janisj

'Renting hiking boots' - really????

>>Well I just floated the idea of renting hiking boots - I have no knowledge of that<< . . . then why mention it?

Hiking boots should fit even in carry ons (as long as you don't take 5 other pair of shoes - one pair on your feet on the flights, one pair of hiking boots crammed full of socks, batteries, dry toiletries, and other small bits and bobs, a pair of sandals and maybe one other pair of flats)

OR if the boots are really comfortable, wear them on the flight and save the room in your carry on.

PalenQ

Renting hiking boots' - really????

>>Well I just floated the idea of renting hiking boots - I have no knowledge of that<< . . . then why mention it?>

Well I know that some hiking areas do rent hiking boots - like several places in Jungfrau Region in Switzerland - so it could be possible in CT I thought and may well be.

pattyroth

I may take some. Not sure yet as so many have said running shoes are adequate in CT.

mama_mia

I find TRAIL running shoes work well and have used them for hiking in Yellowstone and Cinque Terre. Some regular running shoes (sneakers) might not offer enough traction. If I was carrying a heavy pack, I would probably look for the stability of a boot; for a day hike on most terrain, though, I think a boot is a bit much. Probably a matter of individual comfort/preference/agility. I saw a woman in high heeled boots walking the Path of the Gods in Amalfi.

What I really find helpful anymore are hiking/trekking poles. Just don't be one of those obnoxious people whose trekking poles poke everyone on the Cinque Terre trains.

PalenQ

ToujoursVoyageur says she/he hiked even high trails in athletic shoes and in ME he/she is usually right on and mama mia and others too. Leave the hiking boots at home. You could always buy some there if you think you need them.

pattyroth

Thank you mama_mia and PalenQ. It sure would be easier to leave them behind since we don't check luggage.

PalenQ

IME of hiking a lot in Switzerland how you hike can make a difference - if you want to dash along the harder trails you may want hiking shoes but if you go at a more prudent pace athletic shoes are usually OK except on trails marked 'serious' or some such thing - and you can just avoid these and still have a great hiking experience.

bvlenci

I don't think stopping for a night in Pisa is a bad idea. It takes 5+ hours on four trains to get from Vernazza to Venice, and you have to pass through Pisa. So you could get to Pisa in an hour and a half (2 trains) and the next day to Venice in about four hours (again 2 trains). The trip is well nigh unbearable if you do it in one day. I wouldn't recommend stopping over for a few hours and then proceeding to Venice. You would be totally wiped out.

PalenQ

Vernzza-Levanto-Milan-Venice takes about the same time (about 30 minutes longer than via Florence) - stopping in Pisa fine but you could also stop in Genoa or Milan en route to Venice - 5-6 hours yes being a long train ride with multiple changes usually.

bvlenci

Some years ago I hiked part of the Na Pali trail (Kauai). I was teaching a course at the University of Hawaii, and one of my colleagues suggested it. I had my kids along, about 12 and 15 years old. My colleague bought an expensive pair of hiking boots for the hike. My kids had sneakers. I had no sneakers and decided to hike in a pair of flats that I wore when teaching.

We saw plenty of local people hiking in flip flops, with babies on their shoulders, carrying ice chests, and the like. The main problem on the trail was MUD. I've never seen such mud. All four of us had to throw our shoes out after that hike. but at least mine were old shoes that hadn't cost a fortune. My shoes were too slippery, though, so for a good part of the trail, I took my shoes off and hiked barefoot.

I also once took an all-day hike in the Apennines in Abruzzo in regular shoes. There were four of us, (including my husband) and a guide, and I was the only one in normal shoes. The main problem on that hike was stones that I could feel through the soles of my shoes. Those shoes bit the dust, too, and the next day I bought hiking boots.

pattyroth

Thx bvlenci, PalenQ for your helpful comments. I will probably rely on running shoes with good tread, but I may buy hiking boots and make that decision as I pack.

pattyroth

Now--if I could just solve the problem of finding an Airbnb for Paris that has air conditioning and costs less than $ 350 a night. We will be there the last five nights of July and just discovered the Tour de France will be finishing there in Paris while we are there. Maybe that's why the problem for an AirBnb? Anyone have any familiarity with a solution to this problem???

tracilee

https://www.vrbo.com/1476644a

this apartment is in a good location, has AC, a registration number and is bit below you budget.

https://www.vrbo.com/4200281ha
this one is over budget but much larger than the one above. Has a registration number, too, so hopefully it’s legal.

here are a few others that have registration numbers:

https://www.vrbo.com/1417798a

https://www.vrbo.com/770900

https://www.vrbo.com/1684582a

pattyroth

A quick thanks gracile!!! I'm going to check them now!!!

pattyroth

tracilee

pattyroth

Thank you again tracilee!!!!! I just booked the second one you listed as a link. It is over our budget, but the budget was loose and it looks amazing for us--a great way to spend our last five nights. I do want to stay friends with our son-in-law!!! Our daughter and granddaughter have to be okay with us. And I do think AC and two bathrooms are necessities for us to have adequate and easy relaxation. My husband thanks you too and I'm sure they will as well.
How did you know about these? I am grateful. Love Fodors Forum!!!!

pattyroth

So between Airbnb and VRBO, we are set for accommodations for the trip. VRBO in Paris--one of tracilee's links and the rest Airbnb.
ROME 3 NIGHTS
SIENA 3 NIGHTS
FLORENCE 2 NIGHTS
CINQUE TERRE 3 NIGHTS
PISA 1 NIGHT
VENICE 3 NIGHTS
PARIS 5 NIGHTS
Now to think about transportation: trains, buses, flights, rental car and tickets in advance.
We are all excited!

tracilee

I’m happy one of my Paris links worked for you. Thanks for reporting back!

Fleur_de_Lis

You have so many good suggestions already, not sure I need to post - but I did visit Paris for a week when I was fifteen, and remember some of the things I specifically loved about the trip back then:

The Louvre! Yes, it was super crowded, but it was so cool to catch a glimpse of famous artwork like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo etc...pieces I had learned about but never thought I'd actually get to see in person. I also LOVED the Egyptian wing of the Louvre - really neat stuff for teenagers! - and spent the majority of my time soaking up those exhibits rather than trying to do the WHOLE museum in one-go.

Shopping at Galeries Lafayette or Printemps - as a teenager who loved fashion, I thought these department stores were just the greatest things ever! Also recommend going for a snack/tea at one of the rooftop cafes on top of each of these stores - really special views of Paris make the trip up there well worth it. I think Printemps now has a new roof cafe?

The Catacombs - As teenagers, we ate up the creepy stories we heard on our Catacombs tour. Really unique/interesting experience, and certainly not something we'd encounter anywhere at home in America.

Centre Pompidou - engaging, less-traditional museum that (back then) wasn't as crowded and had some really thought-provoking exhibits.

My favorite museum by far, though, was Musee De L'Orangerie because of the enormous water lily paintings. A trip to this museum and then a trip to Giverny to see the water lilies in person in Monet's Garden could be an excellent pairing for you and your granddaughter!

And I second the suggestion of shopping/wandering/nightlife in the Marais!

PalenQ

Seriously consider taking the overnight train Venice to Paris - get a private compartment and bring any food or drink including wine, etc onboard - dine whilst you travel and wake up in Paris. www.thello.com.