I'm thinking of a trip next spring to France or Greece. I have been to both countries before, but want to cover some new territory. I'm just beginning to think about where and when to go.

My thought is to go over my early-April birthday - it's a landmark birthday for me. Alternatively, I could delay and go in May instead - maybe over Memorial Day to attach the holiday to my trip. I will be traveling solo on a fairly tight budget - probably around $225 a day, aside from air and local transportation. I'd have 13 or 14 full days.

In Greece, I'm most interested in the mainland (Nafplio and environs, Monemvasia, Mani, Olympia, Meteora, return trip to Delphi) with a rental car, although I might dash out to an island for a few days.

In France, I'm attracted to the Dordogne and also to Normandy/Brittany, neither of which I've visited before. I could spend all my time in these two regions with a rental car, adding a very short stay in Paris (where I have been before). Alternatively, I'd combine the Dordogne with a longer stay in Paris.

Your thoughts considering weather, expense, etc.?

Or then I'd consider Italy - Rome, Venice, and Tuscany - but think it would probably be too expensive for my slender budget?

Tough decision! I was lucky enough to go to both this year.

Greece in May and France in August. I had been to France last summer also but it had been over 30 years since my last trip to Greece...

In your shoes I'd pick the one it has been the longest since you've visited. The weather MIGHT be better at that time of year in Greece but we had some cool and rainy weather there in May too.

Prices are likely to be somewhat lower in Greece, but not as much lower as in years gone by. Your airfare is likely to be higher to Greece also...

The good news is ... whichever you choose you can't go wrong! ;^)

Rob

We had a wonderful time in Greece at the end of May/early June. The weather was beautiful, and most places we wanted to visit were very uncrowded. We also found that prices were somewhat cheaper than they had been in previous visits during the summer season- July/August. I think it's a really ideal time to go!

We spent a week in Paris in early April and it was quite cold, but sunny. We wore coats and others had on gloves,and hats. The tulips and fruit trees were in bloom and it was easy to get into museums and restaurants.

Anyone have an opinion about the Dordogne in early April or at the end of May? When do the crowds arrive? How expensive is it?