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. Probably too confusing for you, Pal.
Tourists and guidebook writers are often uninformed.> you are confusing the matter - technically you are right but practically you are just confusing things. But then you say guidebook writers such as Frommer's are often misinformed - maybe you should write Frommer's about that and the plethora of other guidebooks that distinguish between the Dordogne and Perigord as separate tourist destinations. |
No, I am not confusing things. Guidebooks that distinguish between the Périgord and the Dordogne (and there aren't many of them that do, certainly not "a plethora"), are confusing things, unless, as some of them rightly do, they describe the historical context. They are most emphatically NOT separate tourist destinations. Give me one single example of someplace that's in "the Périgord" that's not in "the Dordogne," or vice versa. Enuff said.
Frommer's is so off base it includes Cahors and Montauban and Rocamadour in its guide to the "Dordogne and Périgord." |
Driving Itinerary for France in Summer!
Arrive Paris mid morning: I think that we can catch the train to Versailles. We hope to rent the car there. Therefore after arrival in Paris we will have time at the airport, train to Versailles, check into lodging and hopefuly some afternoon time to start Versailles. Day 1: Lodging in Versailles One night in Versailles Monday: July 22: Spend the day in Versailles, Afternoon Drive to Chartres : I think it is about an hour drive. We might get there in time to just walk around and enjoy. Day 2: One night in Chartres Lodging: Chartres Tuesday: Spend the Morning in Chartres Afternoon drive to Amboise : I think it is about 2 hours. Spending the morning in Chartres and a two hour drive means probably a late afternoon arrival in Amboise. We might be able to see a Chateau or maybe just walk around Ambroise. I am going to research timing to catch the chateau Chambord on the way to Ambroise. Day 3: Night one in Amboise(later arrival) lodging in Amboise Rick Steves’ suggestions for chateau out of Ambroise are Chenonceau, Chambord, Chaumont or Cheverny. I know we can’t do them all so I will have to figure out the logistics on those. Day 4: Second night in Amboise Day 5: First night in Sarlat: late afternoon arrival Drive to Sarlat/Beynac area , this is about a 4 hour drive, so hopefully arrive early afternoon and have some time to explore the town. Lodging Sarlat/Beynac Day 6: Second night lodging in Sarlat Sarlat: day 1: Canoe trip I think this will take most of the day Day 7: Third night in Sarlat Sarlat: day 2: This will be the day to explore the Dordoghne Next day Drive to Carcasonne through Cahors with some time here. This is at least a 3 hour drive. If we get there around dusk that is supposed to be a great time to see it. Day 8: One nightLodging Carcassone Lodging Carcassone Next day: Spend some time and take a leisurely drive along the coast and up to Arles Day 9: First night lodging in Arles Lodging Arles Day 10: Second night lodging in Arles There appears to be so much to see in this area, so the day to explore. Start the Drive to Chamonix area/ Annecy Day 11: One night lodging possibly in Sisteron Lodging in maybe a small village i.e. Digne, Sisteron Next day drive to Chamonix and ride the lifts in Chamonix Day 12: Drive to Annecy area: One night lodging in Annecy area Drive to Annecy area: Lodging in the Annecy area Next day Drive to Beaune ( arrive early evening according to Rick Steves in time for a wine tasting.) Day 13: One night lodging in Beaun/Dijon area Lodging Beaune/ Dijon area Next day Start the drive to Paris: I found a wonderful Rick Steves drive from Beaune to Paris inclufing Fontenay Abbey, Flavigny-sur-Ozerain Day 14:Lodging between Beaune and Paris Day 15: Lodging along the way Arrival in Paris I still haven’t figured out how to do this. This plan has 15 nights and we actually have 16. Where do we need more time than I have allowed. Are we missing something obvious? I have been looking at the rout de napolean, and would like to drive that from Arles up to Chamonix. Advice on timing, lodging, route, etc. I have looked at distance calculators for driving and hope that I am close. We look forward to finding markets, walking and exploring areas, picnics, and trying not to miss anything. Don’t think any information you offer is obvious. This is a new adventure and we value your experiences to share. Thank you! 16 nights |
Arrive Paris mid morning:
I think that we can catch the train to Versailles. We hope to rent the car there. Therefore after arrival in Paris we will have time at the airport, train to Versailles, check into lodging and hopefuly some afternoon time to start Versailles. <<Sounds OK. You catch the RER to Versailles, actually>> Day 1: Lodging in Versailles One night in Versailles Monday: July 22: Spend the day in Versailles, Afternoon Drive to Chartres : I think it is about an hour drive. We might get there in time to just walk around and enjoy. <<Works OK>> Day 2: One night in Chartres Lodging: Chartres Tuesday: Spend the Morning in Chartres Afternoon drive to Amboise : I think it is about 2 hours. Spending the morning in Chartres and a two hour drive means probably a late afternoon arrival in Amboise. We might be able to see a Chateau or maybe just walk around Ambroise. I am going to research timing to catch the chateau Chambord on the way to Ambroise. <<It's Amboise, no "r." Sounds fine. Be sure to see the Clos Lucé as well as the château, my favorite in the Loire. Day 3: Night one in Amboise(later arrival) lodging in Amboise Rick Steves’ suggestions for chateau out of Ambroise are Chenonceau, Chambord, Chaumont or Cheverny. I know we can’t do them all so I will have to figure out the logistics on those. Day 4: Second night in Amboise <Well, fine but you're driving to Sarlat next? No stop along the way,like Oradour-psur-Glane? I wouldn't drive this stretch, I'd take the train.