BANG FOR THE BUCK ON HOTELS IN PARIS AND THE FRENCH/ITALIAN RIVIERA
 

LOOKING TO STAY IN A NICE HOTEL IN PARIS THAT IS BEAUTIFUL AND SOMEWHAT INEXPENSIVE. 2 ADULTS, 100-140$$. ALSO, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TAKING THE TRAIN FROM PARIS TO PORTOFINO, ITALY STOPPING ALONG THE WAY AND ENJOYING THE BEAUTIFUL COAST OR SHOULD WE DO THE EURAIL FRANCE/ITALY 3/2 DRIVE AND TRAIN? WE WILL BE LEAVING AROUND THE 9TH OF SEPTEMBER FOR 2 WEEKS. ANY SUGGESTIONS, WOULD BE OF SUCH GREAT HELP!!!!!!!FIRST TIME EURO..THANKS...

Quit shouting; not necessary.

I will ignore the shouting (Sam, don't use all capital letters, please) and recommend that I have much more enjoyed trips in which we only took the train. Renting a car was time-consuming and driving was a little bit stressful, while I found the time on trains to be very useful for reading, napping, picnicking etc. One woman's opinion. <BR>Now could people respond to his question and forgive him for his shouting, which we will all kindly assume was inadvertant?

I don't know what you determine as beautiful and nice in a hotel. But for the time you are planning on going, you should really start booking now. Of course that's probably why you're asking for advice. <BR><BR>One nice hotel that is inexpensive and has gotten great reviews is the Hotel des Grand Ecoles, a nice hotel that has a garden setting, but of course this is not a deluxe hotel. You can check it out here for comments and it's on the web at www.france-hotel-guide.com. But they have a schedule set up on when you can book and for Sept. the booking process started on 5/15.

We just took the train from Paris to Aix where we rented a car and drove to Cannes and took day trips to Italy and surrounding area. For us, it would have been unforgivable what we would have missed out on if we had not had a car. The drive along the coast was fabulous and if you get the chance drive up the mountain behind Monte Carlo to La Turbie, the view from the quaint little town is unforgetable. The train ride was great for seeing alot of country but you missed out on experiencing the culture, driving down tiny streets and eating at sidewalk cafes along the way.