Hi everyone,
I'm 52, married but travelling solo this summer to europe while my wife and son are in sweden at the scouting world jamboree. I couldn't go as i'm not a scout leader etc., plus i thought this is a great opportunity to do some solo trips. I'm flying into Paris on 27 july and spending two nights in the latin quarter, then trying to decide if i should go to Reim on the morning of 29 or to Épernay for some champagne tastings and spending the night in one of those towns. Then i have two open days/nights before i head to Brugges for a day and night before heading to Amsterdam for four days. I'm trying to decide do i go to Reims or Épernay, and then head to Brussells for two nights or go somewhere else. I thought about visiting the normandy coast but not sure if that makes sense since i plan on travelling by train and won't have a car to drive around the area with. I enjoy WWII stuff but also love Belgium beers. So i thought i'd seek some assistance from you all on what i should consider. thanks in advance for your assistance. michael
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Epernay is a small place with not much to do except . . . Reims can keep you busy for a couple of days. Picardie is full of interesting smaller places than can keep you busy for weeks, but I have no idea how well they're served by public transportation. Gent keeps you moving more or less in the same direction. I think it beats Brugge. Brussels is a hard call. Most people hit the square and statue, then scram. It has a lot going for it, but you really have to root around or know specifically what you're looking for.
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Why not spend the extra nights at your hotel in Paris and daytrip to Reims (very easy!) or Eperney?? Add a night in Brugges. No luggage to lug and your hotel in Paris seems to be a very good value, from your other post. I believe in keeping things as easy and simple as possible. Or rent a car for just a couple of days, if you really want to visit Normandy. If beer is your thing, there's a thread you can search for, that lists places to find artisanale beer in Paris.
Posted by
OP
marshfield, ma, USa
37 posts
thanks for the responses. was in brussels two years ago and i'm sure there is more to see but that's what got me thinking about cutting it from the itinerary or just spending one day/night there. so thinking three nights Paris, one night Reims, one night Brugges and still have a night free. will check into see what Gent has to offer. thanks again. michael
Posted by
San Diego, CA
638 posts
You don't need a car to tour the Normandy area to see the sites of WWII. There are a couple of companies that do tours of the area, I highly recommend doing it this way, even if you had a car it would be difficult since you are by yourself and would have to drive and navigate. There used to be a company called Battlebus but they have closed but they reopened with a new company called ddayhistorian. They are very knowledgeable and passionate about the sites they take their clients to see. However to do one of their tours you will need to arrive in Bayeux the night before because they depart at 8 AM. But Bayeux is a beautiful town in and of itself. http://www.ddayhistorian.com/