Gabriella

My husband and I and another couple will be heading from the Lakes region of Italy to the French Riviera and spending three nights. I would like to see more of France instead of the resort seen. Any suggestions? Can we do this on route to the Riviera or should we take day trips from the Riviera(Nice)? We will have a car. <BR> <BR>Any suggestions would be helpful? Hotels? <BR> <BR>Thanks...Gabriella

Mariana

Dear Gabriella, <BR> <BR>From your message it was not clear whether you're going from the lakes region to the Riviera or viceversa. However, we did the same trip several years ago and it was wonderful. I suggest from the lakes (Lago di Como, Lago di Garda, etc) down to Genoa, continue along the road to San Remo which is a very well-known seaside resort. By the way, did you know that Alfred Nobel had a summer house there? Continue to Ventimiglia (not much to see) and cross the border into France. There you have Monaco, which is a "must" and all small villages along the coast till you reach Nice. Antibes is a wonderful tiny village which was made famous by Cocteau. Once in Nice go to Grasse as well, the world capital of the perfume industry. If you can, try to get a Michelin guide which will help you to discover wonderful restaurantes. <BR>Good luck! Mariana <BR>

Martha

Gabriella-- Coming from Lake Como, we went through Aosta, Italy, took the Mont Blanc tunnel, then drove down through the French Alps. Chamonix-Megeve-Albertville-Grenoble (or its bypass.) Then, to the Cote d'Azur, it would be Gap-Sistron-Grasse-Nice. If you don't mind the driving, this is an alternative which will let you see a variety of French landscapes. Martha

Gabriella

Thanks Marianna and Martha. It sounds like I have too options. Where did you spend the night,in one place? How much driving time do we need for either route? <BR> <BR>Gabriella

Martha

Gabriella-- Driving from Cannobio, on Lake Como, we spent the next night in a tiny town South of Grenoble. I'm not recommending it-- it was pretty basic for the first night in a new country. It should give you some idea of distances, though. Better choices might be Annecy, which is very pretty, or Megeve, which is a ski area with excellent hotels. From there, I think it's just one day to the Cote d'Azur. (We were heading toward the South West, so didn't do the drive through Gap and Sisteron on that trip.) One point to keep in mind is that the French toll roads are much, much faster than the ordinary surface roads; the speed limit on the tollways is 130 kph (80 mph). On surface roads it's 90kph (55mph) with lots of slowdowns going through towns. You might actually make better time if you take the longer, toll route through Valence and Aix-en-Provence, and skip Gap, Sisteron, and Grasse. Of course, you'll see a lot more on the smaller highways. Either way, it should be a fun trip. Martha

Michael Murphy

Gabriella, <BR>If you decide to take Martha's advice and travel to Haute-Savioe region (Anncey, Megeve, etc.) my SO's sister runs an Inn just outside Megeve. If you want further details you can email me direct. Here is a website with pics/info: <BR>http://www.franceguideprestige.com/ <BR>choose the Alpes link and if the links work properly, you will get a good idea of scenery, things to do, etc. As the site's name indicates "prestige" the hotels listed are tres expensive! But rest assured you can get less expensive accommodations. <BR>HTH, <BR>MJ Murphy <BR>

FTP

I am doing research for a similar trip. How far a drive is it from the Lake region to San Remo. I'm thinking of returning the car in Italy and contionuing by train to Nice. Thank you.

bobthenavigator

Where in the Lakes--that can vary by 100 miles or more. Try viamichelin.com

FTP

Possibly Lago Orta. Thank you.