Hi Everyone,

I’m planning a long trip to the Mediterranean (including the 21 countries surrounding the emerald coastline). I’m trying to compile a list of the BEST OF the must-do or –haves in the massive region so I can check it off as I go (not to mention have the vacation of a lifetime).

Below are some examples of what I’m looking for. I would really appreciate your thoughts, expertise, or suggestions (even just sharing a link would be awesome!) to help me find the best of each for the entire region. And please feel free to add to this list!

What’s the best rental car company

Where are the best hotel or resort deals

Where can you get the best bottle of wine and cheese

What’s the best (and most affordable) cruise package

Who’s the newest, coolest outfitter and what activities are they offering

Where’s the best place to dive

Where’s the best cup of coffee

Where’s the best hiking trail

Where’s the best beach (e.g. least crowded, but still breathtakingly beautiful and full of water adventures)

What’s the best nonfiction book about traveling around the Mediterranean (you know, to read while I'm there)

Where’s the best museum (modern and historic!)

I'm hoping to have a complete list by mid-next week (Feb10th), so it'd be wonderful to hear from you soonest. Thank you so much in advance for all your help!!

~Cristina

Cristina: It is pretty obvious that you are researching for a story. Let's see who can come up with "the best bottle of wine and cheese" in Libya.

Cristina
Fodor's have most of the information of what you need. They have books about everything and if it's not all there, the fodorites in the forum can handle simpler questions.

Of course, if you're writing a book, you should do the research yourself, before you write. Then you will have more truth about what you're writing.

Blackduff

personally i always take the velvetta and boone's farm with me.

you never know what them there foreigners are gonna fix.

Read The Pillars of Hercules.

Interesting trip--so you will be renting a car in, let's say, Tangier, and driving east from there? Here is one tip: "emerald coastline" is not accurate and in any case, a bit of a hackneyed phrase..try to come up with something a bit more original!

If you are leaving by Feb 10, I would say you have a lot of planning to do between now and then..just looking up the "coolest outfitter" in the Durres area could take some digging.

Just an interesting note: ChristineG is complete newcomer & filed the same query under the Fodor Forum branch called "Smart Travel Tips." We might provide her with a Smart Travel tip -- try not to be so obvious.

seriously,
here are some general Italy suggestions.

in italy everyone says that Brunello wine is the best.
also try limoncello and amaretto.
these are liqueurs, ohhh sooo goood.
*****

hiking in cinque terre italy is great. we stayed in corniglia. absolutely fabulous area. the local wines are killer. also try pesto from this area.
*******

as far as museums i love uffizi in florence. birth of venus and primavera. WOW

David is not to be missed. beyond words.

*******
to miss Venice would be unthinkable.
she is her own site.
IMO the mosaics in st. marks are the best in the world...

eat Ombra e Cichetti

http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a...5/m/5091094115...

Esmerald Costline doesn't seem to find much about the Mediterranean, except the coast along part of the Sardinia Island. This is the Esmiralda Coastime.

This part of Sardinia is owned by Aga Kahn (sp) or Ali Kahn(sp,again). He also owns most of the hotels and property along the Esmeralda Coastline. He even owns the airlines in this island.

Now if Cristina wants to take a car and take a ride along this coast, it's going to be very rough. It's heavy cliffs, to the most.

Blackduff

This is a better bit of information.

Costa Smeralda in Sardinia

This area was developed by Karim Aga Khan IV. Give a Wikepedia and it gives his whole scoop.

Blackduff

"Everyone says that Brunello wine is the best???"

Now THERE is some excellent, and most accurate information for you, Cristina!

Never mind--that was mean so scratch it, please.

it is my account of what people have told me.

i could make up a bunch of crap.

no foul, no harm

peace

Cristina G-If you make it to the bottom part of Italy we foulnd a delightful 11or13 century hill top town on the Ionian Sea called Badolato. The views from the Ancient Village to the sea were beautiful.
If you go to Greece read "The Greek Treasure " by Irving Stone
If you go to Italy read "The Agony and the Esctacy" also by Stone and in in France "Lust For Life" also by Stone
I pick up used books so I can leave/donate them on vacation.
Have a great trip-Chris

Start your trip at the library. ;-)

Eric Newby's The Shores of the Mediterranean might be a good book to try. Not one of his best IMO but it does deal directly with the route you are taking.

Here in Italy, I don't think anybody would consider Brunello a Mediterranean wine.

&quot;<i>I'm hoping to have a complete list by mid-next week (Feb10th), so it'd be wonderful to hear from you soonest. Thank you so much in advance for all your help!!</i>&quot;



Okaaaaay - it is now the 10th and you have nothing . . . .

BTW - your post is totally ridiculous. Hope your editor fires you for missing deadline on the article you were assigned.

ChristinaG seems to be having a pretty rough time over on Writer.com