My husband, 16 year old daughter and I will fly from Madrid into one of these three countries before flying back to Paris to head home. We have never been to any of them and will have 12 days to spend. I would like to take them to Colmar, France, but beyond that I have no idea where to go or how to lace it all together. Certainly I will begin to research in earnest now with January so close but I thought I'd ask for ideas and input from a few folks who have more insight than I. We can rent a car or take trains. We will be travelling in mid-July. I know it's busy but we have no option. We will take in a few museums but our teenager is more entranced by historic buildings, castles, countryside and architecture plus other cultural sights. Art is not really our thing. Thank you for any suggestions.
Posted by
11553 posts
Why not explore more of Spain?
We enjoyed the Alsace region-except for Colmar. Lots to see in the area.
Posted by
OP
SK, Canada
59 posts
Sorry, I didn't include that we will have spent 5-6 days already in Madrid.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11843 posts
Perhaps use this itinerary for inspiration ?
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/germany-austria-switzerland/germany-austria-switzerland-tour
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
218 posts
I agree that spending more time visiting places in Spain would be a great idea, but being July you may find the temperatures more comfortable elsewhere. You don’t say whether you plan on spending any time in Paris at the end of your trip and if so, does that come out of the 12 days? If you haven’t been, a few days in Paris will provide most everything on your daughter’s checklist. Also, is Colmar a must? It’s certainly a worthwhile place to go, but it does limit your practical options.
Regardless, assuming Colmar is to be included, I would suggest you divide your time among Switzerland, Colmar and the Rhine. Consider flying in to Basel (Easyjet has a daily flight), then taking a train to Lucerne. After two nights (one full day) in Lucerne head by train to the Lauterbrunnen area, and spend a few nights in Lauterbrunnen or Murren. Then take the train to Colmar, and spend as much time as you wish there- you can rent a car and day trip to Strasbourg and Haut Koenigsbourg in France, or Freiburg and Stauffen in Germany, as well as the many small towns around Colmar itself. If you still have time (don’t forget Paris), drive up the Rhine to Heidelberg or Bacharach for some castle viewing and river cruising. Then it’s on to Paris for the flight home.
Note that the Basel Euro airport is only about a 45 minute drive from Colmar, so if you decide not to spend time in Switzerland, it’s still an option. You can pick up a car there, but if you do, make sure you rent from the French side of the airport if you plan on returning the car elsewhere in France. The airport also has a Swiss side, and both sides have their own car rental locations.
Posted by
New York, NY
4066 posts
Sorry, I didn't include that we will have spent 5-6 days already in
Madrid.
That's very good but there is so much more to Spain that an additional 12 days will only whet your whistle! The Basque region, Andalusia, Barcelona/Catalan. Pick one or two of those regions and really immerse yourselves. Central Europe is out of the way.
Posted by
OP
SK, Canada
59 posts
Thank you so much to everyone.