I am visiting Europe with my parents. Its their first time there. As of now, we are doing AMS(2d)-Paris(4D). After that I have 5 days before meeting a friend in milan. Shoudl I do South of France (normandy, Loire, Cote d'azur and make my way to Milan) or should I just go to Rome, do Naples, Pompei etc. I am worried about accessibility of the coastal French towns. My parents like history, but then coming from a crowded city, they love anything quiet and beautiful too. I am looking for what will be a more fulfilling experience. Also if anyone has advice on whether there will be a huge price difference, would appreciate the advice.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Paris to mid-Italy to Rome wastes time back-tracking.
Normandy and the Loire are not in southern France. Normandy, being so far north, would really clobber time. The Loire is a low-level attraction.
The Rhone region of southern France has enought history to choke a horse and the smaller towns will give a nice change of pace. The crowd will scream for Arles; I'd go for Nimes or Orange, just to have something to do at the end of the day if you work from a single base.
You'll need a car to get around with any efficiency. You can drive down from Paris in about seven hours. A stop in Beaune breaks the trip nicely.
Posted by
washington
837 posts
If you have 5 days, it will likely take the better part of one day to get from Paris to anyplace in Italy. It will also take half a day to get to Milan. If those travel times are included in the 5 days, you are down to about 3. Rome is a good choice; you could fly or train from Paris and then on to Milan. Another I would recommend would be Venice. Again, fly or train to Venice from Paris and then train from Venice to Milan.
Posted by
Edmonton, Alberta
797 posts
I would visit Provence (Vaison la Romaine, Orange) and the Cote d'Azur on your way to Milan. In the Riviera I would suggest seeing Eze and stay in Villefranche sur Mer (I stayed there on a RS tour).
I think you can get a fast train from Nice to take you to Milan. see the link below, I selected Nice Ville, which I think is the main station and Milan Central, again I believe that is the main one. Looks like 5 hours, 11 minutes with 2 changes will get you there (on the day I randomly chose).
Because your trip to Milan will take a good part of a day, I wouldn't go to Rome, which would eat up more time from your trip. Have a great holiday.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I rec. Loire Valley then to Nice then Milan. This way you do not waste alot of time on transit and you enjoy alot along the way. Hotel reservations are a must in Nice or along FR. Rivra as it will be packed with people but it is summer and Europe gets a lot of vacation time in Summer. Then an easy train ride to Milan. 5 days really is not a lot when you need to travel the distances you are talikng about.Fr. Rivera can be pricey unless you opt for a hostel.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
With only 5 days after leaving Paris I too would forget Rome, Naples, etc.
You could definitely see Normandy - most easily by car. You could visit Giverny (Monet's house & gardens), Honfleur (a neat medieval seaside town), the D-Day beaches, Bayeux (the Bayeux Tapestry), and even Mont St Michel. Then you could go back to Paris & just fly down to Milan.
I'd vote for either that or the Loire Valley - especially Amboise and Chenonceau. Also easily done by car. Also potentially wrapped up by a return to Paris and flight to Milan.
Just some other options to ponder.