This
is a
custom
designed trip for baseball players.
It's the only one of it's
kind so far to provide a baseball vacation in Paris.
In addition, you'll have many opportunities to interact with French
Nationals.
Baseball is a common medium between our cultures, even if you don't
speak
French you'll be able to interact with the locals because they will
speak baseball. We'll eat at
some
great and famous restaurants, be entertained by a full time agenda, see
some great
sights and Play Baseball, French style. Be ready to experience a
stylish agenda, eat delicious food and bask in this ancient culture.
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Trip
is open
to any adult person who plays baseball.
The average age of
our
teams is usually in the mid 40's-50's. The trip will be scheduled
for
mid to late June of 2010. We may also participate in a local
tournament. Players, family members and tourists
are all welcome. We'll be limiting ourselves to a maximum of 14
players.
We will need 3-4 good pitchers, a couple of catchers and some good
position
players. Come as a team or come as a pool player and join the
team.
This trip is for
amateur baseball players.
Wives, girl friends, family members or other tourists may also
attend. You will
need a valid passport, a visa is not required.
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The trip is
far
more economical
than any travel agent could or would do. No travel
agency could put together a trip like this. First of
all,
they have set tour plans and rarely deviate, custom tours in France are
unheard of. Second, they don't have the baseball contacts.
Third, they would charge at least $2,000-$4,000 and lead you to places
they
want
you to see and spend money.
France
is a relatively expensive country
to visit and with the devaluation of the dollar to the Euro, it's not
getting any better. Since we are traveling as a group, we'll be
able to cut costs down somewhat. Considering the hotels, tours,
restaurants and places we'll visit, we'll be going at a reasonable cost
that includes first
class
treatment in every step of the way. The trip will include
all
lodging, ground transportation, all baseball, all tours, lots of
sightseeing,
shopping sprees, guide, translator and several meals. Our trip is customized with us in mind
at a reasonable price of less than $???? not including airfare.
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Most
every day
we'll tour a different area, see the local attractions and play a local
baseball team. Some evenings may have group outings or
dinners.
Occasionally there may be joint meals with the local teams that
will
allow the French and USA players to get together, exchange ideas and
make
new friends. You'll find baseball enthusiasts of a variety of age
groups and levels as many of their players are French American
players.
They are eager to meet and play ball with you.
Don't
be just
a tourist, be an International Baseball Ambassador, get to know
the people not just the postcards.
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Baseball
Baseball
dates back beyond WWII in France. Over the decades, it has
expanded to participating in the European national leagues and has
developed local and national baseball leagues for youths and adults.
Though there are no professional stadiums, there are a number of
quality fields in France, much like we are used to playing in at our
local leagues, parks and schools. The French Federation of
Baseball will be our hosts and provide the teams, fields, umpires etc.
Our
team
will
be made up of US players from various leagues and organizations.
The average age of our teams is usually in the mid-40's-50's. We
generally
have players in their 20's through the 60's. We'll be playing at
least 5 games against local French teams.
The French are not sticklers about uniforms
so we don't have matching uniforms so you are free to bring what ever
uniforms you want. It will also mostlikely be metal bats.
Transportation
You'll
need to
make
your own airline reservations to and from Paris, Charles de Gaul
Airport. Once there,
you'll need to get to the hotel on your own where we will all
roundevue. We will be making arrangements for a team bus
occassionaly but mostly we will be using the local metro system.
You will recieve a metro pass good for all the days of the trip. Upon
departure you'll be making your own transportation arrangements to the
airport.
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Food
Breakfasts
will
be included with the rooms at the hotel. Lunches and dinners will
be at your own expense or included in various events. There may
also be some dinner get together with the local teams.
Restaurants are in our hotels or within easy walking
distance.
French
Cousine
is famous the world round for it's excellent foods. Each region
has its own distinctive specialties. In Paris and surrounding
areas they are famous for lots of sauces using butter and cream.
Wine and cheese are an integral part of French cousine. For
French people, cooking is a part of culture and they consider it a way
of life. That being said, when I was there last there were more
restaurants serving Italian food than French food. You can't beat
the French pastries though.
