Hi fellow travelers, I wish I was in southern France today.

[yy4me]

Warm, sunny, fresh fruit and veggies in the outdoor markets. Its 22 degrees here after 55 degrees yesterday. The roads are slick with ice so I will stay home and read DU. I need a break from politics. Can we all daydream together? Where would you like to be? An outdoor cafe in Aix-en-Provence would suit me just fine!

[babylonsister]

1. Is it that warm in the south of France this time of year? Oooh,

Calgon, take me away!
We're off to MX in a couple of weeks, providing we can get a seat (DH works for an airline so we always have to fly standby; sometimes we make it, sometimes we don't. It's not always easy to plan around that, but I'm not complaining 'cause the price is right.;) ).

[jannyk]

2. I dunno about

Aix for heat at the moment - though I'd take it anytime, any weather.

We were in Antibes and the Luberon in November 2 years ago and it was heavy sweater weather nearly every day. In fact we sent all the beach towels, shorts and tees etc., home with my daughter - we never even opened that suitcase. I'd still go back in a flash - no matter what the weather.

[yy4me]

3. I really don't know the temp in Aix today

but I can dream that it is about 70 and I'm sitting at an outdoor cafe drinking some wine and watching the crowds walk by. I've never traveled in winter so I can't really relate to the weather in January but I'm imagining its better than our current 17 degrees . My better half and I are fond of visiting historic sights, trucking around castles, ruins, museums etc. It would never occur to me to go to Europe in winter except in my minds eye. My guidebooks are out and I'm hoping to put together enough $$$ to go somewhere this May. Maybe back to Germany, the people are great. Perhaps to Italy? (I'm scared to death of language problems.) I've tried to pick up basic words but for some reason, this old brain won't retain Italian. I'll go anywhere in Europe as long as I don't need to take anything heavier than a light jacket. Viva the conversion to the €. Sure has made travel easier.

[MasonJar]

4. Please let me know what it is like in Aix because there is a

Cezanne festival all year in France. I believe the festival is in Aix in June, which is when we want to go to Provence. Also are to cave paintings in Provence? Is it close to the Frnch or Italian Riveras?

[yy4me]

5. Hi MasonJar, I'll let you know tonight about

the city but I have to run off to work now. Its a great place and June would be perfect. Talk later, yy4me

[yy4me]

6. Aix-en-Provence

Hi MasonJar, I hope you have occasion to go to Provence. My husband and I went 2 years ago and had a great time. The weather was wonderful in May, we were able to walk everywhere in the cities and with our rental car, went to most of the surrounding sights such as Pont du Gard, the town of Les Baux, a few wineries etc. We took the TGV train from Paris and rented a car in Arles. Went a very roundabout route from Arles, to Avignon then to Aix. If you do a search on Fodors.com under aix-en-provence, there is a pretty good itinerary. We chose our own points of interest. In Aix, we walked to Atelier Cézanne. The studio is a fair walk uphill from the town of Aix but it is a pleasant walk with much to see. The main street of Aix is very stately but most of the charm is in the small neighborhood side streets. There are many small hotels, Chambres, and other places to stay. We never had reservations anywhere and never had a problem. If you go during a special celebration, you should probably reserve something. To find rooms, Rick Steves has some good low $$ recommendations, Frommers is mid-level, Fodors seems to recommend more pricey spots. All rooms in France are inspected and have to meet certain standards. A one star hotel can be just as nice as a 3 star but have no elevator or perhaps no TV. I have never had a bad room in France. Provence is a great region with happy, amiable people. You, I'm sure, will do your research so you won't miss anything. I'd love to go back but that is for another time. All of France is great and the people have always been nice to us. We have been to France 3 times and never found it to be anti-American. We are seniors and try to blend in, speak a little French and do not behave in any manner that will cause them to be upset with us. The local trains in Provence can get you from place to place if you do not choose to rent a car. All 3 towns are worth seeing but so are Orange, Nimes and countless spots in the area. Do go if you can, you'll have great fun and Cézannes studio is fascinating. Van Gogh did a lot of his work in this region too, as well as several other Impressionists. Enjoy, planning is as much fun as going.

[radwriter0555]

7. Um not today!!! It was 42 degrees, rain, fog thick as pea soup and

some wind.

Tonight, it's below freezing, but the rain has stopped. Tomorrow should be a nice day but it won't get above 52!

T'wasn't fit for man nor beast today!