Two, 60+, couples headed first to Paris. We used pages from Rick's France Guide to navigate and hit the high points. We rented a wonderful apt. In the Latin Quarter and headed to museums with the museum pass - a great time saver even in late Oct. The crowds at the Louvre, Notre Dame and Orsay Museums were very light and we were able to see most of what we wanted in two days.
We walked most everywhere and when we got tired we got a taxi, usually under 7 euros for 4 of us, to take us home.
Took the train to Tours and rented a car to take us to Loire Valley. Stayed in Amboise at the RS recommended Hotel Bellevue. It was central to the Chateaux we wanted to visit. Bellevue was comfortable and had a great breakfast. Visited Chambord, Chenonceaux, and Villandry and the Chateaux in Amboise and Leonardo's home also in Amboise. Loved Chamborb and Villandry for the beautiful gardens. Headed to the Riveria via rental car. Used euros in all the toll booths and had a uneventual 8 hour trip to Nice.
Rented another apt. In Nice right across the road from the Med. Sea. Explored Nice then headed to Eze the beautiful city on the cliff. It was one of our trip highlights. The weather, in late Oct. , was in the low 70's and sunny. We visited Saint Jean Cap Farret and the Rothschild Mansion and Monte Carlo. Loved the Rothschild mansion and gardens. Monte Carlo was crowded and the traffic was terrible.
We used RS Guides to determine all the places we wanted to see and it worked out perfectly. We flew into Paris (stayed 4 nights), train to Tours (stayed in Amboise 4 nights) drove to Nice and stayed for 5 nights. If we were to do it again we would spend 5 nights in Paris and 4 on the Riveria. We returned the car and flew out of Nice.
Rick's Guide was our major resourse for our itinerary. It helped in planning and giving us the confidence to do this on our own. None of us spoke French, except for a few phrases, and we had no trouble at all communicating. The French people were warm and helpful and we were treated with respect everywhere we traveled. We always greated them when we entered a shop or place of business. I would hope our countrymen would treat visitors as well as we were treated.
We had a wonderful adventure and will have memories for a lifetime.
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Denver, CO
796 posts
Thanks for sharing your trip report! I visited Amboise in the spring and also loved Chambord and Chenonceau.
I agree that the RS guidebooks are a great resource - they not only tell you a bit about the sites, but are honest in saying if something really isn't worth the effort. They give you confidence that you're making the most of your vacation time.
It sounds like you had a really fun trip!