sfmaster

OK My mind is racing and I am addicted to this website but have sooooo many other things going on that I have to stop thinking about all the options and just make some simple choices!!

My husband and I have chance to steal away (From San Francisco) for 6 nights without our small children (4 and 2). This is a first (besides a couple of 1 night aways). My husband isn't driven by a need to travel and a nice resort in Hawaii would be his style. But I can't pass up the chance to get in a little bit of Europe even though time is short. He is ultimately happy with anything and is excited for chance to make me happy.

I have traveled to France, Italy, England several times 15 years ago (basic places not too off the beaten path) and 3 years ago to Florence/Tuscany with extended family and kid.

I can get FF tickets (the kind where you pay extra miles to get any available seat) to anywhere UNITED flies. I am flexible when but it needs to be July.

I am thinking France or Italy because easy to travel to (not churning through our 6 days with extra travel). I want a very "grown up" holiday of long relaxing meals, wine with lunch , Some art and architecture, coffee, piazzas. Maybe some sun and water too. I speak a little Italian, a little Spanish, a few phrases of french. I am slightly more "Italian oriented" food, culture, but also haven't been to France in long long time and it feels like someplace I would be less inclined to bring the kids anytime soon.

I would rather avoid driving - especially in cities (we have driven in Italy when had whole family but it can be stressful). I don't mind going back to places I have been because it has been so long, husband hasn't seen and this will be different (grown up vs. teenager, no kids etc). I don't want to return to Florence though on this trip.

We are willing to spend some money.

So I am thinking a Paris for 2-3 days, somewhere more quiet with pool/water for 2-3 days (Aix??) (how to minimize travel time, avoid driving???)
OR
Rome 2-3 days, Spoleto, Orvieto???? (Not sure I want the heat of Rome in July)

I don't know where Dubrovnik fits in - but I keep thinking about it?

We are also leaving jobs, moving cities, finding new house, selling house and planning as separate trip a 3+ family vacation so what I really need to do is just plan something that I can feel relaxed and good about and not need a ton more planning to pull off.

OK - sorry for the long post but I have been reading the boards and trying to answer the questions that people have when they respond. I don't want to frustrate Rex - but rather tap expertise

Thanks for ANY thoughts!!

sfmaster

I guess one more part of this quesion is........is it too late to plan this trip!!!

Reading up more this morning I question whether we can find anything for July especially in south.

ira

Hi SF,

For a 6 day getaway I suggest Venice or the Amalfi Coast and just stay put except for what you can do for a daytrip.

sfmaster

Love the idea of Amalfi coast - maybe staying one place vs. 2 and I don't know if I would be happy with only major urban area. BUT feel like Amalfi is harder to get to and while I worry about crowds in July I guess it is just as crazy as south of france and paris.

Anyone with vote for Amalfi can tell me about ease of getting there?

mamc

I suggest either Paris or Venice with side trips from the one you choose. The Amalfi Coast is great but a little far to go with only six days.

Pausanias

While Italy is my favorite destination, I wouldn't want to visit during July, August and early September.

Paris sounds nice for a few days -- for the others, instead of the south, how about northwest France? Mont St Michel, small Norman villages, good food and drink. You would have to drive a bit but it is not long distance or difficult.

ira

Hi sf,

>Anyone with vote for Amalfi can tell me about ease of getting there?<

I assume that you are leaving from the US.

Fly to Naples. Take the Bus from the airport to Sorrento.
See http://www.curreriviaggi.it/

Take the SITA bus to wherever you are staying if it isn't in Sorrento.

Alternatively, hire a private driver to take you from the airport to your hotel. About 90E.

>While Italy is my favorite destination, I wouldn't want to visit during July, August and early September. <

That's peak season for the AC.

Jessee

I like Paris and love Italy, but I can't say enough good things about Dubrovnik. My boyfriend and I spent a week last July traveling through Bosnia/Croatia, and we spent the last few nights in Dubrovnik. This is the most beautiful city I've ever seen. It's got history, gorgeous buildings, beautiful water. The food was very good (similar to the Italian coast, lots of seafood), and the language barrier wasn't really a problem. If you go in July/August, there's a summer festival going on with all sorts of concerts, etc. There's only one luxury hotel within the city walls (Pucic Palace), but if you can afford it, it's fantastic. It was an amazingly relaxing couple of days.

Pausanias

"That's peak season for the AC."

Yes, I know. Another good reason to skip it. I prefer late September, early October.