Hey all!

I'll be traveling to Amsterdam, Belgium, Munich, Nice, Monaco, Bordeaux, and Madrid a month from today . . . going with my best friends and keep in mind their budget is a little tighter than mine (so LouisXIII cognac lounges are out for this trip unfortunately) . . . that being said, have any of you been to these cities? (most notably Nice/Southern Rhone wine tasting/Monaco/Bordeaux)

If so, if any of you would be willing to share any recommendations/experiences as to where to stay, where to eat and what to do would be GREATLY appreciated. My traveling party loves fine wine and cuisine so any recommendations as to the best French Chataeu's to visit would be outstanding. We're very well versed in Californian wines but will be taking in two regions of French Wine with hopes of becoming more acquainted with French varietals via the hands-on experience.

Thank all of you in advance . . . Cheers!
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So you are driving from Amsterdam on thru to Munich? Rent something comfortable for all of you to fit in, maybe even try to get a diesel vehicle. Fuel prices are crazy over here, but at least with a desiel you get better miles for your buck.
Belgium beer is very strong, be careful getting up after having a few!
So many ways to look for a hotel over the internet. Visit the BMW museum in Munch, if you have time swing thru Stuttgart and visit the Posche museum too.
As for wine tasting , ask your host. They know best.
GL, be safe and have fun!

 

Thank you very much for the reply!! i believe we'll be flying from Belgium to Munich and then renting a car in Nice . . . and yes that is exactly why i love belgian beer 10% alc makes for quite an evening! There's a BMW mueseum in Munich!?! Right on! thank you for the ideas my firend. anyone else?

 

Don't linger in Nice too long, it's a dump. Aix-en-Provence is gorgeous, as is te drive over to Monaco and into Italy to San Remo. Tons of cool things to see and do down there. Throw away the map and get lost - it always leads to the best stories! Good luck and have fun.

Oh yeah, I found that the best and friendliest vineyards were somewhat off the beaten path north of Toulouse closer to Cordes-sur-Ceil and St Antonin.

 

Thank you much!! rumor is that since i'm going im feb/march many of the vineyards will be closed . . . i do know a friend who is over here in the states who used to work in a few French vinyards in Bordeaux (he's a french native) . . . i appreciate every word of adivce/tips/reccos as i'm absorbing it all to make my two weeks as memorable as possible - appreciate it fellas!

 

Hi there, I've been to Germany, France, Italy and Spain (obviously, i'm Spanish ) so... I can recommend to you some nice places, I don't know what you and your friends like to do or your hobbies are, but my "must to do" is:

- Germany: I've traveled just twice, only to import cars, so I only know places like BMW and Porsche museums, Nürburgring (must must must), etc. You know, take some beer and see car stuff, good if you're a pistonhead .

- France: Last year me and my girlfriend did a roadtrip with my M3 cab from Elche (Alicante, my city) to Barcelona, Marseille, Cannes and Monaco.

Marseille it's a beautiful place, I've been in a hotel called "Sofitel: Palm beach", liked a lot... since it's quite and relaxing, have a nice beach, ate at the port in some restaurants, don't forget to take some "rice with prawns and chicken", incredible.

After two days we went to Cannes, there we stayed at 3.14 HOTEL (African Suite), best hotel EVER, each floor have a different ambientation of every continent, and the top called "CIELO (SKY)" have a big "jacuzzi-pool" with great viewings. Cannes it's beautiful as Marseilla, but not relaxing... just a showroom for wealthy people, you can buy some good clothes in the stores of the best brands of the world like D&G, PRADA, CHANEL, DIOR or eat in the restaurants near the beach, liked the caesar salad... similar to spanish but so different way to do... I recommend to you.

Afterall for me it's the best, less bling-bling than Monaco... but in the same way, beautiful as Marseilla... but not that quite. In the end we went to Monaco, I didn't like it, just like I said before -> BLING BLING <-, so small: 20 ferraris, 50 porsches, 15 lambos, wannabes, shops, casino, *****es and two baths that you have to pay if you want to ****. If you want get over there but better go to the CIRCO

- Spain (Madrid): If you can, stay at "HOTEL SILKEN PUERTA AMERICA", I slept on the floor "VICTORIO Y LUCHINO (SUITE)" but saw the whole hotel... and it's wonderful, must visit, i'll be there this weekend. To take some drinks go to "BUDA DEL MAR", "GABANA", "JOY", in Spain we have some good parties, you will see.

Sorry for my english, hope I helped.

Regards, Alex.