In all honesty, I do think Annecy is the most beautiful French town! The architecture of both cities is amazing from the Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. We are flexible at this point. Brussels isnt a great tourist city, but Bruges really is so its a better option for most people. Consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass or other regional travel pass to save money on transportation costs. Itinerary 1: Classic London and Paris London (3 or 4 nights) Paris (3 or 4 nights) Fly into either city and take the 2-hour Eurostar train between them Honestly, unless you have a specific reason why not, this is probably the best one-week itinerary for most first-time visitors to Europe. The best way to get around for the above-mentioned France and Switzerland itinerary would be a combination of trains, buses, and boats. Choose from 16 tours with 120 real tour reviews. Enjoy the rush of adrenaline as you twist and turn down the slopes. The crowds will come, so early in the morning is really the best time to leave Munich). Skiing and snowboarding: Chamonix has several ski areas, including Les Houches and Brevent-Flegere, with over 150 kilometers of ski runs. Switzerland Explore Fussen (Neuschwanstein Castle, Lakes and more!) Each of these cities is beautiful and historic, but English is less widely spoken so they can also be quite a bit more challenging for a first-time visitor. The only efficient way to get between London and Paris is on the Eurostar train, which runs between St. Pancras station in London and Gare du Nord station in Paris. Germany. Whether you come here in winter or during any other season, this place doesnt disappoint. Overall, a combination of these modes of transportation will provide flexibility and allow for easy access to the many beautiful destinations in France and Switzerland. Enjoy a meal at the restaurant or bring your own snacks while taking in the panoramic views. We would like to include London, Paris, Switzerland, Germany and Ireland. Credit and debit cards are accepted widely. Florence to Venice: 1 hour 53 minutes. My 7 Day Switzerland itinerary starting from Geneva includes where to stay, things to do, where to eat, getting around and costs broken down into a day-by-day guide for: DAY 1: Geneva. Spain. -Roger, Hi Roger, I won a cruise from Amsterdam to Bhudapest which departs on 02/10/23. Activities: Entrance fees for attractions such as cable cars, museums, and historical sites can also add up quickly. Bruges is really gorgeous and it will be much quieter than Amsterdam that time of the year, however they are somewhat similar otherwise. 6.2 Lucerne. Im happy to help more if you have further questions. You can check the schedules and purchase tickets on the Flixbus or Ouibus websites. Most first-time visitors are tempted to move too quickly, but it can also be a mistake to move too slowly. The Aiguille du Midi cable car in Chamonix offers spectacular views of Mont Blanc, as well as the surrounding peaks it stands at3.842 meters (or 12,605 feet) and is the closest you can get to the summit of Mont Blanc without climbing yourself. Here I share my travel tips the good, the bad, and the ugly to help you plan your trips! You can stroll around and visit sights like the Gothic-style Lausanne Cathedral and the Place de la Palud. HOW TO SEE GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND IN 7-14 DAYS, TRAVEL TIPS FOR YOUR GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND ITINERARY, HOW TO GET AROUND SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY, COSTS OF TRAVELING TO GERMANY + SWITZERLAND, SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY ITINERARY FOR 7 DAYS, 10 DAYS IN SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY ITINERARY, CREATING A PERFECT SWITZERLAND & GERMANY ITINERARY. Lucerne is almost as beautiful with a scenic lake at its heart and also great mountaintop views nearby. Located right at the foot of Zugspitze mountain it is a perfect place to explore what the German Alps have to offer. Day 5: Transfer from Paris to Lucerne by train. Geneva also boasts a rich cultural scene with museums, galleries, and theaters, as well as outdoor attractions like parks and gardens. This will allow you to visit it if you have a visa for the EU. A day trip to Lausanne from Geneva or Montreux is a great way to experience more of the beautiful scenery and culture of Switzerland. HOW MANY DAYS FOR SWITZERLAND AND FRANCE TRIP, BEST WAY TO GET AROUND FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND TRIP. 5 days - Switzerland, France, Germany I have 5 days in Europe, leaving Wed, June 19. $40. The easyJet flight may be only an hour or so, but it will take half a day with getting to an airport, checkin in an hour before departure, waiting for luggage, etc. With two weeks I think Id choose 4 or 5 total cities, as I think that 3 nights is the optimal amount of time to spend in each city so you get to see a lot without spending half your time on trains or in airports. Ships generally go from Barcelona with stops in France and then Italy. The mountain is part of the Mont Blanc Massif, a range of mountains that includes several other peaks over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). You might have seen my other article about the 5 best cities for a first trip to Europe and that could be worth considering because youve got enough time for those and a couple more as well. 10 DAYS IN SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY ITINERARY Munich - 1,5 Day Neuschwanstein Castle & Fssen - 1 Day Eibsee or Rothenburg ob der Tauber - 1 Day Zurich - 1 Day Lucerne - 1,5 Day Interlaken - 3,5 Days Travel time around 12 hours (with Eibsee) in total or 17 hours (Rothenburg ob der Tauber) ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER - 1 DAY THIS MEANS I MIGHT EARN A SMALL COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY A PRODUCT/SERVICE (AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU). Unlike other trains in Europe, the Eurostar (which of course runs through the Channel Tunnel) has airport-style security and you have to be there at least 30 minutes before departure. You will loose a lot of sightseeing time because you will spend too much time travelling. Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites featuring France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Italy. Paris is actually far more beautiful than London and the food is famously much better as well. Yvoire is a medieval village located on the shores of Lake Geneva in France, about 25 kilometers southwest of Geneva. Note: This article was most recently updated in March, 2023. At the summit, you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding Alps, including Mont Blanc, as well as a range of activities such as the Step into the Void, a glass box that extends over a 1,000-meter drop, giving visitors the sensation of standing in mid-air. Wine lovers can rent a car or take trains into Bordeaux or Burgundy. Seriously, its worth a visit. Since the day you arrive and the day you leave will offer little sightseeing time, you need at least two full sightseeing days in order to even see your choice of the top sights. Geneva is a city in Switzerland located on the banks of Lake Geneva. One day in Lucerne is not a lot, so make the most of it by not arriving late. 4. So with that in mind you can go in any direction you like and then have a flight booked from your last stop to Athens. The streets are mostly well-paved and safe, and people drive well. Three nights is a sweet spot as it gives you two full sightseeing days where you wake up and go to sleep in the place you are visiting. Your first visit to Europe is no time to try to be different or edgy. 10 Reasons to Love England and 2 Reasons Why not to, Best Places to Stay in Croatia Best Tips For All Budgets, WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE COMO TOP AREAS AND HOTELS, RENT A CAR IN JORDAN HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, BEST PLACES TO STAY IN ST.MORITZ BEST HOTELS FOR ALL BUDGETS. Visit the Jardin des Cinq Sens: This beautiful botanical garden is located just outside the village walls and is filled with plants and flowers that are organized by color and scent. Dine in the heart of the city, and shop (or window shop) at the Bahnhofstrasse. By train: There are regular train services that run between Geneva and Annecy, with a journey time of around 90 minutes. However, due to the high altitude, the main tips I can give you are to be prepared for cold temperatures (even in the summer months) and take appropriate precautions to avoid altitude sickness. Paris to Venice flight: 1 hour 35 minutes I have spent many weeks in Interlaken and I am sure, I will never tire. First time; so excited! France, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany Paris - Amsterdam - Copenhagen - Berlin Berlin, Germany Instead of moving south like the previous itinerary suggests, this one moves north through Paris and Amsterdam (plus Belgium if you wish) on your way to Denmark and Germany. Re: Itinerary Help: France, Switzerland, Germany. Thanks to good public transportation in both countries you can just lay back and enjoy window views while getting around or you can rent a car and explore both countries by car. Whatever you choose out of this group, you can be back in Paris on another high-speed train for your flight home. Enjoy a meal with a view: The summit of Glacier 3000 offers several dining options with stunning views of the mountains. Arrive early Thurs AM in Geneva. You could do Paris to Amsterdam to Berlin to Prague in a very efficient train journey, and then fly back to Paris for the flight home. The one-hour cable car ride up to the Schilthorn observation deck is something youll never forget, and the only thing that might be more dramatic is the train ride up to the Jungfraujoch station, which is the highest in Europe. First, my suggestion is to book a hotel in Geneva or Montrezx and do day trips from there. A travel day isnt much of a sightseeing day, so if you change cities every day or two, youll have very little time to see the things youve actually gone all that way to see. It will be the first stop in Switzerland coming from Germany. Let me know if youd like more guidance with putting together a more specific itinerary. Is Prague worth trying to squeeze in or any suggested itineraries? The castle now houses a museum dedicated to the history of the village and the surrounding region. THINGS TO DO IN/AROUND NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE & FSSEN. Ships starting in Venice go south and then head west and to Rome and then to France, or they go south to Croatia and then head east to Greece. So probably 3 nights in Amsterdam and then you can take the high-speed train (a bit over 3 hours) to Paris and spend 3 or 4 nights there. Switzerland has the Matterhorn and France (and Italy) has the Mont Blanc these two