Trip France/Switzerland Mid June 19 days

Saturday, June 10 – Depart US to Paris

Sunday, June 11 – Eiffel Tower, Louvre

Monday, June 12 – Notre Dame, Montmarte, Arc de Triumphe?, Opera House?

Tuesday, June 13 – Pick up car, tour Versailles, drive north to Giverny
(Monet’s garden), continue north on D982/D65 Abby Road. Stay 1 night in
Honfleur (http://www.lesmaisonsdelea.com

Wednesday, June 14 – Drive to WWII museum and tour in afternoon, spend 1
night in area (http://www.hotel-de-la-marine.fr/index_en.html, Quai du
Canada

Thursday, June 15 – Tour D-Day beaches (van or car?); drive to Mont St.
Michel and spend 1 night (http://www.auberge-saint-pierre.fr, 50170 Le
mont Saint Michel)

Friday, June 16 – Tour Mont St. Michel; depart by late morning; drive to
possibly Chartres (quick tour of cathedral) then Burgundy. Spend 1 night
in Beaune (http://www.webstore.fr/hotel-remparts, 48-50 Rue Thiers,
21200 Beaune)

Saturday, June 17 – Drive to Provence; spend 1 night in ????
(http://www.hotel-lesflorets.com, Route des Dentelles - 84190 GIGONDAS, )

Sunday, June 18 – Tour aquaduct, etc, spend 1 night in Les Baux
(http://www.masdaigret.com, Le Mas d'Aigret - 13520 Les Baux de Provence)

Monday, June 19 – Drive to Riviera; spend 1 night in
Villefranche-Sur-Mer (http://www.hotel-fiancee-du-pirate.cote.azur.fr,

Tuesday, June 20 – Visit Monte Carlo, drive north via Turin, Italy and
Mont Blanc tunnel to Chamonix; spend 3 nights (http://www.boisprin.com,
69 chemin de l'hermine – Les Moussoux
74400 Chamonix - Savoie – France,)

Wednesday, June 21 – trams, trains, and hikes in French Alps

Thursday, June 22 – more of the same

Friday, June 23 – drive to Grindewald; hike etc in Swiss Alps; spend 3
nights at Belvedere (http://www.belvedere-grindelwald.ch, Hotel
Belvedere, CH-3818 Grindelwald)


Saturday, June 24 – hike etc in Swiss Alps

Sunday, June 25 – hike etc in Swiss Alps

Monday, June 26 – drive to Lucerne; do tram to Mt. Pilatus, stay 2
nights in Burgenstock (http://www.buergenstock-hotels.ch/, BÜRGENSTOCK
HOTELS & RESORT,)


Wednesday, June 27 – Hike in Burgenstock on Felsenweg trail in morning,
drive to Zurich

Wednesday, June 28 – Fly to US
http://www.hotel-fiancee-du-pirate.cote.azur.fr

Catherine wrote in news:tSq9g.56693
:


Too many hotels by far. the locations for the 13th and 14th aren't very
far pick one. LesFlorets in Gigondas however, you MUST at least eat
there, This is one of my personal favorite places, be sure to drink La
Garrigue wine while there (it is their vinyard) While Gigondas is a bit
out of the way and Les Beaux may be easier to reach, well I have fond
memories of Gigondas.


Saturday, June 10 – Depart US to Paris

Sunday, June 11 – Eiffel Tower, Louvre

Monday, June 12 – Notre Dame, Montmarte, Arc de Triumphe?, Opera
House?

Tuesday, June 13 – Pick up car, tour Versailles, drive north to
Giverny
(Monet’s garden), continue north on D982/D65 Abby Road. Stay 1 night
in
Honfleur (http://www.lesmaisonsdelea.com

Wednesday, June 14 – Drive to WWII museum and tour in afternoon, spend
1
night in area (http://www.hotel-de-la-marine.fr/index_en.html, Quai du
Canada

Thursday, June 15 – Tour D-Day beaches (van or car?); drive to Mont
St.
Michel and spend 1 night (http://www.auberge-saint-pierre.fr, 50170 Le
mont Saint Michel)

Friday, June 16 – Tour Mont St. Michel; depart by late morning; drive
to
possibly Chartres (quick tour of cathedral) then Burgundy. Spend 1
night
in Beaune (http://www.webstore.fr/hotel-remparts, 48-50 Rue Thiers,
21200 Beaune)

Saturday, June 17 – Drive to Provence; spend 1 night in ????
(http://www.hotel-lesflorets.com, Route des Dentelles - 84190
GIGONDAS, )

Sunday, June 18 – Tour aquaduct, etc, spend 1 night in Les Baux
(http://www.masdaigret.com, Le Mas d'Aigret - 13520 Les Baux de
Provence)

Monday, June 19 – Drive to Riviera; spend 1 night in
Villefranche-Sur-Mer (http://www.hotel-fiancee-du-pirate.cote.azur.fr,

