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France & Italy suggestions

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BayBuck

BayBuck

Buckeyes are best
So I'm planning my honeymoon for this summer, a two-week trip from Paris to Rome, and I'm wondering if you all have any recommendations of places to see over there. Now, I've got the general itinerary all set, and I've been there before so I'm familiar with all the major/obvious sites, but I'm looking for under-the-radar, off-the-beaten-path, or just unique/interesting suggestions for:

-Paris
-South of France (Provence)
-Italian Riviera
-Rome

What say you, BP?
 
Show up the day of W's visit to Rome. It gives you a great 1 1/2 mile walking tour of the city in 90 degree heat when all the subways are closed for security and you need to get to your hotel. :p

We stayed in Aventino last summer, which was a nice break from the noise of the touristy city, but it's a hike to the nearest subway. If you're down that way, there's a nice rose garden, and an orange tree park that overlooks the city.

We also enjoyed walking up to Trastevere one of the nights for dinner - nice atmosphere along the river in the evening.

I'll think it over and see if I can remember anything else unusual we did in Rome, but it was a brief stay, and our first time there, so a lot of it was the "obvious" stuff.

If you're going through Florence/Siena and are interested, I can recommend a great wine tour we did from there.
 
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MolGenBuckeye;1141121; said:
I'll think it over and see if I can remember anything else unusual we did in Rome, but it was a brief stay, and our first time there, so a lot of it was the "obvious" stuff.
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Don't get me wrong, the obvious stuff is good and necessary (it's my fiancee's first time to Europe), but "obviously" it's all in the tourist books. :)

MolGenBuckeye;1141121; said:
If you're going through Florence/Siena and are interested, I can recommend a great wine tour we did from there.
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That area is still a possibility, so yeah, appreciate the info.
 
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I've never been to Italy but I did visit Paris for 10 days a few years ago, so maybe I can help.

We stayed at the Hotel Elysees which a block down from the Arc de Triomphe. If you've never stayed in a European hotel in a big city be prepared to see the tinyest room you've ever seen, but it'll be clean, quiet and have everything you need. The Metropolitain is the subway system and it's great. There's a main hub under the Arc and you can go anywhere in the city from there.

If you're on the Champs Elysees - and you should be - make sure to have dinner at the Sebillon Elysees. Fantastic French restaurant and even a semi-picky eater (like me) can find plenty to enjoy. If you don't have the profiteroles for dessert, you're missing out.

The Arc de Triomphe, Louvre and the Eiffel Tower are must visits, of course, but Sacre Coeuer and Hotel des Invalides (Napoleon's tomb) are interesting as well. If you're into creepy history check out the catacombes (I did), too.

Everyone will tell you to visit Notre Dame, and for good reason, but I was more impressed with the Cathedral de Notre Dame in Reims. Where is Reims? About a 45 minute train ride into the Champagne region. Tour one of the wineries and sample the wares while you're there.

We also took a tour bus into the country to visit Monet's home, and the gardens made famous in his paintings. Didn't do much for me but my companion found it romantic and she made me appreciate it more as the day went on. :wink:

Warning: if you don't speak French, stay in Paris where English will work just fine. In Reims, I encountered language barriers that would've been a problem had my travel partner not been fluent in French. (For a moment just now, I actually missed her) :p

Hope some of that is useful. Have a great trip and if you have a question, just ask.
 
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Italia

Yes definitely see wine country. Buf if you have time, see Venice not just the canals and gondolas but also the art and the great restaurants. If you are so inclined, a must see is a opera. Take time to take the tour of Vatican City. You do not have to be catholic to enjoy the artisans, culture, and the whole environment. It is much busier than you might think. Also, if you rent a car, they all drive like maniacs. Many think they are Enzo Ferarri in a Fiat.

In France check out the Louvre. France also has a lot to offer. Check out the wine country there as well. France is so much more than Paris.
 
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BayBuck;1141122; said:
That area is still a possibility, so yeah, appreciate the info.
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We took a tour with Rebecca Christopherson at TUSCANY WINE TOURS - wine tours in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. She does semi-private tours (we were with two other couples). They're quite reasonably priced for a full day trip where you actually get to interact with the guide and with the local people. We did the Montalcino tour, which went to a small organic winery.
 
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Jake;1141136; said:
If you're on the Champs Elysees - and you should be - make sure to have dinner at the Sebillon Elysees. Fantastic French restaurant and even a semi-picky eater (like me) can find plenty to enjoy. If you don't have the profiteroles for dessert, you're missing out.
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Love the restaurant suggestion, that's always key for a trip like this. I already have reservations for the Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower, get to see the view without waiting in line. Thanks!

Jimmy Carter;1141137; said:
Tuscany.

But I hear the price of rental property there is outrageous.
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We were going to hit Tuscany along the way, but had no luck finding reservations: there's really nothing available.
 
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Buckeye513;1141158; said:
When in Rome, don't take the metro. Someone will try to steal your shit.
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We actually didn't have a problem, and that was the only transport we used in Rome. If you do, just be aware of the people around you. But not too aware, because then they're probably trying to distract you. :)
 
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