I will be in Nice for 6 weeks and Paris for 1 week. (May/June 2009) Afternoon's and Sunday's free to myself. What kind of side trips may I make with my free time and see/enjoy the best of Italy, France,Europe...etc.;
P.S. I would LOVE to moonlight in a 'Chocolatier or Patisserie"

With only afternoons and Sundays to travel, you won't get very far, but there is a lot to see and do within the possible reach, like if you can get away Sat. after lunch.

You need to get a good sense of the geography, the distances, and the limitations and options that the mountains north of Nice present - then you can start using the train websites and even the budget airline websites to explore your options, so here they are:

For distances and maps (even if you don't plan on driving):
Google maps, and www.viamichelin.com

For trains in France: www.voyages-sncf.fr
For trains in nearby Italy: www.ferroviedellostato.it
For trains in and around Switzerland: www.rail.ch

For budget airlines:
www.whichbudget.com
www.skyscanner.net

Hi L,

I suggest the Michelin Green Guides to Provence, to Languedoc Roussillon Tarn Gorges, and to Italy.

Enjoy your stay.

Being a little "Green" in the travel genre (it's been 20 years)
What are the Green Guides?


TTT

Hi Laurel,

The Michelin Green Guides give information on sights and star them according to their importance or beauty. They do not include hotel or restaurant information or pricing.

BTW - you do not have to add TTT to top your post - simply replying to a post will bring it to the top.