Southwest of France or Turkey for late fall/winter/early spring travel?

Stick with France.

Thanks Allie for the reply! Do you know if it's easy to get cave reservations during this time of year?

That is a part of France I haven't been to yet. I would hope that things will be open but less crowded. Let me know how your trip goes. I would like to go to the caves sometime.

Will do! Thanks Allie!

I have enjoyed traveling in France in November/December by car, but no hiking or boating. Daylight is short. That 10-degree difference is not necessarily everywhere in Turkey. Cappadocia does get snow and I've seen dustings in early May. Of course, our tour planners have decided that weather is good enough at the end of March to run the Turkey tour, and the Paris city tour, but we don't attempt wider France tours at that time. The Turkey tour is absolutely fabulous.

Sounds like either destination would provide a great trip. I'm guessing you'd planned on renting a boat from one of the outfitters in the Dordogne. Do they even rent outside of summer? If they do, perhaps they could recommend what/where/when to boat, as well as hike in the region. I know there are some trails in Provence that actually close during the summer, so perhaps hiking in France is best done in the fall/winter/spring.

As French markets, a highlight of any visit, offer what's "in season," you'll get the best produce available whenever you go, and going in the fall, winter, or spring will offer something different than summer travelers would experience. Having said that, and not having been in France in winter, I'm not sure what markets take place, or where.

We were in Spain, a bit south of France, this past November, and in Italy in December 2012. Each location can have its own climactic patterns, and you could even hit a spell of weather that's unusual for that place and time of year when you go, but we got rain some days and fair (not blazing sun, but pleasant) weather most of the time. One day in southern Sicily, just before Christmas, was actually pretty warm.

We're going to Iceland for a week this coming April, and I'm glad to hear you had a good time!

I just returned from Istanbul. Stay with France. Honestly though, I don't like to go places that "aren't bad in the winter"; I prefer to go places that SHINE in the Winter. For me that means Central and Eastern Europe: Germany, Czech Rep, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary for instance. Most Christmas Markets open between 15Nov and the first of December; the theaters are in full swing, classical music and gypsy violins -- hearty food, palinka and. ?.... Gee, I have to stop before I go crazy. We are in the region either for Christmas or in March every year and we love it. Its winter, beach the kyack and pull out the snow ski gear in slovakia's High Tatras.

Thanks Laura, Cyn and James for your replies! I think we are going to do some hard thinking about destinations - my husband now can only get away for about ten days, which cuts out the Turkey 13 day tour. We don't ski, but we do enjoy classical music - you make a good point, James, about looking for somewhere that shines in winter! I'll try to pin my husband down a bit more about when he can get away (I tend to think February/early March may be easiest for him), and we'll go from there. And Cyn, if you have any questions about Iceland, let me know! I've only been once, but will do my best to answer:)

Thanks to everyone who took the time to send input - I appreciate it:)

Feb can be a little dreary, but in March, while it can be a little nippy, the sky can be unbelievably clear and incredibly blue. Look for events, national holidays (for the celebrations), and festivals in March

Thanks James, I will do a little more research and see what I can find in March for France. We're basically back to the drawing board I guess, now that all our parameters are changed:) I appreciate the help!

I was thinking more along the lines of Prague, Vienna, Budapest; possibly someplace in the High Tatras, Krakow, or some smaller places like Cesky Krumlov, Pecs, Gyor, Eger.

The Turkish Riviera is actually a very popular winter destination for Europeans. I once spent three weeks there and loved it. The hotels are ridiculously cheap (in my case 20€/room for a 5* hotel with AI), and there are plenty of sights in the surroundings. Sicne we aren't into big hotels and beaches (to cold anyway) we rented a car and visited something every day. There is so much to see... Perge, Aspendos, Side, Termessos, Selge, Myra, Xanthos, Kekova, the Turkish old town of Antalya, the Taurus mountains etc...

Andalusia is the warmest, driest region of Europe. I was there in February for 3 weeks, no rain, mostly sunny, only needed a jacket, some days not even that. Highly recommended! Other pluses: it's low season so hotel prices are lower; 12 hours or more of daylight (sunset around 7 p.m.); very good train system; friendly people.

James, thanks for clarifying - I will check into those areas! Chani, thanks for the suggestion on Spain - I actually had mentioned that to my husband last night :) I went to Spain with a high school group when I was 18 but haven't been back since, so it would be fun to revisit. And Martin, I've heard nothing but good things about Turkey - did you find it easy to travel independently without speaking the language? We know next to nothing about Turkey so need to do some more research…you all have given me some great suggestions and I appreciate all the input!

And Martin, I've heard nothing but good things about Turkey - did you
find it easy to travel independently without speaking the language? We
know next to nothing about Turkey so need to do some more research

Most people in this region speak a second language, either English, German or Russian, and many understand at least a few words English. And they are used to tourists. Learn a few words in Turkish, smile, be polite and friendly and you will not have a problem. Turks are very hospitable people.
This region is great if you are interested in the classical era. There is so much to see. The Chimera for instance, the remains of the first mausoleum (for king Mausolus), or the church of St. Nicholas. But you also can go hiking on the Lycian Way or do a Blue Cruise for instance.

