canadiandreamer

It just about takes my breath away when I see your responses. I have comments and questions for so many of you, but I have just finished 2 of Stu Dudley's itineraries and I cannot believe the time and effort and kindness to travellers that he puts into his reports. Is there an Academy Award equivalent for those who devote that much time and detail for others? Actually, you are all award-worthy. Any one of you who takes the time to read and respond and offer advice.

More to come.

canadiandreamer

So ... all trip planning came to a halt because of surgery. But I am now well and as of last night, I am booked to accompany my husband to France. The plan is to arrive Friday morning and pick up a rental car. We would then drive to La Belle Etoile (2 nights) at La Roque Gageac. (guess I'd better get a map!)

We'd have Friday afternoon, and all day Saturday in the area. Thinking of a boat ride (or canoe) from La Roque Gageac, Sarlat, and perhaps Chateau de Beynac. Dinner one night at La Belle Etoile .. probably a late dinner Saturday as we will be jet-lagged and grumpy on Friday.

After breakfast on Sunday, we would drive to Rocamadour and stay at the Troubadour. Not sure what all we would do on this day.

Early Monday morning we would drive back to Toulouse, return the car and check into Le Grand Opera Hotel. Husband's meeting begin next morning.

Now.. Another decision to make! I am currently booked to fly home from Toulouse on Saturday morning. Original plan was to have a leisurely rest of the week in Toulouse while husband in meetings. He now has to fly to Berlin on Wed. evening. He can either fly back on Thursday evening and spend Friday in Toulouse as planned. OR I can leave Toulouse with him and we fly home from Berlin on Saturday. There is no cost difference and he is fine either way. Is this an opportunity not to be missed?

We would stay somewhere near the Grand Hotel Esplanade although I haven't even looked at hotel choices yet.

Any thoughts or suggestions on France itinerary plan? Or on my choice of staying in Toulouse or going to Berlin? Not sure how to add Berlin to the tag.

Many, many thanks!!

kerouac

Berlin is a fabulous city to visit.

Reading54

I am in Toulouse right now, arrived two days ago via train from Barcelona.

Others may disagree, but Toulouse does not interest me. We made day trips to Carcassonne and Albi. By the way, the old town (La Cite) in Carcassonne was very cute and very enjoyable.

If I had to choose between Toulouse and Berlin, I'd choose Berlin.

canadiandreamer

2 votes for Berlin - do either of you have a favourite hotel there?

Thanks for the info.

Hoping to hear opinions on our Dordogne plan as well. Reading54 I'm sorry you did not enjoy Toulouse. Were you happy with your lodging?

StCirq

Toulouse is a wonderful city. I believe it's one of Stu's favorites as well.

As for the Dordogne, you've got so little time there I think your current plans are just fine, assuming it's good weather. Canoeing, though, even if you choose the shortest of the available routes, will easily eat up a half hay or more. You might instead take an hour-long tour on a gabarre.

As for Rocamadour, it sure doesn't merit a full day, IMO. You might plan, on your way there from the Dordogne, to stop in Martel, Collonges-la-Rouge, and the Gouffre de Padirac.

canadiandreamer

Ah thank you StCirq for the vote of confidence. I know it's not many days but they will be special to us. I had wondered how much time the canoeing would eat up and was about to check back into Stu's wonderful itinerary. We'll definitely do the boat tour.

Just checked out Gouffre de Padirac -- happened upon one scathing review from a poster, but for the most part rave reviews as an attraction. However I fear that I'd freak out (claustrophobia). The other stops look terrific.

Carrenac is a little bit more en-route than Collonges-la-Rouge. Comparable?

historytraveler

I was in Toulouse last October and really enjoyed the city. Stayed at the Grand Opera Hotel and thought it excellent, perfect location.

StCirq

If you're claustrophobic, I'd definitely skip the Gouffre de Padirac. It's a LOOOOONNGGG way down underground.

Carrenac is very pretty, but not at all comparable to Collonges-la-Rouge. Collonges is unique - a fairly bright-red village (hence the name la Rouge, because of the bright-red stone and earth around it), and an artists' colony. They are both tourist attractions, so don't get me wrong - I'm not leading you to secret gems - but Collonges IMO is quite a bit more interesting.

boxcox

We just came back and spent four nights in Toulouse. mu husband busy two days of that. We took the train to Carcassone which was quite easy. see my trip report.

We don't like driving too much .. Last year we stayed in Barcelona up by Sagrada familia(sp?) at a hotel that was a business type hotel. very nice. and I did not think it was very expensive. If you are still looking let me know and I will look it up.

kja

Toulouse vs Berlin = apples vs. not a fruit or even a foodll! IMO, these cities aren't comparable in any way, shape, or form. I found Toulouse to be a gorgeous little city with some outstanding art and architecture and markets and the liveliness of a university town, easily worthy of a few days (2 or 3 days + whatever time is needed for day trips). Berlin is a generally modern city (much of it was destroyed in WWII) with some great art and excellent museums and a vibrant night life, easily worth 5 or 6 days (plus whatever time you want for day trips -- don't miss Sanssouci if you do go).

Berlin has an international airport that is well connected to many parts of the globe, so it will be easier to reach on a return visit. My understanding (which could be mistaken) is that Toulouse is further from an airport that is easily reached from Canada. If true, that would be an argument in favor of Toulouse, IMO. YMMV.

