Just throwing options out here:
Option #1 How about a spear archer rush on Paris. I know we're not suppose to start our AW with Joan until Liz is dead, but that doesn't mean we can't start a limited war much earlier. Paris could be our western city and we could put three more in between Paris and Berlin. Many the cyan dot, the cow dot, and the dot by the game from my post earlier. With a force of 7 archers and 3 spears, we could take Paris. We would then sue for peace when Joanie will talk to us.
Advantages - Don't have to clear jungle, Good defensible land. Iron, wine
Disadvantages - Not as many rivers. Two front war for a few turns.
Option #2 - Settle down by the iron, then have a city north of that by the dyes, the coastal city from my turns and probably gorm's green dot.
Advantages - we get the lux and iron. A lot of rivers
Disadvantages - We have to clear that jungle. Better go slave hunting.
Option #3 - Work our original plan. save one or two cities for remoter locations. Bring in resources with colonies and long roads.
Advantages - We get production up quicker.
Disadvantages - Scattered cities, defending colonies