Travelling to Spain/France- Where to go?

[howard_the_duck]

I'm looking for some travel advice from anyone who has done any backpacking/touring in Europe, specifically Spain and France. For the majority of my stay (3 months), I will be in Spain, but I'll be travelling through France for roughly 2 weeks. I have a tentative itinerary, but am looking for the 'hidden gems' that each of these countries has to offer.

For France, I'd like to know if the French Riviera is worth my time and money or are there better, more affordable options that will bring me just as much satisfaction?

I leave in September and am looking for some last minute suggestions, anything will do.

Thanks.

[Daryei]

I haven't done Spain at all & France not much, but as with all travel in Europe, I recommend getting away from the tourist areas, and spending time where the locals live. You'll find that the food is better, the experience is richer, and the dent to the wallet is lesser.

[ernie]

After submitting my thesis my wife and I went to Spain for nearly 2 weeks. As my brain was completely fried we didn't do a whole lot of travelling. Instead, we stayed in Barcelona for 5 or 6 days. There is a bunch to do in barcelona and unless things have changed a great deal in the last 6 years the subway system gets you anywhere you want to go in short order. I don't think we ever found ourselves more than 3 blocks from a subway station. Lots of stuff to do. You can't miss the Picasso museum or La Sagrada Familia which is the life's work of Gaudi. really you can spend days walking around Barcelona just looking at the architecture. There was also an Italian restaurant on La Rambla which had the best Lasgna I've ever had. No other even remotely comes close.

For the rest of our time we went to Tarragona which was a quick train ride from Barcelona. Some good beaches but most of all it was where the Roman army spent the winter. So, what you really have is a mini Rome in some ways. Lots of ruins and a good chunk of th etown is built on the ruins. In particular there are a bunch of shops built from the walls of the circus where they have exposed these original walls. The whole city is quite something. There is also a huge ancient Aquaduct outside tarragona....I believe it was the one they used for the VW Beetle commercials when the car was reintroduced. There is also a wonderful cathedral in town.
It is pretty touristy in high season from what I understand but we went in low season. If you leave in Septmeber I think you'll be arriving right at the end of the tourist season.

[Aeneas]

Are you sticking to southern France? Troutman came back from there fairly recently, I am sure he has lots of tips. I know he liked Carcassonne, and that is close to Spain. If you are going to northern France then the Loire river area is lovely. Mont St Michael would be unforgetable! Of course Paris and area have hundreds of things to do and see. Cathedrals in Rouen, Chartres, etc. Normandy beaches, Dieppe, WW I cemetaries. I am more of a northern France guy, but I did spend a day in the French Riviera. As I only spent a very rushed time I may not be a fair guide. I found it lovely but very busy. Traffic was awful, people everywhere. Wasn't really much like Europe for me, more like a Caribean all inclusive, but nicer. If I returned to Southern France, I would be sure to go to Avignon, Pont du Gard. All I can think of off the top of my head! Enjoy.

[troutman]

J'aime la France.

NE - see Verdun for war museums - Reims region for champagne houses

Loire Valley - castles like Chambord, Blois and Chenonceau - vineyards (Sancerre)

Dordogne - see Lascaux cave paintings - home of fois gras - Sarlat

Carcassonne - restored medieval city - a bit touristy now

Rhone - Arles, Avignon

Alps - Chamonix, Grenoble

Strasbourg, Paris (Euro Disney if you have children)

[howard_the_duck]

Excellent, thanks for the tips everyone! France will be quick, like 2 weeks quick. With the suggestions and help it makes it much easier. Is Paris worth 2-3 days?

[ernie]

Just FYI the subway map for Barcelona.

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...metro-map.html

[Jagger]

My wife and I have backpacked in Europe a few times. For Spain we particually enjoyed Toledo. Barcelona is defintely worth seeing. The scenery in Southern Spain is beautiful. Consider taking a trip from Spain to Morocco, if you're brave! It's an experience that you'll never forget.

France is a favourite of mine. Paris remains my favourite "big" city. So many sights to see. You could easily spend 2 to 3 days there. I like Troutman's list too. Chamonix is a place I've visited a couple of times; it's a beautiful place. I enjoyed Monaco too, if only to see major wealth personified! Mont St. Michael is totally a must see.

Have a great time. I'm jealous, I'd love to go there again.