Costa del Sol, Spain

LODGING:

• The Beach House – 29648 Mijas Costa – great oasis away from a very commercial area.
  

FOOD:

• El Sherrif – beach location with cheap seafood – Mijas Costa – near the Beach House
• Mijas Playa – 952 493 749 – northern edge of Mijas right on beach, good for drinks but dinner is pricey
• San Francisco – located in Marbella, good outdoor café with very economical options

ATTRACTIONS:

• Gibraltar - a long drive and expect lots of traffic, but you can get some solid view of Morocco and the ships
  

Saint Amour, France

LODGING:

• Chateau Andelot – closing soon, but this is lovely spot in the French countryside. Try to capitalize on this while you still can – Rue de L’Egliese – Andelot – les St. Amour

Lyon, France

ORIENTATION: main train station drops you off in the financial districts. Tourist portion is closer to old town and probably worth staying there. You can rent bikes by many of the free bike stands in town.

LODGING:

• Radisson - located in the Credit Lyon tower. Probably best suited for business travelers, not if you want a part of the old town feel.

FOOD:

• Daily markets between Rhone and Soune Rivers - worth stopping by in the morning
• In the old town you'll find many restaurant, boulangerie and patisserie options - you can't miss!
  

ATTRACTIONS:

• Cathedral of St. Jean
  
• Notre Dame de Fourviere

T&L –Sherman Travel Fall 2007 (Paris, Loire, Lyon, St. Tropez)

Monte Carlo, Monaco

ORIENTATION: If coming from Nice we'd strongly suggest taking the train unless you have a need to take a car. The roads leading to Monaco are 2 lane. If you get behind a truck, find construction or hit rush hour it can be a painfully long (yet beautiful) drive. Check the train schedule in Nice, but that seemed to be the best way to go.

LODGING: there are many high end US and European chains in town here. For cheaper alternatives, go to Nice.

FOOD: Many very pricey restaurants, especiallly around the Casino. Look for bakeries and sandwich shops for cheap eats.

ATTRACTIONS:

• Monte Carlo Casino - 10 Euro to enter, 5 euro minimum to bet. The decor inside is worth a stroll if you are willing to drop 10.
  
• Marina - free glance at some amazing yachts!
  

SHOPPING: you'll find all high end retail chains in this town.

Nice, France

ORIENTATION: Nice Ville is the main train station. It puts you near the Old Town of Nice. From a location standpoint you'll spend time in the old town so think of that when making accomodations.

LODGING:

• Radisson - on the main Avenue along the beach. Great beachwalk to oldtown, but this is pretty far from the center of town.
  

FOOD:

• Les Jardins Du Cpaitole – 52 Pomendaed des Anglais – breakfast café along beach
  
• Koudou – 28 Promendade des Angleai – breakfast café along beach
  
• Le Pub Opera – brassirie in Oldtown nice – 3 Rue St Francois de Paule
• Le Pichoun Bar – Monaco – 1 Avenue Henry Durant – possibly the only cheap eats in Monaco

SHOPPING: hit Old Town , where you will find many kitchen stores, clothing stores and local souvenirs.

T&L – Ayeron, S. France, Avignon (Feb 2008), Sherman Travel Fall 2007 (Paris, Loire, Lyon, St. Tropez

RENTAL CAR:

• Options are at the Airport, Train station or near the Le Meridien Hotel - you'll find Hertz, Avis, Europacar and Sixt
  

Cinque Terre, Italy

ORIENTATION: 5 Towns - Monterossa, Vernazza, Corneglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore (north to south). You'll have to pay 5 Euros (daily, reduced for multiday) to enter the hiking/park system. They have check points in between each town so have your pass ready to be stamped/checked. Each town has a train station, but you'll find that Monterossa has service outside of the region to other parts of Italy. No cars in the towns (only the outskirts of some).

LODGING:

• Allaportarossa - small rooms, but great views. No frills her, but cheap lodging.

FOOD: the birthplace of pesto (you can't go wrong)

• Ristorante Piccolo – Manarola - near the Marina, one of 2 good restaurants in town
• Pizzeria - as you walk towards the Marina look on your left hand side for great pizza by the slice - try the Pesto
  

ATTRACTIONS: the hike is very worthwhile and you can spend 15 minutes to a half day in each town depending on what your pace is.

SHOPPING: for a cool art gallery go to Manarola via train. Once you leave the train station follow the tunnel. At the end of the tunnel immediately on your left you'll find an art gallery with regional pics.

Rome, Italy

ORIENTATION:

LODGING:
• Hilton Cavaleri
• Intercontinental

FOOD:
• Ciao Bella – near Piazza Bernini – Frutti di Mare and Lasanga – plenty of other sidewalk options in the area
• Alla Rampa – near Spanish Steps – walk down steps, take a left, 1st piazza on your left has 3 outdoor restaurants, go to the farthest on the left – Rigatoni Funghi e Salsicca, Swordfish Sicilia, Tiramisu
• Café – try a coffee at Caffe Flavia – right outside the Ottaviano Metro stop – great cheap spot with good coffee before touring the Vatican
• Café – try Tad Café – Via Del Babuino 155 – inside a boutique tucked in the back – wireless access – www.taditaly.com
• Vespri Siciliani – near Cavaleri hotel – great family run Italian
• Il Bagatoo – near Cavaleri hotel – good overlook of Rome
• Fior di Pizza – Via Metatasio 20 cheap pizza
• Divimum – wine bar with Berlin location soon? – www.divinum.it or .eu

ATTRACTIONS:
• ET Rome – good Coliseum, Palantine Hill tours – avoid the Vatican option unless you have a large group (15)
• Coliseum Tour - $11 Euro for ticket (includes Forum, Palantine Hill)
• Vatican Museum – 18 Euro for ticket, includes Vatican museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peters
• Basilica of SS Ambrose & Charles on the Corso Roma – beautiful Baroque style church
• Spanish Steps
• Trevi Fountain
• St. Peter’s in Chains – Moses –
• Pantheon
• Piazza Navona – great artwork and people watching
• Arc di Costantino
•

SHOPPING:
• Farie Dodo – Via Tomacelli 128 – maternity boutique
• Il Bebe – Via Della Vite 42 - children’s boutique
• Calico Lion – Via Della Vite 80 – children’s boutique
• Fausto Santini – Via Frattini 120 – women’s shoes/handbag – www.faustosantini.com
• CIR Ricami a Mano – children’s dresses – Piazza Berberini 11 & via del babuino 103
• TAD – boutique with cool layout – Via del babuino 155 – www.taditaly.com
• Thun – www.thun.it - crafts near Pantheon