Some things to do in Zurich. Yes, I meant Interlaken. River cruises all over Europe have been booming in popularity lately and for good reason. My Boyfriend and I are planning a 2 week vacation to Europe in October for his 50th birthday. 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. For example - Luzern and one of the . Lucerne to Zurich Airport: 1 hour 3 minutes. 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. Then, I recommend staying 1 or 2 nights in Annecy in France before you get to Chamonix where I suggest staying 1-3 nights. Maybe want to add just one party night in the club or something but we dont know which city will be best. Enjoy a meal with a view: The summit of Glacier 3000 offers several dining options with stunning views of the mountains. Bruges to Amsterdam: 2 hours 45 minutes This includes public transportation and eating out (in Switzerland, you should try to go vegetarian, as meat prices are high) but no alcohol. Travel adapters to ensure that your electronics can be charged and used in both countries. Skiing and snowboarding: Chamonix has several ski areas, including Les Houches and Brevent-Flegere, with over 150 kilometers of ski runs. Tip: If you plan to rent a car, I suggest renting the car after your time in Berlin and not driving in the city itself. And though Switzerland is not part of the EU, it is part of the Schengen Agreement. Thanks. 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. You can take a boat tour or rent a paddleboat or kayak to explore the lake on your own. Would like suggestions on itinerary. 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. Berlin to Munich: 6 hours 2 minutes 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. This 3 weeks Europe itinerary is just the ticket for a dreamy fairytale trip to see magical castles and enchanting storybook towns. You might have seen my article about France and Italy itineraries for up to 2 weeks. This will allow you to visit it if you have a visa for the EU. While Nice is a wonderful tourist city for a look at the French Riviera, the other larger cities of Lyon and Marseilles are probably better saved for a future trip because they are light on key sights compared to many smaller towns. Visit the Chteau dAnnecy: This 12th-century castle is a historic landmark that has been beautifully preserved. With its stunning views, rich culture, and delicious cuisine, Lausanne is a perfect destination for a day trip from Geneva. Berlin is new on the 2-week itinerary. Lausanne is a picturesque city in Switzerland located on the shores of Lake Geneva. Im happy to help more if you have further questions. Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range 1 to 105 year olds River Rhine Travel Style Family, Group +2 more Operated in English +2 more Operator Crucemundo -30% Tour length 8 days Price per day $155 From $1,773 US $1,241 +$123 upfront costs You save: $532 Book With Flexibility Download Brochure View tour View Map River Cruise Spend the afternoon and evening in the cute town of Fssen and have dinner here before continuing your journey to Switzerland. If you plan to go skiing, bring warm and waterproof ski clothing, including gloves, a hat, and goggles. Travel documents, including your passport, visa (if required), travel insurance, and any necessary vaccination certificates. EU Holidays Xanne Lim Apr 11th, 2016 Rain gear, including a waterproof jacket or poncho and umbrella, as rain showers are common in both countries, especially in the summer months. $0. 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 . Florence to Rome by train: 1 hour 16 minutes. Free . min. 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. Annecy is a beautiful town located in the French Alps and is known for its picturesque canals, historic buildings, and stunning natural scenery. That sounds like a great birthday trip. Florence is a highly recommended stop after Venice, as its the capital of the Tuscany region and also arguably Europes most important city for a couple hundred years. 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. Since traveling from one city to another will take at least half a day, you dont want to waste more time by visiting far-flung cities. Thank you!! Overall, this itinerary is perfect for travelers who love adventure, culture, and natural beauty and want to experience the best of France and Switzerland in a short time. However, the overall cost of your trip will depend on a number of factors, such as the time of year you visit, the type of accommodation you choose, and the activities and dining options you prefer. You can visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, and Trevi Fountain in two days if you are organized. Ranking Utah National Parks from Best to Worst, Ultimate Guide to Starting a Travel Blog and Making Money. Day 3: Transfer from Amsterdam to Paris by train. We have booked our flights round trip from DC to LGW for June 2023 July 2023 25 days. Appenzellerland has become popular because of the stunning mountain restaurant, the Aescher. 