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Where to go After Wedding? Northern Spain or South of France?

We will be four older, but active women looking for a wonderful vacation in a charming, picturesque area after a wedding in late July in Barcelona. We will have about a week. We could break the stay up into two locations, but no more than that.

We love good food and wine, some coastal views, but are not into art or too many museums. We prefer smaller towns over big cities, but are open to whatever as far as where we stay. However, we do love experiences. We'd like a spa day, a cooking class, a musical event or performance, a boating excursion and swim, maybe horseback riding or other adventurous activity, and maybe a fun art class. (Not that we have to have ALL those things, but those are some of the activities we're looking for.)

I know it's asking a lot, but I'd love it if any of the great minds out there could recommend! We were debating the south of France, maybe Aix-en-Provence and/or Cassis, or even northern Spain, like San Sebastian, or the Costa Brava or an island. I'm doing the planning for my three wonderful friends, so I don't want to mess up! We could rent a car or take public transport.

Thank you in advance. Any guidance or wisdom is greatly appreciated!

Posted by
3341 posts

The area you're talking about is too large.
It could generate tons of responses about dozens of specific places in Spain or France because from San Sebastian to Cassis, whether you're on the Spanish or French side, there are many regions, all very different in every aspect: landscapes, cultures, language, atmosphere, etc., and all with most of what you're looking for.

The important factor is whether or not you'll have a car. That radically changes your options. If you want to rent a car and stay in France, you'll have to rent it in France, not in Spain.

Keep in mind that the entire Mediterranean coast, from the Costa Brava in Spain to the Franco-Italian border, is overcrowded in late July and throughout August. Millions of Europeans come to spend their holidays there by the sea. The same goes for the French Atlantic coast.

Posted by
2688 posts

How about Bordeaux? It will be less crowded than Barcelona...still crowded, but it offers a lot to do...Day trips to St. Emilion for wine tasting in a charming town. In Bordedaux proper there are the Cite Du Vin, Bassin Des Lumieres, Marche Des Capucins, Musee du Vin et Du Negoce, performances at the Grand Theatre, the museum of Acquitaine, Cathedral of St. Andre. There is a very good tram system in town. You should be able to find a spa day place in or around Bordeaux. You can find cooking classes as well as wine tasting, in town or on tours of Bordeaux wineries and/or St. Emilion wineries. Arcachon (beach) is a good day trip. There is a lovely old quarter of Bordeaux to wander, with a lot of restaurants to choose from. And a stroll along the river is popular with locals and travelers alike. You might want to investigate Bordeaux further. If you want to fly home from Paris, the TGV to Gare Montparnasse is just barely over two hours. There are also some trains direct to CDG from Bordeaux.

Or you could go to Bordeaux for three days (4 nights, counting arrival night after Barcelona), and Paris for 3 days (4 nights after arrival from Bordeaux). With an early TGV you would have most of arrival day in Paris to sightsee, plus three more and leave after the fourth night there.
July will be hot, but anytime in Paris is a good time. If you go this route, get rooms with A/C. Granted these are not small towns, but Bordeaux is very easy to get around in (if you use the tram or walk...buses and cars are subject to horrible traffic).

Of Aix-en-Provence or Cassis, I might choose Aix-en-Provence. In Cassis area, I would pick the c harming seaside town of Bandol. It has a small beach in town, with others nearby (sand beaches), wineries close by, a traditional market at the harbor on Tuesdays, and you could rent a car to explore the nearby countryside and visit wineries. There is even a small casino near the harbor. A drive into Marseille takes about an hour, but I recommend taking a tour. Marseille traffic is terrible, and getting around its streets is a pain. It would be a good day trip. You would need to check for cooking classes. We love Bandol and its ambience!
What fun exploring all your options! Best of luck!

Posted by
2688 posts

P.S. July will be hot, and the further south you go in Spain the hotter it will be. Some beach areas will have some cooling due to the sea air, but I would not go south from Barcelona. Go north or into the Pyrenees.