French rail travel - best way to book ex Australia

Hi ... I'm booking rail tickets ex Australia for France and previously have used an agnecy but which is the best site to do it myself (TGV + regional trains)

thanks

malpenza to Verona

the usual dilemma
we arrive at Malpenza airport Miian at 13:45 on Sept 28th and wish to commute to Verona the same day. The airport bus booking website does not respond to our request for direct bus tickets. The alternative train travel requires two journeys via Milan city. Given that Sept is just out of peak season, should we purchase and reserve train seats in advance or will we be able to buy on the day?

thanx-in-advanz

the usual dilemma

we arrive at Malpenza airport Miian at 13:45 on Sept 28th and wish to commute to Verona the same day. The airport bus booking website does not respond to our request for direct bus tickets. The alternative train travel requires two journeys via Milan city. Given that Sept is just out of peak season, should we purchase and reserve train seats in advance or will we be able to buy on the day?

thanx-in-advanz

Itinerary Ideas

I am going on a 2-week solo journey in August to the following places. I would greatly appreciate feedback on this rough itinerary, how to get places, and any ideas of places to see, things to do, etc in each place. I am in my 20's, backpacking and making only a few hotel reservations along the way so I can remain flexible. If I think there is more to see in a place, then I can extend the stay. I enjoy the outdoors, taking in the cultures, and athletics. I am trying to avoid museums but might stop into a few if recommended and group tours of sites.

Day 1- Arrive in Amsterdam, recover from long flight

Day 2-3 - Amsterdam: roam city, bike countryside

Day 4- train to Brussels: get a Belgian Waffle!

Day 5-10- train to Paris: see the sites (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, etc), see Ligue 1 match

Day 11- train to Normandy beaches, then overnight boat to Londo... more »

Is Plastic in Milano still alive?

Anybody knows if Plastic club is still running in Milano? I found contradicting info on the web.

Long-Term Holiday Rentals in Paris

My in-laws are set to celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2014, and my romantic father-in-law is looking to rent an apartment in Paris from April 20th to June 14th with enough room to host friends and family who are lucky enough to drop in.

He's looking at the more traditional sites, and while I know about vrbo.com and airbnb.com, I'm checking in to see if anybody has suggestions for other sites we may not be familiar with. Or have been in a similar situation and have tips.

Naturally, there are financial constraints that we'll need to work around; specifically, he'd like to stay within $1,200 a week ($175 a night or about $5,000 a month). And he'd like to be in an area that's easy for a 70-something couple to walk around. And he'd kill me if I didn't mention "great restaurants" — then, it's Paris.

Any help is much appreciated. They're wonderful, and I'd love to steer them in ... more »

Wine tasting, cheese tasting, restaurant & general tips - Montepulciano

Dear fellow travellers,

I very much value the tips I have received on the Thorn Tree in the past and hope for some useful information for our upcoming trip to Tuscany. Although not as exotic as destinations in the past I am very exited!

We are a couple on their late thirties travelling with our three year old daughter.

We leave on May 25th and will spend two weeks in a rented house between Montepulciano and Montalcino. Between San Giovanni d'Asso & Montisi to be exact.

This was a rather last minute decision so I am not as meticulously prepared as I otherwise would be.
My apologies in advance.

I would very much appreciate any advice you have to offer on the following in the region:

• wine tasting (I am finding a lot of overpriced daytrips catering to Americans - would prefer smaller, more personal but could deal with big if the surroundings are must see)
• cheese t...