I just got back from Istanbul. Istanbul is not typical of Turkey as a whole so my opinion of Istanbul isn't meant to extend beyond Istanbul. Oh, my opinion? Glad I went .......... great life experience ......... wouldn't do it again. But I think there are a lot of folks that would disagree with me. So..............

So, the question is whether to travel sometime from fall to spring to either southwest France or Turkey. I've been to other arts of France and also been to Turkey via RS's tour. Istanbul and the balance of the tour in Turkey was wonderful and will return again. Travel is such a personal experience...see comments above. For example, some view Budapest as a delight and at least one of our regulars purchased property there. Me? Meh.

@Bruce, exactly. I try and make the point by adding tag lines, like "others will disagree......". I really think it should be obvious that all of this is just honest opinion and no one takes offence to differing opinions but there are some that for what ever reason get offended so I try and be polite and offer up an admission that its just what I think; meaning neither right nor wrong. There some parts of the trip to Istanbul that were magnificent and that I honestly enjoyed and it was a terrific experience. Just on the whole I wouldn't do it again; but I would recommend that anyone with the opportunity to Istanbul to take advantage of the opportunity. Now, if it were choose between Paris or Istanbul I say Paris in a heartbeat. If it were a first time traveler in Europe and the option was Paris or Budapest I would say Paris in a heartbeat. Yes, Paris. Surprised? There is a lot more to life than what I enjoy ................... Third trip to Europe? You really ought to head East.

I just returned from Turkey and it was interesting but, I'm going to make some people mad here, I doubt I will return. If you haven't been to France, by all means, go to France. If it is your dream to see the caves, see the caves. And please remember, it is your trip so don't take the advice too seriously.

Wow - how exciting that my question has led to so many interesting thoughts! I love hearing everyone's suggestions for fun places to go. This is always the dilemma - there are so many places on my list, and choosing the next destination is always a challenge! Thanks all for your help - I'll definitely come back and let you know which we choose!

Sure Deanna, but you have an obligation to recognize your interests and ambitions and then try and match something to those; or maybe face your issues and do just the opposite. All the stuff we are throwing out is worthless if you have no means of personal evaluation. Push comes to shove, then do the holy trinity of London, Paris and Rome. You will enjoy at least 2 of the 3 and probably really love one of the 3.

Thanks James! We have done the trinity and loved all three cities, we've also traveled a good bit in Germany, have been to Amsterdam, Prague, Normandy, Tuscany, Edinburgh and the Lake District in England. Our last two trips have been to Italy and Berlin. So part of our dilemma is choosing somewhere new to visit. We've been to many of the major cities and wanted a more rural, relaxed, outdoorsy vacation this time. We are not skiers, so a winter ski vacation holds no appeal for us. I love holiday travel, but we are going without kids this time and I want to be home with them from mid-December until my oldest two go back to college in mid-January. Add in my husband's work timeframe, and within all of those parameters, we have lots of good suggestions from everyone here. We will definitely find a good destination - and we may decide to stick with France, but since our original itinerary was so focused on hiking, canoeing and kayaking, I wasn't sure if the weather would support those activities during our new travel months. I do appreciate everyone's ideas and advice and you've all suggested some good alternatives…now I have to do a bit more research and see what appeals to my husband the most. I'll keep you all posted, and keep on throwing out the ideas!!

Excellent, something to work from! Thank you. I always try and pair a trip with some event or festival if possible. There are a number of web sites and books that catalogue the best events and festivals around the world. Here are a couple of sites but there are literally dozens.

https://www.fest300.com/festivals/where/europe
http://www.ricksteves.com/europe/festivals
http://www.budapesteventsguide.com/

Moscow for Orthodox Christmas or Jerusalem on the first day of Hanukkah, Bulgaria for the Rose Festival. Or we make it to Budapest on March 15th about every other year for their national holiday when the streets are full of Hussars http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2542738862_734c7829b8_b.jpg and there are festival markets, parades, musical performances on outdoor stages around the town and the occasional political protest to add flavor to life; and the weather can be cool, crisp and really quite beautiful. But you can find this sort of thing all over Europe and it sure adds depth to the trip.

The cooler months are also prime theater months. Ballet, Opera, Opretta, Classical Concerts are all in full swing so you can look for those sorts of events to narrow down the options. While they exist everywhere they seem to have a greater depth of cultural meaning in Central and Eastern Europe.

If you want to get out before Christmas the markets open about 15 November. So that option is still available.

Thanks to all for your many responses - we have actually decided to go to southern Spain in late January! I posted another question on the Spain forum, but wanted to let everyone know the final destination! Thanks for all your help:)