There
are four kinds of restaurants in Paris: gastronomic temples,
brasseries, bistros and cafes de the....
Gastronomic temples
are the starred restaurants, those rated by the Michelin Guides as
being superior. These usually offer classic French cuisine, are very
elegant and quite costly. A few examples are Taillevent, Guy Savoy,
Joel Robuchon, Ledoyen and Tour d'Argent. We may want to try some
of these on our own.
Brasseries are much
more casual, usually open until late at night for the after theater
crowd, serve numerous kinds of seafood, especially fresh oysters, and
beer.
Bistros are
neighborhood places that serve hearty food. They are unpretentious and
tend to be "in" right now. Some three star chefs are opening bistros
and although they are not cheap, they are less expensive than these
chefs more formal establishments.
Cafes de offer
another popular form of dining. These casual spots are good for
sandwiches and salads at lunchtime or dessert and afternoon tea.
Other places
that sell chocolates, teas, coffees, breads, wines, pastries and all
forms of upscale food items are everywhere.
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Entertainment
Paris
is a vibrant city full of neighborhoods and a whole variety of night
life to satisfy any need. Before we depart, we'll
plan some evening activities or cultural events to attend while
there. There are plenty
of restaurants, bars,
discos, night
clubs and other activities to keep
you busy each day, Paris rocks!. Moulin Rouge
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Sightseeing
We'll start the trip the first day you
arrive. After being transported to our hotel for
check in, you'll have the afternoon
to decompress or see some of the local sites on your own. That
evening we'll have a "get aquatinted" dinner at a local restaurant
where you'll have a chance to meet the other players.
At typical day will
consist of day time tours and afternoon or evening games. Each
day will consist of tours to different places so you'll have lot's of
opportunities to see Paris and the surrounding areas.
There will be one full day
off
for touring where we'll take a day trip to some places outside of the
Paris area. This may include Normandy, the wine country or other
areas within a few hours drive. This will give us a break from
the big city and get a chance to rest before our final games.
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Accommodations
When
you
travel a long distance to a foreign land, you want a comfortable place
to stay. Hotels are expensive in the downtown area of Paris so
we'll be staying just out of the downtown area. This will get us
the
best rooms for a reasonable rate. We'll be
staying
in 3-4 star hotels. All rooms
will have private baths, TV, direct dial
phone etc. Restaurants, bars, laundry facilities will be
available at the hotels or very near by.
Requirements
This
trip is for
amateur baseball players. Most our players are members of local
amateur baseball leagues. Ages ranging in the 20's through the
60's. Wives, family
members, kids or
other tourists
may also attend as this is a family friendly trip. You will need
a valid passport and visa.
We'll
get into more detail on this as we get closer. Non players do not
need to bring baseballs.
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All in all, between the
baseball
and the tours,
this will be a very
busy schedule that will give you a great experience and a chance to see
lots of Paris and France. You'll have lots of opportunities for
evenings out after the games. There may be some nights where
we'll go out as a group or you are welcome to go on your own.
Outline
of Schedule for 8-day tour, 7 nights
Day
1
Saturday
|
Depart
US
Lose a
day |
Day
2
Sunday
|
Transfer
to Hotel for decompression
Afternoon on
your
own
Evening
Welcome Dinner with team members
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Day
3
Monday
|
Afternoon
tours of Paris
Return to Hotel
Transfer to
ballpark
for Game #1
Dinner on your
own
Evening out on the town
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Day
4
Tuesday
|
Breakfast
at the Hotel
Day tour to Versailles
Lunch at local
restaurant
on your own
Afternoon
tour in French Countryside
Return to Hotel
Transfer
to
ballpark
for Game #2
Dinner on
your
own or with local baseball federation
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Day
5
Wednesday
|
Afternoon
tour of Paris
Return to Hotel
Transfer
to
ballpark
for Game #3
Dinner
and Evening on the town on your own
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Day
6
Thrusday
|
Breakfast
at the Hotel
Day trip to either Normandy or other Notable location
Lunch at local
restaurant
Afternoon tours outside of Paris
Return to
Hotel
Dinner
and Evening on the town on your own
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Day
7
Friday
|
Afternoon
shopping
Return to Hotel
Transfer
to
ballpark
for Game #4
Dinner
and Evening on the town on your ow
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Day
8
Saturday
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Breakfast
at the Hotel
Paris shopping spree, Les
Halles Shopping Precinct or La Samaritaine
Lunch at local restaurant on your own
Return to Hotel or Afternoon shopping on your own
Transfer to
ballpark
for Game #5
Dinner
banquet with team at local restaurant
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Day
9
Sunday
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Breakfast
at the Hotel
Transfer
to
airport
Return back to US same day
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Dates
Mid June,
2010, note these are preliminary dates.
