crazyfamilyof4

yep have started with that and also TripAdvisor . .but some peopl on here might know of some "off the beaten track" places worth doing

janisj in my defence before hubby changed his plans you are right I did chop and change but that is because I seemed to think that 3days in a location was fine until all of you made me makes sense of the itinerary and made start looking at it differently and yes that did take ages.

We also went from all driving with a lease to know training, flying, ferry and hire car.

bendigo - I know the film and I LOVE that film! But let's hope it not like that!

Aramis

I think the funniest thing is the indignation exhibited by those of you who found your advice "ignored" or feel "set upon" by Claire.

How utterly pathetic that you think so highly of yourself and your all knowing experience that you choose to call the behaviour of someone who doesn't agree with your SUBJECTIVE likes; crazy, nuts, bizarre, ungodly, etc..

You poor self absorbed folks.

SusannahT - two thumbs up.

cathies

Aramis, she ASKED for our help.

Digbydog

I believe it is the poster herself who used the moniker "Crazy".

Aramis

And the issue is that some of you think she is a fool worth belittling simply because she does not TAKE it - as if each word of advice that flowed was some sort of divine pronouncement that only a fool would reject.

janisj

Aramis - perhaps you should try to help her yourself. But then your usual MO is to attack other Fodorites rather than to actually offer advice.

Which is more 'pathetic' is probably open to debate . . .

SloJan2

I don't even know if I should wade into this pool. I am a very experienced traveler with toddlers. My advice is skip the ferry - they are a pita with children and if you are picky, it is going to drive you nuts. They are not that clean, they are not quiet and they are just a hassle, esp. with kids.

Choose 4 destinations, rent a villa with a pool and a car. Do day trips each day with pool time in the afternoon. We chose to do our sightseeing in the morning, nice lunch and relax in the afternoon. Tuscany or Umbria are great for this. In southern France, Provence or the Dordogne would be wonderful.

And if you are picky, you will need to spend some money.

thursdaysd

And which ferries have you taken? That is a remarkably sweeping generalisation.

If you had read all the previous threads you would have seen the same advice about slowing down, repeated many times, some of which has been taken.

Gretchen

I pretty much agree about ferries--and children. They are bored after the first 10 minutes.

thursdaysd

For a more positive take on the Barcelona ferry see this:

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2007/0...rome.html#more

I think their child was six at the time. I get bored on boats, but would be fine with one night.

socaltraveler

Now it's gettting fun - from out of the woodwork come the folks shaking fingers at 'attitude', and folks giving advice for planning this trip as if the OP had just asked yesterday. Frustration fatigue will not allow me to say any more. Will there be a trip report, one only hopes.

kansas

Please double check that you are permitted to put the rental car on a ferry boat. This is not always allowed.

kansas

Re-reading some of this...

Maybe you do not plan to take the car on the ferry. Sorry if I mis-interpreted that part.

Christina

I agree with the ferries advice, also, they sound a lot more fascinating than they are IMO.

well, I for one think this is a really interesting trip, you can't deny that. And I'd be interested in the trip report.

Some of the people telling the poster she is "insane" for wanting to take a taxi 30 miles think The Amazing Race is great, so you can't win. This is sort of like The Amazing Race. The OP can take the advice she wants, she isn't obligated to do what other people say she must (or must not). It is their trip, after all.

Doppio

>>>>><i>I am fussy . .I like apartments to look like display homes and then I also don't like to spend a lot of money . .not a good combo in London and so this is why we are going with a suite at the regency. <<</i>

Well, that would have been nice if you would have given us that little nugget of information at the beginning of your search for an accommodation.

dugi_otok

Enough with the ferry second guessing. The ferry tickets have been purchased. Originally Hubby,Clair, and kids were going to drive from Barcelona to Varenna via Avignon, San Raphael, San Remo. Advice was given on this form to take the ferry Barcelona-Italy. At the time the plan was to have a leased car. Therefore flying was not an option. Claire like the idea of the ferry and then eventually purchased the tickets. Again, this part of the trip is done. Second guessing serves no purpose.

Tulips

>>>>>I am fussy . .I like apartments to look like display homes

Something like this then, which just came on at onefinestay;
http://www.onefinestay.com/london/caroline-close/

Honestly Claire, I hope you have a great trip and that everything works out.

Gretchen

HEY. We ALL hope Claire has a great time--otherwise why would everyone invest their time and real talent to help her. BUT you must admit it is a real roller coaster. Prevailing winds seem to prevail. LOL

crazyfamilyof4

oh I love the places on one fine stay! there were a few there that we had hoped to stay at but the dates just didn't work!

that place is amazing but just short of 1000 pounds a night! .lucky it's unavailable for my dates or hubby would of killed me for even considering it!

I really didn't think I was fussy with what our apartment was to look like until I saw what was on offer for the price I was thinking etc

the ferry is booked in . .we go on at 1pm and arrive at 7am ...it's all part of the adventure . .the price I thought was good . .we paid extra to get a cabin and it still seemed reasonable.

my husband LOVES the amazing race! I am sure it'll all be fine . .thankfully so many of you have helped me and we have a great trip planned!

The trains are still being booked but besides that all I am now doing is looking at things to do in all these places.

I really will do a trip report as I am sure I am not the only one who benefit from all your responces to my threads etc

layanluvstotravel

Wowzers! This is one trip report I definitely don't want to miss!