Location: People >> CS For All Ages >> 50s+ Travellers >> April 2013 France Meet UpLogin for full access to Couchsurfing Groups. Not a member yet? Join our community!
Planning efforts
Hi there,
Today I began planning a trip to Europe, guess when ... April/March 2013 as I have some mileage to spend.
My initial thoughts were to arrive at Amsterdam and visit this and some cities in Belgium and in the Rhine Valley.
But then I saw the notice of this meeting in Dordogne.
I am still not sure if i am going to meet you, but I already began investigating the idea, as I am addicted to trip planning.
Then I will lay down some info I already gathered. I would not go to Dordogne just for the meeting but also to visit the region around.
I already discovered that from Paris train is cheaper to Brive-la-Gaillarde than to Perigueux. And if someone is going to rent a car it is also cheaper to take it in Brive than in Perigueux.
Also, as I travel alone and it seems only coples and single women are coming, I'd rather stay in an auberge de jeunesse that happens to be in Brive.
It seems that there are a number of attractions in the Dordogne valley and Brive appears to be a better place to have as base to visit those attractions. Among them there are Montauban, Rocamadour, Lascaux. And from there one could complete the tour with Toulouse and Bordeaux.
Well, I'm telling this for maybe other people planning to stay longer in the region could use it or contribute or correct my informations. Or join me in this trip.
Cheers from Rio
Roger
Roger,
Thank you for the information that you posted. It is good to have someone like you who is addicted to trip planning as part of this group. It can get overwhelming to some of us (me!).
Becky
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
Well Susan, as long you have lived in the area you could inform us on where are the best places to visit - the highlights in the region. My research is actually virtual, based on the few data I find over the Internet and an old Fodor's guide I have...
In the Istanbul meeting we had a regular weekend with events but then there were poeple who stood more time in Turkey and I think it can happen also here.
Roger
Becky,
What I hope most is to attract people who know the region to add real information, for the research on the area is revealing scarce. But I'll try my best.
Roger
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This is a big step for me...going so far away from home alone.
Is there anyone that is planning to do CSing (or cheap stays) through other parts of France and/or Europe? If I'm going all that way then I want to make it worthwhile and see and do as much as I can. I am quite a newbie to all of this and to be quite frank, "scared as hell!"
Scared as hell???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NecK4MwOfeI
Being scared is part of the fun! LOL!!!
But seriously, if you want the most bang for your buck, I suggest you join with me and Cindy (if we DO actually go!) and start in Iceland. We're hammering out the details now. Might have a CS host, but even if not, I know my way around there and we can get something affordable for us. It's a nice transition, too, re: jet lag. What could be nicer than soaking in hot water and resting up for a day or so before tackling Paris?
Cherie
I am looking at stopping in Iceland as well! Perhaps we should talk! I am also not 100% sure I can make it but I will try my best. I should know in about a month if I can make it.
Do you want to come down to Seattle and fly out of here?
We board around 4PM, we arrive non-stop 10PM: Iceland time 6AM!
Go to the hotel, sleep, spa, eat.
Heaven.
Cherie
Yes I could leave from Seattle. I could either drive down or take the ferry. Have you booked your flight yet? Can you send me details so I can try to book the same flight. How long will you be in Iceland?
Do you have Skype? Perhaps we should talk there. Or you can come visit me in Victoria for a few days. :)
There's plenty of time.
No, I haven't booked any flights yet.
Here's the latest from Icelandair:
http://book.icelandair.is/plnext/icelandairFPC/Override.action?__utma=136169198.1725450205.1357522682.1357522682.1357522682.1&__utmb=136169198.2.10.1357522682&__utmc=136169198&__utmx=-&__utmz=136169198.1357522682.1.1.utmgclid=CNP1q4iK1bQCFRCCQgodEkoA6w|utmccn=(not%20set)|utmcmd=(not%20set)|utmctr=icelandair&__utmv=-&__utmk=265923919
Glad to hear we can travel together!
Wonderful.
I'm waiting to hear about the other 2-3 in our travel group (pod), going from North America via Iceland to Europe.
It's such a great way to do it. We'll get an extra adventure before we get to France. And oh what fun it is there: all day spa and massage, glacier trekking, horseback riding, volcano touring!
Of course the cheap yet comfortable air travel is a plus.
When you get on board they have chilled bottled water and the new issue of the Morgunblaðið (the daily news paper). Wonderful.