Tuesday, June 20 – Visit Monte Carlo, drive north via Turin, Italy and
Mont Blanc tunnel to Chamonix; spend 3 nights
(http://www.boisprin.com,
69 chemin de l'hermine – Les Moussoux
74400 Chamonix - Savoie – France,)

Wednesday, June 21 – trams, trains, and hikes in French Alps

Thursday, June 22 – more of the same

Friday, June 23 – drive to Grindewald; hike etc in Swiss Alps; spend 3
nights at Belvedere (http://www.belvedere-grindelwald.ch, Hotel
Belvedere, CH-3818 Grindelwald)


Saturday, June 24 – hike etc in Swiss Alps

Sunday, June 25 – hike etc in Swiss Alps

Monday, June 26 – drive to Lucerne; do tram to Mt. Pilatus, stay 2
nights in Burgenstock (http://www.buergenstock-hotels.ch/, BÜRGENSTOCK
HOTELS & RESORT,)


Wednesday, June 27 – Hike in Burgenstock on Felsenweg trail in
morning,
drive to Zurich

Wednesday, June 28 – Fly to US
http://www.hotel-fiancee-du-pirate.cote.azur.fr

--
Joseph Coulter
Cruises and Vacations
http://www.josephcoulter.com/

"Notre Dame, Montmarte, Arc de Triumphe?, Opera House?"

If you don't mind another museum, consider the Musee D'Orsay. It has
the best collection of impressionist painting in the world.

The modern art museum Centre Pompidou is one of the most unique
buildings in the world, and even if you have no interest in modern art,
you should definitely see the building from the outside.

Notre Dame is nice, but don't miss the nearby (but kind of hard to
find) Sainte Chapelle, which is much smaller and even more beautiful.

Montmartre is a tourist trap, but has great views of the rest of the
city. If you want to see a "real" Parisian neighborhood, consider the
Marais or Menilmontant around Avenue Oberkampf.

I wouldn't go out of your way to see the Arc du Triomphe in light of
the city's myriad other attractions. One very touristy thing that is
worth doing is the Bateaux Mouches boat tour at night. It's incredible
to see the city at night from the water.

Make sure you have time for a wine tour in Burgundy.

If it was my trip, I'd cut out Monte Carlo and wouldn't spend time in
both Chamonix and Grindelwald - and I'd hit Avignon and Aix-en-Provence
instead. But you seem to really enjoy mountains and hiking.

Iceman wrote:


If you don't mind another museum, consider the Musee D'Orsay. It has
the best collection of impressionist painting in the world.


Our friends have said that they enjoyed the Musee D'Orsay more than the
any other museum on their time in Paris. We will have to put that one
on our agenda.

The modern art museum Centre Pompidou is one of the most unique
buildings in the world, and even if you have no interest in modern art,
you should definitely see the building from the outside.

Notre Dame is nice, but don't miss the nearby (but kind of hard to
find) Sainte Chapelle, which is much smaller and even more beautiful.

I think we saw that in the Rick Steves video. If I remember correctly,
it looked beautiful.


Montmartre is a tourist trap, but has great views of the rest of the
city. If you want to see a "real" Parisian neighborhood, consider the
Marais or Menilmontant around Avenue Oberkampf.

I wouldn't go out of your way to see the Arc du Triomphe in light of
the city's myriad other attractions. One very touristy thing that is
worth doing is the Bateaux Mouches boat tour at night. It's incredible
to see the city at night from the water.

Make sure you have time for a wine tour in Burgundy.

If it was my trip, I'd cut out Monte Carlo and wouldn't spend time in
both Chamonix and Grindelwald - and I'd hit Avignon and Aix-en-Provence
instead. But you seem to really enjoy mountains and hiking.

We have been to Grindelwald before and really enjoyed the hiking. We
thought this would be the relaxing part of our trip. We have two kids
along with us ages 14 and 12, so they will enjoy the challenge.

Thanks for all of your suggestions.

Regards,

Cath

I agree it is too many hotels, but we are trying to see a lot of ground
in a little bit of time. We will be traveling light and are kind of
used to this quick of traveling.

Thanks for the recommendation on the restaurant. That is one of our
favorite things to do in each of the different towns we visit. My
husband loves a good wine and I love the food.

Regards,

Cath

Joseph Coulter wrote:




Too many hotels by far. the locations for the 13th and 14th aren't very
far pick one. LesFlorets in Gigondas however, you MUST at least eat
there, This is one of my personal favorite places, be sure to drink La
Garrigue wine while there (it is their vinyard) While Gigondas is a bit
out of the way and Les Beaux may be easier to reach, well I have fond
memories of Gigondas.

