We will be traveling to Paris, Colomar, Lucern or Interlaken, then lastly Zurich to fly home, September 30-October 10, 2026. We are traveling with our family which includes 5 adults and 2 children - 8 and 10 yrs.
We are just beginning to put together a rough itinerary but am looking for suggestions or advice. Our intracity travel will be via train.
Paris - 3 nights
Colomar - 2 nights
Lucern or Interlaken 3 nights
Zurich - 1 night (flight in early morning) for home
Does this look doable especially thinking about train travel.
Thank you.
Posted by
Chicagoland
1686 posts
I assume you mean Colmar in Alsace and not Colomars near Nice?
While your plan is doable, it's a bit rushed IMO.
What are you hoping to see and do in each location?
Posted by
Boston
403 posts
Please consider that, with each move, you lose at least a half a day, and usually more than half. With ten days, I wouldn't plan more than two places.
Of the places you've listed, I'd go with Interlaken and Colmar. Zurich is dull as dishwater and, of the two (Lucerne and Interlaken), Interlaken is waaaay more interesting.
And even more especially so with so many people. Moving that many people is sometimes like herding snakes.
Posted by
OP
Wisconsin
2 posts
Thank you for the responses. We are flying home from Zurich - no time spent there. So, it sounds like we should skip Colmar in Alsace region and just do Paris and Interlaken. Do you have a suggestion for a fun side trip or day trip from Paris?
Posted by
Boston
403 posts
There are so many, you'll be spoiled for choice. I will say that, if anyone recommends Versailles, I'd opt out with children. It's so incredibly crowded, all they'll see is adult butts. Shouldering through wall to wall people is no way to sightsee.
If you want to see a chateau, you can easily get to the Vaux-le-Vicomte. The kids will have acres of gardens to run in and a real moat.
If you want a medieval town to explore, you can easily get to Provins.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2846 posts
Looking at your dates, I am assuming you arrive on Sept. 30 and fly home on Oct. 10. That gives you Oct. 1st through the 9th to actually visit your cities. I would give 5 full days to Paris, travel on the 6th to Interlaken, stay there through the 8th, then stay the night of the 9th in Zurich. You would have two full days in Interlaken, plus the latter part of Oct. 7th.
With your time frame, two locations would be wiser, IMO. Good choice to drop Colmar and Lucerne.