Trolling for ideas. We are thinking our next trip will be Barcelona for 5ish days (with daytrips around this vicinity) and then we are thinking maybe a quick flight up to Marsailles to have a few days in southern France. Would this be the southern France stop to do from Barcelona? we enjoy food, wine, hiking, exploring historic villages, art, biking, kayaking .... just about all of it.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
784 posts
If you have a car, I would suggest the Languedoc region, which is just over the border, north of Barcelona. Many of the activities you describe, including kayaking, biking & hiking, as well as good food and wine are available there. It is a large region, however. Search "Languedoc" or check out these websites.
http://tourinfos.com/gb/r0011/d0034/
http://gofrance.about.com/od/languedoc/LanguedocRousillon_Region.htm
http://www.odetoaude.com/
http://www.le-guide.com/
Have a wonderful time! Bon voyage!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Do what Carolyn said, or even press into Lot or the Perigord. You will be a lot happier.
Most people don't like Marseilles (note spelling) until they've been there a few times.
If you do go to Marseilles, however, just drive. It's an easy half day each way with plenty to see coming and going.
Posted by
OP
Portland, OR
26 posts
hmmm, thanks for the info. I'm not usually a fan of driving a car where I don't know the rules of the road, but maybe we will decide to do that. We have a year to plan, so I'm tossing around all kinds of ideas. I'd love to see southern France a bit having only been to Paris (and LOVING it!).
Posted by
Reston, Virginia
403 posts
If you do the countryside of Provence or Languedoc or the Dordogne/Perigord you will need a car. But you could easily get from Marseilles to Arles or Avignon or Aix en provence by train, and each warrants a couple of days. Another possibility is to take Easyjet from Barcelona to Nice. If you buy tickets early they are quite cheap, and you'll be there very quickly. I love Nice, though not everyone does, but it is certainly more enjoyable than Marseilles--and you can then (depending on the time you have) either cover the Cote d'azure by short rail/bus trips or go by train westward to Provence (Arles, etc). Given the activities you mentioned, the Cote/Provence combination would be tough to beat.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
We combined our trip to Barcelona with France. Took a train to Narbonne and then bus to Carcassonne for a night. Rented a car there and drove to the Dordogne area for a week--stayed near Sarlat. From there we went to St Emilion for a few days and then took train to Paris for a week after turning in the car at Libourne. Great trip--especially the countryside experience--caves, Rocamadour, gardens, small French towns, etc.
Posted by
OP
Portland, OR
26 posts
OK, I've only been back from Europe a month and I can't wait to get back next year! :) - I love all of these ideas and will start looking into the different options, thanks everyone. I especially appreciate the feedback on Marseilles - a great reason to use the helpline. Oh and the hubby seems comfortable with the idea of driving if we do mostly the countryside and smaller towns.