Which Car to book at CDG in May 2015? Do you get Complimentary Upgrade?
Mar 22nd, 2015, 12:59 AM
#42
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If you want to enjoy the gorgeous scenaryof France, choose hubs and stay in each for longer rather than trying to see the whole country. That way you can do road trips each day if you like and drive the small gorgeous roads stopping for lunches in small picturesque villages. You will probably see more of France that way than sitting on an autoroute for 4-6 hours every few days. You won't see as many different areas, but will see and experience more of the areas you choose.
We have spent a week in Brittany https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7607001299965/
Two different weeks in Burgundy https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7607493717331/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7647659760923/
A week in Alsace https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7644953485474/
A week in Sarlat in the Dordogne https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637225490724/
A week in the Charente https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637219549903/
3 days in Champagne https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637218721336/
4 days in the Loire Valley https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637219497403/
None of these photographs has come from an autoroute.
I am not suggesting you spend a week in one place, but I would suggest cutting back the regions you are trying to see so you get to see the beauty of france, rather than the freeway. You can road trip through the region and see the fabulous scenery and villages which is what I think you are trying to accomplish. Less truly is more.
Enjoy your trip either way! France is one of our favourite countries!
We have spent a week in Brittany https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7607001299965/
Two different weeks in Burgundy https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7607493717331/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7647659760923/
A week in Alsace https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7644953485474/
A week in Sarlat in the Dordogne https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637225490724/
A week in the Charente https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637219549903/
3 days in Champagne https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637218721336/
4 days in the Loire Valley https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637219497403/
None of these photographs has come from an autoroute.
I am not suggesting you spend a week in one place, but I would suggest cutting back the regions you are trying to see so you get to see the beauty of france, rather than the freeway. You can road trip through the region and see the fabulous scenery and villages which is what I think you are trying to accomplish. Less truly is more.
Enjoy your trip either way! France is one of our favourite countries!
Mar 22nd, 2015, 03:55 AM
#43
here's a link to the "most beautiful villages of France" website:
http://www.france-beautiful-villages.org/en
you can click on the map to see the ones where you are going.
Frommers do a guide called "France's best loved driving tours", and Karen Brown has a similar book called "France: Inns and Itineraries". you might also look here for Stu Dudley's trip reports on his journeys in France - he has very detailed itineraries for tours and day -trips and is very generous in sharing them with others.
When is your trip going to be, drchris?
http://www.france-beautiful-villages.org/en
you can click on the map to see the ones where you are going.
Frommers do a guide called "France's best loved driving tours", and Karen Brown has a similar book called "France: Inns and Itineraries". you might also look here for Stu Dudley's trip reports on his journeys in France - he has very detailed itineraries for tours and day -trips and is very generous in sharing them with others.
When is your trip going to be, drchris?
Mar 22nd, 2015, 07:55 AM
#44
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drchris, Happy to learn the way you travel. even we like to stretch our holidays. Your itinerary is the one I started with, based on Rick Steves "Kamikaze" itinerary as he calls it. From 21 days, I have stretched it to 37 days. I am seeing almost similar places but in an anti-clockwise direction.
I used to exactly travel the way you do. Unlimited Eurail 1st class pass for 21 days. Just a Lonely Planet guide book with no prior bookings. Did 10 countries in 35 days
We were 34 years old then.
I came to this forum and learned the way of living and travelling from fellow fodorites. Always started with a very paced and whirlwind itinerary and ended up with something in-between.
We are 49 years old now and cover two countries in 30 days or so.
This time it is only 1 country in 37 days.
If you can stretch your time and have more days to your trip, it will be rewarding.
You can also think of returning the car at NICE and fly back. this way, only things you miss are Alscae/ colmar and Beaune/ burgandy. You can visit Colmar in your next trip if you visit Germany. (It is more German than French and can be easily done from there)
We are seeing Black forest, Germany for a day with the same logic in a reverse way.
One more thing is, you have only one driver. My wife and me take turns every 2 hours and it makes it much more stress free.
You will fondly remember places where you spend more time, for a long time.
My experience is, it is always that 1 extra day after seeing the mandatory things for 3 days; that gives you the best out of any place.
You also need to have some days where you don't have much itinerary.
One also lose interest after 10-15 days. We become SEE-SICK. It is just ABC then (just ANOTHER BLOODY CASTLE/ CHURCH)
Whichever way you do it, you will have a great holiday. I loved your zeal and zest for life. Best luck.
Do let me know if I can help you on your India trip. I will be happy to help. It is the most amazing country in the world.
