AboutTerry Casey Expertise Most experienced for Paris, Loire Valley, Provence, Dordogne, Alsace, Burgundy, Normandy and Reims/Champagne Country. Terry likes helping travelers get trip "flow and pacing" right so your adventure is neither . . . a bore, NOR a blur! Make sure your timing works, fitting your interests, tastes, personal experiences and needs. Terry has planned and done great trips to the Baltics, Russia, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Ireland, England, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, Turkey and Switzerland, plus South America and Cuba. Did wonderful April, 2007, week in Paris, summer 2008 southern England trip, etc. Has visited twenty different countries in Europe.
Experience There is much post 9-11-2001 worry about travel to Europe, but all reports and experiences say things are fine, with proper care and planning. From wide travels in many parts of Europe in 2005- 2008, my personal experiences are that things are good there and reasonably behaving Americans are treated well. See, enjoy the world and experience its great diversity! I have visited 20 countries in Europe and know that there's lots there to see and do.
PROVIDE KEY BACKGROUND INFORMATION with QUESTION: To help me answer your questions better, please provide some info on your past France/Europe travel experiences, ages, general budget range, personal travel style/interests, number in your party, what you most want to enjoy and see, etc.
Question Thanks for all previous answers which have been of immense help.
My spouse and I will fly into Barcelona on Aug 11 and will stay there for 2 days then we will hire a car and drive to Provence and back by Aug 26.
We tend to like things "off the beaten path" but also want to see the greatest stuff there.
Based on recommendations we were thinking of going through Figueres then cross into France and camp near Collioure. Then head a little inland to Foix and Carcasonne. From there back down to coast and get to Nice/Monaco.
Are there specific areas that you would recommend particularly less touristy (Aug is tough I know). As well as any great campsites that aren't RV parks?
Thanks! Mark
Answer Hi . . . Mark!
Assuming you have seen other posting that I have done on Provence, you should have a good mix of options to consider. Have you seen those previous details and postings that I have done?
So much depends on your exact personal needs and interests on what fits your tastes for food, architecture, history, countrysides, etc.
I have not done camping in this area, so I can offer those types of suggestions in that area.
Have you checked for OUTSIDE PARIS/FARM ACCOMMODATIONS OPTIONS:
www.gites-de-france.fr
You might check LOCAL TOURIST OFFICES:
In each town and for many of the better villages, they will have a local tourism office. You can use Google.com to search for that tourism office. As example in the cute and historic town of Chinon (west of Tours in the Loire), you can do this Google search with these key words: "Chinon tourist office France" and it will yield this result for their local office: http://tourisme.chinon.com/indexgb.php
Go to that site (or for whichever town you are seeking) and then you can contact them (probably by e-mail) for the dates you are seek, type of accommodations, etc. Some will have detailed info on the options there, etc., including the potential to ask them about camping potentials and suggestions.
Off of the path and less touristy is a challenging trade-off. Many things are less popular because, over time, people have discovered that these options are only "average" or OK. Most of the great to super great attractions are known and much more visited. If things are too far off of the "beaten path", it might be hard to reach and would involving wasting much time to get there and back.
Ask around where you are visiting. OR, many times you will get lucky and just stumble across things that fit your personal interests and fancy.
Does this start to help a little? What are your reactions and needs for added information? Be happy to provide additional info and answer other questions after learning more from you. Be sure to complete the evaluation section so that our "bosses" on this volunteer service know we are working hard to make inquiring minds as happy as possible. ENJOY! Merci Beaucoup!