Too much ground on too little time, this reminds me of japanese touristes
who visit 3 european capitals in 4 days.
Maybe you won't be tired after your flight and Melatonine pills will help
you out, but anyway Paris is worth at least 2 days more.
Montmartre needs you to sit on the steps and enjoy the panorama, take your
time and not rush about, it is not a tourist trap, it is a trap made by
tourists but I've seen much worse traps.
If you go to Montmartre + Pigalle you need half a day.
The Louvre can be combined with the Opera, they are not far apart and this
with the Tuileries garden, rue de Rivoli, Hôtel de Ville and the Seine need
a day.
The Eiffel tower with the Trocadero needs half a day, combined with the
Invalides, then maybe the quartier Latin ?
Or going upwards, Arc de Triomphe + Champs Elysées, Concorde and back to the
Tuileries...in reverse, la Défense.
Versailles needs a whole day by itself, unless you skip what's worth seeing,
in the Parc le petit Trianon and le Grand Trianon + other places are nice +
the palace, then Giverny ???
Wow--- impossible !
Same comment for the rest, you'll drive a lot, see some stuff, get an idea
but that's about all...
Sorry.
Tu as les yeux plus grand que le ventre !


"Catherine" a écrit dans le message de news:
...
I agree it is too many hotels, but we are trying to see a lot of ground in
a little bit of time. We will be traveling light and are kind of used to
this quick of traveling.

Thanks for the recommendation on the restaurant. That is one of our
favorite things to do in each of the different towns we visit. My husband
loves a good wine and I love the food.

Regards,

Cath

Joseph Coulter wrote:




Too many hotels by far. the locations for the 13th and 14th aren't very
far pick one. LesFlorets in Gigondas however, you MUST at least eat
there, This is one of my personal favorite places, be sure to drink La
Garrigue wine while there (it is their vinyard) While Gigondas is a bit
out of the way and Les Beaux may be easier to reach, well I have fond
memories of Gigondas.

Joseph Coulter wrote:
Too many hotels by far. the locations for the 13th and 14th aren't
very far pick one. LesFlorets in Gigondas however, you MUST at least
eat there, This is one of my personal favorite places, be sure to
drink La Garrigue wine while there (it is their vinyard) While
Gigondas is a bit out of the way and Les Beaux may be easier to
reach, well I have fond memories of Gigondas.

I stayed in LesFlorets a few weeks ago, and I agree that it is indeed a nice
place to eat. But there is another restaurant in Gigondas, a fantastic place
: l'Oustalet. This one must not be missed under any circumstance. It is a
gastronomy restaurant, but the prices are still reasonable.

Catherine wrote:

I agree with those who have remarked that this plan is hyperactive.

Saturday, June 10 ? Depart US to Paris

Sunday, June 11 ? Eiffel Tower, Louvre

Most flights from US to Paris arrive in the morning having lost a night's
sleep. It takes about 1 1/2 hours from touchdown till you reach your
destination in the city. You will be tired unless you flew business...

Monday, June 12 ? Notre Dame, Montmarte, Arc de Triumphe?, Opera House?

It goes without saying there are various other sights in Paris...

Tuesday, June 13 ? Pick up car, tour Versailles, drive north to Giverny
(Monet?s garden), continue north on D982/D65 Abby Road. Stay 1 night in
Honfleur (http://www.lesmaisonsdelea.com

Nice places, each worth more than an hour (don't forget Museum of American
Impressionists at Giverny (museum building/garden itself is worth a visit,
and lunch on the terrace is nice)).

Wednesday, June 14 ? Drive to WWII museum and tour in afternoon, spend 1
night in area (http://www.hotel-de-la-marine.fr/index_en.html, Quai du
Canada

Perusing my postings it appears I have a grudge againt the Mémorial in Caen.
I found it largely uninteresting and very expensive. Go see the cathedral
and tapestry at Bayeux instead (also British cemetery at Bayeux).

Thursday, June 15 ? Tour D-Day beaches (van or car?); drive to Mont St.
Michel and spend 1 night (http://www.auberge-saint-pierre.fr, 50170 Le
mont Saint Michel)

In addition to the American cemetery at Colleville, the German one at La
Cambe is well worth visiting

Friday, June 16 ? Tour Mont St. Michel; depart by late morning; drive to
possibly Chartres (quick tour of cathedral) then Burgundy. Spend 1 night
in Beaune (http://www.webstore.fr/hotel-remparts, 48-50 Rue Thiers,
21200 Beaune)

After all your travelling and intensive driving from one place to another
you will need all that time in the Alps to recover!

Keith W wrote:

Dont miss the train ride to the Jungfraujoch while in Grindlewald,
its expensive so pick a clear day, the views up there are amazing.

I'd rather suggest the cablecar to the Aiguille du Midi... The view is much
better, I think... And, at least you see the views as you go up, when the
train to the Jungfraujoch goes through a tunnel all the way.

Keith W wrote:

"

Dont miss the train ride to the Jungfraujoch while in Grindlewald,
its expensive so pick a clear day, the views up there are amazing.

Keith

Is it better than the rides to Gornergrat or Alp Gruem?
--
wf.