Dear All <BR> <BR>My husband and I are planning a trip next year in June to fly into Nice and then maybe hire a car and travel and site see the French riviera and go into the Italian riviera and stop over in Allassio in Italian Riviera and then onto Portofino and from there onto Venice to go on a boat cruise. What I would dearly like you fodorlites to give me suggestions as to route, places to see and stay and which is the best way of doing this area. Would also like to take in the Italian Lakes particularly Bellagio. We are thinking of hiring a car from Nice into Venice and then after the boat cruise to Fly back. Do you think car is beter than a train trip to stop all along the route. Any suggestions relating to scenic route, places to see and stay and also hotels and restuarants would be appreciated. We have plus minus 7 days to do this area in before we board the boat. <BR> <BR>Bob maybe you can suggest something! <BR> <BR>Many thanks

Hi Everyone <BR> <BR>Just bringing this post to the top as I would like some advise on our trip. <BR>Thanking you

OK, Rose, I'll take a stab at this. First of all, yes, I would definitely do the car rental. Not sure what time you arrive in Nice and where you are flying from. Since you said "car hire" I suspect Great Britain? I'd spend the first night in Nice, exploring the old city and having dinner at one of the woderful pizza places--I think the best one is called simply "Pizza" and is on the main street of restaurants near the old city. The next day drive first for a brief stop at Eze and then on to Monte Carlo and spend most of the day, having lunch up on top in the old city. Maybe spend that second night at Roqubrune (sorry, I'm sure I mispelled that, but I'm not taking the time to look it up), a lovely town just outside of Monte Carlo with wonderful vistas. Next day drive on down to Portofino and spend the night. For a splurge, of course, you can stay at Splendide, but I understand their new hotel down by the harbour is just as nice as the old one way up on the hill--take your pick. We stayed at a charming small hotel about two blocks back from the harbour called Eden. The little harbour there is really wonderful at night. Then I'd drive to Bellagio for two or even three nights, exploring the lake. Finally I would drive on to Venice and spend at least one night there, hopefully two--you didn't mention any time for Venice before the cruise. June should be the perfect month for this--before the hoards of July/August travelers, but really warm and pleasant weather. The seven days will go quicker than you think.

Hi Patrick <BR>Thank you for responding and giving me some information. We are thinking about staying at the Eden Hotel inPortofino, what was it like and was it very expensive. How long will it take us to drive to Bellagio from Portofino and where do you suggest we stay. How long will it take us from Bellagio to Venice? We are planing on staying for 2 nights in Venice before we board the boat. Has anyone got any suggestions as to which hotels to stay in on the French Riviera that are fairly resonable and on the coast line.

Hello Rose, Sorry to be late to chime in. Patrick has some good advice for you <BR>and I would merely add a small variation <BR>on a theme. <BR>In the Nice area, I would stay at either <BR>Villefranche or Menton--the former if you hope to explore Nice and Eze, but the latter if you only have one nite and <BR>want to see Monte Carlo. From there, drive to Santa Margherita/Portofino and <BR>stay at Hotel Jolanda for best value. <BR>The Eden is cute, but I prefer staying <BR>in SM. From there, drive to Bellagio <BR>for 2 nites. Take the route up the west side of the Lake and take the car ferry just north of Tremezzo. I prefer the <BR>Hotel Belvedere on the hill above the town, but the Du Lac is also good and <BR>right in town--parking can be a problem. <BR> <BR>That is enough---go to Venice from here <BR>and stop at Sirmione for lunch enroute. <BR>Drop the car in Mestre and enjoy Venice. Prices here are all too high, but the Pension La Calcina is hard to beat I would pray for good weather at these destinations--all the difference.

Thank you Bob for your input, I am most grateful for your good advice and also thanks to Patrick. Could you tell me how long a car journey is from Portofino to Bellagio and then from Bellagio to Venice? Is the journey very picturesque? I love Italy and cannot wait to get there again. <BR> <BR>Many thanks <BR> <BR>Rose

Rose, I'm afraid I've actually never been to Bellagio--one of those most do destinations that somehow keeps getting bumped every trip to Italy. Definitely the next time! So, I can't help you much there, but I've been copying a lot of info on Bellagio and the lakes region from this web site. Do a search and you will find lots of helpful suggestions. I still say spend the night at Portifino. It is just so magical at night walking around the little harbour when all the day trippers are gone. The Eden Hotel is sort of like an expanded bed and breakfast. It has individually decorated rooms, some a little lacking in taste, frankly, but spotlessly clean. Breakfast and drinks in the afternoon in the little garden are wonderful--all the guests compared notes when we were there and we ran into three different couples from there all over Italy on the same trip. A delightful couple run the place and they are extremely helpful. I'm also probably in the minority, but I really love Nice! Maybe because it is larger than most of the towns and so much more lively, especially at night. Just love walking the streets of the city and the old town at night. As to your question as to how scenic the drive to Bellagio might be, I have yet to see a road anywhere in Italy than wasn't picturesque.

Rose, Both trips will take about 4 hours, and the problem in both cases is <BR>Milan. Take the west loop around Milan <BR>and look for the signs for " Como" and <BR>A-9. Then exit onto S-340 and up the west side to the car ferry. <BR>On the trip to Venice, ask your hotel the best way. I have done the route thru Lecco and Bergamo, but am not current on the best route. I would break <BR>up the trip with lunch at Sirmione--at the south end of Lake Garda--or, a stop at Verona. Both legs are mostly Autostrada and not especially scenic. Be <BR>careful thru the tunnels as you go up from Genoa, and watch the terrible traffic and trucks around Milan. <BR>Good luck--you will have fun !