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Need Recommendations on 13 Days in Europe

It was recommended that I move this from "Trip Report"

My family (of four) is going on vacation in Europe for 13 days (14th day is flight out). We're spending four of those days in Paris, and two in the Normandy region. What's the best way to spend the other seven days if we want to see a couple of other countries (not including Britain) besides France? We were planning to spend the last four days in Paris, but unsure how to plan for the rest of the days. My big concern is the drive time between countries/locations. I thought about train passes, but those are in the range of $200 per person for a four-day pass (valid for a month). Current plan right now is arrive in Paris in the morning (0900), then drive to Normandy and stay there for two days, then drive to the vicinity of Antwerp and stay there for three days, go to Germany for four days, then end in Paris for four days. I would like to avoid burning so much time driving.

Posted by
1844 posts

If you fly open jaw, into Paris and home from another, you can eliminate some of the backtrackiing/driving. So start with Paris and end in Germany fly home from Munich or Frankfurt etc.

Posted by
5042 posts

You might want to reconsider driving straight from the airport to Normandy. Jet lag, lack of sleep, and not being familiar with the local road system can all be a problem. There are some people that are not bothered by any of those things. Others think they are ok but are really driving somewhat impaired. Still others are complete zombies and should never drive the same day. Suggest you stay take the train to Normandy, and rent the car the next day. Don't mean to rain on your parade, just something to think about.

Posted by
11469 posts

Why not see more of France? You could spend a week in Provence for example. Or perhaps The Netherlands or more of Belgium. Short transit times to-and-from.

Posted by
7175 posts

A car is really only useful to you in Normandy.

Day
01. Arrive Paris. Train to Amsterdam (3N)
02.03. Amsterdam
04. Train to Gent (3N)
05. Day to Bruges
06. Day to Antwerp
07. Train to Lille. Pick up rental car. Drive to Amiens (1N)
08. Drive via Honfleur to Bayeux (2N)
09. Normandy beaches
10. Return car in Caen. Train to Paris (4N)
11.12.13. Paris
14. Depart Paris

Posted by
1170 posts

I'll just add to the ongoing discussion about driving after an all night flight. I've done it several times. But in the end, you need to clearly evaluate whether that works for you. Most people will be very tired and impaired, and it is something to consider seriously. On the other hand, IMHO it is also difficult to get to the train from CDG. The train to Normandy leaves from Gare-Saint-Lazare, near the Paris Opera in the 8th/9th arrondissements. You have to either take two forms of rail transport with your luggage, or (my preference) take the Roissybus to the Paris Opera house and then walk ten minutes to the Gare Saint Lazare. As I said, I've driven several times. But on my upcoming trip in June, I will do the bus to the Opera. If I'm early, I'll stop for a morning cup of coffee between the bus and the train as a way of "waking up" to France—before enjoying a somewhat more leisurely trip to Normandy. In my case, it also avoids a drop-off fee for my rental car, but YMMV. Enjoy!