What is the norm in France/Italy for bathrooms - i.e., shower or just a tub? I see some hotels specifically mention bath and WC in rooms but only a shower in a few rooms. These same hotels are getting good write-ups so I assume this isn't a knock and perhaps Europeans take more baths than showers? I also see very few queen or king size beds mentioned. I guess my husband and I will learn to be cozy sleepers and bath takers for a few weeks!

We have been to France and Italy several times. Our hotels are always 3 or 4 star. We have always had a tub with a shower although the showers can be a bit tricky at first. They are always hand held so you have to learn how to point them so you don't get water all over the floor. Usually we adjust after one time. <BR> Almost all the hotels have twin beds, pushed together. On our last trip to Paris in May we had a standard double bed. This was a first for us in Europe. Not so good when we're used to a queen at home. But this is vacation - you adapt. <BR>Enjoy your trip.

Everything you wanted to know about European Bathrooms: <BR>Usually hotels with 3 or fewer star have a shower in the bath. (My recent experience.) In Italy there were lots of tiny stall shower units and no bath tub. In Paris, tubs with a hand-held shower and sometimes a shower curtain. <BR>In both countries, if there is a cord in the shower/bath, it is NOT a convenient line for hanging hand-laundry, or a switch for an exhaust fan, but an alarm in case you've fallen and need assistance. Vacation sex in the afternoon can be SUPER. The bidet is there so you don't need to take a bath/shower. (Unless it was REALLY SUPER EXTRAORDINARY)

There is no "norm" in France or Italy for bathtub vs. shower. <BR> <BR>Bathtubs are more common than stall showers, and preferred by most Europeans I believe. They often/almost always have a spray head on a flexible hose, usually with no curtain or surround. Use requires a certain set of learned skills to avoid swamping the bathroom. Although, it is not uncommon to find a drain in the center of bathroom floors. <BR> <BR>Showers in more or less the form most Americans would recognize, whether separate stall or integral to tub, are becoming more common. More and more have curtains or partial or full enclosure. <BR> <BR>Rooms with shower only are not uncommon though normally found in lower-priced properties, or smallish, relatively inexpensive rooms. <BR> <BR>But there are few generalizations that can really be safely made. We've stayed in many, usually luxe, grand old hotels built in the 20s or 30s who catered, even then, to some degree to Americans and they have showers as a part of the tub that are quite like those you would have found at a similar time in American luxe hotels. <BR> <BR>If the question of shower or tub, and type, is particularly important to you it is best to ask the hotel directly. <BR> <BR>There must be the makings of a book here somewhere! <BR> <BR>twenj

Ed, you gave me my daily chuckle. Thanks. There seem to be books about everything else, why not one on bathrooms in Europe. Heck, they can do a whole chapter on the different types of flushing mechanisms you are apt to find! Another on the uses of the bidet (both proper and those which the designers never thought of. Another on the proper way to use a hand-held shower without getting water all over the floor (and the TP role). How about one on what to do if you don't have a washcloth? How do you dry yourself with those little dish towels? What countries to make sure you take your own TP. Lastly, the best place to find public "loos". This sounds like a great idea--now, if somebody has the capability to run with it. How about you, Kavey? You write well. Rex? Not pedantic enough of a subject? Could be a moneymaker!

Linda: <BR>Good, sometimes even very nice public restrooms are usually in department stores. But you've got to find them... <BR>when you need them. That's the problem. <BR> <BR>Some hotels have nice ones too. Just walk in as if you would stay there. Try the Peninsula or the Regent in Hongkong. <BR> <BR>PS: In Paris, there is a very nice one, next to the lingerie department at "Le Bon Marché" dept. store, and it's only for women! ;-) <BR>.. and I think there is one out for Paris.

Hi When we go to the front desk, we ask for a wc and a shower in the room. we prefer showers, at times these rooms are less expensive than those with a bath. You might also ask for a room with 2 beds, they are the same price and the hotel will usually show it to you, anyway. Look at any room before you register. <BR>enjoy <BR>alan

Except in Switzerland where we don't bother with how many start just facilities (all a clean and pretty well ok) we stay in 3 star hotels. <BR>Things have changed greatly in the past 10 years. Most hotels have renovated. Bathrooms are modern even by North American standards. Most hotels have at least showers. <BR>On our last 2 trips (Paris, Riviera, Venice, Florence, Berne, Brig, Lucerne, Lugano, Sorrento, not in that order) all even had a hair dryer. <BR>