You cannot go with when choosing public transportation in Switzerland. The drive takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. This sounds like a great first trip. . Ive been to Europe and have visited, London, Bern, Munich, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan & Cannes. If you can get a cheap enough flight, the 3 best cheap European cities to visit are Prague, Budapest, and Krakow, which are all around half as expensive as most of the other cities on this list. You could even fly into Paris and then take a train to Amsterdam then Berlin and then Prague, and then pick another couple of places before a flight to Athens. I recommend that youfocus on these 5 great citiesbefore you start branching out into cheaper or more obscure places. We do intend on having another holiday in Europe in the next few years so really want to concentrate on one area if you know what I mean and not spend too much time travelling. Germany, France, and Switzerland. 1. We would like to see London, England, maybe Scotland. DO I NEED A VISIT FOR FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND, WHAT IS THE BEST TIME FOR A FRANCE + SWITZERLAND TRIP, WHAT TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO SWITZERLAND AND FRANCE, PLACES TO VISIT FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND ITINERARY, FINAL THOUGHTS ON A SWITZERLAND AND FRANCE ITINERARY, FRANCE AND GERMANY ITINERARY IN 7-10 DAYS, BEST PLACES FOR PARAGLIDING IN SWITZERLAND, 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. Here are some must-see sights and activities in Montreux for a day trip: Chteau de Chillon: This castle is located on a small island on Lake Geneva and is one of Switzerlands most visited historic monuments. We've got 58 tours going to France and Switzerland, starting from just 4 days in length, and the longest tour is 15 days. 9 Day Western Europe Road Trip Itinerary: France to Switzerland -Roger, My boyfriend and I are going to do a europe trip for 3 weeks in mid april to early May 2023. If you do want to see a Swiss city then the capital of Bern is the most interesting and photogenic on a short visit. FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND ITINERARY IN 7-14 DAYS FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND ITINERARY IN 7-14 DAYS April 15, 2023 by Arzo Travels FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND ITINERARY - EXPLORE THESE BEAUTIES A trip to Switzerland and France is an amazing experience for a multitude of reasons. 10 Best France and Switzerland Tours & Trips 2023/2024 - TourRadar Paris is actually far more beautiful than London and the food is famously much better as well. France is such a rich country for tourism experiences that you could spend a month there and still feel like you are missing significant sights. Just keep your eyes open and exercise common sense, and you should be fine as both are quite safe travel destinations overall. As for your itinerary, Im sure itll be great and you are off to a good start. I think I would save Venice for a separate Italy trip at another time, or if you wanted you could spend your last week in Italy doing Venice for 1 or 2 days then a train to Florence for 2 or 3 days and then Rome for 3 days. Germany and Switzerland are both fascinating countries to visit both offer diverse attractions and activities. 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. Liechtenstein. For example - Luzern and one of the . 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. Wendy. This two-week adventure covers four of France's most popular districts, and offers an immersion in culture, cuisine, and scenery as you explore the French Riviera, Provence, and French Alps, ending in Paris. So, today I share my favorite tips with you, so that you can have a fantastic trip to Germany and Switzerland. Its an amazing place that will not disappoint. 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. . There are many motorway streets without speed limits, but many do have a speed limit you should stick to (speed cams are placed throughout the country). By public transportation: I suggest, taking a train from Geneva to the pretty town of Nyon, Switzerland, and then taking a ferry across Lake Geneva to Yvoire. Switzerland Itinerary: How to Spend 7 to 21 Days in Switzerland Day 1: Amsterdam Canal Cruise. I'd suggest going in a much more logical order! My husbands grandmother was born in Hull, England so a partial day stop would be of interest to us. Getting from Geneva to Annecy is relatively easy and can be done by car or public transportation. I love trips like this and Im happy to help with more advice if you need it. As you can see, you can combine your Switzerland and Germany trip quite easily. Here are some essential items to include in your packing list: Overall, packing for this itinerary requires practical and versatile items that can be layered and mixed, and matched for different activities and weather conditions. Alpine lakes ripple with pristine waters reflecting the encompassing mountainsides. So would you rather visit numbers 1 to 20 in one country instead of numbers 1 to 10 in each? That was my first trip overseas, and one of the best times of my life. -Roger, Wow, thanks for the speedy reply Roger I really appreciate it. Munich to Fssen: 2 hours 4 minutes. 2 days in Switzerland Itinerary: Explore Zurich + Rhine Falls + Rapperswil. $40. Yvoire is a charming medieval village located on the shores of Lake Geneva in France. Website Design by Anchored Design, 25 Photos That Will Inspire You to Spend Christmas in Europe, 10 of the Best Places to Visit Europe in the Fall, Ultimate Guide for The Best Christmas Markets in Europe, The Best Places to Visit Europe in October, Explore what life is really like as an influencer and traveler. 