Itinerary Advice? Wife's 1st trip to Europe

Nick: Nothing jumps out at me as being not doable. It shows obvious detailed planning on your part. It's moving a little faster than some would prefer but that is a matter of personal preference and a balancing act between trying to see too much and not seeing enough.If you mean Eze-Le-Village (there is another Eze on the coast, not the one you probably want), it's a little tricky getting there without a car but can be done (it's on the Middle Corniche)--here's a link to instructions I posted here a couple of years ago how to get to Eze-le-Village by public transportation

Hi Nick,
For your wife's first trip, I'm thinking that the one night stays in Avignon and Beaune/Pulignay-Montrachet might be a little hectic. It's nice to stay in one place at least 2 nights. We were in Beaune in mid-January and it was very quiet off-season. Some of the restaurants were open for lunch but closed in the evening.

We also stayed in Lyon and loved the food there--though we ate at small bistros and bouchon's rather than Michelin-star restaurants (you could leave your jacket at home.)

What about staying in Avignon or Lyon 2 nights rather than Pulignay-Montrachet? OR--add the extra days to Paris. Just brainstorming...

Hi Sharon,

The point you bring up is well received. We are staying in Avignon for just one night, and that is not ideal. We are staying, however, in Pulignay for two nights.

Let me explain my rationale and maybe you could help me from there.

We are spending the first 3 nights with a friend in Nice. After that, we were planning to hop a train to Beaune and spend 3 nights in Pulignay before heading up to Paris. The problem is, we are planning to spend the sunday morning in nice and head north in the afternoon, but as i got on the sncf website, I realized the trip from Nice to Beaune is anywhere from 6-7.5 hours. That basically eliminates a whole day. So then I thought if we could make a stop in between in Avignon or Arles, we could at least see some Roman ruins and then make a 3.25 hour trip in the morning on Monday. Then, we'd have from 11am on Monday until Wednesday am in Cote D'Or area to relax/tour the vineyards before returning to the bustle of Paris.

So what do you think? Should we just skip Avignon or Arles for the night and spend the afternoon on Sunday traveling straight to Beaune and spend 3 nights there?

Hi Nick,
You've really thought your itinerary through and I think that your rationale is right on. One night in Avignon or Arles under the circumstances is a good plan--I missed the part where you'll be in Pulignay-Montrachet 2 nights. It sounds like a great trip!

Since you are flying out of Paris, I personally would spend more days there, and not go to Prague.. just my opinion. I don't think you will feel like leaving it and then coming back (and I bet your wife won't)!

Reminds me of a multiple choice test - which city does not belong in this list?
Nice
Avignon
Pulignay
Paris
Prague

Answer: 5, Prague.

Paris to Prague is almost a two hour flight. With getting to the airport, preboard time, flight time, finding ground trans at arrival and getting to town, you'll use 6 hours. That's the better part of two entire days. If you leave Paris in the evening, you'll get into Prague late at night for finding your hotel. If you want to get into Prague at a reasonable hour, you'll leave Paris just after noon.

I'd spend more time in France and leave Prague for another trip.

I would advise against flying to Prague and staying extra days in Paris, maybe a trip to Giverny, I think that is a doable day trip. Last year I did the 7 day RS tour in Paris and stayed 3 more days on my own and still did not see all I wanted to see. I did really soak up the feeling of the city by stopping for a drink in outdoor cafe's and walking wherever I could. I went to the Monet Museum which took me to a different part of town, it was a beautiful walk from the metro station to the Museum, I passed a great park with trees and a small merry go round. Happy travels.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I guess I failed to mention that I have already booked the air fare from Paris to Prague. That being said, I would probably agree that Prague is kind of a stretch.

I guess I was thinking that while France offers arguably the most diverse cultural experience, Prague represents something considerably different. And it's only a 2-hr plane ride away.

And since our plane doesn't leave Paris until 8:30pm, we will have time to tour Versailles that day before the flight, so the day won't feel like it's entirely wasted on travel. Plus, as we're in our mid-twenties, we are practically jumping out of the plane with energy anyway, so maybe we can pull it off? I hope!

Just returned from a short trip to Nice just last weeks ago.

1. It is easy to take train/bus between the places that you plan to visit.
2. I would recommend the following restaurants (a) 11th ART @11 Rue Meyerbeer and (b) Boccaccio @ 7 Rue Massena
3. Must try the socca from Therese, "Queen of the market" at Cours Saleya (flower market at old town) .
4. Get up to the castle hill (la Colline du Chateau), just behind the flower market, to get an overview of the city.

There are daily tour to Eze/Villefranche/Monaco from Nice if you are not driving. Check with the hotel or the information centre.

Happy planning !