Going to Italy and Switzerland, NEED ADVISE | FerrariChat

Going to Italy and Switzerland, NEED ADVISE

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by Godfather, Jul 30, 2004.

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  1. Godfather

    Godfather Formula Junior

    Nov 7, 2002
    487
    Fiorano
    Hey guys,

    I need some help planning my vacation to Europe next March. I understand it gets quite chilly so what I would like to do is visit Venice(Please the wife) for a 3 or 4 days then go off to Switzerland to do some skiing. Where in Switzerland is the place to go? I'd also like to make my way to Monaco as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Murcielago03

    Murcielago03 Formula Junior

    Jul 5, 2004
    428
    Montreal
    Full Name:
    Shaan
    Switzerland is gorgeous! The whole country isnt very big at all so you can visit anywhere within a maximum 7hr car ride. But for touring check out Zurich and Geneva. I must say that Zurich is extreamly expensive though from food to lodging. A Mcdonalds Big Mac Trio cost me $13 USD and an additional $1usd for 3 packets of ketchup. I know a place where you can rent exotics there for fairly low (by euro standards) like a Murci would cost about $2000 USD a day. I'll find the brochure and post the site later. Otherwise for getting around in Zurich use the train system its very well refined and shows you good scenery along the way. Good Luck have a great time!
     
  3. Z0RR0

    Z0RR0 F1 Rookie

    Apr 11, 2004
    3,470
    Montreal, Canada
    Full Name:
    Julien
    chilly? where in the US are you? I'm in Canada, and can tell you it does NOT get chilly in the alps compared to up here. During winter's coldest (february), temps on the mountain is in the 0-5C during the day, and -5/-10C during the night. That's as chilly as it will get. In march, nothing to worry about if you're not at altitude.
    I'd stay less in Venice, and more in Monaco, IMHO. 2 days should be plenty, unless you like museums and stuff like that (which do take time). Once you've ordered your Espresso stretto on Piazza San Marco, went for a gondola tour, and walked the stinky (it DOES smell like swamp in the little "streets") streets ... you're kinda done with it. Do some shopping, and watch out not to get screwed. Damn italians. :). Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's not beautiful, it is, actually a truly wonderful and stunning city ... just IMHO, 4 days are too many, especially if you're on a tight schedule.

    Monaco is downright amazing. The scenery (the whole coast, not just Monaco) is breathtaking, the architecture, the cars (check my online album, was there a week ago ... all these pics were snapped within an afternoon : http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4286099561), the boats, the ice creams, the plants (Casino and Japanese gardens). Best thing to do is park in some underground parking (we found lots of room at the Casino parking late saturday morning, so there must be lots of room there all the time!) and hang around on foot. Too crowded for driving around, IMO. And reserve your hotel early in that area. Be prepared to gain 10-20lbs if you like good food. I did :)

    If you want a nice scenic road, while you're around there, I recomend the N84 (called "route Napoleon"). A great scenic road in the lower alps. If you're gonna travel from Switzerland to Monaco by car, I recomend the french side more than italian. In Italy you really go through some heavy industrial cities, with big emissions and stuff. It's kinda special. Unless you take only mountain back roads, then, I'm all for italian roads and their beloved Carabinieri who are far from the now a$$holish Gendarmes.

    Sorry, can't help for skiing in Switzerland ... but Austria, Italy and France all have awesome skiing resorts ... although none in France or Italy matches Utah snow (Alta, in particular). Mont Genevre, for example is (was? haven't been there for 5 years) a great not too crowded family ski area, with great slopes (from barely flat to "is that where I'm supposed to go?") and awesome scenery, just at the french/italian border.

    We need more specifics here ... lots to do in that big area!

    Isn't there the Geneva motor show around february march? :D
     
  4. jordan747_400

    jordan747_400 F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 9, 2002
    6,928
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    Jordan
    Gondola rides arent really worth it $$ :(

    When I did it the canals were PACKED and we spent of our time against a wall floating. Our gondolier looked like an ex-SAS and spent the whole time smoking and glaring at me...No opera singing from him :)

    Walking around the cities in Italy and exploring is the way to go. All my best memories are from getting lost in the cities and finding some hidden treasures!

    The big museums and a couple of the large churches in Italy are PACKED as well. Long lines...so plan some line waiting time in your schedule as well.

    While in Italy I would try and check out Sienna. Absolutely beautiful city...By far my favorite from my whole trip.
     

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