Brittany
 

Have just received word of time share availability in late Sept. on the atlantic coast of Brittany.We would rent a car for the week,but our knowledge of this area is limited.Are there enough interesting areas within driving distance to occupy a week there?

Absolutely. I'll email you last year's trip report if you want; tho' it's on here if you run search

Janet,<BR>I agree with Sheila, there's plenty to do in Brittany for a week. My husband and I were there this past May for 4 days and we easily could have spent another 3-4 days. The coast is beautiful. There are some interesting medieval villages throughout the interior, the seafood is the best.<BR>Renting a car and driving around this beautiful area of France is the way to go. We stayed in Dinard, along the English Channel and made several day trips from there. Enjoy your vacation - it should be lovely in September.<BR>Diane

Truly a great place to tour. We did Brittany and Normandy. Great towns and coast line. I used 'Brittany & Normandy the rough guide" by Greg Ward.<BR>Do not miss St Malo, Dinard and Dinan.<BR>Plenty to do and to see, tho some places seem a little deserted when the Parisians return home at the end of August. This is sometimes an advantage for parking, but some places close down.<BR>The food is great. WE often stopped at a butchery for a slice of some pate etc, then the bakery for bread, and had a roadside picnic - 5 star!!! Their thin thin pancakes are a must, with eather salty or sweet fillings. You can have a cheese, ham etc one to begin and end with a sweet one...... YOu have been warned!!! Get a good map - detailed so that you can take the little byways instead of just highways, and ENJOY!

You've got great recommendations.Must stress Dinan as a medieval gem, lots of cobblestones, steep walks and great food. St. Malo walking around the ramparts and streets and out on the<BR>little island. Rainy, cool weather is very common so be advised. In the interior there are wonderful little towns with beautiful sculptures and castles to see (some could have limited viewing in the fall) but there is nothing like slowly driving along the coast, taking in the scenery (Cote du Granite Rose) and having a great lunch at a seaside local restaurant or going on a picnic. Have fun.

thank you all very much for your helpful input.I only discovered this site on Sat.,it is certainly a wealth of info.Sheila,if you would not mind sending your itinery,I would appreciate it.<BR> Now,another question...we are staying just north of Vannes,&will rent a car but are having trouble deciding what is the best way to arrive from New York? Fly NY to Paris then nantes or train fromCDG to Nantes or....fly to London then connect to ferry to St.Malo???All opinions appreciated!

Also try to include Mount St. Michile (sp?). It is the companion to the St. Michaels Mount in cornwell. Get there early and enjoy this treasure before the crowds. Also try to go to the American Cementery in the Omaha beach area. It is very moving to see all the european tour buses there and not a dried eyed American can be seen in the area-take plenty of tissue.

Hi Janet,<BR> I think your best travel plans would be fly to Paris, TGV to Vannes and pick up the car there. The area just north of Vannes has many beautiful and interesting points of interest. It is a good several hours drive to Dinan, Dinard, St. Malo and another hour yet on to Mont St. Michel. Add another 1.5 hours on to D-Day beaches in Normandy.<BR><BR>All of the above are good day trips but want you know the distances. In your immediate area there are many great less-discovered treasures and September should cut down on the traffic! Get the michelin map #230 (or similar) and just start wandering! I was just in the Dinan area 2 weeks ago and will be returning there and further west in August. Rather dreading the crush but am still delighted to be visiting this beautiful area again.

Coco,<BR> Thank you for the arrival suggestions,I'll certainly follow up.<BR>Have already done Normandy,Mont St. Michel & that area on a previous trip.

We'll be in Brittany in a couple weeks and I have spent a lot of time recently researching our trip. By far the best guide book I hve come across is the Cadogan guidebook to Brittany. The Michelin Green is also good and does lay out several excursions. Just for fun see if your library has a copy of The Most Beautiful Villages in Brittany or Secret France. They'll inspire you. I also investigated transportation options. Depending on what kinds of airfares you can find, flying seems to be the best option. We fly into Gatwick and then are flying from there to Nantes. Ferry routes seemed complicated and prohibitively expensive. Seemed like a good option mainly for those who are bringing cars from the UK.

Julie,<BR> Thank you for suggestions.I'm waiting for Cadogan to arrive from Amazon...I have found them great on other trips.Will look into Gatwick.