Cherie
The link you sent only gets me the following message: Error 400--Bad Request
From RFC 2068 Hypertext Transfer Protocol -- HTTP/1.1:
10.4.1 400 Bad Request
The request could not be understood by the server due to malformed syntax. The client SHOULD NOT repeat the request without modifications.
Could we try again please.
It works well for me. I've just tried.
Please other people give feedback on that for there's nothing I can do.
I've found this thread googling for: Brive bus Sarlat
Jo, I hope you weren't dérangée by my comments...
If I stay in Brive, could you give me a lift to St Pardoux d'Ans daily? ;) Ça serait seulement en cas spécial parce que je pense en louer une voiture pour balader dans la région.
BTW je parle un peu de Français et probablement aussi des autres que seront au meeting, donc ton copain aura plus d'ambiance entre nous et serait certainement bienvenue.
Salut de Rio,
Roger
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
For ideas of things to do, this is the information we have on our website (from when we used to rent the house):
http://www.thegadds.me.uk/dordogne/daysout.php
Hi. Do you happen to have room at your house for one more person (me)? Thanks for all the info...
Cindy
This post has been removed by the user.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
@Marion,
Where is the house you rented? In Bordeaux?
You talk of hostels but the only one I've found in the region was in Brive-la-Gaillarde. There's another near Limoges that seems interesting but very far from the meeting, but could be an option for later.
I may stay 3 weeks on my trip and could perhaps make a round trip including Périgueux, Brive, Rocamadour, Montauban, Toulouse and Bordeaux, but perhaps this is too much.
So many options I fear at the end not going and maintaining my initial idea of the Rhine trip...
Forgive me if I am so dispersive.
@Jo
What do you think of my idea of staying in Brive? Will it be difficult to go to St Pardoux d'Ans each day as for the traffic? Do you think I can find chambres d'hôte for a single person nearer there? It seems to me Brive a good place to arrive but I'm still not sure if it would make a good place to stay.
Thanks for the attention,
Roger
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
I have found a thread discussing the region that is very interesting and settles the case for (not) Brive*, but also has good indications on what to do in the region, and even about bycicling.
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/dordogne---brive---a-good-base-without-a-car.cfm
* However I remember seeing lower rentals in Brive than in Périgueux.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
Marion,
I have around 3 weeks for my trip, and I think the region deserves a lot of time. I like slow travel, my last trip was to Russia and I spent all my 20 days in S. Petersburg for I thought I wouldn't had time to go to Moscow.
But I plan to include Bordeaux and Toulouse, perhaps Limoges in the trip.
I've found some interesting hostels around each of which in a region that would deserve some days to visit the surroundings.
I am most interested in medieval History and Art, and also in Nature so I think there would not be a shortage of things to do.
We may do some travelling together if we find common interests in certain places.
Roger
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
Update of me and Cindy:
We just got off the phone and have put this together:
Fly to and meet up in Reykjavik April 20th.
Fly together to Paris April 22nd.
Stay in Paris until April 25th: we'd like to get together with any others, so if you're going to be in Paris April 22nd-25th, please let's all connect.
Take the TGV to Angouleme/Perigueux April 25th.
After the get together in Saint Pardoux d'An, Cindy and I might be parting ways since she might want to do some exploring on her own.
Is anyone going back to Paris on or around the 29th? I don't want to travel alone back to Paris.
Cherie
Hello Chery,
i just booked the ticket to Paris aariving Apri 21th and was plannining to go Dorogne April 25th. May we can meet in Paris?
Cherie and I will be in Paris from April 22 until the 25th, so let's get a party-before-the-party going in Paris!
Anyone have ideas on places to stay in Paris?
Cindy
This is getting fun...
Sounds great.
Do you have your lodging yet?
Cindy and I are looking for a place to stay.
Cherie
That was @ Galina.
Cherie
Cherie,
I have the place in Paris. I will stay by my CS-friend Pierrette. I was two years ago by her.
Galina
Try again..CS is so screwed up I can't respond to posts most of the time!
Here I try again:
It looks like Cindy and I (and maybe Carina from Iceland) will be staying at "Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel": wonderful location, excellent amenities, and easy on the wallet.
Can we meet up there?
Cherie
I would like to tour the Bordeaux area and perhaps some of the other interesting sites in that corner of France. Most likely I will not get back to this area again and so I want to make the most of this opportunity. I am thinking of staying for perhaps another 1.5 weeks.
With so many postings and re-postings, I am wondering if we could create some sort of list as to those that have already fulfilled their accommodation needs, those that are still looking to either share or find accommodations, those that are looking for car share, and those that might want to venture further out after the meetup.