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. These cities each pack a huge punch and they are very different from each other as well. $7,500 days. If you plan to go skiing, bring warm and waterproof ski clothing, including gloves, a hat, and goggles. Take a walk through the narrow streets and admire the stone houses and colorful flower gardens. Edinburgh is not only the capital of Scotland, but its easily the second most interesting city in all of Britain. River cruises all over Europe have been booming in popularity lately and for good reason. ), and Amsterdam. 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. I am having a hard navigating where I asked for help. Thanks in advance for your help. Germany. EU Holidays Xanne Lim Apr 11th, 2016 However, with 14 days, start your itinerary in Berlin and spend 1,5-2 days there. So, lets get started and find out about the best places to visit on a France and Switzerland trip. You could do Venice and Rome or Barcelona and Madrid. 8 DAY SWITZERLAND ITINERARY [2023 Guide] | Jonny Melon If you were to get up to Mont Blanc yourself, you should know that climbing Mont Blanc is a serious undertaking and requires proper preparation, training, and equipment. If you can read this article then London will be easy for language reasons. Your first visit to Europe is no time to try to be different or edgy. Even though taking a plane from Berlin to Munich may sound better at first, you will not save tons of time considering that the airport in Munich is very far from the city center, and then add in all the check-in times, etc. $300. Lausanne is also home to several museums and galleries, including the Olympic Museum which celebrates the citys history as the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. 6 Our Europe road trip itinerary. By popular demand, Ive added a full article on where to go in Spain with itineraries from 7 to 10 days up to two weeks. From the old town of Zurich with stunning churches and cobblestone streets, to Lucerne with its enormous glittering lake and historic fortress you can climb to see the city from a bird's eye view. Deauville is one of the more famous of those, and its also famous for its horse race track and as one of the epicenters of the industry in Europe. A huge part of Spains tourism industry is built around its southern beaches and islands such as Ibiza, Mallorca, and Tenerife (in the Canary Islands). We flew into Paris, spent 3 days touring the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, [] Subscribe * indicates required 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. It is one of Germanys biggest cities, so there are tons to do and see, but in this case, I suggest spending only 1 or 1.5 days in Munich. 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. Unfortunately, airfares to Europe are up, but the European currencies are still lower than normal compared to the US Dollar, so it should balance out somewhat. Here are thebest first-time Italy itineraries for 3 days to 2 weeks(in much greater detail). Amsterdam to Paris: 3 hours 17 minutes. There is little or no entertainment on the river cruise ships, but passengers dont miss it because the entire day and into the evening is spent just steps from local cultural offerings and restaurants. If youve decided to finally explore Europe for the first time, its quite possible that you havent considered doing it on a cruise. In all honesty, I do think Annecy is the most beautiful French town! Per person. Here are some general considerations for the costs of the above itinerary: Accommodation: The cost of accommodation in Geneva and other Swiss cities can be quite high, especially during peak tourist season. Walk across the bridge and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Austria. 17 reviews. 10 Day Europe Itinerary: Germany, Italy, Switzerland + Austria! 2 days in Switzerland itinerary (9 Epic Samples) 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. Or if Berlin doesnt sound interesting enough, you could fly to Prague from Amsterdam easily enough. Im sure I will be back to you with questions lol. Though Zurich is not the capital of Switzerland, it is the busiest and biggest city with the most expensive shopping street in the world (Bahnhofsstrasse), a beautiful lake, and an old town that you should not miss during your day there. You might have seen my article about France and Italy itineraries for up to 2 weeks. My advice is to spend an afternoon looking around the Grand Place (main square) in Brussels and then hop a 58-minute train ride to Bruges for a night or two. Bruges is really gorgeous and it will be much quieter than Amsterdam that time of the year, however they are somewhat similar otherwise. Hopefully this helps a bit and Im happy to try to answer other questions if you have them. 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. From lakes, parks to museums, historical sites, and shopping opportunities: Munich has something for everyone. A day trip to Glacier 3000 from Montreux is an unforgettable experience that will take you directly to the heart of the Swiss Alps. Thank you so much. That sounds amazing! 