We are a family of 5 who will be taking a Western Med cruise in July that starts and ends in Barcelona. We will be spending a few days prior to the cruise in Barcelona but would like to do some travelling after the cruise. We have never been to Europe. The kids will be 17, 14 and 10. We love taking in the scenery, outdoor activities, beaches and love to admire the beautiful architecture. We will be travelling in July 2011 and are open to suggestions. We are willing to travel by trains and/or rent a car or fly for part of it (although I'm not the biggest fan of flying). We will likely be flying home from Paris, but this can change. We will have a couple of weeks. We would appreciate any ideas or suggestions. Thanks
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
Depending on your time I would suggest the following....from Barcelona (a day trip maybe) travel to the seaside home of Dali- check the website..great drive from the city through the mountains to the house, and perhaps the museum as well....As you leave, travel toward Montpellier along the cost...an interesting, un-touristy town is Caux - Stone House B&B., near Pezenas, the home of Moliere...from Montpelier (A gem in itself), follow the road toward Nice...(I would not spend much time in Marseille - a busy, dirty seaport for the main part) head northwards to Vaison La Romaine - stay in the Citie Medieval on top of the mountain. A once in a life time experience...then to Beaune, and from there take the train on to Paris. I have traveled the reverse of this and it was most enjoyable...think the sites will appeal to all of your group as well.
Posted by
Denver
799 posts
Here's a trip that we took several years ago, with our son, who was 12yo at the time. We began in Barcelona, then took the train to Perpignan, France. From there, we picked up a rental car (car rental if you pick up and drop off in two different countries is VERY expensive). We then drove back into Spain, just across the border, and visited the Dali museum, which we loved. Spent the night there, then headed back into France with our rental car. We spent several days in the Languedoc area, eating good food and exploring old castles. Then up into the Dordogne for 5 days. There we visited old castles and prehistoric sites and ate more good food. We dropped the car off in Grive, and took the train to Paris to end our trip. Those parts of France are beautiful with lots of interesting things for all ages of kids and adults.