What do you do in Provence?

Old Feb 25th, 2008, 04:33 AM
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Masterphil, I was a bit worried you were going to fall off the cart - I'm relieved!

(It was I who, on Masterphil's other thread - http://tinyurl.com/2bxmu6 - first suggested Provence as a stop on his route from Portofino to Barcelona.)
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Old Feb 25th, 2008, 06:54 PM
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Yeah, Tuck...

The more research I did on Provence the more I wasn't sure if it was for me!

I'm still not sure!

I know I can't go wrong at the beach! Being a former Jersey shore guy.

I've been to Nice twice and loved it both times! Something about strolling along the water with my wife is just awesome. Walking the main streets of Nice was also fun.

I've never been a museum guy, or "ruins guy."

I am leaning towards giving Provence a shot. I was going to stay in Les Baux (as per your suggestion) but others have said that St. Remy might have a little more night time activity.

I've never been to St. Tropez..maybe stop there on the way to St. Remy.

I'm really comfortable with the first part of my trip, but continue to struggle with the Portofino to Barcelona part.

The "tug-of-war rope" is currently favoring the stay at St. Remy and visit to Pont du Gard, Arles, Les Baux and Carcassone.

The war is not over yet! haha
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Old Feb 26th, 2008, 04:16 AM
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Given your preferences, I now suggest the waterfront town of Cassis and a boat excursion along Les Calanques.

Also - I didn't suggest staying in Les Baux. It's the citadel on the rocky hilltop that's well worth the visit IMO.
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Old Feb 26th, 2008, 10:48 AM
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bookmarking
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Old Feb 26th, 2008, 02:03 PM
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Staying below Les Baux could be pleasant, but I certainly agree that staying in the village itself is not a good idea. Seeing the citadel ruins, however, is a must.

If someone hasn't already suggested this, go get yourself the Michelin Green Guide to Provence and look at the proposed itineraries and descriptions of the best sights. You'l be glad you did.
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Old Feb 26th, 2008, 02:23 PM
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Hi Masterphil,

forgive me asking what seems like an obvious question, but have you got a map?

your idea of going to Carcassonne between Provence and BCN is so off-beam that it's making me wonder!

this seems to be your itinerary:

1 night in Beaune

2 nights in Montreux

4 in Zermatt

3 in P'fino

3 nights in transit

BCN.

if you look at your map, all your destinations are south-east of Paris, but you are trying to get to BCN - which is SOUTHWEST.

if you look at www.viamichelin.com you will find that P'fino to BCN is 8 hours driving to do nearly 900 km. that is without deviating from the coast roads and certainly without seeing anything of Provence.

as Paris and BCN are your fixed points, can i suggest forgetting about Beaune, etc. instead, head South-east, take in the Dordogne, Carcassonne, and the pyrenees. or head for St. Jean de Luz and the atlantic beaches, before Carcasssonne, and BCN.

in 13 nights you could have a great tour of these areas and see lots of mountains and beaches.

regards, ann
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Old Feb 26th, 2008, 02:32 PM
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Doubt you would have the time, but if you are coming from the direction of Sisteron down, I would add the lovely Manosque and its sun-drenched hills in Haute Provence, lavender fields in early to mid-summer that alternate with golden wheat fields, creating the most unique purple-gold pattern on earth... scent of lavander permeating everything... and the fabulous Moustiers-Ste.-Marie along with Gorge du Verdon (Canyons)

And yes, I will second the colors of Van Gogh and Cezanne....

PS, Just noticed, no lavender in September, but grapes and olives then...
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Old Feb 26th, 2008, 02:43 PM
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Sorry, I missed the Jersey Shore post. Though I am a regular at Sandy Hook , Haute Provence probably would not fit your preferences or itinerary.
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Old Feb 26th, 2008, 08:13 PM
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annhig...

Do I own a map?!

If I drive to Narbonne and make a right and drive 39 miles up E80 I will be in Carcassone. 39 miles back and bang a right and I am back on the road to Barcelona.

Does your map show something different?

Come on...you need a "Can do" attitude!
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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 08:37 AM
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Masterphil,

of course you are right.

some people here on the forum are clever-clever.