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. The BEST France and Switzerland road trip itinerary through the Alps Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun during the day. We would like to include London, Paris, Switzerland, Germany and Ireland. The train ride, or drive, from Lucerne to Interlaken is scenic. Enjoy the rush of adrenaline as you twist and turn down the slopes. The country has a famous Big 3 destinations in Rome, Florence, and Venice, which are all teaming with worthwhile sights and they are conveniently located fairly short train rides from each other. Budapest to Krakow: 9 hours 54 minutes (flying might be better), Your email address will not be published. The Swiss Travel Pass also covers most museums and entrances to. The streets are mostly well-paved and safe, and people drive well. Bring light, breathable clothes for warm days, and a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings and higher altitudes. Stay up in a village up in the mountains like, Muerren, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald. 3 Weeks in Europe: 15 Perfect Europe Itinerary Ideas [2023] Day 1: Semois Valley in Belgium & Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Any suggestions Roger would be most appreciated. Rest of Europe Itinerary - Switzerland, France and Germany - AKDMC This includes 4 of my 5 great cities for Europe trips, in a very efficient route. 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. Youll have a great trip no matter what you choose. If you do not want to take the detour (which is somehow understandable since it takes about 2,5-3 hours one way) then I suggest heading to Eibsee which is Germanys prettiest lake close to Neuschwanstein Castle. min. Getting around via trains and buses is actually easy and, overall, okay in Germany. Deals of The Week: Hiking & Trekking! You can scan my article on where to go in Switzerland for specifics, but the short version is that the Interlaken area and specifically the Lauterbrunnen Valley are the best place for a few days, and maybe 2 more days in Lucerne if youve got the time and money (Switzerland is expensive!). I have added Appenzellerland to this itinerary because the landscape is different from many other places in Switzerland. Solo Female Travel Switzerland, Europe and Beyond, FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND ITINERARY EXPLORE THESE BEAUTIES. If youve got more than a week and want to spend more time in Scotland, especially in the summer months, the place to head to is Inverness. Mediterranean cruises usually start at 7 nights but can go up to 3 weeks, which can provide an amazing tour of the entire region without having to pack and repack your bags more than once. Best of Germany, Austria & Switzerland in 14 Days Tour from $4,295 per person + air Single Supplement $825 See Dates & Prices On this two-week tour, mountains, Mozart, and mugs of beer all clink together to create a totally yodel-y adventure. It is almost impossible to give numbers, but I will try (though it is very vague). Comfortable walking shoes for exploring the cities and towns, as well as hiking boots if you plan to go hiking in the mountains. Athens, Greece The cruise port of Piraeus is just south of Athens and easy to reach. Required fields are marked *. Rome to Florence: 1 hour 16 minutes Save. With two weeks you could have a really great introduction to both France AND Italy if you wanted. Yes, I meant Interlaken. Below there are 11 popular itineraries for one week in Europe. 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. The architecture all over France is a highlight, and of course Paris has some of the most famous structures on earth including the Eiffel Tower and Louvre museum. Geneva is a city in Switzerland located on the banks of Lake Geneva. It is a unique destination and it is quite easy to get there (okay, only by cable car, if you hiked it would take 1-2 hours but it is quite steep). Day 3: Interlaken & Lauterbrunnen. 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. With this Switzerland and France itinerary, I recommend spending at least 7-10 days to allow for enough time to explore each destination and take day trips to nearby attractions. You will not get free tap water with your food (you might get a little glass of tap water if you order an espresso). We are flexible at this point. Is Prague worth trying to squeeze in or any suggested itineraries? The Netherlands is obviously going to be chilly in February, but you can still have a good time. Luzern - From Geneva, head to Luzern for a day. In general I highly recommend spending 3 nights in almost any city you visit because it you try to move faster you end up spending way too much time in train stations and/or airports. Day 6: Panoramic views from Jungfrau. Does that make good sense? 1. Very happy to use the train system to get around. In other words, its kind of silly to visit, say, Bulgaria, if youve not yet been to France or Italy. I am all about great views, amazing lakes, mountains and city breaks in between. The best place to start would be one of the cruises that leaves from a popular port in the Mediterranean (and the adjacent seas). The bustling city of Geneva, with its famous Jet dEau fountain and diverse cultural offerings, is a must-visit destination. -Roger. However, in smaller shops and villages, that might not be the case. Its a great spot for taking photos and enjoying the views of Lake Geneva. Here are some must-see sights and activities to do during your day trip to Glacier 3000: Take the cable car to the summit: Start your adventure by taking the cable car to the summit of Glacier 3000. Going to Italy? I saw two other comments on other articles, but Ill delete those because this one seems to summarize it best. The museum features interactive exhibits and displays about the history and culture of the Olympics. This itinerary takes you through the best of Switzerland in a short 5 days. However, you may be able to find more affordable options in smaller towns or by booking in advance. This 2-week itinerary will allow you to visit even more places in Germany, as well as in Switzerland.