France, Italy, Switzerland - WHERE SHOULD I STAY?!?

Question

Hi guys,

I'm taking my wife on our honeymoon to Europe. We're booked on two tours. One starts in Paris and ends in Nice (southern France). 4 days later, the second tour starts in Milan (northern Italy).

Basically I need recommendations on where to stay during those 3-4 days in the middle. I'm looking for something romantic, beautiful, etc.. I've been recommended Como, Lugano, and Aix en Provence.

If you know of a city, village, town, whatever that's somewhere between Nice and Milan and that you think is suitable for two honeymooners (in our late 20's), let me know.

I'd also appreciate any advice as to how to get from Nice to Milan the fastest and cheapest way.

Thanks

Answer 1

GO TO ANNECY FRANCE!!!!!!!!!

Just North of Nice I believe and only 3 hours train to Milan!

It is the CLEANEST lake in Europe, in the French alps, small medieval town with a castle, absolutely BEAUTIFUL.  You can hike on Mt.Veyrier or peddleboat on Lac Annecy itself.  There are tons of creperies, and lovely restaurants.  This town is fabulous, and you can day trip to Lyon or Nice from there, or Geneva, Switzerland is only 45 min by train and is BEAUTIFUL as well!  Also lots of water sports to do, and if you just want to stroll the town too, it is beautiful and quiet.  

Stay at Hotel Alexandria on 19 rue Vaugelas, I stayed there last year, it is in Annecy Vielle Ville (old town), and is less than 5 minutes walk to a mall, the lake, and is located right beside one of the canals.

I went there last year, for 55 EUR/night we had a dbl room with two windows overlooking a canal.  Lots of stairs though but I can hardly think of a more romantic place.

Here are 4 of my best photos from there; if you're interested I can email more to you.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kpasc/20780...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kpasc/11110...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kpasc/20773...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kpasc/20780...

EDIT:  Here's a 5th photo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kpasc/11110...

Answer 2

to get to milan from nice. take a TGV (high speed train)

since you'll be in europe for a while it seems

you should get a carte d'orange

its a weekly or monthly TGV pass for ulimited use

i would go to monaco for 2 days then

spend a day in grenoble, france.

its a cute city, and not many tourist know about it.

then i would go to geneva, switzerland

and spend a day there.

Answer 3

It would be fun to take your wife to Gimmerwald in the Swiss Alps. It would be a nice, cool break for the hectic type of travel offered by organized tours. You take the train from Nice to Interlaken, and then the cog train up above Lauderbrunen and then the cable car up to Gimmerwald. There are two or three small, family run hotels there. You can hike in the mountains and breath the cool clean air. You'll need it before you head down into Italy, which is hot, loud, and a bit crazy.