alblancher

80?? She'll be pushing me around in a wheelchair and adjusting my bib while I suck bouillabaisse through a straw!! I'm not a real good 58, can't imagine what I'll be like at 80 hehe

Gretchen

Saving Paris for later is a bit short sighted, methinks. We have probably "saved" it 12 or more times, and never tire of it.
Now tour buses are another thing altogether. The planning is half the fun with the help of the internet--I even did it before the internet using Fodor's books, etc. as many others here, I'm sure.

And "Wifey and I tend to stay away from the touristy things when we travel,"
On another thread I observed when someone else made a similar statement, "touristy" things are the architecture, art, vibrancy, "different from our city" things that make travel the great thing it is.
And DO get the Michelin Green Guide--to wherever you end up going in FRance.

alblancher

Gretchen, I mentioned in an earlier post that our travel goal is to experience the culture and life of the French people. Paris is the heart of French culture just like Normandy and the Loire and the Alsace are it's soul.

My definition of touristy things is sitting on the benches at Old Faithful waiting for it to erupt instead of hiking for a half hour and experiencing it from an overlook away from the crowds. Or dealing with a disinterested waiter when I can chat with the cook's wife while they serve and prepare our meal. Visiting the Eifel Tower at night instead of standing in line to ride to the top.

Maybe even having a beer in a small bar while the locals scream at the soccer match on TV.

I guess another way to say it is I like to make an investment in our experiences. I have learned that I can do something just a bit different from everyone else and have an experience that is unique and rewarding to both of us.

Being from New Orleans we have a place in our hearts for Architecture (love iron work) and History and Art (love Monet), and good food i.e. see the part about being a bad 58 hehe.

I really like your point of view and so appreciate your comments and direction.

Al

Gretchen

I couldn't agree more--we do all those things also.
Go to La Petite Bistro in Bayeux to chat with the wife of the chef as she serves you. DS asked his wife to marry him at the top of the Eiffel Tower--on a rainy night after walking up.

dwdvagamundo

Concur with PalenQ re Chinon, Fountevraud and Tours (first two to see, third to avoid) Otherwise bookmarking for Bilbo's Doubs suggestion.

I am going to dissent about the Green Guide. We got one for our trip last year (after suggestions on this board) and were underwhelmed by it. Maps are just O.K., and it didn't help us at all in Tours. Wouldn't do it again. We used Yelp to find restaurants and that worked better for us.

PalenQ

Here's one who loves the Green Guides though the maps are not that great - green guides however concentrate on history - long past history and thus miss out on some more contemporary things - but for a hsitorical background give me my Green Guide any day!

Gretchen

Green Guides give the most information in a straightforward way, as Pal says.
And there is "up to date" info also. I found La Petite Bistro in it, and the guide to Normandy is really good.
But I don't use it for finding restaurants, hotels, etc.--it is for the sites (as Pal said).
For Paris, the part about the Louvre is invaluable in planning which wing to visit, etc.