Paris and...
 

Hello,

I'm going with my husband to paris for a conference from the 14th to 19th of July, but we are planning on starting our trip (leaving from Toronto) on the 9/10th of July and looking for suggestions of a place to start our trip somewhere that makes getting to paris on the 14th relatively easy (likely fly into one city and out of CDG).

We've been to paris before (for 3 months) so we're looking to see something new. We've already been to London, Barcelona, Rome. We like good food/wine, hiking/biking. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

You can check out Belgium which is a Thalys high speed train away. Brussels, Brugge, Antwerp, and Ghent are all heavyweights and worth seeing. Def sample the beer and chocolates.......Dunno about hiking though

Thanks for the reply, I didn't even think about places in that direction.
After considering it more I think we're looking to choose between spending those days in either Amsterdam or Lyon.

Any suggestions as to which one is best for 3 full days? again we like food/wine/beer, biking.

Thanks :)

Dublin, a great city to explore in three days ...

thanks travelhorizons, we actually used to live there, and looking to go somewhere we've never been, but you're right, it's a great city for 3 days.

If you browse through the sections on Lyon and Amsterdam in the Destinations section of this website (see http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/ ), that might help you decide. Lyon has a great reputation for its food and wine.

Here's a link to outdoor information for Lyon: http://lyon.angloinfo.com/informatio...or-activities/

We're going to Paris and Lisbon in October.

Munich has all of that. You could then take the sleeper train to Paris.
I admit to being biased as Munich-Paris is one of my favorite trips.

IMHO Belgium has by far the best food in europe - much better than France.

You have a bunch of options there - from Brugge and Ghent well worth several days - or you head to the east and visit Liege, Spa and even into Germany for Aachen.

Lots of cut small towns and fascinating obscure castles - great for a several day road trip with great food and whine all the way.

Thanks for the advice!! Very helpful :)

Amsterdam would be my choice... not for food, though...
A lovely city, great museums, not too hot in July and only four hours by train from Paris.

I suggest Burgundy, stay in Beaune or in the coutryside. Perfect for cycling through the villages and vineyards, wine tasting, food and Beaune itself, a cozy town and nice contrast to the big city.

Fly to Vienna, stay in Bratislava, hike the hills above town to Devin (town and castle)'...bike the small villages of far eastern Austria (three miles from downtown bratislava by easy bike path). Go to the neighboring village of Pezinok and eat at a vineyard restaurant in town ( the neighboring small carpathians are full of vineyards). Fly airberlin to Paris.

I blog about all of this at www.worldinbetween.wordpress.com

I agree with danon. I'd choose Amsterdam (I am a museum-lover, though).