Trip Coach: September 19, 2006

BT Editors: Last year, my boyfriend and I backpacked through Europe in April and May. We flew in and out of Paris and passed through Nice a couple times. We were both surprised how different both cities seemed when comparing early April and mid-to-late May. April was very rainy in Paris; and in Nice, beach weather was still a ways around the corner. However, by May both cities were fantastic, but not crowded by summer tourists yet-- meaning we were able to barely beat high-season tourist prices. After a bit of comparison-shopping, we found that for the two of us, it was actually cheaper in most cases to stay in a modest two or three star hotel, rather than booking single beds in hostels. Also, some of our favorite meals were picnics of hand-cut cheeses, warm baguette and fresh fruit from the outdoor market with a bottle of wine. A cheap and fun way to experience local climate-- watch what others buy to find out what's best in each region.

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Kansas City, MO: My family and I are traveling to New York City in April 2007 and since there are 8 of us, I was wondering if it would be better to try and rent an apartment or suite. Do you know of any agencies I can contact about finding a property? Also, we are wanting to be near Carnegie Hall as my niece will be singing there!

BT Editors: I would check out Craigslist.com. I moved here from California six months ago, knowing little to nothing about the area, nor anybody who lived here. Without too much trouble, I found a great furnished sublet in Hell's Kitchen at a very reasonable price--sight, unseen. However, when I pulled up to the place in a cab, the girl's boyfriend was waiting for me to hand over the key and useful city-wise information. Everyone has something going on here in the city, and when you DO get a great apartment, you don't want to let go of it. So, people sublet so that they can still make rent while they're away and don't have to give up their apartment. Whether you're staying a week or a month, there will be someone offering exactly what you need. I would suggest the Upper West Side or Upper East Side if you have that many people. Closet space might be limited, but if you can handle living out of suitcases, it can be a cheap and comfortable alternative to a hotel. Just make sure you can get in touch with the renter (I suggest over the phone) and feel him or her out.

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Kennesaw, GA: Please advise when we need dress pants and/or dresses while in London and France next month. Can we wear jeans to museums, restaurants, shows, cruises?

BT Editors: While having never been to London, I have never had a problem getting into a museum in France wearing jeans. These are tourist destinations and we all know what kind of jokes everyone makes about tourists--not exactly the snappiest dressers. As far as restaurants, it will depend on the type of dining you will be doing. For example, a 3-star Michelin restaurant will most likely require men to wear jackets and not allow jeans. And if you're going on a cruise, the cruise line operator will be more than happy to answer any dress-code questions about shows, dining on board, etc.

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Magnolia, TX: My daughter and I (age 62) are taking an Oceania cruise starting November 5th in Athens and ending in Rome on November 15th. We have three days extra in Italy. Should we stay in Rome for the three days or tour Rome for one day and then take a train to Venice to spend two nights before returning by train to Rome for our flight home? Which is best three days in Rome or one day in Rome and two in Venice?

BT Editors: We say stick with Rome for three days--you certainly won't run out of things to do! Three days in one place will give you a chance to get to get a feel for the city as opposed to rushing up and down the Italian countryside. It's a long train ride between Rome and Venice (four and a half hours), and November in Venice tends to be dreary and rainy. Before you go, print out our Rome Snap Guide, packed with insider tips on the best tips to eat, shop, and play.

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Fort Lauderdale, FL: We are going to Italy next month and will be in Florence for 5 days. We are looking for day trips via train or bus to see some of the countryside. Any suggestions?

BT Editors: Lots! A stay in Florence places you in the heart of much-loved Tuscany, and by October, the region's often-overwhelming number of tourists will hopefully have dwindled. Pisa, an hour by train, can easily be seen in an afternoon; for tips on its iconic tower, consult our story, "Dream Trips: Pisa." It's almost a two-hour train ride to Siena, whose central piazza plays host to the traditional palio (horserace) each summer. Climb 500 steps to the top of its medieval bell tower, Torre de Mangia, and you'll be rewarded with postcard-perfect views of tiled rooftops and cyprus trees. For train information, visit the website of Trenitalia. The tiny hill town of Montepulciano, famous for its red wines, is accessible by train to Chiusi and then a bus or cab ride to the town center or alternatively by a two-hour bus ride. If you'd like to sample something beyond Tuscany, Bologna--a lively university town in Emilia-Romagna with a great food and art scene--is an hour-and-a-half train ride to the northeast of Florence. (Compare its central Neptune statue/fountain to the one in Florence's Piazza della Signoria.) For the latest on the arts in Bologna, read "Italy's Newest Art District is Born in Bologna."

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BT Editors: Thanks for all your great questions. See you next week!

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