aussie_10

Yes please!

I have lots of places on my wish list

Thank you for your kind comments

goodtwogo

What a treat to "find" your report 2 months before we depart for out 3 week trip to France. Thanks so much for all the excellent information. I love your writing style and only hope our trip is as perfect as yours!

aussie_10

goodtwogo - I too hope your trip is fabulous. I'm still on a high from our great trip. I love keeping up with other peoples trips and experiences. I have a good friend in Paris at the moment and the memories keep flooding back when I talk to her.

I really want to go back, there are so many more areas to discover.

3 weeks, I am green with envy!!

winnick

What a fabulous trip report. I can't believe we didn't see this report while planning our trip to Provence. We also enjoy reading trip reports and using the recommendations from fellow Fodorites.
You are an excellent writer. It definitely makes me excited about planning our next trip to France. We would definitely like to visit the Dordogne region. Which area did you enjoy the most, Provence or Dordogne?
We were debating about doing an African safari as well. I had done a lot of research on this too. We definitely want to see Africa some day.
As we love Europe it always makes for a difficult decision on where to plan our vacations.
We also love Italy, our other favorite European destination. Have been many times and definitely recommend it.
Look forward to your next trip report!

aussie_10

Hi winnick - Both Provence and the Dordogne are very different. It is hard to pick between the 2.

We spent 2 weeks in Provence and still have lots more I would love to see. Also maybe with 2 weeks we meandered a bit more and really felt like we were living in the area.

The Dordogne area is very different to Provence, the buildings are much more medieval looking and lots of turrets. The vegitation more lush, we saw some beautiful rolling green hills, and other than the market day in Sarlat less people around. Many more Brits in the area and lots of history and of course lots of duck products! I'm sure you will love it, we did.

But if I could only choose one area between the 2 to go back to, it would be Provence I was living the dream! The food was amazing, the villages quaint and the weather superb!

I'm sure I could live in France for the rest of my life.

christycruz

I had to laugh when I saw you rented a Kangoo. It's such a practical car, but my husband & I have experienced more carsickness in that vehicle than any other mode of transportation.

Whenever I feel nausceous, he says, "Are you gonna' Kangoo?"

We leave for the Dordogne in ten days! Your trip report brought back great memories and I can't wait to be there again.

winnick

Aussie-
Thanks for your thoughts. In addition to Dordogne next year, I'm sure we will also plan to return to Provence. We loved it so much and there are always lots of other villages to visit that we missed this year.

aussie_10

christycruz - we loved the Kangoo, was spacious for 4 people and really quite comfortable. And very economical as it was diesel. Also liked the sliding doors in tight parking spaces. I wonder what the carsickness was from, I'm usually not a very good backseat traveller but I didn't have any problems this time.

Happy holidays in the Dordogne. I'm sure the weather will be perfect for this time of year.

TDudette

Wonderful report!

taconictraveler

aussie-10 thanks for putting me in touch with your report. It is most complete and very, very interesting.

I love France also, and we are hoping to go there with our same group of 8 next year - probably on a barge trip, but however we get there, we will love it, and use some of your tips!!

aussie_10

Thanks Taconictraveler - We had the best time and yes we also looked at a barge trip. I have read some great trip reports, maybe for another time.

I have enjoyed your trip reports maybe some of our friends will make it to Italy with us

hybergr

hybergr on Dec 24,10 at 4:30P

aussie _10 thanks for your informative and interesting report. My H and I are planning our trip to France this May,2011. We are starting on the Riveria for 1 wk and then traveling eventually into the Luberon where we will be spending 5 nights in a B&B and 5 nights in Arles, then training into Paris for 5 nights. I was concerned that I had overdone the time in Provence but I think you convinced me that we will have full days. Your trip report will be included in my trip folder. I feel so fortunate that we have the time and health to be out for one month. This is the longest trip for us. We like independent travel. Went to northern France and Paris for 10 days in 2009 and I can highly recommend that area. The Normandy beachheads are not to be missed as well as Mont St, Michel. thanks again

aussie_10

Hi hybergr
In Provence there is so much to see and do and experience, you wont be disappointed, I have so many fond memories. Our two weeks went by so quickly and we still didn't see everything. May will be a lovely time in Provence, it will be poppy season and all the spring flowers will be beautiful with lush countryside. Yes being able to have a month in France is so wonderful.

We are going back to France next year. Our trip is mainly to visit Italy, but I could not be that close and not pay France a visit. We did look at going to Northern France but will have to save it for another visit. We will spend 5 nights in Alsace area and then I will have to have a little taste of Paris again before moving on to Italy. Although I am toying with the idea of going to Italy via The French Riveria

shandy

Bookmarking this great trip report. I had missed it previously. I am very envious Aussie 10. I would love to be able to spend a month in France.

gladtotravel

bookmarking Very good report! Thanks

aussie_10

Gladtotravel it was a labour of love. We had a most fantastic time. Still brings back great memories!

AussieFrance

For when you go back again - you might like to check out my blog www.aussieinfrance.com for some insider information on Paris and the Loire Valley. I live just near the Louvre and have bought a Renaissance house in Blois so am busy checking out lots of great places to eat, drink and visit.

taconictraveler

Aussie_10 still a great report. I just read it all again. wonderful. We did go to Dordogne and did a lot of the things you did, and enjoyed it so much.

AussieFrance: You guys from Australia are great travelers. Your blog is delightful too.

Thanks to all the Aussies

TPAYT

bookmarking

aussie_10

Thank you for your replies
Taconictraveler, I just read your wonderful report of the Dordogne, can't believe I missed it last year. I started a report of our trip to Alsace but have been remiss in working on it, so haven't posted anything yet.

AussieFrance, I have had a quick look at your blog and will go back for more. We will be visiting Normandy, Brittany, the Loire & Paris in September this year. Cant wait but still have a lot of planning to do.