England and France in two weeks
 

Hi, I'm trying to plan a trip for my niece and mom, and niece has her heart set on London and Paris. Since I've been to both cities several times, I'm trying to squeeze in a few side trips too. Does the following itinerary make any sense? We arrive May 16, depart May 30.

Days 1-5: London (with obligatory day trip to Cambridgeshire to visit family friend)
Day 6: Travel by train to York, stay overnight
Day 7: Travel by train from York to Avignon, France (via London and Paris)
Days 8-10: Avignon (day trip to Arles or Aix-en-Provence...or is it too early for lavender?)
Day 11: Travel by train from Avignon to Paris
Days 11-14: Paris (with day trip to Versailles)
Day 15: Depart Paris for home

The weak spot may be getting from York to Avignon -- is it feasible by train? I think It'd be 2.5 hours back to London, then 2.5 from London to Paris, then another 2.5 hours from Paris to Avignon...not counting stopovers, etc. And after all that, we'd only get 3 full days in Avignon. But trying to squeeze in as much as possible, and driving is not an option. If this is not realistic, then I'll scrap York and maybe do a day trip to Bath or Oxford.

Grateful for thoughts!!

Les Lapins

Les, to me it would make more sense to go from London to Paris, then from Paris to Avignon by train. At the end, fly from Marseilles home.

+1 We did Paris to Arles, toured Provence then to Avignon and back to Paris, which also worked well. Any chance they would pick up a car in Avignon? It is worth it to see Les Beaux and the Pont du Gard. We personally did not like Avignon, but a big festival was on at the time and Arles is easily seen in a half day (unless you want to stay for a bull fight). I also recall Aix en Provence being kind of far from Arles/Avignon but it's been a few years.

Thanks latedaytraveler, but alas, I already booked my outbound from Paris - prices from Marseille were so high :-/

huntersmom, curious what you didn't like about Avignon. I'm still learning about these different cities. I don't feel very comfortable driving in a non-English-speaking region, I just figure I'll get lost and won't be able to read the signs. And my mom and niece would be of no help whatsoever, other than to say "I told you so" if things go wrong, lol.

Maybe a day tour from Avignon to see part of the Provence region/countryside?

Thinking I'll scrap York and do a day trip to Bath or Oxford. Then we can take Eurostar from London to Paris, and then on to Avignon. Less complication, anyway.