Venice, Florence or Provence?
 

We are planning trip to Cote d'Azur in June or July. Plan to spend few days in Cap Ferrat area and would like side trip to Venice, Florence or Provence area and would like advice on travel to Italy (train?) and places to stay (like 3-star hotels or B&B) and sights to see. Also, we are not sure what the best source for good airfares is - do we get the best deal if we return from the same destination? Thanks.

This board is about personal preferences, so here's mine. Whenever I go abroad, I like to immerse myself in the culture & language of the country I'm about to visit. I think doing so enhances the experience. I'd suggest to you that you spend your vacation in France, since you indicate the Cote d'Azur as a certainty. France offers so much, as of course does Italy. Bonne chance! Carol L

I have traveled to France three times and spent much time in the south, provence. I recommend renting a car and traveling all through Southern France. It is unbelievable, I have recommended this trip to friends and they love it. There are small B&B's and wonderful people and scenery. If you want to go to Italy take a train for a few days. I realize cars are expensive, it is worth it. If you are away from the mediterranean it is not expensive to stay or eat. One place on the coast to see is definitely Juan Les Pins. Write for more info if you need it . I love France and someday will live in S. France.

I agree with the previous in that you will have no problem making a wonderful trip in S. France. Perhaps a side trip to Andorra for some shopping might fit your style? You could follow your Michelin Guide to gastronomic heights, or make cheese pilgrimages (remember DeGaulle said, "How can you govern a country with 250 cheeses?"). If you do decide to go to Venice, I would suggest you go on the third weekend in July when the Feast of Il Redentore (Christ, The Redeemer) is celebrated. A pontoon bridge is constructed out to the Giudecca Island, and the celebration climaxes with 'The Mother of All Fireworks Displays' (Mark Russell). The 4th of July ain't got nuthin' on the intensity, imagination, setting and length of this fireworks display. The hardier people (yours truly carried the kids back to sleep) spend the rest of the night partying and go out to the Lido to watch the sun rise. As for plane flights, you might consider flying into Paris with a round-trip to Venice (or whereever), do not use the initial part of the trip to Venice, at the end of your trip take the train to Venice, and use the back end of the round-trip to Paris, and fly back home from Paris.

Here's a vote for Provence, and here's why: Cap Ferrat and Provence are less than two hours apart by car, yet utterly different in so many respects. Beware, though, that June and July are very crowded in both locales. I would use either Avignon or St. Remy as a home base, and explore Provence in day trips. In Avignon, we've stayed at the Hotel Europa, and in St. Remy, the Domaine de Valmoraine, and can recommend both very highly. A car is both practical and necessary, as public transport is not very frequent. Places to see: Les Baux, Arles, Orange, Aix en Provence, Pont de Garde. You can easily spend a week using back roads and come away with some understanding of why this place has been attracting visitors for a millenia. By contract, Venice and Florence are beautiful cities, but you'll spend the better part of a day getting to either one by car or train; and that's a day out of your vacation. Best of luck in your travels.

Spend your time exploring Southern France and Provence area: all the above mentioned areas are good choices. We based out of Monte Carlo and also visited the areas by private car and trains. Don't forget Nice, Cannes, St. Paul de Vence (my favorite) and all the many small villages you may travel thru. We did end our trip with a train ride (yes, about 7 hours) into Venice which was definitely worth it in our books! Spent 2 nights there then had to fly back to Nice (but had to purchase round trip fare--cheaper than 1 way) to get back in time for flight home out of Nice. I'm glad we took the extra few days to see Venice. Just try to decide how much you want to see in the amount of time you are there and if you can return to see more then so much the better!

Late October my husband and I enjoyed a 10-day trip: first 5 days in the South of France with a car, last 5 days through Milan (1 night) via train to Venice (3 nights). We stayed in Relais and Chateau properties in France (2 nights in Eze Village at Chateau Chevre d'or; 2 nights Le St.Paul in St. Paul de Vence, 1 night at Moulin de Mougins in Mougins) and 4-5 star properties in Italy (1 night Hotel Excelsior Gallia , just steps from the train station) and 3 nights Hotel Danieli. I personally faxed each of the hotels to make the arrangements, politely asked for and graciously received discounts, and we were more than pleased with the service, the amenities, the accommodations, and the lovely people who attended to our needs. This was not an inexpensive vacation, but well-planned, enjoyed daily, great memories. Weather was warm in South of France, chilly in Milan, cold/damp/wintry in Venice. Transportation? Chicago-Paris direct, Paris-Nice, via Air France (a special I found in the Tribune). Nice, car at airport, dropoff at train station. Nice train to Milan. Milan train to Venice. Venice-water taxi to hotel. end of trip, water taxi to Venice Marco Polo airport-to Paris-to Chicago. Exhausted, great trip. Tips? If you are driving, take a detailed map with you. You may be driving in the dark if your flight is delayed. Prepay your hotel accommodations and your airfare. Ship your purchases home. That time of year? Pack gloves, winter scarf, sox, etc. Eat well, drink wonderful wine, enjoy the flavors of the countries you visit, remember you are the guests and this is an adventure. We would definitely do this very same itinerary over and over again, varying some of the sights, with this travel exception: I would stay over two nights in Paris and take the TGV to Nice next time. You will never see it all in Venice. I have bought three books about Venice: A Literary Companion to Venice by Ian Littlewood, and The World of Venice by Jan Morris, and a collection of letters to and from Casanova. Excellent resources if you are into the history of the place. Have a great trip, and as my husband says with clenched teeth: "spend freely."