France again, or ???

Hi,

I am also drawn back to France as a repeat visitor since my first visit in the summer of 1973, ie. going back to Paris is an absolute goal. Only it cannot be this year since it is still not "safe" enough. A Paris trip is in the works for next summer as is the rest of the Europe trip.

The post here says it all....."the last time I saw Paris" That was in 2018..

I think you can always do a bit of both. Fly in and out of Paris, for example, do a few days to get your fix, then head to your next destination. If you travel by train, you also get lots of French language in the train and French countryside. Plan in a few days in Paris on your way home so that you can feel good about having also been to France (again, getting your "fix").

You should also start by making a list of the things that made you fall in love with France. Was it the fulfilment of a childhood dream to travel to Paris that facilitated the falling in love? If so, recognise that nothing else will measure up. Was it the language? Go to Belgium next. Was it the food? Find a food haven and plan your trip that way. Was it the pace of the trip? A certain type of scenery? A type of museum or other site? Finding places that have some of the aspects that you loved about France (especially your first time) will help you make sure you enjoy the destination, even if you will always prefer France. If you need help picking a destination, this list might also help us help you.

Also, make sure you travel open to the possibility that you might find a place you love as much as France. Otherwise you will spend the trip regretting not going to France and not enjoy it or even resent the location. Make sure you aren't comparing the new destination with France the whole time. Explore and fall in love with your new destination, even if your first love will always be your favourite. If you think this will be hard to do, then stick to France. Life is too short for a trip you know deep down you won't enjoy.

I love France as well, but having been to 78 foreign countries, I keep finding great places that I haven't visited.

Paris is a great city, as long as you don't wander into some of its slums on the eastern and northern perimeter of the city. Still, all major cities in the World have their places to avoid.

Also, Paris, along with Barcelona and Rome are the worst cities for pickpockets.

Expand your horizons and visit other places.

In France, several come to mind, Strasbourg, Leon, Arles, Avignon, Cannes, Nice, St. Paul de Vence, Aix, Blois, Tours, Bayeux and many more.

As for the British countryside, it is amazing, don't ignore Wales and Scotland.

We have been to Paris several times and did a lovely 3-week "Tour de France" in 2018. But we had never been to Brittany. When England refused to allow US visitors without a 10-day quarantine, we took our flight tickets to London and tacked on RT tickets from Heathrow to CDG. I pulled an old copy of Lonely Planet's "France's Best (Road) Trips" out of the bookcase and found an interesting 8 night road trip of the Brittany Coast. So that's where we're headed on 31 July (along with a few days in Paris because.....it's Paris). Then we notices that the real Tour de France began in Brittany this year so we recorded the three stages in Brittany, tacked on some information from Wikipedia and created what looks like a wonderful 2 weeks.

As for Covid, we're driving so we don't plan to spend a lot of time on public transportation. We have our two jabs. And we've been watching YouTube videos of people walking the streets of Paris and most of the people don't wear masks. It looks pretty normal. Take your mask for inside like here in the U.S., but it looks okay.

Nothing wrong to change plans. A few weeks back I visited my own country instead of France and enjoyed it very much so don’t see it as a waste of my time. Even if it doesn’t bring what you have expected it broadens to my opinion anyway someones horizon. Every place merits it’s own reason for a visit.

Besides impressionism the UK ticks to my idea all the boxes you are looking for, lakes, mountains and loads of lovely villages that easily can compete with places anywhere else, including the French. And further loads of history there.
Maybe William Turner has something of impressionism in his work even he was a romantic painter. Interesting?

Whenever we go to Europe, I always have to end the trip with a week in Paris. We've flown into Madrid, Spain and then taken the train to Seville. The Andalusia part of Spain is spectacular: Seville, Cordoba, Granada, etc. I have a love of Moorish architecture and tiles. We've then flown from Granada to Barcelona and on to Paris. Spending a few days in Madrid and Barcelona is also wonderful.

Shelly, I share your quandary! I've visited 30-35 countries, several of those being long-term stays, but after falling back in love with France after 20 years away (living in Madagascar as a Peace Corps volunteer turned me off on the French for awhile), I'm having a hard time planning a trip anywhere else. We had a trip to Ireland planned when the pandemic hit, but now I'm looking at going to Brittany instead or on the same trip, crossing from Cork. (I can't imagine crossing the Atlantic without at least a couple of nights in France!) But here are a few not-French places that I still day-dream about:
In Europe, Prague is my favorite big city. I love the multi-colored baroque buildings. Classical music is everywhere and accessible. Prague has an artist's soul.
- Krakow is delightful, too. From Krakow you could make a day trip to Auschwitz, and then travel to the charming town of Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains for some hiking and gorgeous mountain views.
- I was completely enchanted by Greece in the fall (first week of Nov.). No crowds, perfect weather in the 60s to low 70s. Olympia was empty. In the Arcardian Mountains we were the only guests at the wonderful https://mpelleiko.gr/ in Stemnitsa and went on a short hike to the wonderful cliffside monastery of St John the Baptist and in the Lousios Gorge. We also enjoyed a few days in Nafplion--a Rick Steves recommendation (and a topic on one of his radio/podcast episodes).

