We leave next week for the Loire to the South of France tour and I'm debating about packing a swimsuit. I hate to take up valuable space with something I may not use, but then again if there's a chance for a dip in the Mediterranean or even a nice hotel pool I might wish I had it. Any advice? Will it be too cold? Temperatures in the south are still looking pretty good...
Thanks!
Yes, pack the swimsuit, the Mediterranean is typically swimmable well into October. I'm quite sensitive to cold waters, yet my latest date "record" for a swim is Nov 11 in Marseille.
I just returned from France this week and was in Nice last week. The weather is still very nice if you want to swim.
I'm looking at your itinerary, and there's so much to do in Nice, that I'm not sure you even want to spend time swimming. Personally, I would be catching the handy bus during your free afternoon over to see the nearby Villa Ephrussi Rothschild or something along the coast. If you happen to be staying extra days in Nice, then pack it.
how much space or weight can a swimsuit add? Towels you can get there. Stick it in.
Thanks everyone! I'm leaning towards packing it. It takes up the space of a tee shirt, so that's the trade off, but I think I would enjoy a dip, especially if it's warm.
No, you don't NEED one, there are plenty of "Plage nudiste" along the French Mediterranean coast. Info here: http://fr.naturisme.france.fr/
Sorry, I couldn't resist ☺
I would say one swimsuit is not a large amount to pack, so why not?
This is not a comment on Kim, who I'm sure won't find herself reflected in this... but as I've aged my swimsuits get bigger and sturdier... and heavier. Not an automatic item into my case!
If you might go swimming, it would be best to have a swimsuit. Unless you are someone who chooses not to wear a suit when swimming. Of course you could always buy one there if needed.
Oh I'm with you Andrea! I'll be celebrating my 50th birthday on this trip, and I have been in the sturdy swimsuit zone for awhile now :) And you're right - they are heavier and take up more space than, say, a bikini which is why I am having trouble making a decision. I put mine in a ziploc and squeezed all the air out and it fits nicely in the outside pocket of my bag. Now I need to pack a scarf that is big enough to double as a coverup...
Pack a swimsuit Or a bottom and a swim shirt that can be part of your wardrobe. I’ve brought my suit along and not used it before but it packs up small (Lands End tankini).
Doing this tour next spring so looking forward to your report.
The Loire to the South of France is a very busy tour. If you leave the day after the tour then you probably won't have much time to swim. We swam in Nice but only after the tour was over. We stayed an extra couple of days. If you plan on swimming then I suggest bringing some water shoes or use cheap flip flops. The beaches in Nice are not sand. They are rock. The water was very warm when we were there at the end of September last year. Swim tops were optional.
We did this tour in May, your last hotel in Nice has a roof top pool and it's the only stop along the Mediterranean. I don't believe any other stop has one. Depending on weather you may be canoeing down the Dordogne one afternoon. Bathing suit not necessary unless you plan on falling in, but your feet may get a bit wet pulling the canoe in and out of the water.
