Jim

We (an australian married couple) are trying to decide whether to stay a week (beginning of April) at the Portofino/Cinque Terre area of Italy or the Nice area of France. We are interested to see and learn as much as possible as this will be our first time in this part of the world. Which would you recommend?

Patrick

First trip to that area? Then I say go for the Nice area. There's is much more to see and do in the nearby area.<BR>Are you driving or &quot;training&quot;? A car would be more useful in the Portofino area. There is not a whole lot to do there, but relax in beautiful Portofino, and do the one day hike along the Cinque Terre. <BR><BR>If going to Nice, short day trips are possible by train (or bus) to Monte Carlo, Cannes, Eze, St. Paul de Vence, and many others. In addition Nice is a delightful city to base yourself -- lots of restuarants of every type, plenty of hotels to meet any price range (except really cheap), and fun and interesting walks through the old city, up to the &quot;fortress&quot; and parks, and out along the beaches and marinas. In addition there several really great museums.