Trip Overview
The main portion of this trip is an 8-day hiking adventure via
Spanish Steps in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France (starting in Carcassonne, green/#3 pin on the map).
During the segment before the hiking, we had planned to drive from Milan to Chamonix through the Mount Blanc tunnel but after booking our flight, we discovered the hefty surcharge ($1000+) for returning the car in another country. Trains are a longer journey because they cannot go through the tunnel, and the option of going up and over the French Alps by Gondola faded away. We decided to save Chamonix for #nexttrip and keep to the south route heading into Provence for a couple of days.
Then we arrive in Carcassonne the day before our hiking trip so we have time to explore.
After our hiking adventure, we plan to work our way toward Barcelona, perhaps by train over the Pyrenees or perhaps coastal. That part of the trip is being actively planned. I very much want to go to Figueres, Roses, Begur and too many other places.
Day 1 – Arrive in Milan
Late evening arrival, sleeping near the airport.
Day 2 – Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, France
Leave Milan by train to Chambery, then rent a car and drive to a farm stay north of Grenoble. We are staying in what was an old barn, typical of the agricultural building of Chartreuse. Bed and Breakfast “Chant de l’Eau” located in the mountains, Sappey in Chartreuse, 15 minutes from Grenoble. Home on the farm, animals: sheep, poultry, rabbits, bees, horses, vegetable gardens and orchard, organic or local products.
Day 3 & 4 – Avignon, France
Two days exploring the western part of Provence.We will be staying in an apartment in a 19th century building, in the pedestrian area of the old town. View on the Popes’ Palace, the roofs of the old city and le Mont Ventoux.
Day 5 – Carcassonne, France
In Carcassonne, we will be staying in an apartment 5 minutes walk from the Medieval City and 10 minutes from downtown.
Day 6 – 12 – Languedoc and Cathar country
Tiny towns, villages and hamlets such as Montlaur, Ribaute, Lagrasse, Saint-Pierre-de-Champs, Villerouge-Termenès, Palairac, Maisons, Cucugnan, Rennes-le-Chateau, Montsegur, Bélesta,
Seeing abbeys, castles including the twin castles of Quéribus and Peyrepetuese
Finishing our tour in the town of Foix, we plan to train into Spain.
Day 13 Travel to Vic, Spain
Taking the train from Foix, changing at Latour-de-Carol to continue to Vic, Spain. Once there, we will be staying in a guest quarters at Seminari de Vic.
Day 14 & 15 Roses, Spain
Continuing by car through the hilltowns enroute to Figueres and to Roses for two nights.
Day 16 Barcelona, Spain
Then finally into Barcelona where will conclude our trip. In Barcelona, we will stay in a small studio close to the Picasso museum. Then we travel back to San Diego via London the following day.
