I don’t think you have enough time to really see what you are coming such a long way to see. Is there any way you can pick up a couple more days? Will you be traveling alone? There is a great B& B in Ypres (Ieper) that I would highly recommend. But first, where is your starting point? Texas? Are you flying into Paris? When are you planning this trip?
I am in France now and will pull out my maps to try to give you some ideas tomorrow. Am at a friend’s house now so don’t have things handy.
Don’t worry if you don’t speak French. There is always someone who speaks English...and if not, the French are wonderful at understanding sign language. France has excellent roads although in some places in the country they may be more narrow than we are used to. French laws are very similar to ours so driving is no problem as it is in England. I always rent a car and drive. Much less expensive in the long run and you’ll get to see so much more. Tours are much more expensive and you’re on a set schedule. Works for some, but nor for me. You’ll need an absolute minimum of two days in Normandy and two minimum in Ypres...Menin road, Passchendaele, Zonnebeke, Poelkapelle,Tyne Cot Cemetery, Holl 60, etc. on to Reims, Chemin des Dames, etc. etc. etc. to Verdun with so much to see and the road called the Voie Sacre to Bar-le-Duc..... And you’ll be passing not that far from Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood but not enough time.........
Thiepval, Courcelette (first use of tanks, Guillemont.....)Is there a particular reason you favor these battlesites?
There is just SO Much to see.
I can get maybe 1 extra day on the ground, have to play it by ear.
I will be coming from Houston, I am still looking into whether to fly into Amsterdam or Paris.
The trip will be in September of 17, Early I know, but I am not a spur of the moment person when it comes to travelling.
At the moment it is just me, but the potential for a second is there.
I haven’t really thought about renting a car, I have been told by others that it is expensive. As for the people in the region, I have been told as long as you stay out of Paris, the people are very nice.
As for the places I want to see and why, I have been reading about that area and the amount of VCs won in that relatively small area, I think I would be interesting to see what the area looked like to try a get an idea of how tough that area was on the soldiers on both sides.
Plus the Ulsterman did some good work in the area.