Piccolina

DebitNM - thank you for sharing your trip report. I seem to have missed it during my research here. Am savouring it now with a glass of port

StuDudley

>>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

Piccolina

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!

eigasuki

The itinerary sounds great - can I come?

I'd be most interested in your Madrid dining recommendations and those of others

Merci, gracias

DebitNM

You will love St. Sat. Where are you staying?

Piccolina

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!!

Piccolina

DebitNM - am going to stay at Mas Perreal after the rave reviews I got here. Have you stayed in St. Sat before??

I hope the weather is decent in late September! Fingers crossed.

DebitNM

The gite linked above is where we have stayed, twice. St. Sat is lovely, as are Kevin and Elizbeth at Mas Perreal!

eigasuki

Gracias.

Enjoy Provence. Make sure you get to the St Remy markets.

eigasuki

I guess you are back now. I'm wondering how the trip went and what insights you have for my next trip, next July hopefully.

Spain was awesome, trip report in the pipeline.

Piccolina

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!