Hello all, I'd love to get feedback on our itinerary for Spain and France in early October for me, my husband, and our daughters who are 10 and 13. My girls are experienced travelers, but have never been to Europe, and neither my husband nor I have ever been to these parts of Spain and France. Day 1: fly into Girona, stay in a hotel Day 2: explore Girona Day 3: rent a car in Girona, head north to Cadaques, stay in an apartment Day 5: explore Costa Brava beaches and villages from base in Cadaques Day 6: same Day 7: drive east into the Pyrenees, explore villages, castles, caves-where should we base ourselves? Day 8: more of the same Day 9: head north towards Carcassone, maybe stay in an apartment in Lagrasse? Day 10: more Carcassonne / castles from base in Lagrasse Day 11: head east to Camargue for horseback riding Day 12: head farther east, maybe to Cassis and the calanques? Day 13: fly out of Nice Ideas for places not to miss? Places to stay (affordable hotels with room to sprawl, apartments, etc.)? Changes to the plan? We like: to be outside, living history, festivals, markets, exploring coves and cliffs, art and churches in small doses We don't like: cities, crowds, long hikes (my husband has some back problems), shopping Thank you!
Debbie
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Be sure to check on the supplement for renting a car in Spain and returning it in France. I've seen quotes on this board as high as €600. If you can't get an acceptable price for this, you can take a train between the countries, but of course you then will have two separate car rentals, each for a shorter period, and this may negate the savings. Looking at its Wikipedia entry (which I know is not the final word), it looks like Girona airport only gets flights on budget airlines, so it will be complicated to fly there from the US. Instead, fly into Barcelona (you can rent a car at the airport if you don't want to see the city itself). Congratulations on seeing Girona! I loved it (and I'm not a fan of Spain in general). My guidebook at the time said it was "a world class city patiently waiting for the world to notice" - and they were 100% right.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
It all makes sense to me as far as LaGrasse, which you leave on Day 11. After that, you have less than two days since Day 13 is flying home and part of one of them will be travel and settling in. I hope you will not be disappointed by the Camargue. It can be very pretty if the weather cooperates. There are some wonderful things to see in Provence, though you won't have much time there. I'd suggest staying in the same place both nights. Finally, I think Nice is too far in so little time. It's a 3-hour drive (or train ride) from Cassis, so you'd have to leave very early just to drive to the airport to catch an afternoon flight. There is an international airport in Marseilles.
Posted by
OP
USA
7 posts
Thank you both! You both mentioned issues that I've considered, but cut out of my original post to save words. I'm considering hoping a train or bus from Cadaques to the closest rental agency over the borderPerpignan or ideally Argelès-sur-Merand driving it back into Spain. Or the two-rental option. I'll have to price out the options, and weigh the time versus money balance... And we're actually flying into Dublin and taking Ryan Air (or EasyJet? I don't recall) down to Girona, and back to Girona from Nice. That's why we're driving all the way to Niceflights from Marseilles to Dublin are costly and not direct. (Marseille to Moscow to Dublin, anyone?) Adam, I'll take you advice about the Camargue. If we end up cutting that out, and have more time in Provence, where would you recommend? Thank you!!!
Posted by
FL USA
1560 posts
You must purchase an international drivers license for Spain. Go to AAA and buy for $20. A 250 euro cash fine issued on the spot if you do not have one!
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Debbie, I'm not completely dismissing the Camargue, but I urge you to compare it to the alternatives. You have not said much about what you and your kids like or might like to try, but one great thing about Provence is the Roman antiquities. You could for instance stop at the Pont du Gard on your way from LaGrasse. I am seeing an outdoor theme in some of your ideas (Camargue, Cassis). Perhaps you'd consider consolidating your Provence time in the SW of France. Collioure is a pretty beach town (no calanques though) and you can explore the Pyreneean foothills and the Haut Corbieres in Querebus and Peyrepertuse. I'm just throwing things out; you can google these attractions if you do not know of them and decide for yourself. This might work if there is an airport (Carcassone perhaps, or Toulouse) with flights to Dublin or Girona.