This will be our third trip to Europe. We (Anita and me) are 71 years old. I am scared to ask because I know that I will be criticized for putting to much into the forty days.
Let me first say ; No Paris, no Italy, no Munchen. Only big cities will be Prague, Berlin. Madrid and Barcelona. We have already been to other big cities! It will be a road trip. We like driving (though it is on the wrong side of the road for us.) We will not drive on highways and toll roads except when necessary. It will take longer but we like to experience the countryside or as we call it "platteland" (Flat land). I am using a garmin and basecamp to plan routes without highways and toll roads. If we get tired we will stop and get a room somewhere.
A friend in Amsterdam is giving us his car for the trip. Then to Berlin, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Romantic route, Bern (just for Paul Klee Museum), Saint Ettiene, Avignon or Arles, Barcelona, Madrid, Pamplona, Montignac, Rouen, Amsterdam. (7500 km - about 300km per driving/touring day)
We start on 2 July and fly back on 9 August 2018. This will probably be my last trip because I have been diagnosed with chronic Leukemia. It is not debilitating but got only a few years left!
In light of all this, any tips or recommendations?
By the way: I am a Rick Steves fan.
Posted by
7671 posts
Your trip will involve a lot of driving, especially going down to Spain. While in Madrid, recommend a day trip to Toledo and another to Segovia.
In Barcelona make sure you go inside Sagrada Familia. Also, go to Monserratt.
Posted by
Augsburg, Bavaria
2333 posts
Cesky Krumlov, Romantic route
That's more than your average 300 km / day. You might want to fill the gap between the two, e.g. by visiting Passau, Regensburg and Nürnberg.
Posted by
France
408 posts
I'm curious about this element of your planned journey: "...Bern (just for Paul Klee Museum), Saint Ettiene, Avignon or Arles..."
Specifically, I'm curious about your mention of Saint Etienne. Is there some reason you've called that city out? In comparison to many French cities, it's a fairly industrial, homely place without much for which to recommend it to a visitor. There are other more interesting (and more visually appealing) places in the general area one could visit. A few that come to mind are Lyon, Vienne, and Le Puy en Velay.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
Thank you for the replies. Bob, St Etienne was just an "aiming point" I do not want to go to Lyon - too big. will look into the other towns.
The trip from Cesky Krumlv to the Romantic Route is only to Wurzberg - the next day we will drive down to Fussen.
Every reply is helpful!
Posted by
France
408 posts
Well, in that case I can share a general description of Vienne and Le Puy. They're different.
Vienne was a major shipping point during Roman times for goods from the Rhône valley going to the port of Ostia Antica near Rome. Its Roman name was Vienna, a nod to the area's vineyards and wine, which was shipped to Rome by water in many thousands of amphorae. There is a good museum there that outlines Vienne's role in the Gallic part of the Roman Empire, a commercial/warehouse/residential area of Roman ruins that is still being excavated, an old Roman forum in town, a Gallo-Roman pyramid, and a Roman temple in a city square. Quite a bit of Roman history in such a small town. Supposedly, Caesar Augustus banished King Herod to Vienne in year 7 for some transgression. One thing about Vienne -- there's a major jazz festival there in July of each year, so parking and lodging may be a bit difficult for you around that time.
Le Puy is more medieval in character. It's situated within the Massif Central, in a volcanic area with several steeply-sloped peaks characteristic of that geology. Accordingly, there's a lot of walking up and down hills, if that's a concern for you. There's a striking 10th century cathedral that is a place of pilgrimage and the starting point for a 1,600-mile journey to Santiago de Compostella. On another volcanic peak within the town is a metallic statue of Mary holding an infant Jesus, which was made out of the metal from several cannons seized during the Crimean War. Le Puy is known for its small green lentils, which are farmed in the volcanic soil on surrounding farms, and for lace-making. Down the steps of the cathedral on a commercial street you may come across an old mechanical lace-making machine in one of the shops, noisily clacking and weaving its lace.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
You guys are amazing! Thank you Bob. I think it will have to be Vienne on that leg.
Posted by
France
408 posts
No problem -- I hope you've found it helpful. If you do decide to stop in Vienne, I thought you might be interested in a recent find in the Sainte-Colombe suburb of the town -- it was reported the middle of last year and is being called an "exceptional discovery" by the French Ministry of Culture. I'm sure work is continuing and it may not yet be able to be visited by tourists, but it's pretty cool nonetheless.
Here's a NY Times article about it: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/02/world/europe/france-roman-neighborhood-sainte-colombe-vienne.html
I sincerely wish you the best and hope your trip meets all your expectations, given your situation.