Hi, My wife and I scrapped our earlier plan to visit 4 different European cities and now plan to see as much of one country as possible - France. Any ideas on how to improve this plan or if certain parts of it are doable (eg. not sure how to get from Chamonix to Amboise in a reasonable amount of time). We are willing to to rent cars or take trains. Both of us are young and move very quickly as we travel for business regularly. Wed, Aug 8 Arrrive in London, take Eurostar to Paris Thu, Aug 9 Paris Fri, Aug 10 Paris Sat, Aug 11 AM take first train to Colmar PM sleep in Colmar" Sun, Aug 12 AM Take train from Colmar to Chamonix via Switzerland PM Sleep in Chamonix" Mon, Aug 13 AM Chamonix PM Sleep in Annecy" Tue, Aug 14 AM Pickup rental car and drive from Annecy to Amboise (est 8 hours) PM Sleep in Amboise" Wed, Aug 15 AM See castles in Loire PM Sleep in Amboise" Thu, Aug 16 AM Take train back to Paris PM Sleep in Paris" Fri, Aug 17 Paris Sat, Aug 18 London Sun, Aug 19 London Mon, Aug 20
London / Evening departure
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
You can improve this by spending more time in these great places instead of in between them on trains or in a car. Seems like all you are doing in Chamonix, for instance, is sleeping there, maybe having a quick look-see in the morning. Get more time by (a) flying into Paris; (b) consolidating Paris and London into one stop, not 2; (c) picking fewer dots to connect. (C) is tough but if the two of you can set priorities you will have a better trip. For instance: Paris > Colmar > Loire > London (via Paris, but not stopping there) > Home. (Only an example.) Just my opinion, bon voyage whatever you decide
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10603 posts
I agree that you are jumping around a lot. Are you going to Colmar, Chamonix and Annecy just to say you've been there? That is a lot of time and money spent traveling for not much reward. As suggested, it would be better to group all your Paris time together. You could do something like this if you have to fly to and from London - Aug. 8: Land in London and Eurostar to Paris. Spend 4 nights. Aug. 12: Train to Colmar. Spend 2 nights. Aug. 14: Train or car to Amboise. Spend 2 or 3 nights. Aug. 16 or 17: Train to London via Paris. Spend the rest of your nights there.
Aug. 20: Return home. It would be better to fly into Paris and out of London if you can. Remember that 2 nights in a location is only one full day. Your plan has 3 one night stays. Considering your transportation time you would only have a few hours in each one of those locations.
Posted by
washington
837 posts
I would expand upon the above comments: why are you going to London at all? While London is my favorite city, over Paris, Rome, anywhere, two days doesn't even scratch the surface. Why not fly into Paris, even if on British Air? You haven't said anything about what you want to see in France except to say that you want to see France. Given this, Paris is certainly number one. but after that, I'm not sure you have chosen the next highest interest areas. If there are specifics you want to see in Colmar, Chamonix, Annecy, and Amboise, fine. If not, I would seriously consider Provence and Cote d' Azur, areas readily accessible by train and car.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10603 posts
I only mention Colmar because you did. It is nice, but I wouldn't consider it a must see on a first trip, especially one that is so short. I think you will be surprised at how fast 13 days will go. It would be helpful if you would tell us why you chose the places you want to see. I agree that it seems a waste of time to fly to and from London when France is the country you want to see.
Posted by
San Francisco
14980 posts
Hi, If you're going to be in the Alsace (Elsaß) area, I would suggest Strasbourg and stay a couple of nights there. The area around the train station has numerous small hotels. I've stayed at two them when I've visited the city for a few days. Colmar is nice too but Strasbourg is more interesting...spend the time there. See the famous cathedral (das Straßburger Münster)...marvelous. Certain departure times from Paris-Strasbourg TGV are direct, ca. 2 1/4 hrs. Does flying back from London give you a direct flight to Singapour?