[Idyllchat] advice

[Jerry Clancy]

Linda,

You've gotten some good advice in the previous 
posts. Here are some observations, having been to 
France a lot and Ireland twice.

As for Ireland, driving is a must. Driving 
between cities is easy (though many back roads 
can be quite narrow), as is driving in most 
cities, Cork and Dublin being the exceptions. For 
the latter city just get a B&B in town, park the 
car and use the excellent public transport there. 
The countryside offers outstanding pastoral 
views, quaint towns and very friendly people. I 
have visited most of the Republic and have some 
written notes. Write back if you'd like me to send you them.

A Paris Untour would also be great, as the city 
has very good public transport and there are so 
many things to do and see that you'd never run 
out of them. Plus the food is wonderful. You 
could day-trip just using the Métro and take in 
the sites in a leisurely manner with more minimal walking.

If you like pastoral views and a bunch of great 
cities and towns (Dublin, Galway, Ennis, Kinsale, 
Dingle, Kilkenny), then I'd go with Ireland. On 
the other hand, if you love visiting museums, 
churches, gardens, etc, and great food, then Paris is the way to fly.

You could also do part of France via car, e.g., 
the Loire and Normandy with, of course, some time 
in Paris (park the car and leave it for that 
period -- driving in Paris is not for the weak of heart).

Hope this helps.

Jerry

At 10:52 AM 7/12/2007, linda wrote:

>I have just retired and my husband and I are 
>hoping to take a trip this fall.  Please share 
>your expertise and advice--we are thinking of 
>France or Ireland but are open to other suggestions.
>We would like to avoid driving ( at least in 
>crowded cities) and yet have good access to 
>areas of interest via public transport, on site 
>tours, etc. We are not hikers and can only walk 
>for limited amounts of time. Have great mental 
>energy-just not as much physical agility, but 
>our general health is good. Would love to hear 
>of any ideas, suggestions, insights you may be willing to share.
>Take Care,
>Linda