We will have four nights in Paris in late June with our two sons: 10 & 16 years of age. Any suggestions on where to stay & what to do? Also need information on getting from Nice to Rome. Is the train best? How do I get information about transportation options from France to Italy? Many thanks for your help.

<BR>Dear Ms Legan,<BR><BR>With the e-mail copy of this message I am attaching a compilation I started two years ago of notes by correspondents on Fodors forum of things their children had enjoyed. And if you would like to tell us the elder boy s tastes and interests, and what history he is to study next semester, I may have specific suggestions.<BR><BR>The reference library of a city near you may have the Thomas Cook European Timetable. Table 90 shows trains from Nice to Rome. The through train runs by night from Nice at 2035 to Rome at 0657. You can take two 2-berth sleeper compartments, with second class tickets. Berth included, the fare per adult will be about170 euros and per child about 110 euros. You can board from about 2010. I'm attaching to my e-mail, also, a note on getting the best from sleepers in Europe. You need to plan an evening in Nice, with supper, but you save a hotel bill. I wonder about a final swim. The site http://www.worldclimate.com/cgi-bin/grid.pl?gr=N43E007 says the average temperature in Nice in late June is 71 Fahrenheit and 22 Celsius, and water stores daytime heat. You will also need to persuade the boys to sleep, not to watch the Riviera roll by.<BR><BR>By day it is a long run, with a change.<BR>Nice 0755, Ventimiglia 0840 to 0925, buffet car train, Rome 1657 <BR>Or Nice 1002, buffet car train, Genoa for lunch 1306 to 1430, buffet car train, Rome 1957<BR>All three connections are probably also on http://www.sncf.com/ -- you click on the Union flag for English.<BR><BR>I am afraid I am no help on planes. A bus would be rough.<BR><BR>I look forward to hearing about the elder boy s tastes, and to further questions.<BR><BR>Welcome to Europe<BR><BR>Ben Haines, London<BR><BR><BR>

We stayed at the Home Plazza Bastille with our 2 kids '99. They have a "family room" with a queen and a pair of bunk beds. It might have even had a mini fridge. It is in a residential area with great little food shops and a supermarket down the block. It is close to the metro and a 5-10 minute walk to Place de la Bastille and the Marais, which have many great restaurants.<BR>Get a pass for the Bateaux Bus on the Seine and boat between Notre Dame and the Eifel Tower. The boys might like the underground Catacombs in Montparnasse-they are lined with bones and skulls-a fun and spooky break from museums.

also, check out the science museum. If you go to the Lourve, decide on specific areas/exhibits you want to look at. It could be overwhelming if you try to take in too much. the D'Orsay is easier to handle with kids.

We were in Paris for 5 nights this past February with our two kids, boy age 14 and girl 11. We stayed in a Citadines Republique, which is an apartment hotel. It was great because we had a fridge so we could have breakfast in and we also bought wine, cheese and bread every day for snacks before dinner! We liked the space. Our kids liked Notre Dame, St. Chappelle, Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triomphe, the Catacombs, and they loved the Louvre - we went twice! We also spent a morning at Versaille and they loved that as well. I think they were not as excited about the Rodin Museum and Musee de Orsay. Although there is a model of the city and the opera at Orsay and they loved that! My son and husband took a day trip to Normandy and the D-Day Museum and beaches and had a great time.<BR><BR>Susan