I used to exactly travel the way you do. Unlimited Eurail 1st class pass for 21 days. Just a Lonely Planet guide book with no prior bookings. Did 10 countries in 35 days
We were 34 years old then.I came to this forum and learned the way of living and travelling from fellow fodorites. Always started with a very paced and whirlwind itinerary and ended up with something in-between.
We are 49 years old now and cover two countries in 30 days or so.
This time it is only 1 country in 37 days.
If you can stretch your time and have more days to your trip, it will be rewarding.
You can also think of returning the car at NICE and fly back. this way, only things you miss are Alscae/ colmar and Beaune/ burgandy. You can visit Colmar in your next trip if you visit Germany. (It is more German than French and can be easily done from there)
We are seeing Black forest, Germany for a day with the same logic in a reverse way.
One more thing is, you have only one driver. My wife and me take turns every 2 hours and it makes it much more stress free.
You will fondly remember places where you spend more time, for a long time.
My experience is, it is always that 1 extra day after seeing the mandatory things for 3 days; that gives you the best out of any place.
You also need to have some days where you don't have much itinerary.
One also lose interest after 10-15 days. We become SEE-SICK. It is just ABC then (just ANOTHER BLOODY CASTLE/ CHURCH)
Whichever way you do it, you will have a great holiday. I loved your zeal and zest for life. Best luck.
Do let me know if I can help you on your India trip. I will be happy to help. It is the most amazing country in the world.
Mar 22nd, 2015, 08:06 AM
#45
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drchris, am reading you post again and feel it just reflects my own thoughts and way of travelling.
I have only one thing to tell you...
Out of our 33 days trip to USA and Canadian Rockies ( all very beautiful and amazing places).. the 1st thing I remember from that trip is..
A leisurely walk under the star studded sky in front of Yosemite Falls in our Hotel premises... The stress free and leisurely time at a beautiful tranquil place is generally etched on mind than Ostentatious palaces and Cathedrals..
I have only one thing to tell you...
Out of our 33 days trip to USA and Canadian Rockies ( all very beautiful and amazing places).. the 1st thing I remember from that trip is..
A leisurely walk under the star studded sky in front of Yosemite Falls in our Hotel premises... The stress free and leisurely time at a beautiful tranquil place is generally etched on mind than Ostentatious palaces and Cathedrals..
Mar 22nd, 2015, 08:33 AM
#46
nice thoughts, Paragkash.
of course you need to choose the right base that has plenty of scope for sightseeing itself and/or day trips. For example, last year we spent 4 nights in Valencia - we could easily have stretched it to a week or more. Amboise on Chris's itinerary is a similar place - plenty to do in and around it for quite a few days. Ditto Sarlat, and Bayeaux. What a shame to miss so much of what these places have to offer in favour of rushing off to somewhere else.
of course you need to choose the right base that has plenty of scope for sightseeing itself and/or day trips. For example, last year we spent 4 nights in Valencia - we could easily have stretched it to a week or more. Amboise on Chris's itinerary is a similar place - plenty to do in and around it for quite a few days. Ditto Sarlat, and Bayeaux. What a shame to miss so much of what these places have to offer in favour of rushing off to somewhere else.
Mar 22nd, 2015, 12:10 PM
#47
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"The stress free and leisurely time at a beautiful tranquil place is generally etched on mind than Ostentatious palaces and Cathedrals (quoted about the American West)."
I don't disagree with this totally but it IS apples and oranges--and one does not rule out the other.
And we have established for drchris that they aren't even going to enjoy the quiet of back roads but just the concrete of the autoroutes.
I don't disagree with this totally but it IS apples and oranges--and one does not rule out the other.
And we have established for drchris that they aren't even going to enjoy the quiet of back roads but just the concrete of the autoroutes.
Mar 26th, 2015, 08:35 AM
#51
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DrChris, only you and your husband know what brings you pleasure, the state of your health and your pocketbook, how many other wonderful places in the world you both still want to explore, etc.
These forums are excellent ways to get practical information and advice from travelers or residents who have experienced what we're still wondering about, and as I read, often without posting a response, I'm so grateful for all the tidbits that will help me in upcoming travels.
I'm sure that all the posters merely want everyone to maximize the enjoyment of their travels, but sometimes it comes off as quite judgmental. In the end, really, each of us has the right to choose the style of travel that works for us and the locations we want to see. Right?!
These forums are excellent ways to get practical information and advice from travelers or residents who have experienced what we're still wondering about, and as I read, often without posting a response, I'm so grateful for all the tidbits that will help me in upcoming travels.
I'm sure that all the posters merely want everyone to maximize the enjoyment of their travels, but sometimes it comes off as quite judgmental. In the end, really, each of us has the right to choose the style of travel that works for us and the locations we want to see. Right?!
