My wife is traveling with her friend on a 2 week adventure to Spain and France. The friend has never been abroad, but my wife is fairly seasoned. I tried to come up with something that allows the friend to ease into European travel. Both are teachers so the trip is just after school ends in June. I suggested Barcelona area (Tossa de Mar or Tarragona) for a few nights to unwind on the beach. Then Barcelona for a few nights. Up to Carcassone for a few nights then overnight to Paris and end there. Neither is a huge art fan, but they'd definitely hit the major museums. The friend likes shopping and is looking forward to the adventure but I know is nervous about "different" things. My wife enjoys culture and doesn't get flustered easily, though I don't think she'd want to drive over there. Any thoughts?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
You've asked a really broad question about two pretty good-sized countries. Commenting only on the places you mentioned: The beaches (and towns) north of Barcelona are better than the ones to the south. If you send those women to Carcassone 'for a few nights', they will kill you. Part of an afternnon and an evening is all that place needs for the tourist-trap part - - ever. The long axis of the area within the walls is only about five hundred yards and the other axis less than half that. The rest of the city is interesting enough, but no more so than any of a few hundred other places.
Posted by
OP
Kewanee, IL
27 posts
How about 4 nights in Tossa de Mar, then 3 in Barcelona, then somewhere in Southern France for 2-3 nightsthen off to Paris for the remainder? Suggestions on locales in Southern France?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Probably too much time in Tossa and almost too much in Barcelona - - but I'm not getting into that. Continuing with your idea, however: After Barcelona, take the train to Nimes ( a pretty good hub) to poke around the lower Rhone, then the fast train to Paris.