Southern France Northern Italy Itinerary suggestions
Oct 17th, 2013, 08:22 AM
#1
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Southern France Northern Italy Itinerary suggestions
Can anyone suggest an itinerary and logistics for 22 days..Fly into Nice out of Milan in May
Would like to go to gorge de Verdon, Provence, Como and Cinque de Tierra
Would like to go to gorge de Verdon, Provence, Como and Cinque de Tierra
Oct 17th, 2013, 08:36 AM
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You could also fly into Paris and take TGV trains right from CDG airport to Avignon, the heart of Provence in about 3 hours - then go by car - pick up in Avignon TGV station - putz around there - Arles, Les Baux, St Remy, Pont du Gard - then drive over via Aix-en_provence - a really neat place to the Gorges de Verdon -
then take the Route Napoleon - built for military purposes by Napoleon all the way thru the hinterlands of Provence to Grasse - stop to get some perfume in this perfume capital of France -
spend several days in Riviera - do some hill towns like St-Paul-de-Vence, Vence - etc then ditch the car to prevent a steep dropoff charge for returning car in another country than which you rented it in.
Take train along Italian Riviera to Genoa - neat old city worth a good day - then take train to Cinque Terre - spend a few days there and go back via Milan to Como
Como take train to Malpensa airport.
You could also rent a car in Italy but all those places can easily be reached by train - in Provence it is much easier to have a car - necessary to get to the Gorges de Verdun but you do not need a car on the Riviera as trains and buses go everywhere so you may ditch the car when you hit Nice.
For lots of good info on trains in that area check out www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.
And take a canor or kayak trip thru the Gorges de Verdun - I did and loved it even though we tipped over once!
then take the Route Napoleon - built for military purposes by Napoleon all the way thru the hinterlands of Provence to Grasse - stop to get some perfume in this perfume capital of France -
spend several days in Riviera - do some hill towns like St-Paul-de-Vence, Vence - etc then ditch the car to prevent a steep dropoff charge for returning car in another country than which you rented it in.
Take train along Italian Riviera to Genoa - neat old city worth a good day - then take train to Cinque Terre - spend a few days there and go back via Milan to Como
Como take train to Malpensa airport.
You could also rent a car in Italy but all those places can easily be reached by train - in Provence it is much easier to have a car - necessary to get to the Gorges de Verdun but you do not need a car on the Riviera as trains and buses go everywhere so you may ditch the car when you hit Nice.
For lots of good info on trains in that area check out www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.
And take a canor or kayak trip thru the Gorges de Verdun - I did and loved it even though we tipped over once!
Oct 21st, 2013, 12:20 PM
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Are there day trips to gorge du verdon?>
not sure bout that - it is if I recall quite a poke from tourist centers like Aix-en-Provence but I would not doubt there could be - I would contact the local S.I. Sydicat d'Iniative or tourist offices about that.
I doubt there is any viable public transportation either.
not sure bout that - it is if I recall quite a poke from tourist centers like Aix-en-Provence but I would not doubt there could be - I would contact the local S.I. Sydicat d'Iniative or tourist offices about that.
I doubt there is any viable public transportation either.
Oct 21st, 2013, 01:44 PM
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When you fly into Nice you will be IN Provence, the eastern portion of that huge region.
There seem to be more tours to the Gorges du Verdon from Nice and Cannes than from Aix-en-Provence. Check the Trip Advisor site for suggestions, or lack thereof, about doing the route by public transportation. Renting a car is probably the best idea, if you're used to mountain driving.
There seem to be more tours to the Gorges du Verdon from Nice and Cannes than from Aix-en-Provence. Check the Trip Advisor site for suggestions, or lack thereof, about doing the route by public transportation. Renting a car is probably the best idea, if you're used to mountain driving.
Oct 21st, 2013, 02:29 PM
#8
Just my experience. We have driven all over Western Europe.
North of Nice in the mountains, about 13 hair pin curves--no problem.
I would never drive the Gorges du Verdon again.
We drove from 'east' to 'west', towards the lake.
I saw nothing until we got closer to the lake when things opened up and then saw the beautiful colors of the water. My eyes were glued on a very narrow road for practically the whole way.
Remember, down off the road is a serious drop.
If there is any kind of a mini-bus tour, for me, I would advise taking this tour.
Underhill suggested tours are available.
North of Nice in the mountains, about 13 hair pin curves--no problem.
I would never drive the Gorges du Verdon again.
We drove from 'east' to 'west', towards the lake.
I saw nothing until we got closer to the lake when things opened up and then saw the beautiful colors of the water. My eyes were glued on a very narrow road for practically the whole way.
Remember, down off the road is a serious drop.
If there is any kind of a mini-bus tour, for me, I would advise taking this tour.
Underhill suggested tours are available.