If anyone want to PM me please feel free to do so.
Becky
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
Alfrieda
I would be happy to share expenses etc but I am not able to arrive until 27th.
Anne
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
Check out the link to the spreadsheet -- it's a great way to see who's doing what!
My plans up to now, for the records:
April 21: arrive in Toulouse
April 25: get a car and go to Cahors to spend the night
April 26: go to the meeting region (undefined yet)
April 30: go to Cadouin to visit rhe Dordogne Valley, staying in a 12th century monastery hostel
May 4: go to Cahors or near to visit the Lot region
May 6: return to Toulouse, return car, day trips by train
May 13-20: Amsterdam
If it should interest someone there are still beds available at the hostel in Cadouin in that period, they even have a female dorm. And I will be riding the region and can take up to 3 more persons.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
Lascaux is not to far fromour house, Sarlat is less than an hour (we often go to Sarlat to the market and for lunch).
I have added a list of possible visits to the spreadsheet which includes Lascaux.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
Marion,
At this time I am interested in seeing other areas of France, perhaps south of Sarlat, similar to what Roger Rio is planning.
I might even be persuaded to visit another country say like Turkey, but I think many of you have already been there. But perhaps not to Turkey along the Mediterranean. My son says Fethiye,Turkey is very nice, along with just about any area along that coastline. That will be my next trip I guess. Hopefully I will meet some nice people on this trip that might want to take that trip also.
Becky
Becky,
I've been to Fethiye to take the so called Blue Cruise, a wonderful cruise in a small boat for 3 days to Olympus, a wonderful place. From there I went to Antalya and Capadoccia.
I recommend. If you want details I can give you.
Roger
Hi Becky
Are you still looking for someone to share your accommodation? If so, I would be happy to pay for a week - I arrive on Saturday 27th and return to the UK on 2nd May. I don't drive unfortunately so am also looking for someone to give me a lift and share car expenses.
I am really looking forward to meeting up with fellow members. It's getting very exciting.
Anne
Since a few of you attended similar get togethers such as this before could you give us newbie travelers some tips as to what to bring and what to leave at home.
Times have changed since last I was in Europe. At that time my biggest concern was clothing and if I could fit ALL those shoes into the luggage. This time around my first thought was, "OMG, can I really survive being electronically disconnected for two weeks!"
Aside from that, any advice will be appreciated.
These are attractions in the Perigord Noir, that is, in the Dordogne Valley - which I took from travelogues and would seek to visit:
- Domme – we loved the village and its spectacular location over the Dordogne (other said: a soulless, sold-out tourist trap with a nice view )
- La Roque de Gageac. OK, one street village spectacularly positioned beneath the cliffs by river. Not sure why it supposedly is a ‘regular winner of France’s prettiest village contest’ http://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/en/la-roque-gageac 34 km
- Castelnaud and the stunning views across the valley from the castle battlements. Castelnaud castle (Museum of War in Middle Age), Milandes castle, The gardens of Lacoste castle, The Museum of Périgord Nut. http://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/fr/castelnaud-la-chapelle-0
- Beynac. This was a more substantial village on river.
- Monpazier. Beautiful bastide with superb arcaded central square, place des Cornieres. It seems to have survived so well as an intact bastide and the beautiful countryside starts from just outside the walls. (seria bom ficar uns dias)
- Grotte de Lascaux II. 40 minute Visit in English at 1150. Had first coffee of day from an out of the way machine. Fabulous visit.
- St Leon de Vezere – The Rough Guide describes this place as ‘by far the most attractive village along the whole Vézere valley’. It is indeed a beautiful village, very small, on the banks of the Vezére.
- La Couvertoirade, which is an almost perfectly preserved Knights Templar fortified village or bastide. This was our second visit to this fabulous place.
- La Roque de St Christophe. It is really fascinating. A whole village on the side of a cliff. And the views are marvellous.Also in the area : Les Jardins d'Eyrignac http://www.eyrignac.co.uk/ Les Jardins de Marqueyssac www.marqueyssac.com
Roger
Roger,
Thank you for doing all this research. I definitely want to see the places you have found. Especially the ones that had links...they are gorgeous. I may decide to spend more time after the meetup, as you are doing, in the Sarlat area. When I have time I will further research the others that you mentioned. If you find anything else please pass along. I'm looking forward to this entire adventure.
