Correct Sicula. What about the other three places? Huitres, are you there?

Ok, O'Reilly (aka Ger)...I figured these all out last night, not sure if these are correct:

Dijon
Burgundy
Cadouin

Thanks to Sicula for the cacti answer. If I am right, can I give the clue?

Cadouin is correct, but I had two other places in mind for places 1 and 2.

Another clue: all four places are in the same region.

Ok, got it now for places 1 and 2:

Domme
Dordogne

Well done Huitres!!!! Over to you.

regards Ger

These conquering peoples (8 letters), Germanic in origin, eventually gave their name to this area in this country (area=8 letters, country=5 letters), with their capital in this city (old city name=5 letters). 5th letter in both area and city names is an "A".

Their last ruler (10 letters, 6th letter is "E&quot, formerly the Duke of (7 letters, 4th letter is "S&quot, had a famous son-in-law (11 letters) that eventually took over the rule of the peoples and region; thereafter leaving a very famous mark on history.

Lombards
Lombardy
Italy
current name Pavia (ancient Roman name=Ticinum, then called Papia, then Pavia)
Desiderius, formerly duke of Brescia
Charlemagne

Ger also knew these.

You got it! Your turn cmt.

topping for cmt

Yk: Would you please take my turn? I just came back from knee surgery this a.m., and I want to go to sleep and might not feel like checking Fodors that much. Might, or might not, but it would be better not to have to wait for me.

cmt - I hope you'll have a speedy recovery!

This painting (2 words: 2,9) by (artist: 7) is thought to be a painting of the artist's lover/mistress. He painted it right before he died. Interesting, he died on his birthday.

"a" from Italy is the 2nd letter of the artist's name.

I've not searched yet, but I want to scream Picasso.

It's a guess though.

I need to come back to it.

Oh, I didn't see the letter hint.

I guess I need to think about this one.

Raphael

La Fornarina

that's right, Ger

Wow. Don't wait too long to give us a clue now, Ger.

Guys: I am running for a flight (weekend in Naples, Pompei etc) and next week in UK on business.

Give me about 24 hours - OK Otherwise, maybe Carol is well enough to jump in ahead of me.

Hope you are well Carol.

regards Ger

Ger: Ah, so this upcoming weekend is your Naples weekend! Have a great trip and do tell us how it went when you return! Regards..

This Frenchman who dug Egyptians had a museum named after him a few years ago.

the Frenchman's name: given name has 4-8 letters (3rd letter of first part is the "a" from La), surname has 5 letters (2nd is the "o" from Fornarina)

the location of the museum: 7 letters (penultimate is the "r" from Fornarina)

Topping for new and old players.