My husband and I (early 30's) are planning a 16 day trip to Europe the last 2 weeks of August, 2012. We'd like to spend the majority of our time exploring France (all the likely spots - but looking for suggestions on must see places) and would also like to include one additional destination. We're debating between Barcelona and Switzerland. Any suggestions? Any help with an itinerary for France, as well as opinions on which additional destination would best compliment France, would be most appreciated. THANK YOU!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
1525 posts
When we went to France in 2009, we landed in Paris and immediately took the fast train to Colmar (NE corner near Germany) and stayed for two wonderful nights, getting over jet lag and strolling the old town. Then we rented a car and drove into Switzerland, spending a few hours in Bern on the way to Mürren in the mountains. Two nights there, then we drove to Provence, back in France, then continued to circle France clockwise until Chartres, where we dropped the car and trained back into Paris to end our stay there. We had a month, but we also stayed a week in three different locations. With only 16 days, you couldn't really circle France like we did unless you drove long distances every couple days. But you could easily do a shortened version like; Colmar - Switzerland - Provence - Paris PS; Driving is easy (Provence is tough without a car), but be sure to schedule your stops so that you both pick-up and drop the car in France - different locations in France is no problem.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3299 posts
Switzerland: beautiful mountain scenery, great hiking, quaint villages, very expensive Barcelona: very cool and trendy, might be hot in August, beach, great architecture, wonderful food, less expensive than Switzerland
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
This is a tough question. If your extra travel was to be around 9/24, I'd say Barcelona as this is when the La Merce festival takes place. The biggest of the year for Barcelona. An amazing amount of people and events. Switzerland has such a special mountain beauty. It is really hard to pass up. For your time of travel, I'd give the nod to the Berner Oberland in Switzerland. Of course, this is my opinion. You have the more diffcult job of choosing.