The good news is that both are wonderful options.

mariajohanna

For getting to know a little about Toulouse and see some great sites, you can take a two hour walking tour of the city (in English). The young lady doing the tour tells a great story and shows some wonderful places.

canadiandreamer

Thank you for all of your thoughts and suggestions. Checking into Berlin Hotels. We would arrive at the worst time - Germany soccer finals! Hotels are heavily booked and tres expensive.

You are so right kja, both are wonderful options! Berlin has never been on my 'to go' list but the more I hear, the more appealing it is.

canadiandreamer

Back from a whirlwind but wonderful trip. Highlights .. definitely our time with our car in rural France. Missed our connection from Frankfurt to Toulouse and had to be rerouted through Amsterdam which meant we arrived at La Roque-Gageac 12 hours later than scheduled and with only 2 hours sleep in 36 hours. But oh my - the drive there, once we got off the highway, unforgettable! La Roque-Gageac was amazing - loved La Belle Etoile Hotel and the food .. the food .. sigh. Our weather throughout was outstanding and somehow, our timing was just perfect - no crowds at all. Early morning Gabarre ride on the Dordogne River .. visit to Chateau de Beynac steeped in history .. lunch at La Petite Tonnelle in Beynac .. walking the back streets in Sarlat and stocking up on the freshest of fruits and nuts for breakfast... that first glance at Rocamadour from across the valley .. Dinner under a massive tree at Troubadour Hotel after a late afternoon swim .. touring Rocamadour next morning ... our early afternoon stop at Collonge la Rouge .. convincing my husband that we HAD to get off the highway en route to Toulouse, to see St. Cirq Lapopie and he had no regrets .. Grand Opera hotel in Toulouse with a surprise upgrade .. the MIRROR at St. Jacobins Church .. Melia Hotel in Berlin with wonderful breakfast .. Boat ride on the Spree .. Hop on and off through Berlin .. lunch on the 6th floor of KA De We .. Standing in awe before two Vermeer paintings at Gemaldegarie (I'm well into my bucket list item to see them all so this was awesome for me) ..

The cities were great and although I did find Berlin difficult and a bit gut-wrenching - I'm glad I made the choices I did. But I will never forget those quiet moments .. magical moments .. looking out at the Dordogne valley from Castle de Beynac, setting out on the gabarre on that beautiful morning and looking back with marvel at La Roque Gageac , the graciousness of the people, the jaw-dropping beauty of small villages such as Montfort .. I was gob-smacked by it all and feel so very privileged. And so very grateful to all of you for your kindness and thoughtful comment to this Canadian dreamer who's little dream came true.

This is rather a pathetic trip-report as I am heading off again to spend time with 90-year old Mother who followed it all on her computer .. but please do know that I am most appreciative to each and every contributor for your generosity of time and spirit.

kja

Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for reporting back!

lauren_s_kahn

I enjoyed the sites around Toulouse much more than the city itself. I did take a walking tour there one day and, of course, had an ice cream at one of the places in the main square to people watch. There is a sound and light show there every night during the summer.

I went to Albi (Toulouse Lautrec Museum is a must if you like his art) and Carcassone on day trips. I stayed overnight in Cordes sur Ciel on the night when they had medieval illuminations. My home exchanger put me on to that and it was loads of fun--except for trouble finding my way back to the B&B afterward (I was walking and missed the turn off and ended up having to have the B&B folks rescue me!). It all worked out.

My most enjoyable day trip, however, was to the Grottes de Niaux. I did not set out to go there. I was on the road to Andorra just to go and see some of the Pyrenees. I saw the sign for the Grottes and turned off. I knew nothing about them. The Grottes de Niaux are a prehistoric cave complex. The first place I stopped was a sort of cave park geared for families. I asked there if it were possible to enter the real cave itself and, boom, I had a tour. I had to take the French language tour as the English had no space or was at the wrong time (I forget which). I speak French so it was not a problem. The number of people allowed in per day is small, so I was very lucky, but this cave is not as heavily touristed as the ones in the Dordogne (e.g., Lascaux). I have never been to any there, by the way. If you do nothing else out of Toulouse, go to the Grottes. I will never forget it. It was just an amazing experience. When you get to the area of the cave where the paintings are, they turn off all the lights. Then slowly they illuminate different areas. It is a truly amazing experience and was the highlight of my stay in the Toulouse area.

For those of you interested in technology, I recommend a visit to the Airbus factory in Colomiers. My home exchange was actually in Colomiers--not in Toulouse itself (very easy public transport into the city center)--so I did go to Airbus. I did book ahead. Numbers on the tours are limited. It was a good change of pace to see the factory. The tour is very similar to the one at Boeing outside Seattle.

No photography is allowed in the Grottes de Niaux or on the Airbus tour.

For more information on Toulouse, you might want to check my website. You can start with this post:

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...ance-2013.html

Photos from Cordes are posted here:

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...-festival.html

What little photos I have from the Grottes de Niaux are posted here:

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...-festival.html

There are other photos on the site as well from Albi and Carcassone and a day trip I did to Auch (D'Artagnan's supposed home town in the "Three Musketeers" novels).

France is always enjoyable.