Outside of Europe (for future trips):
- If wine and mountains are your thing, how about Cape Town, South Africa? Side trips to the Cape of Good Hope, winery tours, and a hike up Table Mountain or Lion's Head. You can see penguins, baboons...even go to small reserves to see giraffe, zebra, elephant and lion. Take a safari trip up to the Namibian coast and Swakopmund. For wildlife, Etosha is amazing.
- If you speak French and would like a real adventure (much rougher traveling than S Africa), how about Madagascar? Antananarivo has a French feel to it as a lot of it was built by French colonists.
- Vietnam also has a lot of French influence--great pastry shops, for example!

First, I have to apologize for being MIA for 2 weeks and becoming one of "those posters" who asks a question, gets several wonderful replies, but then "disappears." I swore I'd never be one of those people ... but here I am!
Thanks to all of you for the time and thought you put into your helpful, encouraging responses. Some specific thoughts:
@HowlinMad: Your comments resonated with me so much! Your last paragraph ... "make sure you are open to the possibility that you might find a place you love as much as France..." Back in 2015 when I was planning a summer trip to Europe, I decided to "force" myself to go somewhere other than France, as I'd been the last 3 years in a row. I decided on 2 weeks in Italy, as I'd not been since 1992. The trip was amazing (and I sorta got my Paris fix by spending 4 days in Turin -- the "Paris of Italy" >> who knew?) ! In 2017 I spent 2 weeks hiking in Cornwall and the Cotswolds ... then finished with 4 days in Paris - LOVED that! And in 2018 I did a 2-week hiking trip to Slovenia -- one of the best trips of my life. Interestingly, while I was planning the Italy trip, I was constantly "comparing" the locations with France (thinking, oh, I just was to be in Paris!!), but I had no regrets once I was there (and fulfilled a 30-year-long bucket list destination: Lake Como) and had an unforgettable birthday that included a memorable spa day with a Russian masseuse and the best meal of my life.
I'm having some medical issues that greatly affect my ability to hike/walk right now (a mile or 2 at a time is my limit), so sadly a hiking trip is out for this year. You said "make a list of the things that made you fall in love with France" >> that is a great idea!!
@geovagriffith: Thank you for your suggestions! I have been to several of the other French places you suggest (Arles, Lyon, Strasbourg, Bayeux, Nimes, Avignon, Blois) but I know there are many more to explore.
@Thomas: See below for more on Brittany ... we're thinking alike! Thank you, and I hope you post a trip report about your Brittany road trip.
@madlori: Your post resonated for several reasons! Prague >> I've lived there! I taught English 1994-95 (but interestingly, I've not been back even though I loved my time there). Krakow, Zakopane, Auschwitz, hiking in the Tatras: I've been to all these spots when I lived in Prague. Definitely some of my most "memorable travel memories." Greece: I've adored watching "The Durrells in Corfu." During my first trip to Europe in 1985 while doing a whirlwind 5-week Eurail Pass-driven tour, I spent 3 nights on Corfu that were magical. I know Corfu is not like it was in 1985 and has grown tremendously, but I've found myself dreaming of going back. South Africa: Yes, I have often dreamed of visiting -- Cape Town, Kruger NP, and Namibia (I dated a South African for years, and he grew up in the Namibian desert). Vietnam: Thank you - I've added Vietnam to my list!

Bottom line: Because of Covid (and I'm cognizant that I may need to/want to pull the plug if things take a turn for the worse, vaccinations don't improve in France, etc.) I will either stay in England (still have some work on that Plan B itinerary) or travel straight from England to France and stay there - Plan A. Madlori and geovagriffith, your comments on Brittany have helped me decide on it as my 1st week's location >> and I've decided to up the adventure level by taking the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to St. Malo, rather than flying or taking Eurostar (although I'll return to London that way). I'll have at least 6 days in Brittany before spending 2nd week in Paris. I'll probably post separately for suggestions, although I've started my research with an old "Rough Guide" of Brittany I dug off my bookshelf.
You've all given me a lot to consider, and have given me a lot to think about for my 2022 trip >> I think it needs to be an epic travel adventure (and it'll be my 60th birthday!). Thank you!