mid-February itinerary for southern France
 

We have 6 or 7 days to spend in the area in the middle of February and are experienced independent travellers. We are hoping to find some early spring-like weather. It seems like we have 3 choices of area to concentrate on. 1.Avignon, Nimes, Arles, Aix etc. (but are wondering if this area might be the worst for weather) 2. Perpignan, Carcassonne, Coulliere, Montpeillier etc. 3. the Cote d'Azur. Whether we rely on public transportation, rent a car or do a mix depends on which area we decide to spend our time in. We are also concerned about whether many things will be closed because it is off season. Please give us some advice taking into account our interests and the season. We like to travel on a budget and generally would rely on a book like Frommer's on $80 a day for advice on hotels and eating. We do not need or want or like large hotels with lots of tourist amenities. Our first choice is always smaller family run inns. We like to walk around areas with ambience. We like to visit local markets. We like nature and the outdoors. We like historical sights. We like quaint and charming smaller towns and villages. We like museums in smaller doses. We like to try to spend some time on each trip renting bikes or taking a hike. We like wine growing areas. We like getting off the beaten path (in fact, our all-time favorite trip was the one we took to Romania last spring). We do not like glitz, casinos, overly developed super touristy areas, shoppping for entertainment, or high rise condoized tourist developed resorts. Put it this way, in the US we would always opt for national parks or historical/cultural locations over resorts or locations that are just developed for tourism. So, if you've been to any of these areas, what would you suggest? Any suggestions of places to base ourselves, places to stay or appropriate types of transportation for the area would also be greatly appreciated. We are not trying to set up a complete itinerary ahead of time but just want to know which area to aim for considering the amount of time we have. Thanks so much.

Early spring-like weather? Perhaps, but read about the Mistrals, sometimes gale force winds sweeping down the Garonne and Rhone Valleys, among others, carrying bone chilling air from the Alps. Much of the French Riviera hibernates from the onset of winter until March. Many smaller properties close their doors until spring. The mildest weather may be west and southwest.

We've read about the mistral and are nervous about it. Has anyone experienced it, and how bad is it really? I should also say that we live in the upper midwest part of the US where there are long, cold, snowy winters so anywhere in the south of France has to be better than the weather at home. we had also considered Normandy and close in Brittany as a side trip from Paris but decided against that because of weather concerns. That is why we are looking at this area. By the way, we have basic communication skills in French so are not concerned about sticking to places where there are English speakers and English menues.

I'm interested in this question too. But I also want to know if I could successfully do a driving tour along the prime sites and some interesting smaller villages of the Mediterranean area from Nice to Perpignan in one week or would that be pushing it too much? Do each of these 3 itineraries really deserve almost a week? Is there anyone out there who can help us? thank you.

We've traveled both to the Cote d'Azur and Languedoc in early March (and also the Dordogne) and early spring was barely visible by March 15. In mid February I fear it will still be winter, which in the south of France is still a tad better than winter in, say, Oslo or Boston. Your best chances of okay weather would likely be at the extremes - Menton, say, and Perpignan, then play it by ear for other destinations. The south of France in winter is better than no south of France at all, and that's a fact.<BR><BR>PS, if traveling inland, like the Dordogne, keep an eye on the rivers, which can go into flood pretty easily this time of year.

John--<BR>Just curious about where you live. I'm from Minnesota so just about anything is preferable. When you say it wan't spring do you mean it was cold all the time or do you mean nothing had budded out yet?