Reply to: Nice, France

[Mich the Tester]

The Northern Italian folk seem to be fine but unfortunately every time that I taken a car to Italy, it has been broken in, damaged and robbed. The last time I was driving near Naples they attempted to hijack the car.

UK plates = target.

If you see a smart car in Italy with no dents or scratches it’s either;
- on display at the dealer
- property of Signor Berlusconi, or property of the mafia (don’t ask what the difference is, I don’t know)

[Paddy]

I've found the Italians very friendly pretty much everywhere, except Rome where they are a bit grumpy. Although in the obvious tourist hotspots in Florence, Venice and so on they do treat you like a tourist I've found that once you go off the beaten track somewhere like Turin or Milan they are very nice people. As an example, I had a flat battery in Milan, some complete strangers took the battery out of one of their cars, put it in mine, started my car and then reinstalled my flat one so it could charge.

I'd agree that the German speaking countries have things pretty sorted though, especially in some of the smaller places in the Austrian and Swiss Alps

The Northern Italian folk seem to be fine but unfortunately every time that I taken a car to Italy, it has been broken in, damaged and robbed. The last time I was driving near Naples they attempted to hijack the car.

UK plates = target.

[Mich the Tester]

Apart from their propensity to vote for fascist parties.

They do that in Italy too (except for the ones that vote for communists).

[sasguru]

I'd agree that the German speaking countries have things pretty sorted though, especially in some of the smaller places in the Austrian and Swiss Alps

Apart from their propensity to vote for fascist parties.

[doodab]

Italy's better, as long as you stay away from the big cities or Chiantishire.

I've found the Italians very friendly pretty much everywhere, except Rome where they are a bit grumpy. Although in the obvious tourist hotspots in Florence, Venice and so on they do treat you like a tourist I've found that once you go off the beaten track somewhere like Turin or Milan they are very nice people. As an example, I had a flat battery in Milan, some complete strangers took the battery out of one of their cars, put it in mine, started my car and then reinstalled my flat one so it could charge.

I'd agree that the German speaking countries have things pretty sorted though, especially in some of the smaller places in the Austrian and Swiss Alps

[Paddy]

My very best French is somewhat better than schoolboy level. I can confirm your statement, and in fact add that the better your French, the faster the waiter will speak, in an impossible regional accent, thus rendering any process of ordering their overrated food almost impossible.

Italy's better, as long as you stay away from the big cities or Chiantishire.

And in fact, if you value polite, professional service and good quality food and lodgings at a sensible price, Germany's probably the place to be.

Germany and Austria gets my vote too however the South West of France from Montpellier to Portbou is cheaper the SE France, less pretentious, better service and far less crowded.

[Gibbon]

My very best French is somewhat better than schoolboy level. I can confirm your statement, and in fact add that the better your French, the faster the waiter will speak, in an impossible regional accent, thus rendering any process of ordering their overrated food almost impossible.

Italy's better, as long as you stay away from the big cities or Chiantishire.

And in fact, if you value polite, professional service and good quality food and lodgings at a sensible price, Germany's probably the place to be.

Disagree slightly, the friendliest place I've been too in Italy was Milan. The others I agree, however a few places in Rome recognise me now and are very friendly.

What I've found in the less touristy places is

First visit - a little distant
second - Friendly
third - Family

[Mich the Tester]

This is France we're talking about. You need an establishment with surly waiters who scoff and hmiliate youfor your attempts to order thing in your very best schoolboy French

My very best French is somewhat better than schoolboy level. I can confirm your statement, and in fact add that the better your French, the faster the waiter will speak, in an impossible regional accent, thus rendering any process of ordering their overrated food almost impossible.

Italy's better, as long as you stay away from the big cities or Chiantishire.

And in fact, if you value polite, professional service and good quality food and lodgings at a sensible price, Germany's probably the place to be.

[Churchill]

If you're in the area I recommend a trip up to Gourdon, the views down the VAR are amazing.

Gourdon Village France

[NotAllThere]

They recognise class when they see it. ...

Third or working?

[doodab]

You might want to take a brolly.

BBC News - Deadly flash floods hit southern France

[Moscow Mule]

Port Grimaud is an interesting place. It's designed so most (all?) houses have a berth for a yacht. Has a kind of Venice-like feel.
The rich of Europe have holiday homes there.

It looks terribly gauche. One might even say, ghastly.

[Fred Bloggs]

I find the ETAP Hotel near to Nice airport OK myself.

[Toastiness]

Infinity pools might be a bit hard to find in the large cities, you'll have more luck in the smaller villages on the coast.

The Eden Roc on the Cap d'Antibes should have one, and I think there is a hotel in the village of Eze that has one too.

[sasguru]

If they let YOU stay there sas, they don't have any qualms over the gene pool either!!

They recognise class when they see it.

Port Grimaud is an interesting place. It's designed so most (all?) houses have a berth for a yacht. Has a kind of Venice-like feel.
The rich of Europe have holiday homes there.