A Foodie's Road Trip From Carcassonne to Zadar: A Culinary Adventure with Outlet Shopping Stops

  • Day 1: Carcassonne to Montpellier via Nîmes
    2 hours (149km) from Carcassonne

    Start the day in Carcassone at La Table de Franck Putelat for a Michelin-starred lunch. Drive to Nîmes and stop by Les Halles de Nîmes to try some Mediterranean delicacies. Do some shopping at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Provence before ending the day in Montpellier at Le Jardin des Sens for a 3-Michelin-starred dinner.

  • Day 2: Montpellier to Aix-en-Provence via Marseille
    3 hours (237km) from Montpellier

    Start the day with a visit to Marché des Capucins in Marseille for some fresh seafood. Stop by the Musée du Savon de Marseille to learn about the local soap-making tradition. Drive to Aix-en-Provence and visit Le Petit Nice for a Michelin-starred Mediterranean lunch. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city before ending it with a sunset view from the top of Mont Sainte-Victoire.

  • Day 3: Aix-en-Provence to Zadar via Split
    8 hours (801km) from Aix-en-Provence

    Start the day by driving to Split and visit the Diocletian's Palace and Split Market for some local delicacies. Drive to Zadar and stop by The Garden Food Bar for delicious vegetarian and vegan options. End the day with a seafood extravaganza at the award-winning Foša restaurant.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • La Table de Franck Putelat (2 hours, €100-€200)
  • Les Halles de Nîmes (1 hour, €20-€50)
  • McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Provence (2-3 hours, varies)
  • Le Jardin des Sens (2-3 hours, €100-€200)
  • Marché des Capucins (1-2 hours, €30-€60)
  • Musée du Savon de Marseille (1 hour, €5-€10)
  • Le Petit Nice (2-3 hours, €80-€120)
  • Diocletian's Palace (2 hours, €10-€20)
  • Split Market (1-2 hours, €20-€50)
  • The Garden Food Bar (1-2 hours, €10-€20)
  • Foša restaurant (2-3 hours, €80-€120)
  • Total Estimated Costs: €475-€1060

Transportation

A rental car is the best option for this road trip. The total cost of renting a car for three days can range from €80-€150, depending on the vehicle type and rental company. It is recommended to book in advance, especially during peak season. Gas expenses can range from €100-€180. The total travel time without stops is around 13 hours.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, add a stop in Avignon to try the local specialties and visit the Popes Palace. Another option is to extend the trip and spend more time in Split to explore its beautiful beaches and historical landmarks. If you have less time, you can skip Nîmes and just drive to Montpellier, spending more time to explore the city and its surroundings.

Airports

The nearest airport to Carcassonne is Carcassonne Airport (CCF), which is 3km from the city center. The nearest airport to Zadar is Zadar Airport (ZAD), which is 8km from the city center.

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