Toriliz

I am looking for ideas on what to do with 6 free days in Europe in June 2009.

I have arranged a 20 day trip to Europe for June 2009. I have booked my flight, flying into Paris and out of London, and booked an apartment for a week each in those cities. However, I have six free days between those two destinations.

I had originally planned to spend those six days exploring Canterbury and Stratford-Upon-Avon in England (I teach English Literature, and while I've been to England before, I never made it to those two places).

The other day, I was watching Passport to Europe on the Travel Channel and got the yen to maybe do something different instead.

I am interested in medieval history, castles, museums, gardens,and architecture.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Toriliz

Oops, I forgot to mention that I have been to Italy and Scotland before.

traveller1959

First decision: France or England or both.

Second decision: Which region?

If you opt for France you can see parts of Normandy (Rouen, Honfleur) and Brittany (at least Mont St. Michel, Dinan, Dinard, St. Malo, Roscoff, Cote d'Emeraude - Cap Frehel).

If you opt for England, I would highly recommend North Devon - very scenic, very historic and probably the best food in England.

I would not recommend Canterbury - there is nothing apart from the cathedral.

What you can do is a kind of loop: Salisbury, Devon, Bath, Cotswold, Oxford, London.

On the way, you will find an abundance of castles, gardens and cathedrals. They are everywhere in England.

If you are interested in hidden gems of England you might read this trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35148574

charnees

I would either visit the Loire valley and all the French castles there, or spend the time in the Dordogne valley, which has more spectacular scenery, but also medieval castles. When you reach the sea you are in Bordeaux!

traveller1959

If you opt for France, you can go everywhere, at least to each region with an airport which offers flights to London.

- The Loire has those great chateaux, but hardly medieval ones (the exception is Loches). The Loire castles are mostly renaissance style, but have gorgeous gardens (Villandry).

- The Dordogne is mostly renowned for truffles (however not in season in June) and foie gras. Sarlat is a very TOURISTY medieval town and hence beloved by Americans.

- Other options are Bourgogne, Alsace or Provence. Maybe even Cote d'Azur if you want some sunshine. It is all depending on your preferences. Since you said you teach English literature, I focussed my first answer on England. You are "interested in medieval history, castles, museums, gardens,and architecture" - this means, practically every place in Europe will satisfy you.

Toriliz

I am thinking more about adding another country besides England and France, such as Sweden (Stockholm), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Austria (Vienna), Germany, or Southern Italy.

traveller1959

Hell, that's a wealth of options. Why don't you include Spain into your list? I am afraid you have to narrow down the possibilities a little bit.

If you book low-budget flights you can go practically everywhere you want.

If you prefer surface traveling Netherlands or Germany would be options.

>>medieval history, castles, museums, gardens,and architecture<<

Of course, Germany can offer all this. I think of the Rhein valley, Trier, Aachen, Köln, Düsseldorf, Münsterland. I can make up an itenerary with everything you like.

It can easily be combined with Amsterdam.

You can take the train (or a flight) from Paris to Germany (Köln, Düsseldorf or Frankfurt). You can spend 4 or 5 days in Germany, then take the train to Amsterdam (2 hours from Düsseldorf) and spend the sixth day in Amsterdam. From AMS you can either fly or take the ferry to England.

If you are a little more specific I (and many more Fodorites) can give you more precise advice.

yk

I vote for Belgium.

2-3 days in Brussels (art nouveau architecture, Old masters paintings, new Magritte museum will be open by then)

day trip to Antwerp

2-3 days in Ghent and Bruges (Medieval towns, castle in Ghent, lots more Flemish Old Masters paintings)

The best part is:
easy to get from Paris -> Brussels (1.5 hrs on Thalys train)
easy to get from Brussels -> London (1.5 hrs on Eurostar train)

Toriliz

I know that I am spoiled for choices considering the low airfares, inc.

My trouble is narrowing my choices. This will be my 6th trip to Europe, but I've only been to Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom so far. I am leaning towards either Stockholm or Vienna for the whole six days, but wonder if doing two or three days in two different countries is more or less practical.

I will not be renting a car (don't find travelling unfamiliar roads stress free at home, so know I'd freak doing it elsewhere), so planes, trains, busses, etc are the plan.

I am going to visit my local library tomorrow and check out a European travel book.

Mainly I'm interested in what cities other Fodorites like to visit for six days, but I'm not necessarily looking for an itinerary per se.

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far.

Underhill

I would head straight to Canterbury and see the magnificent cathedral (nothing in Canterbury but the cathedral? What more do you need?), then stay in Kent for a few days and visit Knoll House, Hever Castle, Penshurst Place, and several of the best known gardens.

Then it would be up to Stratford-on-Avos, perhaps visiting Winchester Cathedral (think of Jane Austen), Salisbury Cathedral, and possibly Stonehenge.

In this way you could immerse yourself in medieval and Renaissance England and things literary.

If you want company... don't I wish!

VirginiaC

If you really love castles, you can't go wrong visiting Wales with such beauties as Caernarvon, Conwy, Beaumarais, and Harlech in the north and Caerphilly and Cardiff castles in the south. Just outside Cardiff is St. Fagan's, the Welsh National History museum, and there's a delightful botanic garden near Carmarthen. If you're lucky, you might be able to hear a Welsh male choir sing.

If you really want to add another country, you can easily spend a week with headquarters in Brussels, Stockholm or Amsterdam and not run out of fascinating things to do.

afterall

You could always do a train trip taking sleepers and stopping in a couple of cities for 3 nights each or 3 for two nights each.

I'd be getting to know the German Railways site, cos it gives details of other country connex too, and see if you can work out an interesting itinerary. It's fun!

For example (I haven't checked this out) Paris to Koln to Regensburg (or a n other Souther German city, and then Vienna, or maybe Prague, and fly to the UK.

Or Paris to Koln to Prague and fly to UK (Newcastle). Take the train south to London stopping to see Durham and York. Or, hire a car and see a little of the Yorkshire Moors/Dales before visiting York.

The North of England is beautiful, has loads of history, and June is a fine time to be there.

Could also be combined with Copenhagen (Cimber Air fly to Newcastle). You can also ferry it from Gothenburg or Amsterdam.

Just some thoughts.
Cheers.