Any advice on plotting this trip; it's our honeymoon and I would like to see and stay in places outside the cities Paris, Reine-Falls, Switzerland and then Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome. The only thing I've done so far is reserve the car...please help. Also, is there soccer in Italy in October?

Adam, <BR>Take a look at the following websites. They'll give you some ideas and you can do some initial plotting and mapping <BR>www.euroshell.com <BR>www.cwlease.com

The absolute smartest thing I did last year when we went to France, was to get a bed & breakfast book from the book store. We stayed in 5 and really, the only one we didn't like was the one we got lost looking for. (even it was nicer than a hotel) We stayed in a small castle in Vouvray (outside of Tours). It was an amazing experience. (and usually they are the same price, if not cheaper than hotels. Oh yeah, and the hosts give great tourist advice!

Adam, <BR>If you were planning to take the Mt. Blanc tunnel, check to see if it will be open when you travel - last I heard it was still closed from terrible fire early this year. <BR>Swiss (CH) require a toll sticker to drive on Autobahns. If your rental doesn't have one, police may fine you. <BR>Speed traps - made to look like construction zones - abound near St. Gothard tunnel (into Italy). Got caught for 20Km over limit and a 140CHF fine was levied on the spot, but he didn't fine me for missing toll sticker on our German rental.

Adam: Great route! Hope you will have enough time to do your trip, there is so much to see along the way. And - YES - there is soccer in Italy in October, it will be early in the champioship, so you might be able to get tickets. <BR> <BR>The sticker ("Vignette") for the Swiss Autobahn will cost you 40 Swiss Francs (around $26.50). In my opinion, the rental agency should provide one, if you tell them you are going to Switzerland. <BR> <BR>Michael: These are NOT speed traps, these are construction zones on one of Europe's most busy highways. The speed limits are enforced to protcet the construction workers.

Adam, I have to give you my opinion on <BR>this to optimize your trip. I would not <BR>drive from Paris but would train to Nice <BR>to getthe car. I would then spend some <BR>time on the Cote d'Azur, perhaps Menton, <BR>and then hit 3 more destinations as you <BR>drive to Rome. Forget Milan, go to Lake <BR>Como for 2 nites then down to the coast <BR>near the Cinque Terre and then to your <BR>choice of locations in Tuscany-somewhere <BR>outside of Florence. I have planned this itinerary dozens of times and can <BR>assure you that this is the best of the <BR>romantic locations in Italy. Contact me <BR>directly if you want details.