I am planning a 15 days 14 nights not including fly time trip to France, Belgium, Luxemburg, and Monaco. Our focus is on Historical Architectures. Art museums. and Local Culture. Currently i am thinking: Paris, Omaha Beach, mt st michel, a chateau in the lore valley maybe chambord, Marseille, Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Luxemburg, Brussels, back in paris the question may be too vague. but I gotta start somewhere. Thanx~ Any suggestions in itinerary? Is it doable?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Nope. Too much traveling and not enough time to see things. Not sure why you picked Lux. If it's idle curiosity, scratch it. I don't know anybody that's gone there twice or even bragged that they went there once. You could also ax the Loire and scoot down to Fontainebleau from Paris for a better chateau. Catch Brussels leaving Paris, head south and fly home from there. Still seems like a lot. Some of those legs are long, but it's a start.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA, USA
177 posts
a few european friends suggested Luxembourg because the rich history and the beautiful castles...
Posted by
partout
71 posts
You have a lot of places on your list (10 in 14 days). I would skip Luxembourg this trip-it just isn't that interesting and it doesn't work well with the other places you mention. I would also skip Brussels and spend that time in any of the other cities you mention. Whatever you do, fly open-jaw! Start in Paris (or Brussels if you really want to go there) and work your way south, ending in Nice. On Delta you can fly direct from Nice to JKF. Do intend to rent a car or use public transportation? To limit packing/unpacking (and losing precious time checking in and out of hotels), try to pick bases. For example, from Nice you can easily visit Cannes and Monaco as day trips. Marseille is a fabulous city, I recommend two nights. Some people may tell you to skip it, but don't, its a wonderful, vibrant city and makes a great contrast with Paris. So you have 14 nights: -3 nights in Normandy (getting to/from Mont St Michel--especially if you don't have a car--will take an entire day). -Paris (3 nights??) -Loire Valley (2 nights) -Marseille (2 nights)
-Nice (4 nights) If this is your first time to Paris, then I recommend cutting one your other destinations to spend more time there. Hope this helps!
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA, USA
177 posts
thanks for the replies. my original plan was to spend all 15 days in france. but many of my pro-traveler friends who travel to europe 6 times a year all think i would be bored if I spend the whole 2 weeks in france. and suggested me to add at least another vibrant city in a different near by country into my trip by cutting a couple french cities out. they all suggested geneve switzerland and brussels. such a decision to make, but there is always a next time.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33525 posts
... with friends like that ..... ;-) I'm me and you're you (and your friends have their own perspective) but if I were putting in bits of Switzerland for a first timer (you are a first timer?) it wouldn't be Geneva. Or Brussels in Belgium.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Brussels and Geneva are not top tier places to me. Definitely thre are more scenic places to see. High on my list would be Paris, Chartres cathedral, Loire (chateux -plural, they are so different), Mont St Michel, Bayeaux Tapestry,probably Dordogne, Swiss Alps- eg Lucerne, Jungfraujoch, Murren area, and possibly Black Forest. you need to see the high spots first, on later trips you can try Amsterdam, Bruges, Brussels (if you have to).