mountains are some of the most iconic in the world! Paris to Brussels: 1 hour 22 minutes Does that make good sense? You will not get free tap water with your food (you might get a little glass of tap water if you order an espresso). Europe - France, Switzerland, and German Trip Itinerary:Feedback Please - Hello Fodor's Travel Community, I'll be traveling on a solo backtracking trip for 5 weeks to Belgium, France, Switzerland . Im so happy that you have found this information to be useful and Ill try to help more. On your way up or down make sure to also see Seealpsee (a beautiful mountain lake) and rest before continuing your journey. Germany. The Netherlands is obviously going to be chilly in February, but you can still have a good time. Venice is small enough that you can see the main sights in about 24 hours, and its so insanely crowded that many people tire of it after about a day as well. His #1 place to visit is Amsterdam. This itinerary takes you through the best of Switzerland in a short 5 days. If youve decided to finally explore Europe for the first time, its quite possible that you havent considered doing it on a cruise. This is also the peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices, especially in popular tourist destinations like Montreux, Lake Geneva, and Chamonix. Overall, its possible to enjoy a trip to France and Switzerland on a budget, but it may require some planning and research to find the best deals and affordable options. Your custom tailored Wonders of Europe Tour shows you the opulence . Especially as travel was almost impossible for a few years recently, there is great pent-up demand and more people than ever are ready to finally take the Europe trip of a lifetime. Prices always depend on where you stay, what kind of accommodation you choose, what mode of transport and more. And overall its just so overwhelming, do you have any ideas about cities we must visit for this 3weeks trip in between Paris and Athens please? Visit the Chteau dAnnecy: This 12th-century castle is a historic landmark that has been beautifully preserved. The Mont Blanc range offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including glaciers, valleys, and lakes, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. In this situation (and weather) what would you suggest is a good itinerary for the days we are there? We are planning on a 21 day trip in June 2023. I am all about great views, amazing lakes, mountains and city breaks in between. Only . There are several car rental companies in Geneva. If you buy water bottles in Germany (or soft drinks in bottles or cans), you have to pay a. Or if Berlin doesnt sound interesting enough, you could fly to Prague from Amsterdam easily enough. 17 reviews. Prague to Budapest: 6 hours 41 minutes Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities as well and its easy to reach with a 3-hour train ride from Paris, so Id start with those two. Rome is by far the largest of those and its packed with great sights, but its also a bit chaotic, so 3 nights is a good stay for a first visit. The BEST France and Switzerland road trip itinerary through the Alps An 8-day itinerary through France & Switzerland Updated On 28th September, 2022 France and Switzerland are, in my opinion, two of the best countries for a Europe road trip. If you have seven days in Europe and you really want to see the quaint villages, the storybook streets, the breathtaking castles, and the fairy-tale beauty that's inspired countless books and movies, then you need to spend 7 days in Germany, France, Switzerland, and Austria. Maybe want to add just one party night in the club or something but we dont know which city will be best. Leaving. Check out my post on top activities to do in Interlaken for more tips. So many first-time visitors are initially planning on spending only 1 or 2 nights in major cities that I wrote a detailed explanation of why3 nights is ideal for almost all European cities, even if you want to see as much as possible. Day 1: Semois Valley in Belgium & Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Visit the Castle: Yvoires castle, Chteau dYvoire, dates back to the 14th century and is a must-see attraction. The town itself is charming, with traditional Alpine architecture, cozy cafes, and boutique shops. Barcelona, Spain Its an easy port to reach. The France and Switzerland itinerary is packed with scenic beauty, outdoor activities, history, and culture. They also can provide excellent value, especially compared to the price of taking trains or flights and finding new hotels in every destination. Athens, Greece The cruise port of Piraeus is just south of Athens and easy to reach. $0. I'd suggest going in a much more logical order! However, with 14 days, start your itinerary in Berlin and spend 1,5-2 days there. Solo Female Travel Switzerland, Europe and Beyond. Venice, Italy The cruise ships no longer dock close to the best tourist areas, but its easy enough to visit Venice for a day or two before boarding a ship. For the remaining two nights you wont have time to reach anywhere that wont be chilly, so you might as well stay in the same general area and make the best of it. For example - Luzern and one of the . So maybe look at the itinerary suggestions in the article above again knowing that youll fly to Athens and you can go in any direction, and I think itll be easier. In the summer, you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, and other outdoor