One Last Month in Europe?
 

Hello All,

I was just looking for suggestions as to where I should spend my last month in Europe. But I would like it to be in one single place. I can make day trips around the area but would like to be anchored in a certain spot.

So far I've been to Paris, Biarritz, Lisbon, Barcelona, Montpellier, Nice, Rome, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam, Bergen, and Oslo. I've liked everything I seen so far. I'm also trying to stay in the Schengen area, because I'm using up the last of my visa time.

It will be in August, so I'm not planning on hitting any major touristy areas. (i.e. Paris or Rome again.)
My thoughts were Toulouse, cause I'm still trying to improve my French, or maybe a small beach town in Portugal. I know everything in Algarve would probably be booked and jam packed during August, but maybe something around Porto. I don't know. Just looking for recommendations.

I'm 28 years old, single, male, and budget is relatively open.

Thanks in advance,

JD

If it were me (and I am a 28 year old female who travels solo often but has a boyfriend), I'd be looking for a fairly large size coastal base with good train connections for easy day trips. You've clearly hit a lot of the big cities: I'd be looking to add in some coastline and take advantage of the sun and heat.

If improving your French is a priority, I'd look at Nice- big city that can feel like a small resort town, good connections along the coast and inland to Provence, also potential to cross to Italy.

The Atlantic Coast could also be an option: Biarritz would give you access to Northern Spain as well. Or flip and stay in San Sebastián and visit the French Basque coast.

Toulouse is pretty hot in summer, anything south is, of course. I find it curious you haven't visited the UK and don't even mention it as a possibility. I don't know where you'd situate for a month, but at least it isn't usually as hot up there, that's what I'd choose.

If you really want to work on your French, then sure, somewhere in France and if heat doesn't bother you, Toulouse sounds good. I also think Nice isn't a bad idea.

Thanks for answering you two. Christina, the UK isn't in the Schengen area, so I might end up going there once this last month is done. It's a different visa situation, that's why I would prefer to stay in mainland Europe. Just to make the most out of my visa time allowance. I think that's how it works anyways. And I'm from central California originally. So 90F temps don't scare me! Haha

Nice is beautiful, but I've been there twice. You're right about the connections though, Cannes, Monaco, Èze, Italy. And I absolutely love Biarritz, but was just there for a month about 4 months ago.

Has anyone ever been to Beaune? It seems nice.

Toulouse is good, but it's true that it will be heating up soon. What about a place like Strasbourg? It is an excellent hub for visiting a lot of the region as well, whether in France, Germany or Switzerland by commuter train.

I think I would have a look at Strasbourg. French but right on the border of Germany and MANY easy day trips available in the area. And not as hellishly hot as more southern places.

Nice of course is wonderful and also has a ton of day trips nearby but I think will be much more full of tourists and finding a place to stay at that time may be difficult - and transit and beaches will be MOBBED.

Or you might consider the more northern cost of France - also crowded but weather not SO hot - and plenty of places to visit.

Of course, it would be dishonest to hide the fact that at certain times, it can become hellishly hot in Strasbourg and it can in fact be the hottest city in France every now and then. But that makes it a good time to go up to the Vosges or into the Black Forest across the border.

How about Switzerland?

I hadn't even thought of Strasbourg or Switzerland! I had always meant to go to Strasbourg while I lived in Paris, but never did.

Merci à tous !