Hi Travelers,
Our trip to France, Spain and Italy is back on; traveling in May and June.
Landing in Paris, departing from Rome. Roughly two weeks in Spain, two weeks in France and six nights in Italy. Traveling by train.
Presently, for the first leg of the trip we are landing in Paris for four nights, then traveling southwest to Bordeaux, then into Spain. Need a good place to stay in the Bordeaux region from which we can explore.
Our wish list in Spain so far includes San Sebastian, Madrid and Barcelona. Looking for a route with a stop or two from San Sebastian south or southeast to Madrid. A rec for Rioja region?
After Barcelona, traveling northeast into France to possibly to Chamonix then dropping into Italy. So suggestions for places to visit and stay along the train route from Barcelona to Chamonix would be appreciated.
Trying to figure out the best route from Chamonix back down and east into Italy, looks like traveling
from Chambery to Milan through Turin is a good possibility; Would you stay in Turin?
On to Venice and then down to Rome. (B&B, boutique hotel in Rome?)
We are flexible to a degree, as long as a destination is served by train. If you recommend a destination and can do so, please suggest great accommodations you have enjoyed there. We enjoy B&B's, boutique hotels and unique accommodations. Note: we try to mix up our accommodations; taking advantage of inexpensive places when possible saving money for some luxury stays.
Hotel budget between $100-$200 or a little more for extreme value.
In past we have enjoyed very inexpensive hostels and luxury hotels that fellow Rick Steve travelers recommended.
In addition, thoughts about which central train stations are best to utilize in the major cities will be helpful, plus restaurants to remember.
Thank you in advance for your suggestions.