Becky
Becky,
I am consulting some paper guides, and discovering lots more interesting places. I fear having to shorten my presence at the meeting in order to optimize my trip... lol
I will keep you and the rest informed. The problem is that I am much interested in History and Art so there are other attractions for me than landscapes.
Roger
Roger,
I too am interested in art and history, but to a point. There are only so many churches and museums that one can see before they all start looking the same or you begin seeing the same things. The furniture may be a little different, or the weapons or clothing, but after a while if you visit too many historical places that are too similar, they all lose their meaning. I"m hoping to see the towns and villages that are built into the side of a cliff or over looking a river or valley. I want to walk those streets, peek into the churches, the historical buildings, the backyards of those that reside there. I want to watch the children play and see how different life is for them as compared to that in the big technological city that I'm from. Life is an art and the living of that life is history in the making. So I will see both.
Becky
I agree with you except that my interest in museum hasn't faded at all. I still may spend hours in any museum or historical building/landscape with great interest. I gather that I may not be a good travel fellow. Mind that I don't bring my wife to this kind of travel.
Roger
I've been looking for bibliography on the region and found this book http://goo.gl/3toZ8 that can be read in part and in particular has a bibliography in the last pages.
The book is about getting a house in the Dordogne and travelling around there. For you in US it may be easy to acquire one.
Roger
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
I am making a map of attractions in the region that may be of interest of others:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=212893128526816186992.0004d2901ee75e082eeb2&msa=0&ll=44.22552,1.543579&spn=2.286965,5.410767
Of course it would be very difficult to cover all this. Choices have to be made.
Roger
PS Ain't CS groups getting strange? Isn't it the time to set up an alternative means of communication, like a google group?
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
Susan,
Perhaps you can compile a list also of the highlights that you think would be interesting to this group since you have probably been to this area before. Jo Scott would be another one that could help us also. If places overlap on your lists then those might be the ones we should consider. I actually like SHEEP!
Becky
Go 49ers!!!
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
About the groups: more than one has complained that sometimes they cannot access the groups from time to time, and yesterday that happened to me, the groups weren't showing in my main page. I could only reach them via a link received in the emails.
I beleive that at least near the event we should have an alternative for communication independent from CS.
About Martel: I've heard of a train ride, seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxG55hDZpI4
More details here: http://www.trainduhautquercy.info/start/cfthqf.html
I still don't know how to set colours in the Google MyMaps in to qualify the locations, as Guide Michelin does, for one must set which ones are essential while others may be abandoned.
Cheers!
Roger et al,
I contacted CS yesterday and enquired about the change. Previously I was able to see "my groups" in the drop down menu next to my small circle picture at the top right. Now it's not there. I was told that to access my groups I needed to choose "Classic Dashboard" and my groups will be seen there.
Becky
Go 49ers
Thanks Becky,,
Your tip worked yesterday, but not today. But going to my profile I can see the groups I belong to.
Cheers.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvdTJBRjkp4&feature=fvwp&NR=1
Rick Steves has posted videos on the Dordogne area. This is just one of them and I definitely want to go here.
Too much to see, so little time.
Becky
Go 49ers
This post has been removed by the user.
I've upgraded my map and divided it in regions.
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=212893128526816186992.0004d2901ee75e082eeb2&msa=0&ll=44.878255,1.146698&spn=0.565381,1.352692
I added comments to some places. The stars are taken from a Michelin Guide Vert. It is an old one but most of the places haven't moved.
I'll be consulting other guides.
Cheers, Roger
I have posted this elsewhere but here it is again:
http://www.thegadds.me.uk/dordogne/daysout.php
The area where we spend most time is the centre left region (Hautefort to Sarlat). With the exception of Brantome / Bordeilles, this is the area that most of the visit are focussed on.
Good news for those of us women who will be traveling to Paris: as of today it's legal for us to wear pants!
http://news.discovery.com/human/life/french-women-can-now-wear-pants-130204.htm
Cherie
Yipee!!!, I was sweating bullets since
i don't even own a dress or skirt!
This member has chosen to allow only Couchsurfing members to see their group posts. To see this full converstion, sign up or log in.
Hey folks: It's Becky's (Rebecca M) birthday today!
Happy Birthday!
After the meet up, I'll be traveling back on my own to Paris on the 30th, via the TGV, then will spend a night at a hotel at CDG airport, before flying out to Iceland on May 1st.
Is anyone else going that way to Paris on those dates?
Cherie
|
from San Jose, United States (Permalink)
from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Permalink)
