Other highlights of the Languedoc-Roussillon region include spotting vultures swooping high above the Gorge de la Jonte in the Parc National de Cevennes, where you can also follow Robert Louis Stephenson's donkey trek hoofsteps.
En route to Paris, pit-stop at Lyon, the Rhone Valley's gastronomic heart, dining at timeless checked-tableclothed bouchons (small bistros). Squeeze back into your car and drive to Burgundy to soak up Dijon's medieval history and fine wines along the Cote d'Or's Route des Grands Crus.
Driving in Paris is nerve-racking. Expensive parking and militant traffic wardens will have you ditching the car and travelling in and around on the Metro.
Eliminate backtracking
My partner and I plan to take three days in Los Angeles, three days in Istanbul, including a day-trip to Gallipoli, 10 days in Israel, with a day-trip to Petra, three days in New Orleans, two days in Buffalo to see Niagara Falls, on to Las Vegas for two days, three days in LA, then back to Auckland. We are on a limited budget and don't plan to hire vehicles. Who would you use fly with and how would you book accommodation?
- Dennis Henderson
A round-the-world ticket would allow you visit all of these places without backtracking across the Atlantic. With a few modifications to your ambitious itinerary you'll have enough time at each destination to really enjoy them.
We'd suggest staying in LA longer at the beginning or end of your trip, rather than splitting your visit to it in half.
From Istanbul, the Gallipoli peninsula is a five-hour bus ride. To do these destinations justice in three days is unrealistic so we'd set aside at least four. Similarly, a tour to Petra from Eilat in Israel is best done over a minimum of two days. Shaving off some of your time in Israel will let you do this comfortably.
To reach Niagara Falls, fly to New York or Toronto and catch a train or bus. See the falls from the Canadian side as it is blessed with a superior view. It's also a more pleasant place to stay.
Enjoy the Cajun cuisine, hot jazz and Mardi Gras of New Orleans then go to Las Vegas for a blast along The Strip, before heading straight to LA to connect with your flight home.
The US cities you mention are well served by public transport, which is cheaper than using tour operators.
You can also save money by searching for accommodation deals online at hotels.com, hotwire.com, and bargain flights at metasites such as kayak.com, hipmunk.com and mobissimo.com.
WIN A LONELY PLANET GUIDEBOOK
Email your questions to travel.info@lonelyplanet.com and they'll be answered by Lonely Planet's experts.
In addition, the best question each week will earn a Lonely Planet guidebook. Add your postal address and the guidebook you'd like (see lonelyplanet.com).
Not all questions are answered and Lonely Planet cannot correspond directly with readers.
