TravelStories Episode 38: Exploring the French and Italian Rivieras with Family
Jul 31, 2024
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Trevor, an adventurous traveler, shares captivating tales from his recent family trip to the stunning French and Italian Rivieras. He discusses the joys and challenges of multi-generational travel, highlighting how logistics can complicate family outings. Trevor reveals insider tips on hotels, accommodations, and even the best local dining experiences. He brings listeners along for a cheese tour and shares humorous misadventures from their drives. Get ready to be inspired for your own Mediterranean family escape!
Traveling in Italy and France highlighted the importance of flexibility in logistics, especially when accommodating multiple generations in family trips.
Culinary experiences ranged widely on the Riviera, with memorable highlights including unique local delicacies and engaging pizza-making sessions with family.
Accommodations varied significantly between hotels and rentals, with some exceeding expectations while others, like an outdated hotel in Parma, dramatically underperformed.
Deep dives
Driving Experience in Italy and France
Driving in Italy and France was generally a pleasant experience, with Italians displaying an impressive knack for navigating their roads. While blinkers and lanes were often treated as mere suggestions, drivers adeptly avoided collisions without excessive honking or frustration. The hosts shared their astonishment while driving in downtown Milan, highlighting the fluidity and calmness of the traffic. They did encounter challenges, especially with truck drivers while traveling from Cannes to Genoa, leading to significant delays along the route.
Family Trip to the French and Italian Riviera
The family trip focused heavily on spending time with relatives in the French Riviera, particularly visiting the wife's aunt who lived near Cannes. With a well-planned itinerary that included various towns and activities, the travelers aimed to explore memorable sites from their immediate family's history. They enjoyed both the relaxation of beach towns and the excitement of discovering new places while balancing family obligations. This trip was characterized as a milestone as it allowed family members to connect and reminisce about the past.
Unique Accommodation Experiences
Throughout the 18-day journey, the family stayed in five different hotels and two apartments, leading to variable experiences. However, one particular Accor hotel in Parma stood out for all the wrong reasons, landing a spot in their worst hotel experiences. Despite its prime location, the hotel was outdated, with uncomfortable bedding and neglected maintenance - a stark contrast to the luxury they sought. Conversely, other accommodations, especially those booked through Hyatt, exceeded expectations, providing better comfort and hospitality.
Culinary Adventures in Italy and France
Food experiences during the trip ranged from divine to disappointing, particularly when attempting to secure reservations in Nice amidst the bustling Ironman event. However, highlights included enjoying fresh, local delicacies such as fried chicken nuggets at a charming vineyard and an unforgettable pizza-making experience in a picturesque Italian town. The hosts emphasized their pursuit of unique culinary experiences, reminiscent of shows focusing on local cuisines. A visit to a Parma cheese factory brought joy, showcasing the excellence of authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano and local products.
The Importance of Adaptability in Travel
The journey underscored the importance of adaptability and flexibility while traveling, particularly while managing logistics with multiple generations. They encountered various challenges such as mobility issues for older family members and unexpected obstacles like local festivals impacting transportation. These experiences highlighted how crucial it is to be prepared for the unpredictable nature of family vacations. Ultimately, the family's willingness to pivot when necessary led to memorable moments and a deeper appreciation for their travel experiences.
Have you ever wondered what it's like to travel the stunning coastlines and towns of the French and Italian Rivieras? In this episode, we dive into Trevor’s recent adventure to these iconic Mediterranean destinations. From the highs and lows of traveling with family to insightful travel recommendations, Trevor provides his takeaways from his trip. In our conversation, we discuss his reasons for the trip, the logistics and planning aspects behind it, and what he thought of the hotels and Apartment rentals. Explore why multi-generational travel complicates logistics and learn why cruise ships are the best option for older travel partners. Hear about what Europe gets right about children's play parks, Zurich airport’s sky deck, dining in a French vineyard, making an authentic pizza with his family, and a memorable cheese tour. Trevor also shares his thoughts on why one hotel made his list of the worst places to stay, what he enjoyed most about flying home on Swiss Airlines, and much more. Join us and get inspired to plan your own Riviera family adventure! Tune in now!
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:00:36] A catch-up with Thomas and Trevor and an overview of today’s topic.
[0:03:50] Reasons for the trip, details about his itinerary, and what the trip entailed.
[0:10:12] Break down of the miles used for flights, hotel stays, and overall cost.
[0:13:14] The apartments he booked and why they tested his tolerance.
[0:21:40] Complications of traveling with family and his British Airways lounge experience.
[0:29:50] Multi-generational travel, finding play parks for your kids, and plane spotting.
[0:37:35] Hear about the trip's fun and interesting dining experiences.
[0:48:17] Highlights of the French and Italian Rivieras and what he would do differently.
[0:58:41] How one hotel on the trip made Trevor’s list of the worst hotels to stay at.
[1:04:12] Funny and unexpected moments from the trip and driving in France and Italy.
[1:13:52] Flying home on Swiss Airlines and what he enjoyed most about it.
Quotes:
“I would say don’t split up [at the airport] because you just end up giving yourself more anxiety than you really need.” — @TktweetsKim[25:12]
“[My family and I] tend to do multi-generational travel a lot, but it is usually cruise ship related, and that has a lot of things that help buffer those restriction points.” — @TktweetsKim[30:03]
“When you have to deal with the old, the young, and the in-between, it does complicate the logistics quite a bit.” — @TktweetsKim [30:24]
“My focus of late has been really trying to get more unique [travel] experiences.” — @Tmount [40:45]
“The trip was incredible, everybody was very happy, and everyone was really happy with their seats on the way home too.” — @Tmount [1:16:58]