Off to Europe in April

[Colin]

In early April my wife and I are headed to Europe for a two week vacation. We are not likely visiting Scotland this time around (we did that last time) though we have a lot of connections there and would love to go back. We are however landing in London, spending a few days to avoid Easter in Rome, than going to Paris, Nice, Rome, Venice, and hopefully Geneva before returning to London to fly out two weeks later. We are backpacking and will be going fairly quickly so the kilts are not coming along. I need a light load and more multi-purpose clothing that I am not too worried about leaving behind.

There is a pretty wide spectrum of members hereso I thought I would ask for recommendations on places to see, stay, and eat while in the cities listed above.

Any suggestions folks? We arrive on the 9th of April (our 9th anniversary) and fly out of Gatwick on the 22nd.

[haukehaien]

It's been a while since I was in Paris*, so I'll leave that to others to suggest things. I have been in Rome recently, so here are some things that are good, IMO.

Eating place:
La Piazzetta de Trastevere. (Google Map) This is an excellent place with a wood-fired grill/pizza oven. The gnochi is amazing, the desserts are incredible, and the seafood is wonderful. Trastevere is a part of Rome that's worth seeing, if you get the chance, BTW. If you have time, wander around the streets and see medieval Rome, if not always in the buildings, at least in the street plan.

Things to see:
If you like history/archaeology, San Clemente basilica is worth seeing. The basilica is 12th century, but excavations underneath have uncovered a 4th-century basilica and a 1st-2nd century insula (apartment block).

My wife is rather fond of the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary. It's also the site of Julius Caesar's murder, if that's the sort of thing that you enjoy, although the chalk marks drawn by the forum police have long since washed away.

The Forum. But first, read Silver Pigs, or at least watch HBO's Rome. Actually, I found Silver Pigs to be an excellent thing to read before seeing most of Imperial Rome, not just the Forum.

*Okay, I went though the airport (CDG) on the 2nd of January; the only suggestion I have is "Don't eat in the airport."

[Colin]

"Don't eat in the airport."

That's a given at every airport I have ever been to.

Thanks for the tips haulehaien. My wife has been to Rome and Venice approx 10 years ago so she knows some of the sights she really wants to show me and some that she missed last time. Your tips look like they will add even more fun to the trip. Much appreciated.

[macwilkin]

http://www.theauldallianceparis.com/

T.

[Colin]

I may check it out Todd, but I am the kind of traveler that likes the local culture.

If I was that keen on a Scottish pub I would take up my friends on their offer of their caravan in Dunoon and head to Scotland for 2 weeks for a pint of McEwans 70 (Mmmmmm).

I'll certainly keep it in mind.

[Southern Breeze]

Have you seen the 'Europe Through The Backdoor' site? I've not traveled abroad yet, but I have picked up a lot of traveling light tips here.

http://www.ricksteves.com/

[McELT]

I wish I could remember all the places in Rome that I used to haunt when I would go over for extended weekends from Sardinia.

One of my favorite things to do was to eat lunch in "bottle" shops - ie wine merchants. You can usually ask the concierge at the hotel where to find one. The fare is simple and you don't get a choice - what the cook is making is what you eat - but it was usually cheap and delicious.

Since I lived in Italy, I usually ate Chinese for dinner and hung out at an Irish Pub.

[Colin]

I'm looking forward to the trip. I have been to the UK and have traveled a big portion of Canada and have explored the US and Mexico, but this is my first time in continental Europe.

My backpack is dusted off and ready to be tossed around between coaches, trains, hostels and B&B's.

[starbkjrus]

Have you seen the 'Europe Through The Backdoor' site? I've not traveled abroad yet, but I have picked up a lot of traveling light tips here.

http://www.ricksteves.com/

Colin,

I HIGHLY recommend Rick Steves. I got the full set of his Europe DVDs for Christmas and they are excellent. Lots of tips and "hidden" things to see as well as the biggie touristy ones. The TV DVDs are on sale now $4.97 US per DVD. If I were you I'd go shopping on the website and at the very least get the DVD's for the countries you'll be visiting. You won't regret it.

[Colin]

My wife is a big fan of his stuff. She's been to the UK, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Thailand, Dominican Republic, Haiti, all over Mexico, and a few places and has often used his guides.

We rented a few Rick Steves videos regarding Paris and the south of France and I just found them more geared for the tour group crowd ($$$$$ as opposed to $$). His language guides are great, but I think I'll have to stick with my lonely planet for travel and accommodation.