a week away you would have more than 4,000 dollars. In addition
to that Im sure your Parents would be willing to help you out a little bit. Even then Im sure both
of your Grandparents would be willing to help you on our journey. I think you should call then
and see what they think and we should book this thing ASAP.
I am so stoked to go on this trip and I want you by my side soaking up all the fun with me
man. It will definitely be one to remember so lets make it happen and have a good time. Let me
know if you have any questions and Ill be counting down the days.
Yours truly,

Andy