Mar 26th, 2015, 09:44 AM
#53
In the end, really, each of us has the right to choose the style of travel that works for us and the locations we want to see. Right?!>>
marydo - I agree with you.
but there are times when posters just don't seem to understand that their plans are not going to lead to a style of travel that is going to suit them. I know from experience that I did not listen hard enough to advice that I was given here about our trip to NZ and we ended up changing our itinerary half way round, because we had bitten off more than we could chew.
I see little point in coming here for advice and then being defensive when you're told that what you have planned won't work. Reject the advice by all means, but there's no need to take offence when someone says something you don't want to hear.
BTW, I wonder where drchris has gone?
marydo - I agree with you.
but there are times when posters just don't seem to understand that their plans are not going to lead to a style of travel that is going to suit them. I know from experience that I did not listen hard enough to advice that I was given here about our trip to NZ and we ended up changing our itinerary half way round, because we had bitten off more than we could chew.
I see little point in coming here for advice and then being defensive when you're told that what you have planned won't work. Reject the advice by all means, but there's no need to take offence when someone says something you don't want to hear.
BTW, I wonder where drchris has gone?
Mar 27th, 2015, 03:21 PM
#54
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As I write this response, I am sitting in traffic (my husband is driving) in 12 lanes of concrete with roads comverging from every direction, creeping along waiting for an accident to clear and I am not stressed or unhappy. I spent many years driving an hour each way back and forth to work on busy freeways, so the thought of spending time on them in another country is not distasteful if it is the quickest way to get to where I want to go. I am aware that some people are unused to them and even afraid of driving on them but we are not in that camp. We will have time for wandering around on country roads while we are in some of our stops.
Annhig - to answer your question and let you know that we are not inexperienced travelers, we have traveled widely across the US. We have also traveled to England and Scotland twice, Paris, Amsterdam, Athens, Italy, Mexico, and several islands in the Caribbean, and have gone on safari in South Africa and Botswana. Last year my brother-in-law spent an extended period In Paris and Normandy and spent most of his time sitting in cafes, drinking, and watching the crowds go by. I kept thinking what a waste of time and money that would have been for me when there was so much he could be seeing and LEARNING. But that was his style of travel and he enjoyed himself, and that is what matters.
I olnly posted my itinerary as a response to a specific question by Paragkash, not to seek input on it and I am sorry that his thread has been hijacked. I completely understand that there is a time and place for slow, leisurely travel, and when we think it's appropriate, we do that kind of travel. But this is not that kind of trip. I appreciate that people make comments based on their own personal experience and I always appreciate the time and effort that go into the responses. But I hope that those who think there is only one way to travel will consider that others have different styles and prefferences, and that it can truly work for them and result in a very satisfying travel experience. Our itinerary has been developed in detail, and the hotels and B&B's have been booked. As I have mentioned previously, if there are places we especially enjoy and want to experience in greater depth, we will return if time, health, and money allow. But we have the rest of Europe to see as well as more of the US and other parts of the world.
We are familiar with the concept of using hubs and did so in Italy last year, staying in Bellagio, Venice, Florence, and Rome, and making day trips from the latter two. But France is a much larger country (4/5 the size of Texas) so it doesn't lend itself to that approach as easily unless one only wants to see a few areas of the country.
I may do some of the driving but my husband actually prefers to do it all, even on long trips. We regularly drive 8 hours to visit one of my brothers and my husband would rather drive than be a passenger.
I am arriving at my destination so I will sign off for now!
Annhig - to answer your question and let you know that we are not inexperienced travelers, we have traveled widely across the US. We have also traveled to England and Scotland twice, Paris, Amsterdam, Athens, Italy, Mexico, and several islands in the Caribbean, and have gone on safari in South Africa and Botswana. Last year my brother-in-law spent an extended period In Paris and Normandy and spent most of his time sitting in cafes, drinking, and watching the crowds go by. I kept thinking what a waste of time and money that would have been for me when there was so much he could be seeing and LEARNING. But that was his style of travel and he enjoyed himself, and that is what matters.
I olnly posted my itinerary as a response to a specific question by Paragkash, not to seek input on it and I am sorry that his thread has been hijacked. I completely understand that there is a time and place for slow, leisurely travel, and when we think it's appropriate, we do that kind of travel. But this is not that kind of trip. I appreciate that people make comments based on their own personal experience and I always appreciate the time and effort that go into the responses. But I hope that those who think there is only one way to travel will consider that others have different styles and prefferences, and that it can truly work for them and result in a very satisfying travel experience. Our itinerary has been developed in detail, and the hotels and B&B's have been booked. As I have mentioned previously, if there are places we especially enjoy and want to experience in greater depth, we will return if time, health, and money allow. But we have the rest of Europe to see as well as more of the US and other parts of the world.
