geetika

I'm starting to research our European vacation for next year, we're looking at 12-15 days, to end June 27 when my sister has to be at Reading for a conference. WeI both love wine and I was thinking of maybe starting in the Burgundy region and then going down south towards the Cote du Rhone are. Not the Cote d'Azur as we've been there several times. Or else the Dordogne and Toulouse/Carcassonne. Apart from vineyard visits we are interested in history and culture and enjoy pottering around old towns and villages.

Since my sister has to be in the UK end June another thought was to spend the first week in France and the second in the UK. If we were based in/near York, could we also cover the Lake District? Or maybe 4-5 days in York followed by a couple of days in the Cotswolds, ending in London. Another option would be Devon and Cornwall.

We plan on renting an apartment, ideally for a week in each place, so we're looking a a central base from where we can make day trips. We spent a week near Amboise earlier this month and had an absolutely marvelous time.

We'll of course be renting a car (or two if we include the UK). Right now it's just the two sisters but our DHs will most probably join us.

As of now I'm just throwing out ideas and would like your comments and suggestions. I've always found talking to you helps me see the bigger picture with greater clarity, am hoping that as usual you'll chip in! Thanks in advance and have a great weekend

StCirq

If wine is a big deal for you I sure wouldn't focus on the Dordogne. I would focus on it for lots of other reasons, though.

fuzzbucket

By December, vacation rental apartments in Paris must supply a registration number to qualify as legal. This number is tied to the owner's financial information. If you do not see it, it will be illegal.
Agencies will still list rentals, but if the registration number is not there, it's illegal.

It might be very hot in June 2018.
Personally, I'd look for an air-conditioned hotel in the 6th, 11th or 12th arrondissements.
Google the map of Paris and look around - prices are coming down.
Residential apartments do not have air-conditioning.

fuzzbucket

I also would not recommend driving while in Paris.
Street parking is expensive, and so are underground garages, and it's very hard to find a place to park without getting a fine.

janisj

>>If we were based in/near York, could we also cover the Lake District? Or maybe 4-5 days in York followed by a couple of days in the Cotswolds, ending in London. Another option would be Devon and Cornwall. <<

That is very scattershot . . . considering 4 or 5 different regions spread far apart. No way anyone can narrow that down for you since all are more than worthwhile. A week would be enough for a taste of Yorkshire (assuming you mean more than just York itself) and a sip of the Lakes. OR the Cotswolds plus maybe Bath/Somerset, OR a taste of Devon/Cornwall.

janisj

Meant to add -- If you want to include time in London in your week -- then you'd only have time for maybe a few days in the Cotswolds, or in York. If it is just York (city) and London -- no need at all for a car.

fuzzbucket

I think I would fly into London to save taxes, then fly out of Paris. It's cheaper this way.

You'd walk all around York - the ramparts, the Shambles...all of it.
I would spend a little more time in London. Two or three days in York is enough. London is more spread out and you will miss a lot.

You should be at Saint Pancras International at least 45 minutes before your train is posted. You cannot access it otherwise.
People take forever to put things in bins, so the line moves very slowly. Take a sandwich and some wine.
Once you're in the upstairs lounge, you can relax. There's an ATM under the escalator for both currencies.

UK Passport control can be touchy - they ask a lot of questions.
French Passport control is a relative breeze.

geetika

Thanks for your replies, my apologies for not making myself clear in my post. Fuzzbucket, London/Paris will only be our entry/exit point to the UK and France, we won’t be spending any time in either city. At the most we might have to spend the last night near the airport before heading back home depending on how early our flight is, that’s all.

StCirq, I know the Dordogne isn’t big on wine, but the region is steeped in history, we’d also most certainly find some very drinkable local wines there. Which is why I’m considering this.

Janisj, I am only looking at one of the various regions I mentioned, not all of them, I know they’re all quite far apart. I was in a bit of a hurry when I posted and didn’t phrase my questions correctly, sorry!

janisj

>>Janisj, I am only looking at one of the various regions I mentioned, not all of them, <<

I <i>totally</i> understood that. If you re-read my post I didn't say you were trying to squeeze in everything. By >>That is very scattershot . . . considering 4 or 5 different regions spread far apart. No way anyone can narrow that down for you since all are more than worthwhile. << I meant you are considering many areas spread all over and any/all of them are worthwhile. There is no way we can help you narrow it down/choose

PalenQ

If Burgundy and not Paris take the train from CDG airport to Dijon (if schedules permit or go into Paris for such trains - few right from CDG- and stay in Beaune or other base that night and pick up car the next day - no fun driving after all-night flight.

Drive south to Rhone area, ditch car and take TGV to Lyon to Lille-Europe to hook up with Eurostar trains to London and again take a train out to York or wherever and return car if possible in Reading (or nearby Heathrow or Oxford).

Book train tickets really early to get deep discounts on all - www.voayges-sncf.com for France and www.eurostar.com for France-Paris and www.nationalrail.co.uk for British trains. Check www.seat61.com for adroit even esoteric advice on easily booking your own discounted tickets; for general rail info like 1st v 2nd class also www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Cotswlds obviously is near to Reading and show be after York or other venues.

fuzzbucket

I'd go to Dijon and Lyon by train.
You might be able to take tasting tours in Beaune, especially the Hospice de Beaune.

Gyhtson

You mention York - why not also explore the Yorkshire Dales and/or the Yorkshire Moors, which are glorious and very near by?

The areas you mention - the Cotswolds, the Lake District and Devon/Cornwall - are the really obvious three that tourists seem to be heard of. But there is way more stunning countryside in the U.K than those.

ESW

Are you absolutely committed to France? There are some very good wineries in the South East of England now - as well as some amazing heritage....

geetika

PalenQ, I was in any case planning to take the TGV down to Dijon and them renting a car, but your suggestion of the train back north to connect to Eurostar is great, thanks! I’ll check in seat61.com and book our tickets early, the site always has extremely good tips.

Am now thinking of maybe 10 days in France, then a few days in the Cotswolds. With travel we’ll have about 3-4 days there, which should be about right I think. Yorkshire will have to be for another trip...

ESW, which places are you talking about, would be fun to explore these parts. We most definitely want to spend at least a week in France but could rework the second half of out trip.

Thanks again and take care ��

PalenQ

You could easily go Lyon-Lille-London-Cotswolds by train in one day (or go first to Oxford and stay the night and rent car there.)

It's a short cab or tube or bus ride from London St Pancras where Eurostar train terminated to Paddington station for trains to Oxford.

janisj

Many in Kent . . . (other places as well but a big concentration in Kent)

http://www.kentvineyards.com


http://www.englishwineproducers.co.uk/vineyards/vin/



None of these are in Kent but are vineyards with accommodations

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...mmodation-wine

geetika

Thanks janisj, bookmarking these links ��