activities. Hi, I am Arzo. Personally, it felt that no hills and mountains are greener and lusher than here, which makes driving here even more fun. Its hard to do much sightseeing on a travel day. If you are on a budget, you can travel for less (assuming you stay in hostels and cook for yourself at least once in a while) but public transportation or renting a car will always be quite high. Lucerne is one of the prettiest towns in Europe. It leaves out London, which I think could be good for a future trip instead assuming he enjoys this one. 17 Days. MORE ABOUT ITHERE. Getting around via trains and buses is actually easy and, overall, okay in Germany. As summer of 2023 approaches, its clear that this is going to be a busy travel season, especially compared to the last few pandemic years. If you think you want to spend your whole trip in Britain you should have a look at our article on thebest itineraries in England, Scotland, and Wales. Actually, England is arguably the best choice for your first trip to Europe. Heres a possible breakdown of how to spend your time: This adds up to around 10-12 days, but you could add an extra day or two to any of the destinations depending on your interests. A trip to France and Switzerland, covering places like Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Annecy, Yvoire, and Chamonix, is a fantastic experience that offers something for everyone. France and Italy are also both quite different as well, so I think it would be great to get a taste of the best of both of them to compare them, and then for your next trip you could even focus on smaller and less famous places in both countries. France, Switzerland, Austria & Germany France, Switzerland, Austria & Germany Student Tour with optional Berlin & Salzburg Extension Trip Length: 9 - 12 days Europe Itinerary: 16 Days in France, Switzerland, & Italy We spent 16 glorious days in Europe several years ago, visiting France, Switzerland and Italy. Then, early in the morning, continue your journey. This was my first trip abroad without my family, so I opted in for a tour with EF College Break. Find the right adventure for you through France and Switzerland. Either way, it surely will be fun! 20 helpful votes. So, compared to the 10-day itinerary, you will have 2 new destinations and can spend 2 full days in Lucerne and Munich. Hi, I am Arzo. Visit the Freddie Mercury statue: Montreux was the home of legendary rock singer Freddie Mercury, and there is a statue of him on the lakeside promenade. France and Switzerland can be considered relatively expensive destinations, especially in cities and tourist areas. You will have to skip many gorgeous places in Germany. Walk along the canals: Annecy is known as the Venice of the Alps for its many canals and waterways. Trains depart from Geneva Cornavin train station and arrive at Annecy train station. Here is a quick overview of an ideal Switzerland 8 Day Itinerary that starts in Zurich and also finishes in Zurich. If you like my recommendations and tips, you can support me on my newly created account on BuyMeACoffee - Link here! Day 6: Panoramic views from Jungfrau. 6.6 St Paul de Vence. If you chose one or the other you could probably see the whole Top 20 (or close to it), but if you chose both you could see the Top 10 in each country. A day trip to Glacier 3000 from Montreux is a great way to experience the beauty of the Swiss Alps. From Paris you can easily fly to Venice (or nearby Treviso) where you should try to spend about 24 hours. I have added Appenzellerland to this itinerary because the landscape is different from many other places in Switzerland. It is almost impossible to give numbers, but I will try (though it is very vague). From $4,499 USD pp* Save up to $200. I cover most of the popular choices in my article onwhere to go in Germany, which covers several smaller towns that are major highlights. For each itinerary there are suggestions of other destinations that are easy to add on to the main cities. I have been running this blog since 2015. After Paris you could take a train to Interlaken and spend a few days around there to visit Europes best scenery. Interlaken is the best hub for the most dramatic Alps views and experiences. Comment* Im not a big fan of Brussels for a long stay, but the Grand Place (main city square) is one of Europes most impressive and it would be easy to reach and visit. Ive been to Europe and have visited, London, Bern, Munich, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan & Cannes. If you can read this article then London will be easy for language reasons. This 13 days itinerary is designed to give you a good balance of sights, sounds and experiences. Day 3 - Interlaken and Lake Brienz. Thank you so much. different Swiss Travel Passes available regarding flexibility and duration. Let me know if you have any other questions and Ill be happy to try to help. One of the most beautiful and gorgeous pieces of architecture must be the Neuschwanstein Castle, south of Munich. I suggest staying in either Montreux or Geneva both beautiful towns/cities on the shores of Lake Geneva, which will allow you to do day trips from there. Lucerne to Zurich Airport: 1 hour 3 minutes. Cologne you can enjoy in a day because the main sights are the lovely historic center and the famous cathedral, and both are adjacent to the main train station. Since Paris gets so many tourists from non-French speaking countries, its easy to get by on just English, and the Metro system makes it fast and easy to get around. The Best Switzerland Itinerary for 7-10 Days. If you are a solo (female) traveler, you will be happy to hear that Switzerland and Germany are great to travel alone, and there are no extra precautions I take except for avoiding dodgy areas (especially at night) and watching my surroundings. With two weeks you could have a really great introduction to both France AND Italy if you wanted. 