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12 days in Europe - looking for something different!

You all are such a wealth of knowledge on these forums, so I figured I have nothing to lose with asking for suggestions here! My husband and I (mid-20's) are looking to travel to Europe next summer, 2017. We only would have 10-12 days due to the barrier of taking time off for work, but we figured any time over there is better than none :) I have been there a number of times to London, Munich, Berlin, and Amsterdam but he has never traveled there. We want to avoid the big cities (surprisingly) such as Paris, London and Rome. I was initially drawn to a few days in Ireland as we love what the scenery has to offer and the fact that it's a little off the beaten path of the normal tourist hubs during the high summer months. We're thinking two main places that are fairly centrally located within an area for good day trips, and maybe one smaller scale "big" city, if that makes sense. Some other thoughts we've had - Switzerland, Prague, Spain, Southern France, Belgium. We love the idea of Italy but feel as if that country deserves a full trip in itself, so we plan to come back for that in the future. We aren't what you might call "history buffs", so we're more drawn to exciting landscapes for hiking, small towns, good food and drinks, and a place at the end to really relax since I'm sure we'll be packing a lot in the other days of the trip. We're open to considering any suggestions any of you might have! Thanks a ton in advance!!

Posted by
3938 posts

If you are going in the heat/high tourist summer season I'd skip southern France and Spain for this trip. If you are looking for blockbuster scenery and can afford it, I'd choose Switzerland!

Posted by
3551 posts

I think from your description u will find Switzerland a perfect destination.
Lauterbrunnen valley is a wonderful spot for your interests. If you need lo cost lodging consider a hostel many even have pvt rooms now. The scenery is outstanding and the train goes there easily. Arrive in zurich, train to Lucerne stay 2 days and finish off in lauterbrunnen or up the lift to my favorite Murren.
Ck it out.

Posted by
6590 posts

"...two main places that are fairly centrally located within an area for good day trips, and maybe one smaller scale "big" city... exciting landscapes for hiking, small towns, good food and drinks, and a place at the end to really relax since I'm sure we'll be packing a lot in the other days of the trip."

How about a little of France, Germany and Switzerland?

Place one: Fly into Frankfurt for 3 nights in the Middle Rhine Valley, about 1 hour from FRA by train.

Hike the Rhine Castle Trail between the old-world towns of Bacharach, Oberwesel, St. Goar, and Boppard. Visit Marksburg Castle in Braubach (use the St. Goar Ferry and the train from there to Braubach) Hike to Burg Eltz Castle on the nearby Mosel River (take the train to Moselkern first.) Plenty of fine places for local wine and food, like this one in Boppard.

City stop: Strasbourg, FR, attractive city of 270,000, on the way to Switzerland, roughly.

Place two: Benese Oberland (Lauterbrunnen indeed is a nice place to settle in.)

Fly home from Zurich?

Posted by
4730 posts

Either Ireland or Switzerland will fill the bill for great scenery although both are very different. They both have the availability of small towns as well as a large city if you desire. Can't go wrong with either.

Posted by
2599 posts

Have you considered the Baltic region? Helsinki, then ferry to Tallinn, on to Riga and Vilnius if time allows. I loved Tallinn, pleasantly busy vibe for a capital and it's a gorgeous medieval walled city with lovely outdoor spaces to explore, including the Baltic shore and Lahemaa National Park. A return trip for me would include Riga and Vilnius.

Posted by
1265 posts

Jill - Have you considered the Scandinavian area ? Our family spend time in Copenhagen and Stockholm this past summer and it was fantastic.

Posted by
26834 posts

I like all the suggestions you've received so far. Since Switzerland and Scandinavia are both very expensive these days, it might not be such a bad thing to visit one of them when you have limited time available.

I do want to toss northwestern and north-central Spain into the mix--the stretch from Galicia to the Basque Country--if you plan to travel mid-summer. Although a few of the cities there can get warm (including Pontevedra and A Coruña in Galicia), much of that area is temperate to cool, sometimes overcast even in mid-summer. The Basque countryside is lovely, and there are active-tourism possibilities in the really gorgeous Picos de Europa area of Cantabria/Asturias. There are many very interesting cities of moderate size as well as small towns that make great side trips. Except for San Sebastian and Bilbao this area doesn't get many American tourists other than pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela. I just spent almost six weeks in that swath of Spain and, as usual, left some interesting cities unvisited.

Posted by
2767 posts

I'm a big fan of southern Spain - if you are looking at May or early June, or fall. Or most times outside of high summer when it's easily over 100 F. If your timing works, this area offers what you are looking for. Great towns/smaller cities for wandering in Seville, Granada, Cordoba and Ronda. Good hiking in the hill towns near Ronda and in the mountains south of Granada (Alpujarras). Beaches to relax-some are crazy touristy but Nerja and a lot of the area east of it are quite nice. Much of the area feels more exotic than other parts of Europe. The Moorish influence lends a really unique feel.

