amy_4314

Hi,

I am planning a two week trip with my father and part of that trip must include Nice, France because we will be attending a wedding there in June. My father has been to Barcelona and Paris although I have not. We have both been to Rome, Florence and Venice. I have been to Strasburg, Saltzburg, Vienna and parts of Germany. Anyways, I am notoriously bad at planning trips. Does anyone have an idea for a two week itinerary that includes Nice, but doesn't repeat too much of what we have already visited. Any ideas would be appreciated. I think we would prefer to keep to public transport like trains and planes rather than renting a car (i don't think my dad is too keen on renting a car in a foreign country although I could perhaps convince him if necessary). I know I am not giving you a lot to work with... but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Amy

Michael

Dijon, Beaune, Annecy, Lyon, Avignon, Arles all come to mind on your way to Nice from Paris. Start in Paris, and since your father has already been there, suggest that he show you <b>his</b> Paris, assuming that he enjoyed his visit.

Underhill

Nothing in the south of France would duplicate your other trips, and there is a good deal to see around Nice that is easily acessible by public transportation. Just for starters, Nice itself is an interesting place to visit--allow at least two days for the various sights.

From Nice you can take the train and/or bus to Eze-village, the beautiful peninsula of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the picturesque village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, the perched villages of St-Paul-du-Vence and Mougins, the old town of Vence, and the lovely mountain village of Tourrettes-sur-Loup, home of many artisans.

You will be spoiled for choice.

amy_4314

Is there a good 2-week trip itinerary that could take us from Nice, France to Switzerland, keeping in mind that we have already visited Venice, Italy? I don't think we want to spend all of our two weeks in southern France, although I am sure it is beautiful.

Thanks,

Amy

Underhill

After a week in the Nice area you could go up through Grenoble and the mountains to the pleasant lake-side town of Annecy, perhaps stopping overnight once or twice along the way.

scatcat

If you haven't already booked your flights, you could fly into Zurich and spend a few days in the mountains. Then either train or fly to Nice. Have your return flight home out of Nice. Very easy airport. If you already have your flight booked into and return from Nice, the flights from NCE-ZRH are about 300€ RT on Swiss. Much higher for one way. If you haven't been to Switzerland, this might be just what you're looking for! Bernese Oberland is my favorite area. I stay in Wengen. Nice is one of my favorite places, but I would like a different scenery too.

amy_4314

Hi,

So based upon people's input, I am thinking 4 or 5 days in Nice including some day trips to Eze Village and Saint-Paul de Vence. After visiting Nice, I would like to take the train to Cinque Terre since I have heard such nice things about it. I believe the train runs from Nice to Geonoa onto La Spezia, and then direct to Cinque Terre (5 hours total). I would then plan to spend 2 days in Cinque Terre.

One thing though, is my father is afraid of heights. He is ok taking the train to places, but he would not be interested in any gondola rides and he is not much of a hiker, although he is in good shape.

Is it doable to travel from Switzerland to Cinque Terre and spend the rest of the time there? Does anyone have any itinerary suggestions?

Or is Cinque Terre too far out of the way to visit on this trip and it would be better to for us fly into Switzerland from Nice and skip Cinque Terre all together.

Recommendations?

Thanks,

Amy

scatcat

I would do one or the other, but not both. If you are set on going to Switzerland, choose a destination and fly into the nearest city. Switzerland is beautiful. But, Cinque Terre is also beautiful. Just depends on which you prefer, the mountains or the blue water and perched villages. I love both!

victoria_reynolds

Amy,

We did a trip last May that included Nice, Cinque Terre and Ticino in Switzerland. It was a fair amount of train riding, but part of that was our final leg to Paris after Nice. You will want to fly into Nice/out of Zurich or vice versa. We flew into Zurich and went directly by train to Lugano. An easy 3 hour journey. Spent 4 nights there. Beautiful but expensive. From Lugano, we traveled to Monterosso via Milan. 2 nights. At last year's exchange rate, this was a relative bargain. Then to Nice from Monterosso, changing at Genoa, Ventimiglia (I think) and (unexpectedly) Monaco. Not a huge distance on the map but not the most efficient routing, and the Italian/France train interface could be better. The journey took us at least 4-5 hours. Had 3 nights in Nice. We could have used more time to visit more of the Riviera towns. We basically had a day in Nice and a day in Monaco; it sounds like there are many other pretty French towns accessible within a 30 minute train or bus ride. Next time!