dorkforcemom

When: May 2 - May 10, 2009
How: FF miles with AA DFW/LHR connecting with BA to ?
Who: DH & I
Where: to be determined with Fodorites help...

Please share pros & cons, experiences, logistical considerations, cultural choices, sighseeing options to help me determine which scenario to plan. After flying overnight from DFW to Heathrow, we may connect on BA to Nice, France - or - Milan, Italy with thoughts of the Lake Como area. I'm torn between the two. My husband always enjoys Italy, having previously vacationed in Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Venice, Tuscany, Milan - great memories. We love Italian food. Vacationing in France we've explored Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley, Provence.

For relaxation purposes, I'd like to base the entire week in one spot, rather than moving around. While we have been comfortable renting a car, I'm thinking of relying on public transportation, if feasible. We are budgeting $4000 for hotel - perhaps this is a factor or not.

Which area do you prefer? Ease of getting around? What plans do you make each day to make the most of your vacation in each of these 2 areas? Your pros/cons/experiences would be greatly appreciated.

bobthenavigator

Hmmm ! You know how much I love Italy and the lakes are my favorite destination.
However, those dates are a bit early for Lago Como--you could easily hit a week of cool temps and some rain. The Cote d' Azur will give you better weather and more day trip options. BTW, we plan to spend 3 weeks at the lakes next Sep/Oct.

bozama

I think you may find public transportation options will be better from Nice. Trains and buses for various daytrips.

StuDudley

We've spent 32 weeks in the South of france and about 2 weeks in the Italian Alps. We'll return to the South of France in '10 - so I guess that indicates which area we prefer.

I think there is much more to do in the the South of France - coast, cute medieval villages, large medieval cities, markets, art, Alps (obviously, the Lake District has the Alps too), canyons, better weather most of the year, good train service along the coast.

The Lakes have bored me after about 2 days there - especially if you won't have a car.

Stu Dudley

dmlove

I can't compare the two because we've never been to the Italian lake country, but we loved the South of France a couple of years ago because of its diversity (no getting bored there). We stayed in Juans les Pins. This was summer, so each day we got up, got breakfast from a little market nearby and plopped ourselves down at the pool (there were five of us) for a few hours. After a nice relaxing morning and early afternoon, and having eaten some fantastic pastries and fruit, we would force ourselves to get up, shower and dress and head off to another town - Antibes, Monaco (not a town, I know), Cannes, St. Tropez, etc. We spent one day on rented scooters traveling to Cannes and Antibes. We visited Biot and some of the other towns closer to Nice. It was just a wonderful trip, and I'd love to go back. (We did have a car).

Weadles

I prefer the south of France to the Italian lake country. There's more to do and since you won't have a car, you can use public transportation easily to many of the hilltowns and villages of Provence. Too, as Stutower pointed out, you're likely to have better weather in the south of France, as well as better food ( sorry, but the lake country didn't thrill me foodwise, or was that because we'd just come from Positano and Rome?!)

dorkforcemom

OK - so it sounds better weather-wise as starters for a southern French vacation. We love medieval villages, hilltowns, magnificent views, small museums, Provencal markets - Cote d'Azur it is!

That said, I'm rethinking the no rental car/public transportation option. If we were to stay in Nice, I'd forego a car; however, if there is a charming village with a small hotel/inn oozing luxury & character someone could recommend, I'd refocus my trip to include driving. Thoughts? Which, given the proximity of must-see venues, have you done? Is it similar to the Luberon area, where small villages are easily within driving distance for day-trips? Is the scenary a large part of the vacation experience?

StuDudley

Cute medieval villages

St Paul, Vence, Tourretes sur Loup, and Gourdon are all very close to each other - like the Luberon - and you can get there within 30-40 mins from the Negresco hotel in Nice.

Peille, Peillon, Gorbio, and St Agnes are close to each other & 30 mins from Nice.

St Tropez, Gassin, and Ramatouelle are also close to each other & about 1 1/2 hrs from Nice. If you get an early start & don't spend too much time in St Tropez - Bormes la Mimosas is about 30-40 mins from St Tropez/Gassin/Ramatouelle.

Entrevaux, Annot, Touet, and Villars sur Var are 1 hr from Nice, and also in that region are the lovely gorges of Daluis and Cains.

Cotignac, Lourges, Tourtour, and Aups are close to each ther & about 1 1/2 hrs from Nice.

There are another dozen or so cute medieval villages worth exploring in the Nice Hinterland - Sospel, Luceram, St Martin Vesubie, Saorge, Tende, Levens, l'Escarene just to name a few.

Do you have my 27 page Cote d'Azur & Provence itinerary? I think I may have sent you one awhile back. I revised it earlier this year. e-mail me at [email protected] if you want a copy. Do so soon - we leave for 3 weeks in Paris on Friday.

Stu Dudley

marthag

I loved Villefranche sur Mer, a former fishing village located between Nice and Monaco. I'm planning to return to stay a week or longer.

The Hotel Welcome is right on the bay, with beautiful views from the balconies. There are also apartments available in town for rental. The bus and rail connections from the town are excellent.