patricia1961

Would love suggestions...just booked 11 days this summer with family, flying in to Paris. Children were young when we were there last time and we are all excited about returning! Can I have some suggestions on how to spend the other five days of the trip? I am thinking about either the Provence area, Barcelona or Belgium. Anyone that can suggest something slightly quieter and better value in these or other areas, would love to hear about it.

Thank you ahead of time!

Amy

I haven't been to Provence with Untours, but I have been on and loved four other Untours; the idea might work well for your family: http://www.untours.com/reg.asp?RID=325
Happy travels!

Serina

Oh Provence would be lovely, such a beautiful place. Have you thought of going to Corsica?
Another option: go to Switzerland if you are looking for something quieter.

julies

With only 5 days free, do you want 2 of them eaten up with travel? That's what will happen if you go to some more far flung places. How about a rental gite in Brittany or Normandy? We've always loved to do this. Get the rental car and find a place that is lovely itself but is also within close driving times of some other places you'd like to see. With a family this makes so much sense because you can spread out, and it is pretty nice to have snacks and breakfasts inthe fridge.

Michel_Paris

To get some ideas

www.gites-de-france.com/gites/uk/rural_gites

patricia1961

Thank you so much for all of these great ideas! I do not like to gobble up time with travel so I will look at closer options that I had not thought of. Thanks again!
Patricia

Hastobe_Katt

What about the Dordogne?

KayF

Any European country without the euro will be a bit cheaper but as the posters above point out, you would lose a fair bit of time in travelling. We love Croatia but you'd need to fly there from Paris which probably rules that out....this time

If you travel up to the north coast of France, we had a wonderful weekend in St Malo - an attractive old walled town in Brittany.

Kay

BigRuss

I'm thinking that Iceland would be a good value this year.

What's left of it, at least.

bilboburgler

Paris 11 days....
Either leave the euro zone or..
Leave the big city

Big cost is accomodation so you need B&B or appartment. I'd look at the area between the Jura and Strasbourg. Pretty little towns, fine walking in the hills sides. Wines in Alsace.

Alternatively the same concept in the gorge du tarn, or coast of Normany, honfleur is very pretty, Bayeux is lovely,

patricia1961

Thank you all for your responses...was looking closely at Normandy and Brittany areas. Will look at the Jura/Strasbourg area as well as Alsace and Dordogne. Might skip Iceland, although that poor country could use the tourism money after this latest natural disaster.

jean253

We are staying in June at Berville-sur Mer http://www.cronbridge-holidays.com near to Honfleur & D-day Beaches The self catering units are very reasonable very well equipped, child friendly. We have stayed withDes & Sheila British ex pats who are delightful & friendly couple.
Jean.

Jade123

Hi

I suggest to spend holiday near French Riviera (near Aix en Provence)in Provence. It's sunny and hot during spring. Sea and beaches are located about 30km. This region is ideally for hiking, swimming, walking. In Aix, there is the Cezanne Museum. Very fabulous

travelgourmet

<i>Any European country without the euro will be a bit cheaper</i>

Not exactly true. There are several non-euro countries that will be more expensive than many on the euro, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. The UK can be more expensive, too (though it can also be a surprisingly good deal).

Certainly, some of the Eastern European countries are a bit cheaper, but that isn't always the case. I'm looking at Croatia for this summer, and don't find the pricing overly attractive compared to, say, Portugal.

When business traffic dives during the summer, there can often be some decent deals in business centers. Now, I'm not suggesting Frankfurt, but you might be able to snag some hotel deals in Amsterdam or London that would make them quite affordable options. I've certainly found good deals in Belgium, as well, even in Bruges.

Hastobe_Katt

For the Dordogne I recommend:

http://www.perigorddecouverte.com/index_en.php

patricia1961

Thank you all with your additional comments! I will continue researching all options...everywhere I look is so beautiful and interesting that it makes it hard to choose! I wish I had more time so I will probably stay within easy driving distances so we can get the most out of our trip.

BarbBelle

Just seen your request. The cheapest country in Western Europe is Portugal. I shall be going next month for a week. I usually visit at least 2-3 times a year. People are lovely. Food and hotels are much cheaper than France and Spain and there are some lovely beaches. I visit the Estoril/Cascais/Lisbon area. The Algarve is more expensive. I realise it's a bit far for you to travel but may be useful for other "new" visitors.
ps. Britain is even cheaper.

markrosy

The OP was best value in Europe.... which is by a long, long way, due to the weakness of the pound - is the UK.

We are also already warming up to a long hot summer. If the sun shines this is the greatest place on earth. If it doesn't, it isn't.

bobthenavigator

Your heading is strange. You ask about the best value and then specify a mostly France itinerary. So, which do you want?
For value, I suggest Slovenia and Portugal.