Hello -
My wife and I are heading to Bordeaux for a few days and then flying out of Carcassonne. Right now, I have booked four nights in Bordeaux and am thinking of two in Carcassonne. I know this is a little much in each possibly but our main aim is to relax, eat nice food and drink nice wines - i.e., museums and pulsating nightlife are not top priorities.
The current itenerary is:
Tuesday - arrive in Bordeaux by train in afternoon
Wednesday - take tour of Medoc (already booked)
Thursday - Arcachon for a day?
Friday - bum around Bordeaux or St. Emilion?
Saturday - train to Carcassonne
Sunday - all day in Carcassonne
Monday - fly out
I am thinking that is one too many days in each Bordeaux and Carcassonne. I am thinking of spending two nights in Toulouse in between but am worried that it is more of a "city" where we would rather see more of a charming small town, like possibly Pau, but that seems to be a little out of the way. Is there anywhere else in the area that is very convenient via train that would be worthy of a day or two?
thanks,
Jeff
I think you have too much time in Carcassone. An afternoon and evening after coming by train is sufficient.
I don't think #1 saw all there was to see. Carcassonne & region has a lot to offer ...
Too late to go into it now!
Kira
#2 - Definitely let me know if you have any specifics as I would prefer to stay in one spot rather than changing hotel rooms each night. I know about La Cite but not much else.
You could remove some of your Bordeaux days and head south towards Biarritz/Bayonne. The old city of Bayonne is nice and you can either walk a long way or take a city bus to Biarritz to check it out. (It's all one urban area with Anglet, but Anglet is residentialbeachsupermarkets).
You could then take a train towards Carcassonne, stopping in Pau.
I think Bordeaux doesn't need much time, neither does Carcassonne. It's true the region has lots to offer, but if you are travelling by train it's more difficult.
When are you thinking of coming?
If it's from now to late August, I would stay OUT of Carcassonne and do a evening trip to see La Cite. There's a lot in the region to see, short car drives with good food & wine are easily done here! However if you don't want to rent a car for a day or two, there is a great train/bus service that runs in the Haute Vallee region ... within easy reach of B&B's, restaurants & bars.
Give us some more info & I'll try to help!
Kira
We will be there in a couple of weeks - arrive in Bordeaux on May 15, leave Carcassonne on May 21 - everything in between pretty much up in the air other than the wine tour on the 16th.
Our flight out of Carcassonne is in the afternoon so we don't have to stay in the town itself if there is a nicer area to stay in near by. Looking more for a nice, charming, somewhat sleepy place to stay than things to see or do. Somewhere with a decent walk to do and maybe train access if we do want to go to La Cite for a bit.
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