I apologize for the wide distribution.

My friend and I are planning on travelling, most likely to Europe, for about a week this August. While my main interests lie in wine, food, history, architecture, my friend prefers natural beauty, scenic drives, hiking, etc...

Does anyone have any suggestions on places to go that might satisfy both of us?

Thank you SOOO much!

David

That sounds like Tuscany to me.

or Alsace, or Provence, or most of Northern Italy, or San Francisco, or southern Indiana (wink...)

Best wishes,

Rex

Rex:

It sounds like I'll have to visit southern Indiana because we don't have most of these things up here in Indianapolis.

Steve ([email protected])

We have every one of them in southern Indiana.

Start here: http://www.visitstarlight.com

Wine, Rex?

I think the Lake District in England has a lot of those except the wine.

Do a B&B driving tour of Provence. We did a week last September and it was amazing. Flew into London, then on to Marseille on a cheap ticket. Picked up a rental car from EuroCar (great service, good price) drove to Cassis (storybook seaside village) for two nights. On to Vaison-la-Romaine for two nights in the mountain/wine Vaucluse region - great food and scenery, architecture in Orange the Roman theater. Two nights in Avignon at an incredible private home - lots of great architecture (Pope's Palace, wineries, Abbaye de Senanque along the way), markets, food, day trips (St Remy). Two nights in Gordes to see the famous hilltop villages and Bories.

Found all the B&Bs at: http://avignon-et-provence.com/avi/gb/pres/p1.htm
Very good web site with interact map of region. Contacts are made directly with owners, not through an agency. It was easy.

Our favorite B&B was L'Eveche in Vaison-la-Romaine. It is amazing and the hosts are absolutely charming. It is quite private. Ask for the room with the private balcony. Its only 95 Euros per night. http://eveche.free.fr/uk_index.htm

Also loved Villa Agape in Avignon:
http://avignon-et-provence.com/bb/vi.../gb/index.html Mdm. Michelle is so sweet and charming. You will never want to leave the pool and you won't believe that its all on the top floor of a pharmacy in old Avignon.

If you want more information, email to me at [email protected]

Skip southern Indiana and go to France. They have everything mentioned and I speak French better than Italian.

Of course you may have a different solution.

Cinque terre...great hiking, great food and wonderful scenery. There are some great travel guides that have hikes and day trips in this area.

Hoosiers unite! We really need to get together at Oliver Winery (yes we do have wineries!) for a little meet and greet!What do you guys say?
[email protected]

Yes, wine. Evidently you didnt look at visitstarlight.com - - outstanding wines at Huber Orchard and Winery.

I'm an ex-Hoosier. Had the wine. I'll stick with my suggestion of Provence!

David

I agree that France would be the place for you... wine, food, history, possibly architecture but would also suggest The Lake District, north England. You have all the above (the wine at some good restaurants) as well at the natural beauty, scenic drives, hiking... I live 2hrs away from this breathtaking view - there is so much to discover and the views are truly awesome. You could possibly split your journey, fly from Manchester International Airport to France (1.5hr flight) and get the best of both worlds. Check out flights on http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk or www.easyjet.com (no frills airtravel from Liverpool airport).

Good luck, I hope you enjoy your trip to Europe wherever you decide to go.

Tracy

Annecy. Porto. Dolomites. Alsace. British Columbia.

The Greek island of Santorini (some believe it's Atlantis) has a thriving wine industry as well as some of the most spectacular sea views in the world, great restaurants, fantasic indigenous architecture, 2 great archaeological sites plus a museum and hiking up and down the cliffs as well as from village to village.

Loire Valley in France, tour it by bicycle.

As a former Hoosier I would suggest an exciting itinerary to include Vevay and Milan, with a side trip to Versailles. You could have lunch in Batesville and be home by dinner and watch a rerun of " Hoosiers".

amwosu:

Believe it or not, we had a bottle of an Oliver wine last night. My in-laws are Russian so at every celebration the women like sweet wines. Of course, the men drink vodka.

Steve

dis1010:
Hey! Where are all the Germany and Switzerland Lovers?
Germany boasts fine wine-growing regions along the Mosel Valley/River with numerous castles (intact and ruins) along this area and along the Rhein. Trier is one of the oldest Roman Cities with partly preserved baths, ampitheatre and 'Black Gate/Porta Nigra'.
This area affords fine hiking and water sports along the river and vineyards.
The Black Forest of Germany is EXCELLENT for natural beauty with well-marked hiking paths between old towns, old abbeys and monasteries, pristine lakes (Titisee), and clean air, tasty cakes and savory cheeses.
I can't say enough about Switzerland as well--mountain (or valley) hikes, untouched glacial lakes (Kandersteg, Zermatt area) and architecturally and historically-rich cities like Lucerne, Bern, Zug, Heidelberg and Zurich...
I choose these two countries over France or Italy any day!
Ah-Oh, I may have started a contoversial storm!