tuscanlifeedit

I have a headache!

I've been reading for days, and have read every post that my eyes would allow. I need suggestions and I will try to be very specific in my desires and likes. First I'll post my itinerary as I think it looks, for now:

May 16... depart home
May 17...arrive Paris
May 18....Paris
May 19....Paris

May 20....TGV to Avignon, but help! I can't begin to choose a village from there.

It is still cloudy here. We have
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24

May 25...St Paul de Vence
May 26...St Paul de Vence
May 27...St Paul de Vence
May 28...St Paul de Vence

May 29...Nice
May 30...Nice
May 31...Fly home

Would you spend an extra day in Nice for day trips by train and bus?

Ok, help me fill in the blanks. I would have chosen Isle sur la Sorgue for the first couple of days, but the market there is on Sunday. We would basically just miss it on Sunday the 20th, and that would break my heart. Should we consider as a base anyway?

I was considering Rousillon, Les Beaux or St Remy, but only from things I've read here. We want charm, lots of spring flowers, a very pretty village with some shops that are interesting and a good choice of restaurants (not too expensive). We prefer to come back to our home base in the evening for dinner, so a bit of a choice would be good.

We would also like to drive around and see some of the sites and villages that I've been reading about. I think this we should do in three days. We would love a market or two; we love markets and like antiques, too.

Then I would love to stay by the sea for a few days before St Paul de Vence. I just want the town to be pretty, maybe have a boat ride or two, and not too many high rise beach condos if we can avoid them. Are there places like (in terms of looks and amenities) Santa Margherita Ligure, or Positano or Bellagio that we might like?

We really enjoy water and we don't want to be in a tiny fishing village, nor in a modern resort.

Ok, I hope that was specific enough. Any input? I am starting a new thread because I've been convinced by Fodorites to change my plans to travel into Italy on this trip.

annhig

Why not spend an extra night in Paris- then you'll be travelling on a Monday, when most shops, restaurants, museums are closed. You've got little enough time there, especially when you add in jet-lag.
Not been [on the must do list] but St. Remy gets a lots of support from OPs.
Generally, I think you're on the right lines now.

Judy

St. Paul de Vence is actually very close to Nice. Is there a reason for four nights there?

We stayed at le Hameau once and loved it, but after a couple of days, the drive in and out got tiresome and once we'd seen St. Paul, Vence and Tourette-sur-Loup, most of our drives were to the coast. You may want to consider 3 nights in St. Paul and 3 in Nice. You'd still have 6 nights on the coast but travel would be easier from Nice.

Underhill

I don't think you'd want to stay up in the village of Les Baux; there's just one hotel, if I remember correctly, and a few cafés and tourist-type restaurants for the busloads. You definitely can't just walk to assorted restaurants.

So...stay somewhere in or near St-Rémy, from which you can walk to the many shops and restaurants. Alternatively, park yourself somewhere in the Lubéron.

Definitely stay more than 2 nights in Nice--you need about four to see the city and nearby sights adequately.

Underhill

I don't think you'd want to stay up in the village of Les Baux; there's just one hotel, if I remember correctly, and a few cafés and tourist-type restaurants for the busloads. You definitely can't just walk to assorted restaurants.

For your stay near the sea, check into the charming village of Bormes-les-Mimosas, which is up on a flower-covered hill about 5 minutes from the beach at Le Lavandou. Hard to beat! The village has a good variety of restaurants, all within walking distance unless you stay at Le Mirage. From there you just drive up to the large parking lot at the top of the hill and head into the village. No condos, just old low-rise houses and apartments.

Are you working with a guidebook? If not, you really need one at this point. I recommend the Michelin Green Guides to Provence/French Riviera, the Fodor Guide to Provence, and the Cadogan Guide to Provence for more detail.

So...stay somewhere in or near St-Rémy, from which you can walk to the many shops and restaurants. Alternatively, park yourself somewhere in the Lubéron.

Definitely stay more than 2 nights in Nice--you need about four to see the city and nearby sights adequately.

Cimbrone

I was just wondering why so much time in St. Paul de Vence? It's a lovely little town, and I heartily recommend it, but that's a long time. Do you realize that it's the type of village that can be seen in a couple of hours? That's not to say there's anything wrong with parking yourself there and relaxing or using it as a base for day trips, but I just wanted to make sure you know what you're in for.

Personally, as close as St. Paul is to Nice and with so much more to do in Nice, and with excellent public transport up and down the coast from Nice, I'd stay in Nice longer. Unless you have an aversion to cities.

tuscanlifeedit

annhig... I hadn't really thought about an extra night in Paris, but it is worth considering. We've been been on trips to Paris, staying there only, in 2000, 2002, and 2004. But we never made it to Chartres, and I know DH would go on a one day DDay tour, if I would. We could use the first day to just take it easy and wonder about.

Judy... we have a lot on our itinerary in the area of St Paul de Vence. I'm not sure it I'll cut back a day, but maybe I will. It makes sense to add a day to Nice. We could have a day for a day trip, that way. But we really do have a lot we want to see. Gotta think that one over and check our lists.

Underhill....you are the main source of things from Fodors that I've put into my notes. I have a section entitled "Underhill's invaluable notes" and I can't thank you enough. I am heavily leaning toward another day in Nice. Would you suggest a town in the Luberon for me? Im also thinking of cutting down on all the stops. I think I can get this trip down to four stops, if I try hard enough.

I have two guidebooks now, Cadogan and Routard. I am waiting for about 6 from the library and one from half.com. I will probably get DH to take me on a bookstore date this weekend, so I can get the Michelin.

Cimbrone... I really do love cities, but I just hadn't thought that much about Nice. I'd been there years ago, with a rather unpleasant companion, and it probably left me with a less than realistic idea of what to expect. I am rethinking this all, and will post again shortly.

Nina66

If you are hesitant about taking a D Day tour because you think it is a 'guy thing', I can guarantee you that it isn't.

I put putting it off, knowing that DH wanted to do it. Finally I did some research and found a good tour and booked it from home.

I am so glad that we went. I got as much out of it as he did. It was a very moving day and I can't tell you how much I came away with - both feelings and knowledge.

We had a car and stayed in Honfleur, and drove to Bayeux to meet to take the tour.

Nina