bilboburgler

I would drop Venice, Nice, Mont St Michel

Then think out a logical french or italian holiday with friends which achieve some of the things they all want to do

annhig

The worst part is that damned bus from the airport to Venice. I recall it as never-ending.>>

The blue SITA bus which doesn't stop 't better than the local ACTV one that does, but with 7 of you, as Lexma says, the water taxi is the way to go - the price of about €100 each way won't be too bad split between you and it is THE way to arrive in or to levee Venice.

so if you HAVE to goto Venice, this might be the best way.

Then the other end, you could fly straight from Nice to Rennes - both air France and flyby seem to fly direct. pick up car/s, do night at MSM, then spend the rest of the time at somewhere nice like Dinan.

deliver cars back to CDG, go home with the words "i told you so" ringing in the ears of your companions!

Cathinjoetown

Hope you can go as early as possible in June but definitely before the French schools are out on July 5.

I would skip either MSM or Venice if at all possible. Remember all logistical issues are x 7.

In June you will be on the Med before most families which will help, some.

annhig

MelJ - there is a recent;y revived thread by "barb" about a trip to Italy she organised for herself and some "friends".

here's the link:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...d-sorrento.cfm

I suggest that you read it before you go much further.

flygirl

I don't think dropping both Venice and MSM are necessary, just one or the other. This is a 13 night trip.

Venice, the Midi, and Paris are doable if a bit stretched. There is a flight into Venice and a flight out of Venice.

Better would be the Midi, MSM, and Paris. Less geography to cover, and the trains will be quicker when you figure flying adds time due to security and checkin, etc.

If you want to see MSM I'm not sure I'd make it a day trip. From Fougeres it really was easy and very pretty. Fougeres is a nicer base than Pontorson. Pontorson is very close though of course. Fougeres is probably a 45 minute drive IIRC.

Or you could split the group for MSM, send some off on a day trip and you stay in Paris with those who don't want to see MSM! Hang out with Michael...

MelJ

June? Before the French school kids get out? Oh, hell, no, not a chance. Nooooo, we are going July 5-17 (or thereabouts).

I've already emailed about the problem of going to MSM and, if all else fails, I will definitely tell those who want to go to head out and I'll stay in Paris. That won't go over well, but it IS my trip, too, right?

Will most definitely consider the water taxi into Venice--good idea. I've never used it because of the cost but splitting a couple of taxis between us all would be a reasonable and much more dramatic way to enter. THANKS FOR THAT!

Flygirl, it has to be the Riviera, not the Midi.

You guys are great!

flygirl

Oh dear. Remember my experience with Venice in July... So hot it made savannah look mild.

StuDudley

Sounds like you are staying in St Jeanette - not Nice. We've stayed in a gite in St Jeanette for 4 weeks over 2 trips in early June. It will not be hectic like other places on the Riviera. However, you will definitely need several cars, & getting to/from Nice will involve some winding roads. And believe it or not, there is some commute traffic getting to Nice in the AM. E-mail me for my itinerary - I have many excellent excursions into the Nice Hinterland in the guide. Lovely area. You won't regret exploring the Nice Hinterland in Summer (never been there in July or August, however).

Agree with the idea of you heading to Paris while the others spend most of 2 days with planes, trains, buses, packed/touristy MSM, and souvenir stands.

Stu Dudley

Cathinjoetown

Don't forget to look for flights into Orly from Nice as well.

StuDudley

BTW, one of our group get-togethers was in St Jeanette. One of the couples in the group did not get out of bed, cleaned up, and "ready to roll" until 1PM one day. Others in the group headed out site-seeing much earlier in the day (getting to St Paul before 9 to avoid the huge crowds), but we waited around until 1PM so that we could "orient" these "sleep-ins". St Jeanette is isolated - it will be a tad difficult to get your bearings for the first day or two. Much more difficult with 7 people.

I'm assuming that you will arrive in the Riviera in late June, July, or early August (school gets out in early June, you visit Venice first). Don't let anyone talk you into doing a day-trip to St Tropez. We've spent 5 weeks in apts over 3 trips in St Tropez, and the road to/from St Trop is stop & go (mostly stop) much of the time. We usually get out of town by 11 AM when the hordes of day-trippers arrive.

Stu Dudley

suze

Judy beat me too it. Why do all 7 people have to stay together all the time? Can't you stay in Paris while those that want to go off to Mt St Michel?

I also am in the camp that thinks Venice doesn't really fit in with the rest of your trip and just crowds the itinerary, but you seem set on that.

MelJ

Stu, I'm going to email you--many thanks for the information!

Suze, We don't have to be together all the time, which is why we'll have more than one car. Four of us are married couples and the other three are single girls and we marrieds definitely want to have some alone time.

Many of you seem really concerned about Venice, but it isn't as offbeat as it sounds. We arrive at CDG and there's an Easyjet connection from CDG into Marco Polo. There's also an Easyjet from Marco Polo into Nice. The total cost CDG/MP/Nice is $75 (if we act soon). It will give them a chance to see a totally different place and one that's easy to navigate.

The week in the Riviera will be relaxing. Seven days of a great infinity pool, wandering the area, wine, some cooking... We have a great time together so no worries there.

It's really the part where we leave to head back to Paris (and MSM) that throws a wrench into things. I think it will just have to be my mission to make them really aware of how unattractive that whole scheme is.

flygirl

Or just not go? It sounds like you are pretty happy with the whole thing but for that last bit. I'd just tell them how close Paris is to your heart and that it pained you to miss it in 2011 and you couldn't bear to miss it yet again in 2012 (a few days doesn't cut it). Let them go to MSM yourself - you might relish a few days alone in Paris!

suze

<We don't have to be together all the time>

Then that solves your MSM problem. As flygirl says above, let the people are determined to go.. go. It doesn't need to be your mission to talk them out of what they want to do (or to go along with them either).

StCirq

So, warn them about all the pitfalls of trekking to le MSM, and if they still decide to go, stay in Paris and let them find out for themselves what a pain it is (or maybe they will enjoy it despite the rush...either way, you're out of it and free to enjoy yourself).

MelJ

Update for all you nice people: DROPPED MSM!! I gave them the best way of getting there which was, of course, not great, and told them I'd help them work it out but I would stay behind and enjoy Paris. They decided not to venture out to the Mont.

I'll post back as the planning proceeds, in case anyone is interested or it can help someone.

Thanks again!

Loisde

This is a very uplifting thread. The OP poses a question and several respond with their thoughts and recommendations and you can almost visualize the OP seeing how those suggestions can be worked into his planning.

This is a great give and take dialogue and is certainly opposite from a current thread about snarky replies.

I've received much helpful advice from this site and also a few finger wags, which were needed, but I believe you get a well balanced point of view here.

Michel_Paris

Not sure if it was mentioned, but you could 'pack them off' on a day long coach tour from Paris to MSM. Parisvision has a 15 hour visit for 190 euro. Menahwile, you wander the streets of Paris, stop for a cafe creme...

StuDudley

>>Parisvision has a 15 hour visit for 190 euro<<

Just curious - how many of those 15 hours are spent getting there & back, and how many hours "being there". I assume, of course, that the visit would be at the most crowded time of year & most crowded time of the day. By not tagging along, the OP & husband would save 360E/$470 which would just about cover 2 nice dinners for two people in Paris.

Stu Dudley

Cathinjoetown

Although it's moot as everyone has seen the light, I would guess that tour gives you about 5 hours on the mont, max. Having been there, that would be more than enough time for me! And, you're right, it would be heaving with tourists.