3 women celebrating birthdays in March 2011-where to go in Europe?
 

Three "NJ gals" are celebrating turning 60 and want to spend a week in Europe! We are wondering about Paris or maybe some place in Italy or elsewhere. It would be the last week of March, 2011. Would you recommend renting a flat for a week? Where do we begin to find one that is good? We wouldn't mind doing our own cooking, etc. What areas are safest in Paris, or Florence, Amalfi Coast, Austria, Portugal, etc.? (Don't care about Rome.) We are active women and want to see the sights, museums, etc. We probably would not rent a car, but would take the train from the airport to the destination and then walk or take the underground. Can you help? Our budget is about $1600 including airfare (but excluding food).

That budget will challenge you. I would get an apartment for sure---and March says Lisbon or Sorrento to me. Look at apts. at www.summerinitaly.com for the AC.

www.visiting portugal.com for apartments in Lisbon.

Traveling the last week of March as oppose to the beginning of March will hit you with higher airfares due to airlines taking advantage of the spring break travelers.

Northern France, including Paris, is still cold in March unless your destinations are mostly indoors. Check historical weather readily available on the Web.

Here are some postings on March trip to AC:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...y-or-march.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...late-march.cfm

Florence (and Rome...) were good places to visit in March: just the right temperature and everything was open unlike vacation season-centric places where many hotels and restaurants don't open until April.

We are also 3 women from Florida travelling to paris for the "milestone" birthday!We rented an apartment in the Marais from ParisBestLodges for 10 days..airfare from Tampa plus apartment rental cost approx $1400pp..we booked in May..have noticed airfares are climbing..good luck in your search..we wanted an apartment to save on food costs and to have laundry facilities so we can travel light.

Forgot to add that we are also going the last week in March.

I had no idea there were so many places to search for apt rentals. Are they all reliable? I wonder?

Two friends and I are going to Paris the last week of March through Gate 1 Travel. Airfare, hotel with breakfast, trip insurance and private transfer comes to about $1600. The offer is still on their site, or was earlier this week. We don't do escorted tours, and we're not doing a multi-city. One of us is flying non-stop LA-Paris, two of us are flying from Indiana to Chicago, then non-stop to Paris and return.
The hotel is not a luxury hotel, but there are many to choose from. We've used them about 8 years and so far we've encountered no problems. We've had as few as two, as many as 7 on the trip. We are sharing one room, which some are not willing to do, but we know each other well and it works for us.
This includes no day tours or trips, which we arrange on our own. We don't generally eat very high end meals, in fact a small snack at some point followed by an early dinner (by their standards) usually works for us. We're not into dancing or partying the night away, so no big bar bills.
We've not done an apartment, but may consider it one of these days.
Our hotels must be clean, conveniently located, close to a metro, and private bath. We've been fine with every place we've used through them.
It can be done for the price you mention. I'm sure there are other travel sites or even just searching on your own for bargains can get you there for a week.
Hey, a Paris GTG would be fun!
Sigh, I want to be in Santa Fe for the big GTG right now :(
If you need more info, I can provide it via email.

Personally i would wait until May $$ be damned the weather is soooo much nicer and at least for me weather trumps dollars saved.

jillp...spent a lot of time apartment searching but settled on the Marais apartment after reading reviews in the forums..we wanted to be central and able to walk to a lot of places..our apt is small but it`s affordable..here`s a look.

www.parisbestlodge.com
It`s the bourg-tibourg apartment.Thierry was great to deal with.

happy searching

Took my Mom (she just turned 61) to Paris this past March and she LOVED it. That's my vote as Paris is great for walking, museums, seeing beautiful sights and most importantly, a cafe (or two or three) on every corner for sitting out those late March rainstorms and enjoying coffee or wine!
I recommend an apartment in the 6th arrondissment if you can find one in your price range but the Marais is also really nice. Anywhere centrally located will be good as metro is very easy to use to get around.