I'm planning my 3rd trip to Europe. I am flying in/out of Amsterdam because I have a friend who recently moved there. I'm kicking around ideas for my ten nights; probably spending the last two in Amsterdam. That leaves me with 8 free nights.
1. I really want to visit Annecy, along with a neighboring village, Talloires. I like to travel by rail, but this looks time consuming. Would it be better to fly from AMS to Geneva or? I do not wish to rent a car.
2. I would like to return to Amsterdam through Germany with a stop for the Rhine or Moselle river valley. Again, the train ride looks brutal. Am I crazy to think I can accomplish this itinerary? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Posted by
75 posts
If you like to travel by rail you know that it can be time consuming compared to flights, but you also know the benefits.
A high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris in less than 4 hours in the morning. A lunch in Paris, than strolling a couple of hours, than taking a direct TGV to Annecy in less than 4 hours in the afternoon.
Since you have 8 nights you could even take it slower if you wish, stopping for 1-2 nights in Paris or somewhere else along the route.
Annecy to Amsterdam via the Rhine is a fine journey, but you don't want to do it in 1 day even if that may be possible.
Day 1 A scenic, relaxed journey across Switzerland from Annecy to Basel via Geneve.
Day 2 Basel to Amsterdam via the scenic Rhine valley route, treating yourself to the 1st class panorama car and a lunch in the Swiss restaurant car, changing in Köln(Cologne) to the ICE(German high-speed train) to Amsterdam.
https://www.seat61.com/places-of-interest/rails-down-the-rhine.htm
In my dictionary brutal has a very different meaning. :-)
"Am I crazy to think I can accomplish this itinerary?"
We don't know anything of you. You should know yourself better than us, but I can't find any reason why a healthy, English speaking traveller with experiences of 2 Independent(?) trips to Europe couldn't accomplish this itinerary.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Buses from Annecy to Talloires are reasonably frequent. I assume you want to stay in Annecy?
Posted by
OP
Lahaina, HI
74 posts
Great - I appreciate the advice. I LOVE Paris but wondering if it's possible to make a one night stop in a small village just outside of Paris and then continue on to Annecy. Upon arrival at the Paris station, will I need to get to a different train station to continue on to Annecy? After glimpsing at rail schedules, it appears that I would need to. If that is the case, I may just fly down after spending my arrival night in AMS. I will have a backpack and a carry-on and prefer not to lug those around with me for a 'stroll' through a large city. Also - any point in reversing the order of my itinerary? I do plan on a minimum of 2 nights in Annecy and in the Rhine. Not sure which location though. I enjoy the smaller towns, but realize the connections are more challenging. I will most definitely look into the Panorama car - sounds wonderful. ( Just beginning my planning & regret using the term 'brutal' ) Once in Annecy, is there a bus to Talloires or do boats run regularly? Thank you
Posted by
75 posts
"wondering if it's possible to make a one night stop in a small village just outside of Paris and then continue on to Annecy."
Anything is possible, but this involves more travel and more changes.
"Upon arrival at the Paris station, will I need to get to a different train station to continue on to Annecy?"
Yes, from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon. This site explains it: https://www.seat61.com/Paris-metro.htm
"I will have a backpack and a carry-on and prefer not to lug those around with me for a 'stroll' through a large city."
Just leave them in a locker at the station.
Posted by
75 posts
Actually you could avoid changing trains in Paris, by changing in Brussels(same station change) and Lyon(same station change) instead of Paris.