We are familiar with the concept of using hubs and did so in Italy last year, staying in Bellagio, Venice, Florence, and Rome, and making day trips from the latter two. But France is a much larger country (4/5 the size of Texas) so it doesn't lend itself to that approach as easily unless one only wants to see a few areas of the country.
I may do some of the driving but my husband actually prefers to do it all, even on long trips. We regularly drive 8 hours to visit one of my brothers and my husband would rather drive than be a passenger.
I am arriving at my destination so I will sign off for now!
Mar 30th, 2015, 02:05 AM
#55
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drchris, your point noted. There is no harm in hijacking a thread. A bit of brainstorming. I appreciate that against majority of opinions, you have your own firm views.
I used to travel your way. Have settled somewhere in-between though so many years of interaction with experienced fellow fodorites. It has given me immense joy to interact, take and give suggestions and evolve through them. I have always been benefited following the advice. You have to select what suits you.
Each one has to find his or her own equilibrium in this evolving process with time and experiences we acquire through travel. It makes us richer in many ways.
I used to travel your way. Have settled somewhere in-between though so many years of interaction with experienced fellow fodorites. It has given me immense joy to interact, take and give suggestions and evolve through them. I have always been benefited following the advice. You have to select what suits you.
Each one has to find his or her own equilibrium in this evolving process with time and experiences we acquire through travel. It makes us richer in many ways.
Apr 6th, 2015, 01:49 PM
#56
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Paragkash - Thank you for your thoughtful and kind response. We are newly retired and anxious to visit the many places that we have had to put off seeing. I worked with the elderly for a number of years, and have many older friends at church, and my observation is that most people only travel actively until their mid 70's, a few until around 80, and very few past that. Fortunately we are in good health but we likely need to see most of what we want to see in the next 10 years, with less demanding trips after that (probably to the beach, mountains, and on cruises). So unless I can convince my husband to rent a house or apartment in various parts of Europe for 2-3 months at a time (my dream), our foreign travel will likely continue at pretty high intensity as long as we are able to do it.
Our hope is to do two European trips each year, although the one originally planned to Spain for the coming fall has been replaced by a family reunion in Georgia and a drive up the East Coast, visiting Savannah, Charleston, and Virginia, and returning home through the mountains of Tennessee. The following spring/early summer, my extended family wants to do an Alaskan cruise, with trips out into Denali to see the wildlife, and my husband wants to drive to Vancouver and back, with stops in several of the beautiful national parks along the way. So Spain is being postponed, along with Ireland, Germany, Austria, Greece, Croatia, and a number of other places we want to see. I guess I just said all of that to say that there does seem to be a feeling that there is a lot to be accomplished in a limited amount of time. I wish we could have traveled more when we were younger but those years are past. Be happy that you are traveling while you are relatively young!
Our hope is to do two European trips each year, although the one originally planned to Spain for the coming fall has been replaced by a family reunion in Georgia and a drive up the East Coast, visiting Savannah, Charleston, and Virginia, and returning home through the mountains of Tennessee. The following spring/early summer, my extended family wants to do an Alaskan cruise, with trips out into Denali to see the wildlife, and my husband wants to drive to Vancouver and back, with stops in several of the beautiful national parks along the way. So Spain is being postponed, along with Ireland, Germany, Austria, Greece, Croatia, and a number of other places we want to see. I guess I just said all of that to say that there does seem to be a feeling that there is a lot to be accomplished in a limited amount of time. I wish we could have traveled more when we were younger but those years are past. Be happy that you are traveling while you are relatively young!
Apr 9th, 2015, 10:54 AM
#57
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dchris, am happy to read that you have so much zest for life after retirement. Wish you good luck for your globe trotting. Am sure you will see a lot of places and also experience them. May god give you good health and wealth to fulfill your dreams.
You will probably slow down and travel sip by sip, after you see your must see places.
Just one suggestion, keep visiting Fodors forum and don't take offense to the suggestions by anyone. People here genuinely wish good for the fellow fodorites and give us free Magic potion, the extract of their experience, which is not possible to get anywhere else.
I have taken their suggestions seriously and have surely been rewarded with more fulfilling experience.
You will probably slow down and travel sip by sip, after you see your must see places.
Just one suggestion, keep visiting Fodors forum and don't take offense to the suggestions by anyone. People here genuinely wish good for the fellow fodorites and give us free Magic potion, the extract of their experience, which is not possible to get anywhere else.
I have taken their suggestions seriously and have surely been rewarded with more fulfilling experience.
