Had to Cancel trip

Sicily?
Greece?
Andalusia?
Portugal?

End of March not yet beach weather anywhere, even in the Med, but generally amenable weather.

When I was in Paris, it was the end of March. It wasn't too bad, temperature-wise, but it was somewhat rainy. Just FYI.

For someplace a little different, how about Malta? We really enjoyed our 2 weeks in Malta in January (definitely off season and not beach weather). There is a lot to see in Malta. We enjoyed long walks on Gozo and visiting historic sites on the main island of Malta.

Sorry to hear that you had to cancel your trip.

if you were willing to go to France now, March shouldn't be all that different. I was in Paris at the beginning of December and it was cold and rainy the whole time, but that was not a surprise.

As for weather in late March, you will not really escape the cold anywhere else, so just stick with France.

For an 8 day trip, you have too many travel days built in. First, drop Bruges, thus avoiding any border crossing covid issues that may still be in effect in March.

Honestly, I would say to spend the entire time in Paris since it is a first trip there, save Normandy and Bruges for another trip with more time allotted in warmer weather. Normandy will be quite cold, and that is an area where you will ideally spend more time outdoors than, say, Paris, where you will be doing more inside activities (museums, etc) and the cold there will be less oppressive. If you are worried that you will "run out" of things to do in Paris (hint: you won't), there are nice day trips from Paris like Versailles and Chartres you can do to vary that experience, too, and you don't have to plan those ahead of time.

Sorry you had to cancel and I hope you recover quickly and fully. Of course farther south won't be as cold, but that would be as true next week as three months from now. I expect Paris will have better weather in March, and certainly more daylight.

Instead of such short visits to Bruges and Normandy, which are in opposite directions from Paris, I suggest you just stick with Paris, especially since you haven't been there before. There will be plenty to see and do, plenty of places to get out of the rain (expect some), and plenty of day-trip destinations like Versailles or Chartres or Fontainebleau or St-Denis or ??? Basing in Paris will simplify your trip and save your limited time.

Hi Dean-
Sorry about your positive Covid test. I hope you repeated the test to be sure it wasn't a false positive.

Some 20 years ago I spent 5 days in Paris between Christmas and New Years. The weather varied from a cloudy low 70 to a cold windy rainy high 50. And there were no crowds!

Here is something a little different. For several years I traveled to Tel Aviv every 3-4 months including one Christmas Eve and another Superbowl Sunday. Except for the heat in July and August, the weather was always nice. There is plenty to see in Israel. I always felt safe with so many young ( early 20 ish male and female) folks carrying assault rifles on public buses and in cafes. We tried to fly through Amsterdam on KLM on certain days in the week because the onward flight from Amsterdam to Tel Aviv left before the flight from LAX arrived in Amsterdam. KLM always put us up in a 4 star hotel in the middle of Amsterdam for free (with free meal vouchers and taxi rides) for the night.

Wherever you go have a great trip!!!

I too am sorry about your positive Covid test, but here at home than in the middle of your trip. Get well soon!

Given that you only have a total of 8 days I would stick to just Paris. Really that is a very short trip and the time spent getting to from Brugge and Normandy you'll have virtually no time anywhere. Plenty to do in Paris for a week. You could consider a day trip or two that you could decide on last minute if you run out of things to do but book all the nights in Paris.

And I would stick with Paris rather than any of the other ideas you've been given. Most of the others will not be a non stop from the US and will waste time getting there. I only consider places that are easy to get to unless I have at least 10 days. And Paris is a good idea because it's a large city with lots of indoor things to do in case you get bad weather - which is possible any place in Europe. London or Rome would work as well. I've been to all of them in March and had beautiful spring like weather (but other years had cold and rainy, in all three of those cities).

If you re-schedule for March and need to then re-schedule again will your credits still be good (for a second re-scheduling)? If not then I would not re-schedule for March. It's still too soon, you don't know what the restrictions will be like. No one knows at all of course, but late summer or fall are more likely to have Europe be "open" than is March. If you re-schedule for March and then need to re-schedule again and that's allowed then go for it.

I agree with the suggestion to stay in Paris. You could consider a one day trip to Normandy with a rental car or private tour or the day trip on a train to somewhere close by. Bruges is a lovely city and you would be shorting yourself going there for one day. We went the first time to Bruges for two nights and again for a longer stay. It always seems convenient to go to several places in Europe but you lose a day going to new places with the transport.

If you have researched and were looking forward to France/Paris, go there, and the weather won't be all that different than what you'd have for end of December (your original trip).

If you care about weather and you are less set on France, I agree with some of Robert's suggestions. In fact, I'd consider March to be prime for Andalusia, Spain. Easter is in April, so you shouldn't run into those crowds.

I agree with the suggestion to test again to make sure, especially if this was an at home test, unless of course, you are having symptoms. I am so sorry you are sick and had to cancel, I know all the planning you had to do. I would just go with your original plan in March.

Sad for you and how very disappointing! Hopefully you recover quickly and no one else becomes infected. Not the Christmas you were planning for.
I tend to agree with most responses. March weather in Paris may not be the greatest, but there is so much to see and do! Maybe a day trip also to nearby sites? We did Paris and Normandy this last Oct. We loved Normandy and recommend going but you need more time and travel there takes time also. We were able to walk many places in Paris which we loved. Great transportation also! By March I am feeling more positive that Covid will be slowing down. We have a Viking cruise planned then.
Best wellness wishes for your Holidays!

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Sounds like it makes the most sense to stick with Paris and spend less time traveling between cities. Cheers!

Sorry you’ve tested positive.

I was in Paris a couple of years ago at the end of March and it was great! Spring was way ahead of where we were in N. Idaho so I loved the blooming trees and flowers!

Do have waterproof jackets with hoods…but then I never travel to Europe without a waterproof layer. I was fine with long sleeves, a drifit layer over that and a puffy vest. The locals on the Metro were still in winter coats. I did have Smartwool glove liners as well.

So sorry to hear you've tested positive. I wish you a speedy recovery!

I'm in Barcelona, Spain for the holidays. I'm really enjoying my time here. I'm writing along the way in Trip reports, in case you want another idea of where you could visit. Or just something to read while waiting out quarantine. :o)

I am going to forget going to Europe this year, due to all the countries shutting down, etc. We had a tour of Israel and Jordan for March that we cancelled, due to Israel shutting down for foreign travelers, and replaced it with a Galapagos cruise and tour of Ecuador.

You might look into Allbirds Mizzles shoes to keep your feet dry. I love them

WRT traveling to Paris that time of year .... I used to work in Paris, so been there for every month. Just like any great city, there is so much to do regardless of the weather. I am scheduled to take my wife there end of March/early April, so I clearly have no reservations (no pun intended) going that time of year :-).

Just hoping we will actually be able to go with everything going on... time will tell.

Glenn