I'm hoping the heat wave is over by the time I leave, and will monitor the weather forecast. I'll be flying to Paris and staying for 6 nights. I've been to Paris many times, but the last trip was 2015, with my husband. He doesn't want to go, so I'll be alone--which is actually my favorite way to travel! I've never lived alone, and being able to do whatever I want whenever I want for two weeks is an exhilarating feeling! So here's my itinerary, and any suggestions will be appreciated. Also, though I love the 2 weeks of alone-ness, it would be nice to have a meal with someone, so if you're around where I'll be, send me a message and perhaps we can break pain together.
9/22-9/28 Paris. I'll be in an Airbnb near the Louvre, which I may or may not visit this trip. Like many, I prefer the D'Orsay. I'll go to various museums, eat a croissant most mornings (my lodgings have a boulangerie on the first floor) and also have a tour with a Paris Greeter. I'm a Chicago Greeter and love the program. We've had Greeters in Toulouse, Berlin, and a few other cities. If you're not familiar with the program, look up Worldwide Greeters. Anyhow, a frenchwoman who speaks English is going to take me on a tour of Bercy, an area in Paris known for its wine and spirits industry.
9/28-9/30 - Besancon. I'll then go by train to Besancon, where a friend and her husband live. They've promised to take me to some cute nearby villages. Who doesn't like a cute village?
10/1-10/3 - Colmar. Then 3 days in Colmar. About 60 years ago, in my youth, I was hitchhiking through Europe with a friend, and we came upon the villages along the Route du Vin. I was totally captivated. As a child I loved fairy tales, and these towns were the living embodiments of these stories, complete with overlooking castle! I've been back a couple of times, in fact I took a walking tour of the area in 2011, right after 9/11. I haven't been since then and have been told that it's a lot more touristy, but I want one more go-through before I enter my final fairy tale. The questing is: do I rent an electric bike, take a hop-on, hop-off bus, or rent a car for the three days. And, can you rent a car if you're over 80?
10/4-10/7. Strasbourg. Finally, three days in Strasbourg. My hotel is near the train station and on the edge of the Old Town, so I guess I'll just be wandering around unless somebody has a suggestion. Finally, I'll take a fast train from Strasbourg to CDG and then home.
9/22-9/28 Paris. I'll be in an Airbnb near the Louvre, which I may or may not visit this trip. Like many, I prefer the D'Orsay. I'll go to various museums, eat a croissant most mornings (my lodgings have a boulangerie on the first floor) and also have a tour with a Paris Greeter. I'm a Chicago Greeter and love the program. We've had Greeters in Toulouse, Berlin, and a few other cities. If you're not familiar with the program, look up Worldwide Greeters. Anyhow, a frenchwoman who speaks English is going to take me on a tour of Bercy, an area in Paris known for its wine and spirits industry.
9/28-9/30 - Besancon. I'll then go by train to Besancon, where a friend and her husband live. They've promised to take me to some cute nearby villages. Who doesn't like a cute village?
10/1-10/3 - Colmar. Then 3 days in Colmar. About 60 years ago, in my youth, I was hitchhiking through Europe with a friend, and we came upon the villages along the Route du Vin. I was totally captivated. As a child I loved fairy tales, and these towns were the living embodiments of these stories, complete with overlooking castle! I've been back a couple of times, in fact I took a walking tour of the area in 2011, right after 9/11. I haven't been since then and have been told that it's a lot more touristy, but I want one more go-through before I enter my final fairy tale. The questing is: do I rent an electric bike, take a hop-on, hop-off bus, or rent a car for the three days. And, can you rent a car if you're over 80?
10/4-10/7. Strasbourg. Finally, three days in Strasbourg. My hotel is near the train station and on the edge of the Old Town, so I guess I'll just be wandering around unless somebody has a suggestion. Finally, I'll take a fast train from Strasbourg to CDG and then home.
