I'm a solo traveler who will arrive at Ramstein Air Base (hopefully) sometime the first week of April. I did a quick trip in September and spent my time in the Black Forest region of Germany and Alsace. This time, I'd like to see something different and will be traveling by train and public transportation. (Rented a car last time--fun--but a lot of work to navigate, drive safely, find parking, when I mostly wanted to look out the window!)
I have reservations in Arles beginning April 10th for four nights. I'm interested in getting suggestions for overnight locations between Colmar and Arles. Lyons seems like a good bet but what other smaller locations would you suggest? Also, will I be able to find buses that go to different villages in Provence?
Secondly, I'm meeting friends in Amsterdam on April 18th. I have four nights to travel to Amsterdam and I'd like suggestions for my train travel northward. Not interested in Paris (next time) but would love to visit Chateau de Chambord or Chartres or Rouen. (I'm still trying to figure out if I should get a train pass or stick with point-to-point tickets, but maybe that's something for another post. If you know of a thread I should check out, please advise.)
Thanks.