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. First off, it IS ideal to fly into one city and back home out of another if affordable or possible, but depending on when you are traveling, it will usually be cheaper to fly in and out of the same airport. The best place to start would be one of the cruises that leaves from a popular port in the Mediterranean (and the adjacent seas). Overall, Yvoire is a charming village with plenty to see and do, and it makes for a great day trip from Geneva. First, my suggestion is to book a hotel in Geneva or Montrezx and do day trips from there. Its packed with famous sights and its a major world capital. The fastest version of this extremely popular itinerary that I recommend is 9 nights, but if you skip Florence you could actually do this in 7 nights if you had to. However, in smaller shops and villages, that might not be the case. Check out my post on top activities to do in Interlaken for more tips. Glacier 3000 is a popular attraction located near the town of Les Diablerets. Thank you so much. Munich to Fssen: 2 hours 4 minutes. In all honesty, I do think Annecy is the most beautiful French town! Paris to Brussels: 1 hour 22 minutes 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. Additionally, you could consider adding other nearby destinations, such as Zermatt or Interlaken in Switzerland, if you have more time available. 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. Switzerlands charming towns of Montreux and Lausanne offer picturesque lakeside scenery and stunning Gothic architecture, while the shimmering Lake Geneva and its surrounding mountains provide a backdrop for unforgettable adventures. 12 thoughts on " Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and France (11 days 10 nights) - October 9-20, 2023 " Anilecc87 says: March 27, 2019 at 9:51 pm. The weather may be slightly cooler, but the scenery is still breathtaking, and there are usually fewer tourists around. 6.1 Colmar. 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. Venice to Florence by train: 1 hour 53 minutes 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. Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria are all very close together, making it super easy to see them all. There are no tolls for cars in Germany. And any suggestions for the night club? Hello, Roger. Of course, it is a lot about Mont Blanc (which I will talk about more in detail later on), and you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including the Aiguille du Midi and the Mer de Glace Glacier. Fantastic suggestions. Its picturesque streets and historic buildings, including a 14th-century castle, make it a popular destination. Im travelling with my kids 6 and 10 years old & we will be starting and ending our journey in Netherlands. Its really amazing how much you can see in two full sightseeing days. I have been running this blog since 2015. End with 3 days experiencing the top sights and attractions of Paris. By car: If you have a car, you can drive from Geneva to Annecy, which is about a 45-minute journey. Any suggestions Roger would be most appreciated. Its not like trying to visit, say, the US AND Mexico on the same trip. He has never been to Europe and we have friends going that have never been before either. Im sure I will be back to you with questions lol. It leaves out London, which I think could be good for a future trip instead assuming he enjoys this one. Take a walk through the narrow streets and admire the stone houses and colorful flower gardens. Switzerland Explore Fussen (Neuschwanstein Castle, Lakes and more!) Your 10 Day Germany Austria and Switzerland Itinerary 2 Days in Munich and One Day Trip from Munich You are going to start your Europe 10 day trip in the capital of Bavaria; Munich! Given the geography, it is quite easy to visit both countries on one trip, one after another. You can of course instead fly from Paris to Rome and then go north to Florence and then to Venice and fly home (or back to Paris) from there, and it would be just as enjoyable. 4. The cable car ride is an experience in itself, with breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps. Some Things to do in Interlaken. 