We are finishing a 1 week seminar tour in Israel the first week of September. We are looking for a small to medium sized town in southern Europe for a 1 week unwind afterward with a few day trips. As an example, we had a great week in Cadaques, Spain, north of Barcelona. We could walk across town in 30 min, Salvador Dali's home was a short drive, his museum in Figueres was a day trip, a few shops, a little bit of nightlife (dancing on the beach, a few restaurants, and few other geologic/historic/scenic/museum locations close by. Open to Italy, Cyprus, so. France, Greece or other, just looking for small town to immerse ourselves for an easy week before coming back to the US.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Have a look at Vence in France, near Nice. St-Paul-de-Vence is just up the hill.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
What about Sorrento? Plenty of destinations around for day trips.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Arles or St Remy in Provence. Many great sights close at hand.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7897 posts
I second Provence, but Avignon is a better transportation hub, and the old city inside the walls is intimate and would make a great home for a week.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
St. Remy... you can take a beautiful walk every morning to the grounds and the hospital where Van Gogh spent time...go to the market on Wed. and Sat. or get a car and do any number of day trips.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Avignon not "small-med" (and less charming imo, and more hassle for car).
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
Pezenas in Herault, southwest France. Beautiful, relaxed, surrounded by vineyards, ancient winding streets, good family-run restaurants, weekly market, 20 minutes from the beach, and close to other interesting attractions like the Canal du Midi, the
Cevennes, Beziers, Montpellier. One of my favorite towns in France.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
You all are awesome! Checking all these out!
Posted by
Cape Ann, Massachusetts
3326 posts
For a month's stay, I was recently told by several people: Aix-en-Provence. It sounds lovely and well located.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
295 posts
Tough question. My ideas would be St. Remy also, followed by Sorrento-explore Amalfi coast, capri, Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi town, Positano. Great day base for a week but I would say its more medium than small. I also really like Lucca or perhaps another hilltown. Or look at Collioure in France small. Or along the French Riviera perhaps Ville Franche sur mer or Antibe or Cassis.
Posted by
1 posts
try Otigia, syracusa, italy. small island connected to syracusa by bridges. You can walk around the island in 1 hour. Unesco Heritage sight, Great restuarants, wine bars, coffee shops, greek and roman theaters, Slow pace, friendly, fantastic daily market- fresh fish, vegetables, cheeses, meats, plenty of free samples and very entertaining. We spent the month of March there, It was great.
Good luck, Nick
Posted by
Dallas
1022 posts
I like Pezenas a lot but best place in S France imo is the Luberon. You'll need a car. Stay in Roussillion, Gordes, Bonnieux, etc. Day trips to Avignon, Chateauneuf du Papes, Cassis, Aix.
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Chania, Crete.