I also experienced the "no walls" shower in Florence last winter. Just a drain in the floor and a shower head in the corner of the bathroom. The real design flaw with this was that the toilet paper got the overspray. Yuk! Wet toilet paper. The travel lesson: always make sure your TP is protected.

I like to travel to Paris in winter, and I always request a room with a bathtub. When I get to Paris, I buy a cheap bottle of cleaner (because I'm grossed out by the thought of sitting in a bathtub I haven't disinfected myself.) I also either bring or buy some bubble bath, and then I have a lovely hot bath to soak in after walking miles all day. Add a glass of wine (in a plastic cup for safety), some pate or cheese, and a few candles for a true romantic French experience right in your hotel room! C'est la vie!

The very best shower we ever had in France was at the Domaine des Hauts de Loire, where we arrived late without a booking and were given a fabulous room in the Sologne wing. The bathroom was huge, with a marble tub that must have been a good 8 feet long. But the star was the enclosed marble shower: it has no less than 8 jets at different hights. Heaven after a long day in the cat.

in the CAT ?

Peter
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