Paris and ??? - early October 2017

Old Dec 17th, 2016, 05:30 AM
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Paris and ??? - early October 2017

DH and I snagged some of those fabulously cheap tickets pre-Black Friday a few weeks ago and are flying in and out of Paris September 28-October 8. We traveled to France fall 2015 (Normandy area 4 nights and Paris 5 nights) and fell in love with both the countryside and Paris and are so excited to get back. This trip, we're thinking a 5/4 night split - 5 nights in location TBD and 4 nights Paris. We're trying to decide between two options for our 5 nights:

1. Loire Valley/Burgundy combo or perhaps just focus on one region
2. Belgium (probably a Ghent/Bruges split)

Belgium is attractive because it gives us an entirely new experience of visiting a country we haven't been to before. And it looks lovely.

Loire Valley/Burgundy is attractive because we absolutely loved France and would love to get to an area we haven't been to before. Would love to see some chateaus and wine countryside.

Normally if visiting another country I would choose open-jaw tickets to be more strategic with our time but this was so spur of the moment that we just jumped on the deal and figured we'd work out the details later. Would you say both options equally great to visit in early October or would the season make one more advantageous than the other? We enjoy history, old architecture, ruins, wine, food, museums, art, etc.
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Old Dec 17th, 2016, 06:01 AM
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I like both options. I have been to both regions Loire Valley/Belgium in autumn and they are great. I think the biggest difference is Loire Valley is more countryside and Ghent/Bruges as you mentioned is more city-like. If you like wine, head to Loire Valley/Burgundy. If you prefer beers, nothing beats Ghent/Bruges
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Old Dec 17th, 2016, 10:39 AM
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How about a trip like this: Paris - Giverny (if not visited already?) - Reims (cathedral!) + Epernay (both are Champagne headquarters) - Sedan (if you’re history buffs) - Ardennes (historic war grounds and national park - see http://www.tourisme-sedan.fr/accueil...dememoire.aspx) - Mons (http://www.opt.be/informations/infor.../AI/32196.html) - then either Brussels and on to Ghent and Bruges, or bypass Brussels and take secondary or tertiary country roads to Ghent - they make for lovely unhurried travel.
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Old Dec 17th, 2016, 10:44 AM
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>
Burgundy is an excellent idea, vineyards of course but also hills, forest, lakes, the Burgundy canal, abbeys, chateaux, fortified towns.
Dijon is a great base to discover all of it, and also as a destination itself with its rich history (the Dukes of Burgundy as powerful as the king) the architecture, churches, the food hall, parks and of course the gastronomy and wine.
The TO video will make you want to visit! http://www.destinationdijon.com/en/dijon_video.htm Bon voyage!
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Old Dec 17th, 2016, 01:17 PM
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Nothing beats Belgium.
Good food, history, great beer, chocolate, nice people.
Gent would be my rec, Bruxelles is great but more difficult to discover - do spend at least half a day. You MUST see the grand-place and sablon. Brugge is more disney like.

Now if you absolutely want to taste wine, yes, Loire is not bad. Castles, vineyards, nice small towns and villages - do rent a car.

But you will not see Belgians.
Be omnis Gzllis, Belgi Fortissimim sunt.
I didn't say it, Julius Caesar did. 2000+ years ago.
Still true. Well at least when I look in the mirror, I have confirmation ;-)
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Old Dec 19th, 2016, 06:23 PM
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Well...as I suspected, sounds like we can't go wrong with either choice!!

FuryFluffy, we love beer and wine, so unfortunately we can't eliminate by this method!

MichelH, I think if we go to Belgium on this trip an advantage would be getting there via public transportation. My husband doesn't mind driving but would far prefer a train ride if it can get us where we're wanting to go. So I think we'd save these ideas for a future return France trip!

Cocofromdijon, the video is lovely. I will have to research Dijon more. I had originally been thinking perhaps LV 3 nights and Beaune as a base for Burgundy for 2...

WoinParis, I like your sense of humor yes, both are good choices!

We will just have to sit down and research what appeals to us the most this go around...I'm torn, really. I was so surprised how much I loved France on our last trip. I really want to explore it more. And then part of me really wants to visit a new country. At least we're young and hopefully will keep going back!
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Old Dec 19th, 2016, 11:16 PM
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Loire Valley and Burgundy in 5 days will be a squeeze, especially with a 400km drive between the two. I would just stick to Burgundy, perhaps based out of Beaune – we spent 5 nights there earlier this year. Beaune itself is interesting, and there’s a number of interesting drives (and opportunities to visit wine houses) that radiate out of Beaune in all directions (can be covered over several daytrips) – the Cote de Nuits all the way to Dijon, the Cote de Beaune , beautiful towns/villages like Chateuneauf, Semur, Vezelay and Noyers in the North, the Jura in the East ….
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Old Dec 20th, 2016, 02:19 AM
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Hello, if you only know Paris and the surrounding areas, why not discover other facets of France? For example Paris-Beaune (or Paris Dijon) by TGV, 1 day on site, then Lyon (1 or 2 days), then with 1 car rental Chamonix on 1 or 2 days, return to Lyon. Finally, if you have at least two days left, Lyon-Marseille or Lyon-Côte d'Azur and go directly to Paris by TGV. See you soon in France.
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Old Dec 20th, 2016, 03:15 AM
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Arrive Paris and take the TGV to Provence and tour for your extra days.
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Old Dec 20th, 2016, 03:22 AM
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Well I'd drop the nation concept from your thinking and look at the Geography. There is a hot spot that stretches between Alsace, Champagne and Mosel. Great wine in all three and good beer in Mosel. All easy to do from Paris.

Much as I've just come back from Belgium it lacks a certain something when compared to Germany and France.

Woin does this mean you have a Roman nose?
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