scott

Having trouble making up my mind between Provence and northern Italy -- thinking about trying to do both. I have awhile to plan. Wondering what the best way is to get from Provence to the Italian Lakes. I don't really want to try to make my husband drive along the French Riviera coast. Is there a better way? I keep reading about highways that are covered in tunnels-- that doesn't sound too great either. How convenient is the train? If I were to try to drive over from the northern portion of Provence, is it extremely mountainous?

Dot

I've had a similar question. If one did this, is there any problem turning in the French car rental in Italy?

xxx

ttt

Rex

Although I have mentioned the numerous tunnels on several occasions here on this forum, I wouldn't want to dissuade you from making this trip all that strongly. The tunnels are primarily in the stretch between Nice and Genoa (annd on beyond Genoa if you were headed to Pisa, for example - - but you're not).<BR><BR>And to got from Provence (for example, Arles) to Nice, you just follow the autoroute du Soleil which is not really coastal - - the terrain looks a lot like Utah or Arizona. It does come near the coast around Nice/Monaco - - but it's a superhighway - - more like driving in LA than Big Sur.<BR><BR>The train would certainly be a valid option also - - and would avoid the (higly likely) drop charge of returning a French car in Italy. You could go as short a distance as to San Remo - - or on to Milan.<BR><BR>I would still recommend having a car at the lakes - - though not absolutely necessary.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Rex

Whoops - - typo in my email address.<BR>

Wayne

Scott--<BR>This could be a simple financial tradeoff: Turn in a French car in France and take a train to Italy where you rent an Italian car to do the lakes, versus driving a French car to Italy and suffering the drop-off charge. I think the drop-off charge will be in the vicinity of $100-$125, but all you have to do is ask the car rental company to find out. On the other hand, I just drove the route along the coast from Provence to Italy last summer and actually enjoyed it. The tunnels, as Rex said, aren't all that bad. And some of the scenery is really nice. You will have that drop-off charge, though, to compare versus a train ticket, if you want to make it a purely financial consideration. Either way, your plan is great and you should go ahead and enjoy Provence and the lakes while you have the opportunity.

Scott

Thanks all. Beginning to sound like the train is the best option. Can one take the train from Avignon or Aix, or would we need to drive to Nice to catch it? Or would it be faster to backtrack to Lyon?

Rex

&lt;&lt;need to drive to Nice to catch it&gt;&gt; - - well, no, not necessary - - but you might like to do that anyway. I suppose you will have to change in Nice if you start in Provence - - but that's no big deal.<BR>

Kay

I have driven some of this route and it is not difficult. I couldn't get a direct train connection between Avignon or Aix and Milan. The best you can do is through Lyon to or from Milan by train and it takes as much time as driving. After reviewing this, I decided to drive again.