South of France first time
Jun 16th, 2010 | 03:44 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
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South of France first time
In a previous post I hoped to get advice about a general itinerary for Paris to Barcelona but no luck.
We're two adults and twin 15 year old boys. None of us have been to France or Spain before and can't wait. We have from 5th September depart Paris to 14th September depart Barcelona. I like the idea of Paris to Avignon on the 5th, arriving around lunchtime by TGV. I think we will arrive in Barcelona on the 11th for a three night stay. Near Avignon, there is a kayaking/camping trip I'd like to do with the kids but apart from that I don't really have set ideas. We enjoy being active, wine, food, music, history, art but are happy not to race around all over the place.
Is staying in Avignon as a base a good idea?
We think we will combine trains and buses to get to Barcelona. Perhaps we could break up the Avignon to Barcelona trip into two parts.
Any suggestions??
We're two adults and twin 15 year old boys. None of us have been to France or Spain before and can't wait. We have from 5th September depart Paris to 14th September depart Barcelona. I like the idea of Paris to Avignon on the 5th, arriving around lunchtime by TGV. I think we will arrive in Barcelona on the 11th for a three night stay. Near Avignon, there is a kayaking/camping trip I'd like to do with the kids but apart from that I don't really have set ideas. We enjoy being active, wine, food, music, history, art but are happy not to race around all over the place.
Is staying in Avignon as a base a good idea?
We think we will combine trains and buses to get to Barcelona. Perhaps we could break up the Avignon to Barcelona trip into two parts.
Any suggestions??
Jun 16th, 2010 | 04:03 AM
#2
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Yes, Avignon is a good place to stop.
And if it's your first time, you´ll enjoy France and Spain, and remember Barcelona is in Catalunya (or Catalonia in English) a country within Spain. Our language is Catalan, but everyone speaks Spanish (Castilian) and some people English, but not a lot. So you´ll see most road signs and shops are written in Catalan, and most people inland of Catalunya, speak Catalan as their fisrt language, but on the coast and Barcelona, spanish is more spoken.
If you're not staying in Barcelona for a many days, take the tourist bus, there are 2 companies ,one busier than the other, the less busy company has got red buses and it´s called City tour. It´s in the web below.
http://www.barcelonacitytour.cat/es/
By they way, avoid going to the bullfights, it´s torture!
http://www.pacma.es/index.php
By the way, where are you from?
I hope my infomation is good for you.
adam.
And if it's your first time, you´ll enjoy France and Spain, and remember Barcelona is in Catalunya (or Catalonia in English) a country within Spain. Our language is Catalan, but everyone speaks Spanish (Castilian) and some people English, but not a lot. So you´ll see most road signs and shops are written in Catalan, and most people inland of Catalunya, speak Catalan as their fisrt language, but on the coast and Barcelona, spanish is more spoken.
If you're not staying in Barcelona for a many days, take the tourist bus, there are 2 companies ,one busier than the other, the less busy company has got red buses and it´s called City tour. It´s in the web below.
http://www.barcelonacitytour.cat/es/
By they way, avoid going to the bullfights, it´s torture!
http://www.pacma.es/index.php
By the way, where are you from?
I hope my infomation is good for you.
adam.
Jun 16th, 2010 | 04:40 AM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Hi Sean,
How long will you be in Paris?
You can look up train schedules at www.bahn.de, buy tickets at www.voyages-sncf.com.
It is an all day or overnight, trip from A to B. At least one change of trains.
How important are a couple of days in Barcelona?
How long will you be in Paris?
You can look up train schedules at www.bahn.de, buy tickets at www.voyages-sncf.com.
It is an all day or overnight, trip from A to B. At least one change of trains.
How important are a couple of days in Barcelona?
Jun 16th, 2010 | 05:18 AM
#5
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
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Adam, we're from Australia and we're so excited about seeing Barcelona. I am more interested in Gaudi than bullfights, though. I'd love to take the family to a football match too as I think the new season may well have started by then. I wish we had more time there.
We are spending five days/four nights in Paris. Thanks for the tip Ira. I just bought the Paris to Avignon train tickets at 88 Euro for the four of us. Good, I think
What about Perpignan. It seems a natural drop off point if we had a hire car or wanted to break up the long trip from Avignon to Barcelona. Is it worthwhile for a short stay on the way through?
We are spending five days/four nights in Paris. Thanks for the tip Ira. I just bought the Paris to Avignon train tickets at 88 Euro for the four of us. Good, I think
What about Perpignan. It seems a natural drop off point if we had a hire car or wanted to break up the long trip from Avignon to Barcelona. Is it worthwhile for a short stay on the way through?
