For all you seasoned travellers...we have just returned from Provence...area up to Aix and down to the towns bordering the Med around Bandol and Cassis. We loved, loved it! We are planning a 2nd trip with family that has never been to Europe and destination will be Tuscany or south of France. How do the two locations compare in scenery, atmosphere, etc. ? Which do you prefer?
Posted by
Ontario Canada
690 posts
Annemarie-tough one - but since you have done France why not do Tuscany next time. Spectacular towns of Volterra, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Montelicino, Pienza, Orvieto to name a few hill towns you might consider. A car is a definite to get to all these. You could chose one place as a base and make day or 2 day trips. Get a Michelin map at the bookstore # 735 I believe, and map out where you want to visit. Then when you get to one of the towns get a regional road map at the TI(information building in the town), so you can travel the back roads.
Posted by
OP
oakville
185 posts
Shelley. this is it...we are actually going to Tuscany this October for 12 days and doing a bit of Rome and Tuscany for the first time. We are booked at La Bruciata. BUT this is another trip I am planning with family that has never been to Europe and the choice is south of France or Italy and neither of us can decide. Not a bad situation to be in, right? So I was sitting here wanting to advice from those more travelled.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10732 posts
Do you have to decide right now? If not, maybe you could wait until after your trip in October. At that point you will have experienced both areas and you can decide based on your own preferences. In my opinion you can't go wrong with either area. Do the other family members have a preference on which country they would like to see?
Posted by
OP
oakville
185 posts
It is kind of a silly conundrum. They are leaving it up to the 2 of us to decide. If we go with France then we do need to decide as we will plan a river cruise the first week and they book up. Maybe we should just wait.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I suggest waiting until your trip to Tuscany as well. You know your preferences best, and then you'll be able to decide.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16235 posts
You've been to So. France already. Your next trip should be Tuscany, if you have never been. Why go to the same place twice in a row? I understand the family members you are taking have never been to either. Tough luck! You make the rules. They go where you want to go!! They have no saying in this matter.