My Summer-Fall Travel Plans
Posted on 20. Apr, 2012 by Marie in Blog, Europe Travel
I knew 2012 was off to a good start, and now that we are mid-April, I know I was right to think so. With an amazing press trip in Catalonia and a few days in London in February, I was already a happy camper. The last couple of weeks have been tainted with dreadful weather, unexpected events, a blog launch, hard work, but mostly, planning. I have so many things coming up I need to add a month to my calendar!
So, what have I been busy planning? From May to November, I will be on the road most of the time, whether it’s only for a weekend getaway or weeks at the time. I admit to being a bit nervous about everything – I have never traveled that much before, I’m a bit worried for my finances and well, I’m scared I’ll get lonely on the solo stretches. It’ll be a learning experience in so many ways!
The Louvre museum in Paris
May
As you might already know, France is one of the luckiest countries in the world in term of bank holidays. And the next few weeks are quite amazing – my husband gets three 4-day weekends in a row! We decided to take advantage of every minute and plan small getaways to the Bordeaux region, Paris and Toulouse. Wines, French countryside, palaces and bistros await!
The Emerald Island
June
That month will be almost entirely dedicated to the Irish and British Isles. If you know me at all, you know how disappointed am I about these particular plans (NOT). I will be exploring Ireland with Shamrocker Tours, visiting Dover, Canterbury and Leeds Castle with Grayline, channeling my inner Happy Potter fan at the WB Studios, downing a few cider pints with friends at the pub, and spending a few days in Edinburgh and its surroundings.
Back in France for the last week to celebrate the Quebec National Day with my fellow Quebeckers expats, I will also be taking part in a press trip with Atout France in Auvergne’s Cantal department, well known for its beautiful natural setting and cheese culture.
New York City
July
Not much going in Europe for me in July – I’ll be going back home to Montreal for three weeks, working on articles for my new blog, A Montrealer Abroad, and… spending a long weekend in New York City with my best friend, courtesy of New York Habitat! I want it to be a photographic journey, as well as an exploratory one – I want to visit lesser known neighborhoods, like Williamsburg, and see what the real New York City is like outside of Midtown. I’ll even make enough time to see my favorite bands at Montreal’s Osheaga Music festival.
Mont Saint-Michel
August
Again with the French holidays… pretty much the whole country if off during August, meaning that cities will slowly empty to the profit of coastal villages. And I’m no exception! I planned a 10 day roadtrip through Normandy, exploring the D-Day beaches, Etretat cliffs, the many foodie villages and spending a whole day at Mont Saint-Michel. I might even make a daytrip to one of the Channel Islands, probably Jersey. We’ll see!
French Riviera
September
While the French Riviera is a little too hot and crowded for me in the summer months… it seems like the perfect place to be in September! My parents will be joining me in a roadtrip that will take us from Montpellier to Monaco, with stops in Toulon, Marseille, Calanques, Grasse and more. It’s my dad’s second time in Europe and I’m really excited to discover a new region with him, completely different from the last one – autumn in the Alps. Expect lots of wine tasting, turquoise sea shots and overall epicurean goodness.
Stockholm
October
That’s where I’ll be the most busy! I’ll be embarking on a 5 week train journey with Eurail.com through Scandinavia and Benelux, starting in Bergen and finishing in Bruges. On the itinerary: Norway fjords, Bergen and Stavanger, Oslo’s colorful buildings, Swedish fika overload, hipster spotting in Söldermalm, Stockholm archipelago, Malmö design, Copenhagen’s architecture, Funen Island… and then off to Benelux for some Dutch countryside cycling, windmill sightseeing, Gouda cheese tasting, beach walking in Den Haag, canal hopping in Amsterdam and architecture touring in Rotterdam.
The “best” part? I’ll be by myself for all of this. If you plan on being on either one of these places in October, let me know and we can meet up and talk all things travel!
