Fall Break Travel Ideas?

Hello,

I hope you are enjoying your time in France btw-I studied abroad there in the 2006/2007 school year and had a blast! I have been to Nice and it is really nice, however it like most French cities can be expensive, however the nice thing about going in October is that 1) there will be no crowds 2) the weather will be cool and crisp, etc. Have you invested in the SNCF student discount card? You can get that at your local SNCF boutique and that can help you save sometimes up to 70% on your train tickets. The reason why I asked is because you can take the train from Nice easily to explore other cities in the Cote d'Azur region, but you can also take the bus (I did this from Nice to Monaco/Monte Carlo). I've been told you can take a TGV from Gare du Lyon to Nice Ville that will take only 3 hours (however I haven't done this). There is a hostel that I stayed at there called Villa St. Expuery Gardens, where you can stay for about $20-$40 per person, and this hostel also has a very cheap yet good restaurant (with a real chef I might add) and bar. I've been to Marseille only to get bus tickets for a trip outside of France, however at the time (I was there in February 2007) there was a heap load of construction, a huge greve which impeded my ability to return back to aix-en-Provence and it's a horrible place to be a pedestrian in because the traffic is backed up and drivers just drive without looking out for us. However, Marseille would be a good vantage point to take a ferry into Corsica. There might be a ferry into Corsica from Nice I would check on it. Have you also thought about Nimes, Lyon, Strasbourg or Montpellier? All four of these cities have lots of history that would keep you busy for six to seven days. I know I spent 4 days in Strasbourg and didn't see everything and same thing with my trip to Lyon. Nimes has a lot of history, particularly Roman because of the famous aquaduct and I think there's a collusium there. I've had a lot of French exchange students in the US recommend Montpellier because apparently there are a lot of museums and culture. I also recommend Besancon, the capital of the Franche Comte region, which has a very famous Musee des Beaux Arts, a citadel and several other museums, cathedrals and historical landmarks that will keep you busy. Another city you could consider is Nancy in the Lorraine region-my train passed through there back in Dec. 2006 on my way to Strasbourg and I found it to be a very nice place from what I saw and Ive heard that there is a lot to see and do there. There's also a lot of museums, cathedrals, and history to be found in Dijon, the capital of Burgundy and you could also tour some of the surrounding cities in the Cote d'Or departement. I hope this helps you!

PS: I don't know anything about where you could go and try cheese-maybe Google "visiting a cheese artisnal company/farm in France." I know in Burgundy epoisse is produced there and I think it comes from a city with the same name. However I haven't been there and that's all I really know. Cheers and happy travels! Reply to this

Hey,

I'm glad that I've been able to help you, you're welcome! Yeah Villa St. Exupery is a good hostel (I've put up all my blog entries 'my first trip to Nice so please check those out if you haven't-at least you can have my experience to help you.) Yes, I will warn you that it's hard to find a really good hostel in France, and I think it's because the idea doesn't really fit with French ideas of quality. I got the impression when I was in France that when you put a category and methodology to something that is how it is meant to be done. You don't mess with tradition or with something that's good-you produce what is superior to everyone and you stick with it and just don't argue about it; well unless its politics or philosophy. So because of that, I'm assuming that's why hotels are preferred because you can provide a private, superior more individual service while a hostel is more "common" and communal, which the French aren't into informal things and I guess that's why the French have a hard time seeing what hosteling could bring to their country. Villa St. Exupery is owned by a British expat I think (I know he's from the English speaking world) and I guess that's why it's really good. However, I missed that local touch that I got from locally owned bed and breakfasty style hostels that I went to in Poland, Spain and Italy. You see, everyone apart from the owner are expats from Australia, New Zealand, UK and US-the chef is the only local but that's good you will want to eat in that restaurant-I did every night and the food was just incredible! Read my blog "Christmas in Nice" for info on the four course dinner he did for us on Christmas day-he was very talented and I will remember that meal for decades to come! You will love, love love, Strasborg during Christmas it is a must (as every French person as probably told you by now)-that Marche de Noel is the best I ever attended and you will be glad you did it (stay tuned for my blog on "New Years and 21st B-day in Strasborg because I am going to discuss the Marche de Noel and hopefully put up some pictures soon). Definitely take some time to tour Centre-Ville, it's a must there because the architecture is unique for France because it's a combo of "german" and "French" gothic, etc. Definitely see the art museums-they were among the best during my trip. read my blog entry when I publish it, all the details will be there of what I saw! Yes I had an incredible year in France-I learned so much, however I feel I only saw 1/3 of what France has to see and do! France has a rich history and very colorful and unique traditions in each region. You must spend some time outside of Paris because each province is unique-the food, the architecture the history, art, everything unique and different. There is a reason why in French they distinguish between "les Parisiens et les provincals" because each province is a little country and during the Middle Ages, well that was very true. For example, Burgundy was its own huge empire, reaching up to Modern day Belgium and to this day a Burgundian will tell you this with a smile and grin. Because of this, the region has its own distinct architecture, music, history and food that harken back to those days that you must see. The regions in Southern France-Provence, Langdoc and Cote d'Azur have had a long relationship with the regional states that later became part of unified Italy, primarily the Papal States, the Kimgdom of Naples and also the Kingdom of Milan I think. You will see this in the architecture, the dialect spoken there, provencal, the history, the art and even the food. Franche Comte, is close to Modern day Switzerland so there is a shared cuisine, gregariousness and hospitality, and also a love of watch and clock making. Alsace and Lorraine, have a long history with regions that became part of unified Germany-which still remains present once again in architecture, food, history even dialect. Every region and even city is unique and there is so much to see in each region that it would make your head spin! So yes, you must venture outside of Paris, even though Paris is wonderful and is also a must see, but you have to explore other cities and regions during your stay! I wish you the best with your travels and study abroad experience in France! If you have any questions, please feel free to message me and/ please read my blog-I'm writing it to hopefully help people like yourself. Trust me I miss France everyday I'm excited about going back! Salut and please keep in touch! Reply to this

Danielle,
Just returned from Nice this evening! Thank you SO much for the recommendation--the hostel was absolutely perfect--I had such a great time! The food + drinks were great, met people from all over, and everyone was so friendly!! The room had a beautiful view of the city and ocean....Going back to Paris was so sad, I could stay in Nice for months and be perfectly content. We sampled all kinds of food, it was so wonderful! Looking forward to checking out your blogs, thanks again for your help! Reply to this