Maggi

The options on VRBO are overwhelming! I think we want to be near the French Riviera, but I'm open to options. Anyone have a favorite place they would like to stay for a month? I'm starting to think about retirement and am inspired by Lynne Martin's book, "Home Sweet Anywhere".

MilenaM

Menton - I sat on the beach this summer longing for retirement.

Maggi

I was just looking at Menton, in fact. It looks beautiful!

sheila

when and what for?

bilboburgler

I thought central Cahors looked good, not too many tourists, red wine in all directions, truffles in the diet, what more could you want?

If you want the sea then Ile de Re is the more obvious, lots of sea, outside of August it is pleasant and you can book a villa for a month, local wine, mussels unaffected by the dread lurgy and salt caramel.

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend, inside of a dog it is too dark to read." Marx.

Maggi

Planning ahead for retirement in a couple of years, we would like to spend a month in a different country, a couple of times a year. France is our first choice, then perhaps Italy.

Funny quote bilbo. What is "dread lurgy"?

Cathinjoetown

In this example, dread lurgy would be food poisoning from a bad mussel. Brits use "lurgy" for a cold, virus, flu etc.

Can you narrow down your wants/needs more, also time of year, town or countryside?

Carlux

In fact it's 'dreaded lurgy'

dreaded lurgy
noun [S] UK informal humorous
› any illness that is not very serious but is easy to catch

robincal

Maggi, I too have been inspired by the Martin's book. Perhaps you should take a "research" trip to explore different areas to see where you would want to stay.

Maggi

Robincal, right: I was thinking of doing a week in four or five different places to see where I might want to spend more time in the future. I love mussels! Don't want food poisoning though. Cathinjoetown, probably in June or July for starters. I like both town and countryside, but nothing too remote. Picturesque, good food, markets (I love to shop for local food and cook), I love the beach and water. I'm a photographer, so plenty of good photo opps. My favorite photo opp in France was Rocamadour on a past trip.

bilboburgler

http://www.thelocal.fr/20140821/fran...sters-charante

there is a problem with mussels, not with human poisoning.

Maggi

Thanks for clearing that up. Too bad! We had oysters direct from the fishermen in Arcachon in the bay where they were being harvested. It was a great experience. A whole platter of fresh oysters, bread, butter and wine for $5.

HIroamer

We've spent quite a bit of time in Vence, not far from the Riviera (wonderful moules marniere!), also Vaison-la-Romaine, Sarlat, and the Loire valley. Would happily return to any of these for a month!

Maggi

Those are great suggestions. I found a great rental in Vence - am going to check into it. Thank you!

HIroamer

Maggi - we've stayed in several of these apartments in Vence. Lovely, and the Thurners are delightful hosts. www.pro-vence.de

jayhawkx2

I cycled parts of the Canal du Midi in 2012. Didn't spend much time in Narbonne but you might check it out. Good size, on main train line, fabulous covered market. I'm jealous ... And hoping to be doing same thing as you in 10 or so years!

Maggi

Checking both of those, thanks! I know, I can't believe we are actually going to do this. It's a dream come true. We began our travels when we first got married and had to take a long hiatus until our kids were grown and I was caring for my parents.

Cathinjoetown

I like Vence very much. It's a good base for exploring the hill and sea towns and villages, all within easy reach including Nice and Cannes for a more city experience.

Would very happily spend a month there, the time will fly by.

June would not be too crowded, avoid July and August. Things, particularly traffic, quiet down again in September.

Maggi

Thanks for the second on Vence. I'm leaning more toward September than June. Is that a good time to be there?