Please sign in to post.

10 days Alps + Mediterranean

Posted by on

Hi
So I am in Germany (Hamburg) for a couple of weeks in Sept/Oct and hoping to spend another 3-4 days in Paris and London each. This leaves me with about 10-11 days on my itinerary that I am unsure about. Here's where my head is at: I will get the culture from Berlin, Paris and London. Would love to satisfy the nature buff and hiker in me...

So based on my research I've narrowed it down to:
1. Where in Alps for some hiking/kayaking/stunning scenery - Slovenia, Bavaria, Austria (Or Switzerland) ?
2. Where for some Mediterranean (Portugal or Croatia) ?

I'm not that into beaches (I live in Australia :)) but would love some authentic experiences with jaw dropping beauty and some great food. I don't care for the touristy stuff either or checking boxes (you'll notice no Rome, Venice, Madrid etc..)

You probably get a ton of these questions, but as somebody who has never been to Europe it is all very overwhelming! And I'd really appreciate any help!
Ideas, pretty please?

Posted by
4169 posts

I think checking a map might be helpful , neither Portugal , on the Atlantic coast , or Croatia , on the Adriatic , could be considered Mediterranean . As far as your Alpine considerations , your potential choices fit , it depends on your tastes

Posted by
470 posts

I think checking a map might be helpful , neither Portugal , on the
Atlantic coast , or Croatia , on the Adriatic , could be considered
Mediterranean . As far as your Alpine considerations , your potential
choices fit , it depends on your tastes

The Adriatic Sea is a part of the Mediterranean.

Posted by
4169 posts

I never thought of it that way , I stand corrected , Thanks !

Posted by
1402 posts

Off from the Austria Forum but, this time of year maybe lake Como Italy (Varenna), Split area of Croatia and Islands, Bay of Kotor Montenegro?

Posted by
470 posts

Steven, indeed the Mediterranean Sea is composed of many smaller bodies of water. The Adriatic is one of the more well-known, but even some destinations, which you might have considered as "truly" Mediterranean actually lie on the coast of a smaller sea. Barcelona lies on the coast of the Balearic Sea, Naples on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, etc. Portugal, while definitely not on the sea itself, is somethimes also included in the broader sense of a Mediterranean cultural space.

To get back on topic. Falcon.abode, all of your options are good, it's really a question of your preferences. In September/October, the high season will have ended, leaving you with nice weather but less crowds, which is always a good thing. Given that you only have 10-11 days, you could consider following an itinerary that has the least moving around so you don't waste too much time in travel between your Alpine and Mediterranean destinations. Perhaps something along the axis of Austria-Slovenia-Croatia? You could move around to the less touristy places more easily with a hire car and it shouldn't be too expensive, provided you don't pick up the car in one country and drop it in another. Given that you have a short timeframe, perhaps Slovenia and Northern Croatia? You can easily adjust that, though. The northeastern part of Italy to the east of Venice is also surprisingly uncrowded compared to the rest of Italy and southern Austria is right around the corner, too. Lots of options!

Posted by
4 posts

Thanks all!
I am leaning a bit towards Salzburg/Halsttat as it looks incredible. (Just a bit of FOMO as I miss out the Swiss and French Alps! )

All the forums and opinions I read seem to point to no huge difference between the choices I set up for myself, and everyone seems to point out the importance of choosing places close by so I might just go with Austria and Croatia.

And will just have to come back!

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.