Posted by
72 posts

I too am a fan of Southern Spain. I just can't get enough of Granada - a great little city - cheap - this wonderful mix of Moorish architecture and yes some history. And the Alpujarra area is amazing and worth visiting. I have not been to Cordoba but it sounds wonderful. And then Sevilla - bigger and a bit more hectic than Granada but worth a couple of days. What is appealing about this option is that you can get some great adventure and cultural mix - and you will be surprised how inexpensive this area will be. and the food is amazing!

I also second the Strasbourg/Mosel River Valley/ Black Forest area - but this will feel more like being home in Michigan. I don't know about the "relaxing" part - but it's a beautiful part of Europe.

Have a great trip!

Posted by
1825 posts

If you can do June or September you should go to Italy.July and August I'd go North.

Posted by
17639 posts
  1. Depart the US
  2. Arrive Prague
  3. Prague
  4. Prague
  5. Prague
  6. Czech Airlines to Budapest (about $200 and 1 hour non stop)
  7. Budapest
  8. Budapest
  9. Budapest
  10. Budapest
  11. Budapest home
Posted by
3387 posts

A couple of years ago we were in a similar situation. We had spent time in most major European cities and decided that we would go somewhere we hadn't been with a combination of a big city we had never visited along with countryside. We started in Prague, staying in a village about 20 minutes outside of the city. After about 4 days we were done with Prague and spent the rest of the time just driving around the countryside, following lines on the map! It's amazing there! So many villages that are not on the tourist track where people are friendly, the prices are CHEAP, there's excellent food/drink, and there are castles where you'll be the only English speaker there...at a couple of them they had to call someone in to give us a tour...at others they didn't even offer tours in English at all. The rolling wheat fields are stunning and the small forests are very beautiful. Plenty of hiking and beautiful vistas...

Posted by
5362 posts

12 days in Slovenia would be perfect. Julian Alps, hiking, gorgeous rivers, Ljubljana (lovely, small capital city), Lake Bled, caves, and a small Mediterranean coastline that rivals anywhere (Piran is a must-see). Rent a car and have fun in the the best country in Europe (in my opinion). Everyone also speaks great English.

Posted by
208 posts

I also vote for Slovenia/Croatia. Went there (mid 50s couple) in May 2015. Great trip! Everyone in Slovenia speaks English. Plus its a very cultured country. Croatia has the great Plitvice Lakes, definitely worth visiting, and Split and Dubrovnik. We wound up in Bosnia (Mostar/ Sarajevo), which was also quite interesting and worthwhile. And, it is pretty cheap. We stayed at a place in Mostar right on the river, right by the Old Bridge, literally a million dollar view. I think it was about $30 a night.

Posted by
310 posts

You've gotten a lot of great suggestions, I'll just add something because no one's mentioned the fact that you are young and adventurous! My husband and I were in Switzerland, in the Lauterbraunnen valley last summer, and we para glided over the valley. It was fantastic! The guides were very experienced, and we felt very safe. But that view-it was a highlight of our trip! We stayed in Gimmelwald and hiked around Murren and over on the other side of the valley, it was gorgeous and very memorable. It was June, and just perfect weather. Have fun on your adventure!

Posted by
2527 posts

If we're taking a vote, I'd swing towards Emily's and Matt's suggestions. Slovenia and Croatia would be a good match. Enjoy Ljubljana and then launch into rural bits for hiking and scenery. There's much to see in Croatia as well including Plitvice Lakes National Park, Dubrovnik, etc. Budapest always seems to be suggested in response to general questions about where to go next in Europe. Fine enough I guess...too many people...other places hold more interest to me. Oh, tourists have discovered Ireland.

Posted by
17639 posts

For small scale, scenery, hiking, splendid old castles, and just plain beauty with out the tourist crunch you might look at Slovakia. We keep going back for just that ...... and the fly fishing.

Plitvice Lakes National Park & Dubrovnik are beautiful and should be on every bucket list; but have become the very definition of tourist zoo. I have been told that fewer than 300 Croats live within the old city walls these days. That's why I think the best pairing is to go south to Montenegro rather than north. Montenegro is splendid, but with few english speaking tourists. Probably 2nd in enjoyment for me after Slovakia when it comes to the things you describe enjoying.

Posted by
2 posts

THANK YOU for all of your suggestions! I'm glad I'm starting to think about planning now - I definitely have my work cut out to research your suggestions. Sounds like I can't really go wrong anywhere that you guys mentioned. I've never thought of Slovenia or Croatia as being appealing destinations either so I'm glad I asked on here for input - I appreciate you all helping out with looking for "something different" and a little bit away from the standard European destinations. Thanks again!

Posted by
10 posts

something different? Please choose Russia )
I can help you and I wiil see and help you here. I will stay in Moscow till August 2018