Provence & Cote d'Azur in late September...and the planning begins!
#22
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>>1. Bedoin ... Is the landscape/atmosphere quite different from the Luberon? Seems like most of the available accomodation coming up for this area is in Mazan - what are your thoughts on this village?<<
Landscape is similar to the Luberon, but you are a little closer to the Baronnies mountains, Mt Ventoux, and the Dentelles/Vaison/cote du Rhone winegrowing region. I believe that there are some B&Bs in Bedoin and the hotel les Pins is just outside of Bedoin. Mazon is a nice non-touristy town. One of our favorite restaurants is there - in a chateau hotel.
>>2. Re: your suggestion of Lyon as a 2 night stay. If we get into Lyon on the firt day (Friday) at 3pm and stay overnight for 2 nights with departure on a Sunday to Avignon..this leaves us with 1.5 day to explore Lyon. Is this sufficient?<<
Yep - plus you don't want to visit Lyon on a Sunday when things are kinda dead. If you think you may really enjoy some museums in Lyon - see them on Sunday and take a later TGV to Avignon. This could give you 2 full days there.
Stu Dudley
Landscape is similar to the Luberon, but you are a little closer to the Baronnies mountains, Mt Ventoux, and the Dentelles/Vaison/cote du Rhone winegrowing region. I believe that there are some B&Bs in Bedoin and the hotel les Pins is just outside of Bedoin. Mazon is a nice non-touristy town. One of our favorite restaurants is there - in a chateau hotel.
>>2. Re: your suggestion of Lyon as a 2 night stay. If we get into Lyon on the firt day (Friday) at 3pm and stay overnight for 2 nights with departure on a Sunday to Avignon..this leaves us with 1.5 day to explore Lyon. Is this sufficient?<<
Yep - plus you don't want to visit Lyon on a Sunday when things are kinda dead. If you think you may really enjoy some museums in Lyon - see them on Sunday and take a later TGV to Avignon. This could give you 2 full days there.
Stu Dudley
#23
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Stu - thanks so much for your advice. My mom managed to redeem her flight with points but have to fly into/out of Paris. As such we have now included 3 nights in Paris in the last part of our trip. Unfortunately Bedoin/Dentelles would have to wait until next time.
New itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in CDG in the morning; take train to Lyon and stay for 2 nights
Day 3 - Take train to Avignon, pick up rental and stay in Uzes for 4 nights
Day 7 - Change location to saint Saturin in the Luberon and stay for 4 nights
Day 11 - Take train back to Paris and stay for 3 nights.
Thanks again!
New itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in CDG in the morning; take train to Lyon and stay for 2 nights
Day 3 - Take train to Avignon, pick up rental and stay in Uzes for 4 nights
Day 7 - Change location to saint Saturin in the Luberon and stay for 4 nights
Day 11 - Take train back to Paris and stay for 3 nights.
Thanks again!
#26
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Eigasuki - of course..you're most welcome to come! We have meet again in France.
Here are my best picks for Madrid:
1. San Salvador - eat the bull's tail. NO english spoken. Love the waiters! Either eat before 9 if you don't have a res or book if you are eating after 9. I think the restaurant opens at 8:30 or 8 at the earliest. Old school Madrid restaurant. Owned by the same family for a few generations
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant...or-Madrid.html
2. La Gabinoteca
Must have reservations.
http://www.lagabinoteca.es/
3. Taberna San Mames
Old school restaurant. Super small place. Lunch begins at 1pm. Either have res or go right at 1pm. Full of business people. Order the tripe! Ignore the bad comments on trip advisor.
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserRe...es-Madrid.html
There - my best of list. All recommended by Anthony Bourdain and I was not disappointed.
Have fun!!
Here are my best picks for Madrid:
1. San Salvador - eat the bull's tail. NO english spoken. Love the waiters! Either eat before 9 if you don't have a res or book if you are eating after 9. I think the restaurant opens at 8:30 or 8 at the earliest. Old school Madrid restaurant. Owned by the same family for a few generations
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant...or-Madrid.html
2. La Gabinoteca
Must have reservations.
http://www.lagabinoteca.es/
3. Taberna San Mames
Old school restaurant. Super small place. Lunch begins at 1pm. Either have res or go right at 1pm. Full of business people. Order the tripe! Ignore the bad comments on trip advisor.
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserRe...es-Madrid.html
There - my best of list. All recommended by Anthony Bourdain and I was not disappointed.
Have fun!!
#31
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Eigasuki - I've taken a hiatus from the forum as work has been so busy so I just saw your message now! Unfortunately I didn't end up going to Provence due to work commitments. Am planning a trip to NZ for XMAS 2014 though!
Am happy to hear Spain was good.
I'm thinking of heading back to the Dordogne at the end of Sep...one can dream!
Am happy to hear Spain was good.
I'm thinking of heading back to the Dordogne at the end of Sep...one can dream!