This is my proposed schedule for a late Summer, 2024 trip. Would love input from those who have been to these places.
8/20-24 Annecy/Geneva (4 nights)
8/24-8/30 Burgundy barge cruise (6 nights)
8/30-9/3 Loire Valley (4 nights)
9/3-9/5 Normandy (2 nights)
9/5-9/9 Paris (4 nights)
Looks good. Don't know what your concerns were ? are ?
Having only been to Paris on that list, just trying to assess if the allotment of nights is appropriate for each location.
jeff,
Sounds okay, but I think three nights (2 days) for the Loire would be enough, and add the extra night to Normandy. That gives you two full days in the Loire Valley, and they will be full. I don't know Annecy, so can't comment on that portion. Remember, if you arrive on the 20th, that won't count as a sightseeing day. How are you traveling between places after the barge cruise? Where do you debark? Will you arrive at your Loire Valley destination late in the day? And is it the eastern or western part of the valley? If eastern, your travel to Normandy might take longer than you think. We drove from Brittany to Saumur in a leisurely manner, stayed there overnight, then headed east, visiting two chateaux, and staying near Chambord the following night. Neither day involved a lot of time behind the wheel, or checking in and out of our lodgings. You might be going the reverse of us, and of course taking more days. Still, think about allocating less time to the Loire and more time to Normandy. (Bayeux is very much worth a visit!)
As far as Paris goes, there never is enough time to stay and visit there, so I won't question your length of time there.
Have a wonderful trip! I envy you the barge cruise!
I'd give Normandy one more night, i.e. two full days, assuming that you're interested in the landing beaches and other sights like the Bayeux Cathedral and tapestry, museums, etc. I don't know where I'd take that night from, though. Not having been to Annency or Geneva, I'll pick those.
It matters a lot how you'll be traveling. Easier and more efficient with a car, except for Paris of course. By train, you'll probably have to go through Paris and change stations between Burgundy and the Loire.
Two nights seems very short for Normandy. I think seeing some of the invasion sites really calls for a full-day tour. There are multiple companies offering small-group (van) tours; I used Overlord.
The historic area of Annecy is beautiful but rather small and in my experience (June 2017) tends to be swamped during day-tripping hours. I wouldn't want to hang out there for very long. The boat trip on the lake was nice, and I think you can rent bikes to ride along the lakeside. It can be quite hot in Annecy; I'd want air-conditiobed lodgings.
Like virtually every city and town in Swizerland, Geneva is attractive, but most foreigners go to Switzerland primarily for the scenery rather than the cities. Perhaps a review of the sights in Geneva will help you figure out whether you need more than one day to see that city.
Hmm, we saw Annecy in winter and it was fabulous, but I've heard of terrible crowds in summer. You could do 2 night in Annecy including a visit to Chamonix. And then maybe do 2 nights in Lyon? I'm not sure exactly where your Burgundy barge cruise winds up. I would save Switzerland for another trip, and Geneva is not even near the top of the heap when you're in that country. (there are some interesting spots on the eastern and northern side of the lake like Montreux and Gruyere if you really desire to check out SW Switzerland.)
I think you're going to wear yourself out but what a way to go!
Hello from Wisconsin,
Depending upon how you plan to get from one location to the next, this looks good. I hope you have reasons for each location mentioned so your time is allocated correctly. Taking a train or even renting a car involves time. getting to the station, getting from the station. Or, better yet finding place to park a car in medieval cities.
Several responses are suggesting expanding the Normandy stay. 2 nights is only one day. Bayeux has a fine cathedral, but then again, maybe you have no interest in cathedrals. Bayeux also has the tapestry depicting the 1066 invasion of England. Once agin it might not interest you. There are several WWII/Landing museums in the city too. Unless you are a specialist in the D-Day landings, one broad beach is pretty much like another broad beach. One gigantic cemetery filled with your countrymen is pretty much like any gigantic cemetery of people who had to cross those broad beaches facing withering rifle fire. In short, one beach, one cemetery, one German gun emplacement and you can head out. That is a big day right there.
Steven Ambrose has a pretty fantastic book on the on the landings and the days afterward. D-Day and my favorite Citizen Soldier. In advance of the trip you might read those.
wayne inWI
You have a very good schedule outlined. I'd agree you might take a day from the Loire and add it to Normandy. There are only so many Loire chateaux you can take, and Normandy has both the WWII sites and its own charm. If you have a clear day while in Annecy, get to Chamonix and take the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi to view Mount Blanc up close (wear every layer you have). Also wander down to the lake in Annecy in the evening, you might find an accordion band playing and can dance along with the locals. You will have a delightful trip, enjoy!
