cindyj

Planning a surprise trip for hubby's birthday. Beginning in Belgium where we will see an old au pair and her family and attend a Springsteen concert. Then we have a free week (mid-July) to explore on our own. We spend the second week with this family again, at a chalet rental in the French Alps, near Modane. Background: have been to Europe 4 times before, some trips with kids, now empty nesters in mid-50's. We would do some museum tours, but prefer outdoor pursuits (hiking, easy cycling). Don't need to "do" Paris again.

My decision is what to plan for that free week (Mon through Sat). We'll be in Kortrijk in Belgium, on the west side, and haven't been to Normandy before. Is a full day enough time? Then thinking of heading down to Bordeaux to see another old au pair. We have been there once before. But we have never been to Italy and would like to spend a couple of nights over the border, near Turino. We are avid winter Olympic watchers and wonder if it would be possible to see the venues, even though it will be summer.

Calling on my wonderful Fodorites to help a bit. Also questioning the wisdom of renting a car. It does give flexibility, but it will be quite a bit of driving, I think. Once plans get closer I'll ask for more specifics, but right now I'm just looking for a framework. We will likely fly in and out of Paris as we can get a direct flight from Boston and is central for our beginning and end of trip.

Michael

For a full week I would drive from Belgium in the following manner: Nancy, Alsace, Burgundy and Jura, the Alps. The Vosges and the Jura should give you some nice hiking possibilities.

You might want to browse through these albums to get some ideas, but there is nothing like getting some guidebooks to plan an itinerary. BTW, one day in Normandy is not enough.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7624827267374/

pizzocchieri

The Olympic venues of that corner of Italy -- basically around the Sauze d'Oulx -- are within driving reach of Modane, and in mid-July, all the mountain passes will be open. You can look at the ski jumps in summer, and it is quite fascinating to tour the area around Usseaux and Lago Laux

http://www.borghitalia.it/html/borgo...=elenco&page=1

One of the oddest sights in Italy is in that area, the Forte di Exilles, which rather resembles a landing pad for UFOs.

http://www.fortediexilles.it/en/home.php

And if you have time and enjoy history, the town of Susa has lovely Roman antiquities, a beautiful church and a knock-out small museum of church treasures.

As you have already figured out, cutting the driving distance between Bordeaux and this area will be the trick. If you can get a train from Bordeaux to Lyon and pick up a car there, that might make for a nice driving tour rather than a rushed slog for a week.

Do be aware that allthough some of the roads around there are magnificent in terms of engineering, there are many true heights and mountain passes, and that many of these roads are beloved by sports cyclists on summer weekends. So leave yourself time to take them at an unhurried pace, to relax over lunch, take breaks, etc.

cindyj

Wow, I forgot that I posted this way back in January, in early trip-planning mode. We have decided to visit Normandy and Bordeaux and then drive across France to our rental near Valloire. Google Maps shows this to be about a 8-hour drive, but we plan to take 2 days. Anyone have thoughts on where to stop and what route to take? We haven't been to the South of France before, nor have we been to Provence. I know that we can't do it justice on this trip, but a taste would be nice. Would Nimes be a good choice?

StuDudley

Why did you pick Bordeaux after Normandy??? Normandy is OK, but the Bordeaux region is a place I've chosen NOT to visit for many reasons (not that interesting). Many on Fodors have similar opinions. Plus the driving from Normandy to Bordeaux to the Alps will consume at least two full days if you never get out of the car. If you plan to do Normandy to Bordeaux to Alps over 2 weeks, it would be fine - but I don't think that's your plan.

If you are landing at CDG, I would immediately take the 3 hr TGV to Avignon/Provence, pick up a car, spend 5-6 days in St Remy/Luberon, and then drive through the Alps to get to Valloire.

Stu Dudley

cindyj

Stu-I respect your opinion, but there are other factors in play. We arrive at CDG and will rent a car there to visit friends in Kortrijk and attend a concert. Then we're going to Normandy. We are visiting another friend outside of Bordeaux, and then meeting friends in the Alps. We have visited Bordeaux previously and found it wonderful, including Congac, St Emillion, and the sand dunes. Not everyone plans their travel simply to see the "best" places and we are very fortunate to have wonderful family friends to visit.

StuDudley

I re-read your original post and I have another idea.

Skip Normandy

From Belgium, take a train to Lille France (easy from many cities in Belgium - we did this twice in '11).

From Lille take either the 9:21 train that arrives in Bordeaux at 2:37 or the 1:08 that arrives at 6:37. No train changes. Rent a car & spend a day visiting the au pair.

Drive 2 3/4 hrs to Sarlat la Caneda in the Dordogne and spend 3-4 nights there. We've spent 10 weeks vacationing in the Dordogne.

Drive 3 1/2 hrs to Carcassonne, visit for 2 1/2 hrs, then drive 2 3/4 hrs to St Remy de Provence & spend 3-4 nights there. Nimes is our least favorite city in Provence (we've spent 18 weeks vacationing in Provence).

Drive 4 1/4 hrs to Valloire.

Your Belgium/Normandy/Provence/Alps plan gives you a small "taste" of France, but a huge helping of un-scenic freeway driving - 21 hours starting from Lille. The Bordeaux/Sarlat/Provence/Valloire itinerary is a 5 hr train trip plus 13 hrs of driving, and you get to visit our two favorite regions in France.

Stu Dudley

StuDudley

We were cross-posting.

So - you now have 25 hrs in the car and $600 worth of road tolls & gas costs.

I would take one of the many the TGVs/ICs from CDG to Gent (or closer to Kortrijk). One train change in Lille. Have the Au Pair pick you up in Gent. Then return to Lille on the train & off to Bordeaux. Of course, you could pick up a car at CDG & return it in Lille if you need a car while in Belgium.

Stu Dudley