12 days in South of France Itinerary

Best known as a fortified town, Carcassonne is a walled city that provided the inspiration for the castle in Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" and the location for many scenes in Kevin Costner's movie "Robin Hood." For a daily dose of excitement, medieval jousting tournaments are held twice per day between the two walls--while this may sound like a typical touristy show, it's actually an entertaining display of combative competition and horsemanship.

Get in touch with nature at Grotte de Clamouse and Grotte de Limousis. Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Les Halles de Narbonne and Le Salin de Gruissan. There's still lots to do: steep yourself in history at Cité de Carcassonne, snap pictures at Le Pont Vieux (The Old Bridge), take in the architecture and atmosphere at Eglise Saint-Nazaire, and explore the historical opulence of Chateau Comtal.

To find where to stay, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Carcassonne planner.

San Francisco, USA to Carcassonne is an approximately 18.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 9 hours traveling from San Francisco to Carcassonne. Traveling from San Francisco in August, expect nights in Carcassonne to be about the same, around 62°F, while days are somewhat warmer, around 83°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Wed) so you can go by car to Le Lavandou.

Le Lavandou is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Plage de Saint-Clair and Grande Plage du Lavandou. Escape the urban bustle at Plage de Cabasson and Plage de Cavaliere. There's much more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Plage de L'Argentiere, stroll through Plage d'Aiguebelle, look for gifts at Daskalides Chocolatier, and see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

For other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Le Lavandou route planner.

You can drive from Carcassonne to Le Lavandou in 4.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of train and taxi. In August in Le Lavandou, expect temperatures between 83°F during the day and 65°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sat) to allow time to travel to Calvi.

Calvi is a commune in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica.It is the seat of the Canton of Calvi, which contains Calvi and one other commune, Lumio. On the 23rd (Sun), enjoy the sand and surf at Aregno Beach, then head outdoors with Plage de Ghjunchitu, then enjoy the sand and surf at Plage de Bodri, and finally get outside with Plage de Lozari. Here are some ideas for day two: get outside with Vallée du Fango, identify plant and animal life at Nature Reserve of Scandola, then don't miss a visit to Les Calanche Cliffs, and finally go for a stroll along the water at Galeria Marina.

For reviews, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Calvi trip planner.

You can do a combination of ferry and flight from Le Lavandou to Calvi in 8 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. In August, daytime highs in Calvi are 85°F, while nighttime lows are 67°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Ajaccio.

With a dreamy location on the west coast of the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, Ajaccio is a mecca of seaside summer tourism.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Tue): head outdoors with Canyoning Corse and then take a memorable tour with Tours.

For reviews, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, read Ajaccio day trip planner.

Traveling by car from Calvi to Ajaccio takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. In August, daytime highs in Ajaccio are 83°F, while nighttime lows are 64°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) early enough to drive to Bonifacio.

At the southernmost tip of the island of Corsica, Bonifacio is a city with chalk-white limestone outcrops sculpted into unusual shapes by the ocean.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Wed): stroll the grounds of Cimetiere Marin de Bonifacio, make a trip to Escalier du Roi d'Aragon (King Aragon Steps), then explore the fascinating underground world of Grottes de Bonifacio, then kick back and relax at La Tonnara Beach, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Plage De Roccapina. Here are some ideas for day two: see Off-Road Tours and then kick back and relax at Plage du Petit Sperone.

To see ratings, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Bonifacio road trip tool.

Getting from Ajaccio to Bonifacio by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. While traveling from Ajaccio, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Bonifacio, ranging from highs of 89°F to lows of 61°F. On the 27th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.