French or Italian riviera
 

I have reservations for Cenobio dei Dogli in Camogli in Sept. (it looks amazing) then a Best Western in SML. Would fly to Genoa (3 flights). Thinking an easier trip would be fly to Nice and do Sanremo-Menton-Monaco-nice instead. Also quite a bit cheaper unless I stay at a fancy Monte Carlo hotel. Pros? Cons? I now get very anxious about trips so want them to be places that are pretty wonderful

What are you plans in Camogli? Good base for Cinque Terre and other places but IMO the French Riviera has more easy and more varied day trips - and you can fly directly to Nice - you would not need or even want a car for those places as public transit will take you everywhere along the coasts. For lots of info on trains and buses along French Riviera check www.oui.sncf - these sites also have tons of getting around that area - BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com. Those are local trains that can just be bought at stations day of travel. Many folks are underwhelmed by Monaco.

Not the same experience. You need to go to both the French and Italian Riviera to figure out which one you prefer.

I've been to the French Riviera in 2013 but want to try different towns. Have not been to Italian side. No plans to do Cinque Terre- the only hiking I do is from the taxi into the five star hotel! Plans are swimming, scenery, Shopping or browsing, cappuccino and cornetto - just walk around. I was in Monaco but didn't make it to the Casino. Just think it would be fun to spend a night st a glam hotel and wear evening dress. That wouldn't happen on the Italian side

When I was planning my south of France trip here, it was suggested that I visit St Jean Cap Ferrat, which was pretty spectacular; we stayed there. We liked Nice (although we most enjoyed Cimiez, more than the lower or old parts of town). We went to Antibes, Villefranche, St Agnes, Eze, and thought Menton was boring.

It was a nice trip, but I prefer the Italian Riviera. Not as glamorous but you could blow it out at the Splendido in Portofino. Friends had lunch for four that was in the four figure range.

Portofino isn't in my budget - fairmont in Monte is $300 . Lots of day trips in that area. Been to Cannes, Antibes, Grasse, Nuce, St. Paul de

Just very cumbersome to get to Camogli/SML/Rapallo. 3 flights then a train. It's an exhausting trip

Your trip sounds wonderful. We have enjoyed Camogli, and Santa Margherita Ligure on two different trips. We have also done the French Riviera. Enjoy what you have planned; I know you will be happy with it. The Cenobio dei Dogli is a lovely hotel.

Camogli and Santa Margherita Ligure are wonderdul towns to visit in Liguria. We enjoyed both of our visits there. The Cenobio dei Dogli is a beautiful hotel. Relax and enjoy what you have planned.

We were in Nice the year before the horrible terrorist attack. It's a quite beautiful spot. However if you think it has nice beaches - think again. Rocks, stones. I saw people laying down on blankets but I have no idea how they did it. It doesn't have a nice sandy beach. So if you're interested in something like that, I'd reconsider.

Beaulieau-sur-Mer & St Jean Cap Ferrat are beyond spectacular, and I have been to some spectacular places.

Nice is so easy to fly in and out of.

Thin

Thin is right

Been to Nice so just there to catch plane home not spend time there, just the last evening. I do love spectacular views

Bealieu sur mer looks amazing.

Well I wouldn't want a 3 leg plane trip either (one of the reasons I get discouraged about returning to a Greek island) but what if you fly into Nice and stay a bit in that area - by all means go to Cap Ferrat, then you could train over to the Italian Riviera, stay awhile and train to either Milan or Rome, stay overnight, and head home. We had planned to do that about a year ago but then found we could get to Genoa on a two leg flight. We did splurge on a private transfer from Genoa to Rapallo - it would have been brutal to add a train transfer after the overnight flight.

I would love to do the whole coast but I cant' be away that long. I'm only comfortable for max 6 days (older cat). One day I can wander....

I did SML by flying in/out Milan and then train. Would this work for you?

There are sandy beches near Nice - Cannes of course - if beaching it is a priority then Italian Riviera probably wins out in general but IME there are many more things of varied interest in Nice and environs.

If you want to visit the Italian riviera from the area around Nice, go to Bordighera, it's lovely, with a nice beach promenade, characteristic old town and great views. There's really no need to go all the way to Camogli, which frankly I didn't like as much as I did Bordighera.

Sanremo is interesting too, with a very pleasant walking path that goes for miles between town and beach, and affords some great views.

I cancelled Cenobio dei Dogli in Camogli- it's a lovely hotel but at $279 a night a bit high for what it is. (I'll pay that and more but want more dazzle for it) I am refocusing on French side- Menton, Beaulieu sur mer and the nearby towns. This may be my retirement trip so might wait a year. I'd also like to go in winter for the Lemon Festival but a separate trip

I found Monaco a bit of dump, though the covered market was pleasant enough for a small market town just about anywhere.