Hubby and I would be traveling from Maryland and want to visit all four of these areas if possible next year at this time. We want to see the Christmas markets in Strasbourg and have time to spend a day or two in these other areas, but maybe that's pushing it for a 10-day trip in the winter. No skiing, but winter hiking, sightseeing, taking in gorgeous scenergy, and a gondola ride (to Mt. Blanc) are the goals. Thanks for any thoughts - we've looked at maps and don't know if we should leave something out for a future trip. Leslie
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11785 posts
How many nights do you have on the ground? If 11 nights, you have 10 full days to do things outside of arrival and departure days. If your 10 days include flights, then you only have 8 full days on the ground for activities. It is those full days that are really your “doing” time, and included transfers to and from your various stops. Add in that mountain weather is fickle, so if you only have two nights and one full day in Chamonix, for example, and it snows and you cannot even see the peaks, will you be disappointed?
Tell us the number of nights you have and we can more fully help.
Posted by
Green Bay
21192 posts
If this is 10 days including travel to/from the States, looks difficult. How about Strasbourg, Colmar, Basel, and Lauterbrunnen. Easier and faster between these towns. Rather than the Aguille du Midi, the Jungfraujoch. Colmar or Basel can be done as a stopover during a day of travel. Fly into Frankfurt and out of Zurich.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2061 posts
I agree that ten days is not enough time to hit Strasbourg and both Chamonix AND the Berner Oberland.
Also, note that hotel rates spike in resort destinations during ski season. So. even if you have no interest in skiing, you’ll be paying the same high rates skiers will be paying if you go to Chamonix and the Berner Oberland. There probably are comparable destinations that don’t offer skiing and are more reasonable.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2555 posts
Strasbourg is one of the most popular places in Europe for Christmas markets. We spent 4 nights there last year. There are 10 markets in Strasbourg, plus dozens more in Colmar and the surrounding villages. It is spectacular. I highly recommend at least 3 nights in the area. That gives you two full days to explore. Definitely make those weekdays. Crowds on the women’s and at night can be insane. Shoulder to shoulder and joy can’t move. But weekdays, during the day especially, are magical.
We visited Lauterbrunnen in summer 2023 and it is gorgeous. But I would advise at least 3 nights in that area as well. Your enjoyment (and views) there is very much weather dependent. We were there 6 days and had rain on 5 of the days. We had one clear morning to go to Jungfraujoch. So don’t go so far around the world and gamble that the weather will be perfect on the one day you’re there. Stay a few nights and then choose where you go based on the weather.
If your 10 days includes travel days, that really only 8 days on the ground. Pick two spots and fully enjoy those two places.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all very much for your insight. I truly appreciate it as a starting point for us to consider our vacation plans for next December.