>>>renember Uzés is not Provence but in the Gard<<<

"Plus largement, dans un sens culturel et touristique, la Provence s'étend jusqu'à l'est du Gard (au-delà du Rhône jusqu'à Nîmes) et jusqu'au sud de l'Ardèche et de la Drôme." (wikipedia, French version)
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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 08:42 AM
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well phil,

it is of course your trip.

But you won't have time to look at al the fabulous places others are talking about, as you wil be in the car.

if carcassonne is your wish, why go to montreux? it's not as if the south-east of france is devoid of interest - the very opposite in fact.

an alternative if you are set on Provence, is the TGV to Avignon, pick up car, work your way east. that makes more sense.

but Portofino????

regards, ann
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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 08:50 AM
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ann - perhaps you missed this:

>> My sister "won" a week in a Spanish villa 1 hr south of Barcelona (Creixell) (that's why I need to go there, else I wouldn't). <<

Also - If you're interested, check out Phil's earlier thread...

http://tinyurl.com/2bxmu6
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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 08:54 AM
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sorry - for east read west.

Ann
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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 01:33 PM
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We actually did a one-way trip from Barcelona to Lugano/Milan via Fugueras and Costa Brava, Carassonne, Provence/Haute Provence and, yes, Portofino. It's almost a "straight line".

The detour to Carcassonne was not significant and well worth it to me. The itinerary worked out very nicely. We also stopped at Montpelier, one of my favorites.

But... no Montreux or Zermatt or Beaune, or Paris for that matter. That we saved for other trips. So here, I would have to agree with annhig.

If you "trained" from Paris to say, Genoa, pick up a car, you could then make this trip in reverse from Portofino to Barcelona. I think that's doable in your timeframe.

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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 05:56 PM
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en route and Tuck..Thanks!

I know this is not an ordinary trip and to some it might seem crazy.

Just think while you are walking around a quaint little town for 3 hours, I will have covered over 200 new miles and be in another city. Not to mention having stopped and visited smaller towns in between. You will be in the same place.

I try to see as much as possible during my trips out of the US.

I was interested in hearing that Montreux might not be that great a stop.

I want to take a little day trip over to Gruyeres from Montreux, I heard that's a cool little town.

All hotels are booked, except for the 4 days between Portofino and Barcelona.

Right now I am leaning at driving the grand corniche from Monaco to Nice and staying in either Cannes or at that nice big hotel outside of St. Tropez. Than staying at St. Remy for one or two nights (depending on whether we like Provence or not.) Than on to Carcassonne and into Barcelona.

Any ideas for great hotels in between? I'm going to say this like some others on this website and wait for the responses they usually get... "money is no object" haha

All the best!

You guys are the best!


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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 06:06 PM
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Mph,

you must be young, at least at heart. I did that too, before

I hate to tell you, but Montreux and the area is unquestionably worth a visit.

We stayed in Nice. Hotel Windsor. I would definitely recommend. You can day-trip anywhere from Cannes and St.Paul-de-Vence (my fave) to Monaco and Eve (village) and visit St Tropez on your way to Barcelona, perhaps.

Then we actually stayed 1 night in Carcassonne, inside the walls - talk about surreal!! The hotel almost doesn't matter.

Enjoy!
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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 06:08 PM
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That would be Eze village, sorry.
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Old Feb 27th, 2008, 07:02 PM
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Thanks enroute!

I'm 48 yrs young!! Mentally I'm still 17. Very happily married, no kids, no responsibilities!! haha

Staying within the walls sounds awesome! Thanks for the recommendation.

Going to look at the hotel in Nice right now!

Thanks!

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Old Feb 28th, 2008, 05:55 AM
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Don't forget Montpelier. It's right on the way.
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Old Mar 15th, 2008, 01:56 PM
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Based on some of your responses, I have decided to cut Zermatt from 4 to 3 nights. Instead of staying in Portofino, will stay in SML for 3 nights (possible daytrip to CT. After viewing video on Provence, will stay there 2 nights.

Thinking about staying in St. Remy. Visiting wineries in Chateauneuf-du-pape, Les Baux, Pont du Gard, Uze and Nimes on way to Carcassonne.

Anything else I shouldn't miss?

As always, thanks in advance for your responses. The info gathered on this website is invaluable!
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