London
November
Before returning home in Clermont-Ferrand, I will be stopping in London for a few days for World Travel Market, that I only missed by a few days last year. I will not be making the same mistake this year! And let’s be honest – adding a few days in London isn’t exactly torture to me. Going to London is like coming home.
What are your thoughts? Any destination you are especially eager to read about/see? Do you have tips and suggestions for these places?
22 Responses to “My Summer-Fall Travel Plans”
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May 14, 2012
[...] on doing.So what do I do now?I suck it up. And try to focus on the great things coming my way. The many tips I have planned all over Europe until Christmas, the few friends I have here, the possibility of a new work contract for my husband [...]
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Hi there! I'm Marie, a 20-something Canadian who moved to Europe to follow her dreams (and handsome husband). Tag along to follow my adventures through the Old Continent and get inspired to travel too!
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Robert
20. Apr, 2012
To be honest, was impressed by the picture of Stockholm, maybe because it’s the only spot I’ve never visited… A friend of mine has just invited me to join him in a trip to Stockholm. At he beginning I refused but I’m actually changing my mind.. =)
Marie
14. May, 2012
You should never refuse an invitation to Stockholm – if you do, I’ll go for you!
Alexa Meisler
20. Apr, 2012
This is an example of the perfect mix of business and pleasure. I wish I could live your life. I don’t Think I could work as hard as you though. Amazing pictures and good luck with everything!
Marie
14. May, 2012
Aww thanks Alexa! I do have a pretty good life, but I’ve worked really hard for it! Can’t wait to start traveling!
Abby
20. Apr, 2012
Sounds amazing!! I can’t wait to follow along!
Marie
14. May, 2012
Thanks Abby! One day I will make it to Vegas
The Time-Crunched Traveler (Ellen)
21. Apr, 2012
That’s so awesome that he has three four-day weekends in a row! Way to make great use of the time in France. Hope you enjoy NYC! That’s our neck of the woods! Not sure why … didn’t realize you were from A Montrealer Abroad. Really like that site! And love Montreal! Happy travels!
Marie
14. May, 2012
Can’t wait for NYC! It’s been already too long
Glad you like my other blog!
Andrea
21. Apr, 2012
Such fabulous plans! We hope to be in NYC end of June/July too but will be spending all our vacation time there. Have such a wonderful time!
Laura @Travelocafe
21. Apr, 2012
Wow. Great plan. I am already eager to read all your post from all this great places.
Jeff Titelius
22. Apr, 2012
Wow…I want to be part of every step of your fantastic journey…especially the five-week-long adventure on the rails!! I love the trains of Europe and this sounds amazing. You my friend, are going to have the time of your life and I can’t wait to read every word and see every pic of your fantastic voyage!!
Laurence
22. Apr, 2012
Sounds bloody awesome
Have fun, looking forward to reading about it!
Marie
24. Apr, 2012
Thanks! Can’t wait to start!
Julie
27. Apr, 2012
LOVE the October planning!
And all the other ones are preeeetty nice too
Marie
14. May, 2012
I bet you really can’t wait for Stockholm, uh?
Andrew
06. May, 2012
Sounds good. Drop a line if you ever come Germany ways. We are in Freiburg, just over the French border in the South West, and like visitors.
Marie
14. May, 2012
I might actually go to Germany in December for the Christmas markets, I’ll make sure to let you know
Megan
06. May, 2012
i live in oslo and should be around when you’re around scandinavia (i spend my time somewhere in between bergen and oslo). if you need tips…let me know. or if you’re looking to meet up with someone for a city tour or what not, let me know too
id love to venture around with someone!
some exciting plans coming up!!!
Marie
14. May, 2012
Sure, let’s meet up when I’m in Oslo! I’m always looking to meet up with locals
Cherina
22. Jun, 2012
Your plans for the rest of the year sound wonderful! You are doing so much. The Scandinavian rail trip will be amazing. After my trip to Iceland I am dying to see more of Scandinavia.
Marie
22. Jun, 2012
Yes I am particularly excited for the Scandinavian stretch. A bit stressed, too, but mostly excited.