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. So would you rather visit numbers 1 to 20 in one country instead of numbers 1 to 10 in each? I love trips like this and Im happy to help with more advice if you need it. Between you and me, its better to minimize time in Loch Ness or skip it altogether because its not one of the more photogenic parts of Scotland and the monster has always been a hoax. There is surely no shortage of activities. About This 10 Day Switzerland Itinerary Our 10 day itinerary focuses on the German and Italian parts of Switzerland. I understand your situation and fortunately youve got nothing but great options. It is known as a global hub for diplomacy and is home to the United Nations headquarters and several other international organizations. Just walk around the Eibsee and have a picnic. Your custom tailored Wonders of Europe Tour shows you the opulence . Lucerne is one of the prettiest towns in Europe. Suggest you focus on one OR the other country. Its an amazing place that will not disappoint. By train: There are regular train services that run between Geneva and Annecy, with a journey time of around 90 minutes. Mountain streets are usually a bit more challenging, but overall, I looooove driving in Switzerland. In Switzerland, I suggest adding Zurich to your itinerary for one day. Lucerne is almost as beautiful with a scenic lake at its heart and also great mountaintop views nearby. It is quite a big city, but thanks to good public transportation, you can get around easily and see some of the best places in a short time. 6.8 Some recommended sites for your road trip. 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). The complete overview of the two weeks I spent Eurailing around France, Switzerland, and Germany! Luzern - From Geneva, head to Luzern for a day. Some visitors like to see the famous WWII beaches and memorials, while others (especially in summer) like to check out one or more of the beach-resort towns. 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. We were thinking of this route: Germany to Switzerland, France to London and then Ireland. Ships go west to France and Spain as well as south around the tip of Italy and then on to Croatia, Venice, and to Greece. The train ride, or drive, from Lucerne to Interlaken is scenic. -Roger, Hi Roger, I won a cruise from Amsterdam to Bhudapest which departs on 02/10/23. Hi, thanks for this post. 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. Liechtenstein. The amount of time you spend in France and Switzerland really depends on your travel style and what you want to see and do during your trip. You can check the schedules and purchase tickets on the SNCF website or at the train station. Most first-time visitors are tempted to move too quickly, but it can also be a mistake to move too slowly. Leaving. 6.5 Portofino / Santa Margherita Ligure. 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. 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. Geneva - Catch a train to Geneva via a stop in Lausanne. Paragliding: Experience the thrill of flying over the mountains with a tandem paragliding flight. It is located on the border between France and Italy and is a popular destination for mountaineers and tourists alike and if you get the chance to add the Mont Blanc to your France and Switzerland itinerary, I highly suggest doing so. I also discuss Mediterranean cruises, which can actually be an amazing way to see a lot of Europe on your first visit, especially if you dont like going back and forth to train stations and airports every 2 or 3 days. Take a boat tour of Lake Annecy: Lake Annecy is one of the cleanest and most beautiful lakes in Europe. Annecy is a charming town with plenty of sights and activities to keep visitors entertained. We are flexible at this point. Germany, France, Switzerland - Itinerary (Romantic Trip) Jun 1, 2022, 1:18 PM Save I'm planning a 12 days trip to Germany, France and Switzerland from 27th June to 8th July. It helps show that if you choose some of the cheaper cities, you can treat yourself to some luxury that you cant afford in most other places. Can you help me with the itinerary? With that itinerary, you have seen some of the most beautiful places in Germany and Switzerland in only 7 days. From $4,499 USD pp* Save up to $200. Day 4 - Lake Thun. Ships from Athens usually head west towards Croatia, Italy, France, and Spain, but there are also ships that visit Greek islands and Turkey. Activities: Entrance fees for attractions such as cable cars, museums, and historical sites can also add up quickly. Take a cable car or train to the summit: If you want to experience Mont Blancs stunning views without climbing, you can take a cable car or train to the summit. If you take the train, make sure to take the Luzern-Interlaken Express (not all train rides have the same route and the Express trains are normally the most scenic ones). The Swiss Travel Pass is a cost-effective option for travelers that provides unlimited access to public transport, including buses, trains, and boats, and also offers free entry to more than 500 museums and exhibitions. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Switzerland on a Budget // What I Spent in 10 Days in Switzerland Two Week Eurail Itinerary Want to steal my Eurail itinerary? 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 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 Swiss Travel Pass also covers most museums and entrances to. Brussels isnt a great tourist city, but Bruges really is so its a better option for most people. The castle features an art museum that showcases local history and culture, as well as stunning views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Annecy.