Mid to late
June will be the dates for going to Paris. We'll start the
trip when you arrive on a Sunday or Monday. Most
flights
will
arrive morning or early afternoon. You will have the afternoon
off for
decompression as Paris is 6-9 hours ahead of the US. In the
evening, we'll have a welcoming dinner at
the hotel or close by restaurant. Departure will also be on the
following Sunday. You are, of course, welcome to come earlier or
stay later on your own. I usually come a few days early or stay
an extra day or so. If you do, you'll be responsible for your
own transportation and accommodations during those times.
Cost
We need at
least 10
people for this trip to happen, plus any additional non players.
Costs will be worked out as we get closer to the trip. Look for
something in the $2000-$2500
range. These
costs will be based on staying at 3-4 star hotels in double
occupancy. If you want a room to yourself, add around $400-$500.
Airfare
to and from Paris is not included. Current prices from San
Francisco are
about
$1100-$1600. From New York about $600-$1300. There are
always deals around for those who look and things will change as we get
closer.
Universal
Currency #1
Currency
Converter #2
Current Exchange
Rates
If you
would like
more information on playing in Paris send an email to Dennis@DennisMc.com
Included is:
Hotel accommodation for each
night.
All local transport to
scheduled activities via tour bus.
Admission to scheduled tourist
attractions.
All Breakfasts at hotel
2 Dinners
All baseball costs (umpires,
fields, etc.)
Translator/Guide at all scheduled
tours
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Not
included is: Air fare or
other transport costs to
and from Paris
Non-scheduled trips (taxis,
buses,
trains
etc.).
Lunches and most dinners
Each player to bring their own
playing
gear and uniform.
Each player to bring at least 6
baseballs
Insurance of any kind
Visa, international travel,
import or other similar costs
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Contact
Dennis
McCroskey, Baseball Adventures
P.O. Box 707
Mendocino, CA 95460
707-937-4478
707-937-2349 fax
Email: Dennis@DennisMc.com
Sign
Up
To sign up for
this
trip you need to fill
out the application form and send a $500 deposit. The balance
of funds will be due by June 1,
2010. If for some
reason, the trip does not happen, all deposits will be returned in full.
This trip is for amateur baseball
players.
Wives, girl friends, family members or other tourists may also
attend. You will
need a valid passport, a visa is not required.
Roster
We needed a minimum of 10 players with a maximum of
14. Friends, relatives, girlfriends, kid and others may also
attend.
Roster of Interested
Participants
| Player |
Status |
Positions
|
Dennis
McCroskey
Lou Patler
Steve
Fagin
Mark Fess
Sid Rosenblatt
Jon Davis
Cobe Haskell
Tony Shimetz
|
Yes
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe
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P,IF
P,IF
2B,OF
SS
2B,OF
1B,P,OF
IF
C,IF,OF
|
Non Players
|
Status
|
Positions
|
Corey
Brown
Catherine Patler
Ellen Fagin
Donna Fess
Sherry Haskell
Julie DeTrinidad
|
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe
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Translato
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Eiffle Tower
Notre Dame Cathedral
This is not our hotel
Local Parks have modern fields
l
Many of the parks we'll play are
relativley new
ball fields
Versailles
Arch de Triumph
Moulin Rouge
Notre Dame Cathedral at Night
Socrecure
Versailles
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