Is it possible to fly into Annecy from one of the USAirways destinations, such as CDG, FRA, or LGW? I can't find any inter-europe airline that flies there, but it has a airport, so some carrier must? Thank you for any help.

I got message "File not found" when I cut and pasted.

Grandmere

The only flights to Annecy are from Paris ORLY on Air France (1-2 flights a day).

Your best bet is to fly into Geneva and rent a car on the french side of the airport. Other option is to fly into Lyon and drive from there.

If you don't want to drive, Annecy can be reached by train from CDG - TGV to Lyon, then local train to Annecy, total journey time about 4.5 hours.

Hope this helps,
Andre

André has given a great/precise advice. I've never been there (nor no friends of mine from Geneva)but Annecy airport must be a tiny one.

If you arrive in Geneva, there is a bus line Geneva-Annecy though only a few departures per day.

Reg.Eveningmerchant's message :
The following is a response I posted on an Asian thread (1st poster wanted info on budget travel in Japan to which Eveningmerchant sent pretty much the same sort of message).

" Author: hike
Date: 07/08/2003, 03:04 am
Message: But, Eveningmerchant, I don't see anything about Japan on your site except for the photos of Japan which are NOT ready yet. Just trying to promote your site like you are doing on the European forum (nothing wrong with it since it is obviously not commercial) or am I missing something? "

Perhaps he should start his own thread. Again as long as it's not commecial, there is nothing wrong doing it. But for the posters who asked questions, it's a kind of disappointing to find nothing particularly relevant on his site.



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Thank you, Andre and hike!

grandmere - I can't address your question, but just wanted to add that my wife and I spent a couple days in Annecy in March on the way back to Lyon from a ski trip. I thought it was one of the most enjoyable places I've ever been (and I've been to a lot of places) and can't wait to get back.

FlyFish, I'm so glad to hear that you were there in March and found it to be such a wonderful place b/c that's when I'm thinking about going, 2004. My thoughts are that it would be a good base for a 3 generation family trip (toddler only in 3rd gen.!) that could include a bit of skiing for those who like to, others pursuits for those of us who don't. I understand that La Clusaz (closest/best ski domaine?) is about 50-60 min. away?

I know it would be lovely in spring or summer but was wondering about winter; thank for answering that. Could you write a bit more about what you did at that time of year?

grandmere - We had been skiing in Cervinia and Zermatt and decided to take a liesurely time getting back to Lyon before flying home. We came back into France through the Mont Blanc tunnel and then poked our way through the mountains on a number of back roads, actually passing right through La Clusaz at one point. I was driving and my wife was navigating, so I don't remember the exact route, but we came out to Lake Annecy on a high bluff overlooking the lake in the general vicinity of Talloires, then drove down into Annecy.

We stayed at a small hotel smack in the center of town across the canal from the old prison - I believe the name wa Palais de L'isle or something similar. Fantastic location. Annecy is a great town for just walking around - either along the lakeshore or along the canals. We were just there for one evening and ate at a nondescript restaurant - seemed as much frequented by locals as tourists - that featured raclette (as much as you wanted to eat - and we wanted to eat a lot). Fabulous.

The next day (Sunday) was market day and when we awoke the streets were filled with pushcarts selling everything you could imaging - flowers, produce, fantastic cheeses, sausage, spices, etc. We're foodies, so that pretty much occupied the morning. We eventually bought some provisions, including the obligatory bottle of wine and headed out to Chateau Montrottier and the gorge, whose name escapes me. Had a great picnic, took the tour of the chateau, which was super, and skipped the gorge because we had to get on to Lyon to catch our flight.

As I said, I can't wait to get back. My wife is a Tufts alum and they have a summer institute of sorts in Talloires, so we're looking into doing something with that.

The weather in mid-March was perfect - warm enough to stroll around in shirtsleeves during the day and cool enough for a light jacket or sweater in the evening. Have a great time - I envy you!