>> Day 5: First night in Sarlat: late afternoon arrival Drive to Sarlat/Beynac area , this is about a 4 hour drive, so hopefully arrive early afternoon and have some time to explore the town. <<No, it's more than a 4-hour drive unless you haul a** on the highway, more like 6.>> Lodging Sarlat/Beynac Day 6: Second night lodging in Sarlat Sarlat: day 1: Canoe trip I think this will take most of the day <<Well that depends on which outfit you choose and which trip you choose. It can be 4 hours or 10 days.>> Day 7: Third night in Sarlat Sarlat: day 2: This will be the day to explore the Dordoghne <<You are allotting only ONE day to "explore the Dordogne?" and please note spelling. That is downright shameful. I'd love to know what you are going to "explore" on that one day. Next day Drive to Carcasonne through Cahors with some time here. This is at least a 3 hour drive. If we get there around dusk that is supposed to be a great time to see it. <<Yup, three hours is about right. It's true it's good at dusk." >> Day 8: One nightLodging Carcassone Lodging Carcassone <<Ok, but don't expect much.>> Next day: Spend some time and take a leisurely drive along the coast and up to Arles <<It won't be that leisurely.>> Day 9: First night lodging in Arles Lodging Arles Day 10: Second night lodging in Arles There appears to be so much to see in this area, so the day to explore. <<Dear God! You're going to the Bouches-du-Rhône for one freaking day (two nights)??? WHAT are you thinking?>> Start the Drive to Chamonix area/ Annecy Day 11: One night lodging possibly in Sisteron Lodging in maybe a small village i.e. Digne, Sisteron <<OK>> Next day drive to Chamonix and ride the lifts in Chamonix Day 12: Drive to Annecy area: One night lodging in Annecy area <<OK>> Drive to Annecy area: Lodging in the Annecy area Next day Drive to Beaune ( arrive early evening according to Rick Steves in time for a wine tasting.) Day 13: One night lodging in Beaun/Dijon area Lodging Beaune/ Dijon area <<OK>> Next day Start the drive to Paris: I found a wonderful Rick Steves drive from Beaune to Paris inclufing Fontenay Abbey, Flavigny-sur-Ozerain <<OK>> Day 14:Lodging between Beaune and Paris Day 15: Lodging along the way <<Like where?>> Arrival in Paris I still haven’t figured out how to do this. This plan has 15 nights and we actually have 16. Where do we need more time than I have allowed. Are we missing something obvious? I have been looking at the rout de napolean, and would like to drive that from Arles up to Chamonix. Advice on timing, lodging, route, etc. I have looked at distance calculators for driving and hope that I am close. We look forward to finding markets, walking and exploring areas, picnics, and trying not to miss anything. Don’t think any information you offer is obvious. This is a new adventure and we value your experiences to share. Thank you! 16 nights No, you haven't "missed" anything. Rather, you've put together a completely frenetic drive all over France. Sounds like a complete nightmare to me. Trapped inside a car and watching that beautiful country fly by out the window. Sorry, can't endorse anything about this. To me, this would be a nightmare trip. |
Well, we haven't jumped off of any ledge yet. So tell me your dream as opposed to my nightmare. Our supposition was: We love road trips. We love seeing as much as we can see, but at the same time soaking in sunrises and sunsets. We love hiking, biking, hanging out with a nice glass of wine.
We started with the idea of more nights in an area i.e. Dordogne, Loire, and then taking day trips from there. Somehow this is what evolved. i wouldn't have posted if I didn't want advice from more experienced travelers! |
I have copied your comments to a document so that I can look it over more closely. I apologize if my misspelling offended you. I am pretty overwhelmed with everything about this. Maybe when I become as well traveled as you, those words will be more natural to me. This comment from you: "Dear God! You're going to the Bouches-du-Rhône for one freaking day (two nights)??? WHAT are you thinking?", I appreciate. Obviously I did not get the magnitude of what is there. These comments will help me to try and make a better plan. Thank you taking time to respond
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I agree that this plan would mean a LOT of driving for very few of the unique experiences for which these locations are known. I don't mind a road trip, and I don't mind fast-paced travel, but I do like to ensure that I have enough time in each of my destinations to see the things that I want to see there. And that's what isn't coming across to me in your plans - other than some pleasant activities that you could do pretty much anywhere that is picturesque (hikes and bike rides and relaxing over wine, etc.), are any specific things you want to do in these locations? For example, do you have any interest in seeing the cave paintings or gardens or castles of the Dordogne? Maybe not - and that's certainly your choice! (I, for one, would hate it if we all travelled for the same reasons) - but my guess is that most of us are thinking that you want at least some time for the highlights of these areas, and it isn't clear that your plan allows for even a smattering of them.
Hope that helps! |
Not sure if someone has turned you on to the best site to find out driving distances, cost of fuel & tolls, even where the speed cameras are! viamichelin.com
I'm wondering why you have Beziers on your list of places to visit in the South. Our house of many years was only 20 minutes away (in a lovely little village) and you would be eaten alive trying to drive there, especially without French. It's a very big, busy city and although the Cathedral where the Cathars were brutally destroyed is lovely, it too is a nightmare to find in a maze of narrow, one-way streets. There are so many more lovely places to visit in that area. Better to visit Carcassonne, or lovely Narbonne. |
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