Back from France and Loved it!
 

I've been meaning to post a message about my trip to France last month, but have been too busy catching up at work and this week of out of town business. (I had posted a very brief one about the Fodorites get together at Cafe du Magots). <BR> <BR>My Mother and I had a GREAT time in Paris. We spent 8 nights there and did 3 day trips from Paris: Fontainbleau, Dijon, and Reims. Did a champagne tour in Reims and bought a beautiful tapesty in Dijon. <BR> <BR>We headed to Normandy for 3 nights and stayed in Bayeux. Went to Mont St. Michel and the D-Day beaches. We rented a car to get around in this area and it was quite easy. (Just about $100 for a 2 day car rental). <BR> <BR>Then back to Paris for one last day. We enjoyed our get together on our last night with the other Fodorites at Cafe du Magots (see http://it.uwp.edu/fowler/fodor.htm for the group photo and other photos). I plan to set up another get together for next years trip! <BR> <BR>I bought the Cheap Eats in Paris book and used it several times. Great meals, very good prices. <BR> <BR>Hotels were comfortable, clean, and in good locations: Grand Hotel des Balcons and Hotel Leveque in Paris, and Hotel D'Argouges in Bayeux. All were under $100. Leveque was the cheapest at $67/night. All came with private bathrooms. <BR> <BR>May was a good time of year to go. Hardly any rain and still on the cool side. <BR> <BR>I'm happy to respond to any questions!

Hi Monica, <BR>I have no questions, but just wanted to let you know that I found your 2 posts interesting, as I'm sure others did too. Sounds like a good time.

We did have a good time Elsa. It was neat meeting people after corresponding with them for weeks or months. It's nice to put a face to a name. And how did we all find each other at Cafe du Magots? I took a silk red rose and had it laying on the table for everyone to see. It was fun to see someone walk up and say, "Monica?" with a big smile on their face.

Hi Monica, Great to hear about you trip. I ahd posted a question yesterday which I am copying below. Please advice!! <BR> <BR>We love Europe but have yet to 'really' do France. We just <BR> love Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic but want to give France a <BR> try. We did however do Paris on our first trip but did not enjoy it - too <BR> large, disjointed (probably also because the trip was badly planned and <BR> we had already visited Rome and Veinna before we reached paris... ) <BR> <BR> The plan is that since we will reach Frankfurt (flying Lufth.), we will hire a <BR> car and drive towards Strasbourg and Freiburg (spend maybe 2 days <BR> there) and then go into Burgundy and spend about 5 days in the area <BR> driving all the way down to Nice and leave the car there. Spend 2-3 days <BR> there - Monaco etc. and then take the train to visit the Cinque Terre - <BR> spend about 3 dyas there and then take the train to Milan and fly out of <BR> there. <BR> <BR> We have 15 days in all and like to drive. We like smaller villages,quaint <BR> towns, natural beauty etc. and wine tasting is not absolute priority. <BR> <BR> What do you think of the itenerary? Please suggest what route we <BR> should follow from Burgundy to Nice and what towns we should stop at. <BR> Suggestions for charming hotels would be much appreciated. <BR> Thanks a lot!! <BR>

Thought I'd bring this up for Deepa and Monica

Thanks Amanda for bringing this back up! I haven't been on this web site for several days. <BR> <BR>Deepa, sorry to say, but I am not familiar with Burgundy to Nice. <BR> <BR>I was planning to visit the Provence area, staying in Avignon for 3 nights. We were planning to rent a car and sight see the area (Arlea, Nimes, Orange, Aix, Gordes, etc...) This area is a wonder area to visit. <BR> <BR>I hope to visit the Burgundy area in the future. <BR> <BR>We enjoyed Milan May 1998 for 2 nights. There is enough to see in 2 days. The Duomo is fabulous! Go to the roof top. Check out the famous shopping street with the expensive designer stores. Check out Pecks, the gourmet, expensive shops. <BR> <BR>If there are any other questions, such as places to visit in Paris, restaurants to eat in, let me know! <BR> <BR>Ciao!!!

Well, Deepa, I hope you love to drive, since you are heading for a lot of that business (and remember that driving in Europe is not as leisurely an activity as in the States). Anyway, if you want to spend 5 days in Burgundy, and then rush to Nice, I would recommend you just take the autoroute and stop once, say at Avignon, a beautiful and manageable town. You don't mention when you are going. If it is in summer, remember that this "corridor" (Beaune to Avignon) is the one traveled by all Northern Europe tourists driving to the Riviera, Spain or Italy. So avoid week-ends, particularly at the end of July.

Monica Please help How do you pronounce Fodors? I say Foe-doors and now people tell me that is wrong. Is it really ?

Thanks Monica and Vincent for replying and Amanda for bringing the post up. <BR> <BR>Our trip starts on the 30th of july. The plan now is to spend 2 nights in Strasbourg with a day trip to Freiburg (?), then 3 nights in Beaune with day trips to Dijon and some vineyards. Then to drive to Avignon, stay there for 3 nights and see the area and places like Arles, Orange etc.(I am assumign the places are small and just need a hours each to see), then spend 1 or 2 nights in Menton to see the Eze village, Nice area etc. and then 4 nights in Santa Margherita Ligure to visit Portofino and the cinque Terre, the last night in Milan to shop primarily and fly out. <BR> <BR>What say? Sounds doable?? Thanks for your responses! <BR>

Spellman, that's how I pronounce Fodor's. How are others pronouncing it? <BR>You could email Fodor's and ask them. <BR> <BR>Deepa, your plan sounds great! From what I have read, most places in the Provence area will be good for 1-3 hour visits. I understand that Arles has lots to see and that could be a full day of sightseeing. I had 3 days planned (arriving in Avignon the first day) and that's not enough time as there is so much to see. Wouldn't it be nice to have longer vacations? Just remember to say: "I'll come back again someday soon!" <BR> <BR>Milan is great for shopping, but I found it very expensive (for me). Do see the beautiful Duomo! and the Galleria next door. Check out Peck's(2 locations), the gourmet store. We did "take out" and ate back at the hotel. Picked up a bottle of wine and had a great picnic (it rained, so we couldn't enjoy the outdoors that day). It's 2 blocks from the Duomo, Via Spadari and Via G. Cantu. (I got this from my Rick Steves book). <BR> <BR>Have a great time!