4. France and Switzerland Package Rated 4.4/5 (based on 513 reviews) Bestselling France & Switzerland Tour Packages For An Exquisite Vacation 8 Days & 7 Nights Customizable Call Us for details 1800-123-5555 Get to the main summit of the Bernese Alps, Mt Jungfrau 1 of 5 Hotel included in package: 4 Star 3 Star Cities: INTERLAKEN (2D) However, this detour is actually well worth it. Probably the most spectacular itinerary you could do would be to start in Paris or Amsterdam and then take a train to the other one, and then fly to Venice for 1 or 2 days (Its small) and then a train to Florence for 2 or 3 days and then another train to Rome for 3 days and then a flight back to your starting point for your flight home. I am having a hard navigating where I asked for help. What this actually means is that the old buildings are picture-perfect, and since Rothenburg is small, you can do quite a lot in half a day or a full day. Some things to do in Zurich. Id spend three days in Amsterdam if you havent been there before as its absolutely one of the Top 5 cities to visit in Europe. Learn at the Museum of the Bavarian Kings, Check out more tips for Schloss Neuschwanstein here, Eibsee or Rothenburg ob der Tauber 1 Day, Swim in Lake Zurich (and do a boat Cruise). It sounds like you might not be interested in London, and if thats the case youll have a chance to see it in the future. Barcelona and Venice are among the most popular departure ports and you can find cruises that go west or east from those places as well as cruises that drop you in another part of Europe or cruises that return to the departure port. Full Itinerary. Probably not. These cities each pack a huge punch and they are very different from each other as well. Then either take a train to Munich or drive south (it is a rather long train ride, which takes around 6 hours) and stop in Rothenburg first before continuing your trip to Munich. I love trips like this and Im happy to help with more advice if you need it. Munich is a perfect starting destination with a big airport and many trains arriving in Munich, it is easy to start international travel here. Relax at a spa: After a day of skiing or hiking, unwind at one of the many spas in Chamonix, which offer massages, saunas, and other treatments. Day 4: Montreux. Munich to Fssen: 2 hours 4 minutes. Here's one option: Days 1-4: Paris It is known as a global hub for diplomacy and is home to the United Nations headquarters and several other international organizations. And though Switzerland is not part of the EU, it is part of the Schengen Agreement. 6.1 Colmar. We arrived on an early morning flight and headed right to the rental car booth to pick-up our rental and then we were off on our first day's adventure! With the 5 remaining days I think you should visit two more places, and the most obvious is Paris, which is only about 3 hours away by high speed train. As you can see, you can combine your Switzerland and Germany trip quite easily. Buses are also available, especially for shorter trips or for travel to smaller towns not serviced by trains. Day 1: Arrive in Zurich, explore the old town area (Altstadt) and check off Grossmnster, Fraumnster Church, The Rathaus (old hall), take in the Limmat River views from Lindenhof Hill, and more. Rome also lives up to the hype and spending a day in the Vatican City will be a highlight even for non-Catholics, but its also a crowded and busy city so three days is usually enough for most people. Request a Quote. Chamonix is a beautiful French Alpine town (also known as the Mont Blanc town), known for its stunning natural scenery and world-class skiing and hiking. . Another way of looking at it is you could make a list of the top 20 things you want to see in France and the top 20 in Italy. Normandy is an interesting choice and easy to reach in only about two hours by train from Paris. Romes architecture is an obvious highlight and fortunately you can see a lot in a fairly short time. You might have seen my article about France and Italy itineraries for up to 2 weeks. Admire the architecture and take in the vibrant atmosphere of this historic area. Layers of clothing to accommodate the varying weather conditions. You can also easily get to Cornwall in Englands southwest corner from Bath, and thats a whole different and fascinating experience (with nicer weather than up north). Its picturesque streets and historic buildings, including a 14th-century castle, make it a popular destination. The earlier you buy tickets, the cheaper they will be. Would like suggestions on itinerary. Hopefully this helps a bit and Im happy to try to answer other questions if you have them. If you spend too long in one city youll end up seeing things that are way down your list, while you could be in another city seeing things at the top of your list there. In spite of the reputation of cruises to be floating buffets, they can actually be an excellent way to visit a great number of amazing European cities in a short time.
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