looking to do a 7-9 day trip summer trip somewhere in Europe where we can see an amazing major city PLUS get to a jaw-droppingly beautiful outdoor area that is hopefully no more than 4 hrs away by train... happy to move to a different country to do this. I have not been to the Jungfrau region of Switzerland, but I am seeking something like this-- and I would pursue this but I would like to pair it with a city, and I'm hard-pressed to find the right one within a few hours... Not really into Zurich or Milan... So, if anyone has suggestions for a world-class European city that would pair nicely with a more outdoor region (mountains would be great for hiking, rafting, but we're open to beach, for example) that is spectacular, I'm all ears. Bonus if we don't need to rent a car to get around once we've left the major city for the duration of our trip, also open to hired driver for a day trip or getting around a region. Thanks!
Posted by
6749 posts
How about Lyon + Chamomix?
Posted by
San Diego, California
6968 posts
When?
How about Lucerne and the BO? Not sure what a "world class city" is within your definition, but we love Lucerne. Good luck!
Posted by
USA
134 posts
How major does the city have to be ? Maybe Innsbruck or Bergen?
Would suggest Bern but I have not been there.
Posted by
Bend, OR
1951 posts
You might give suggestions on which “world class” cities you would consider then others could give you suggestions on what to pair the city with.
Posted by
OP
Illinois
4 posts
Hi - great points here -- Ideally, I'd love to visit a cosmopolitan European city on the order-magnitude of Paris or Madrid or Rome (could be these or others) this July. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am late to the planning but can get things into gear quickly. So, ideally a major city of the world for maybe 4 or 5 days plus somewhere else for less metropolitan for at least 3 or 4 days that would allow for some nice outdoor experiences that would be less heavy on the museum-going and sightseeing that I envision in the major city. Hope that helps. Thank you so much!
Posted by
Virginia
682 posts
Krakow, and then Zakopane in the Tatra mountains along the Polish-Slovakian border (just a few hours away by car or bus) would fit these requirements nicely, I think, and also be much more budget friendly than Switzerland. If you’re thinking that Krakow is a somewhat smaller city not quite in the cultural league as “major world city” compared to the others you mention, perhaps so, but it’s plenty big and beautiful and there is more than enough to fully engage you there for that time frame.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3099 posts
Not as big as Rome or Paris, but I find Munich is a great large city with lots of art, history, architecture, music, cultural ambience, plus terrific food! The Bavarian Alps are about 50 miles away. Not the Jungfrau, but beautiful. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is also close by. (Winter Olympics sight from years past) You might check the Germany section of the forum and do a search about Munich there. It is one of my favorite cities. in Europe!
Posted by
6749 posts
I know some nice spots near Madrid, but way too hot in July. For Rome, I’d think coast instead of mountains, but there are options there.
Smaller, but people seem to love Ljubljana and it’s close to mts.
Posted by
Virginia
682 posts
Or Venice and the Dolomites. While July is not ideal for Venice, if you can afford a good hotel and pace yourself to avoid the most crowded areas and attractions in the hottest part of the day, which you would have time enough to do, I think it would be good. Slovenia was also mentioned above, which certainly has the natural beauty you seek, but while Ljubljana is a lovely city well worth a day or two, I wouldn’t say it quite meets the “major world city” parameter.
Posted by
Virginia
682 posts
And one more while I’m thinking about this interesting question: London, and the seaside resort of Llandudno in north Wales, a couple hours away by train, with the beautiful mountains of Snowdonia nearby. Of course, there are many other places in the UK within range of London, whether by the sea or inland, that offer similar natural beauty and outdoor activities but I mention Llandudno as that’s a town and area my wife and I particularly enjoyed last year.
Posted by
OP
Illinois
4 posts
These are fantastic ideas - and some I have never heard of and wouldn't have known to consider -- so thank you so much!!
Posted by
Sweden + Barcelona
4290 posts
You could look at some days in Barcelona and then some time in the nearby Catalan Pyrenees mountains. These mountains are very wild and beautiful that preserve many distinct cultures/history and some of the oldest churches in western Europe (Vall de Boí UNESCO heritage site). Some good bases in the Pyrenees area could be Vielha, Andorra la Vella, or Puigcerdà. You can also visit more the Basque Pyrenees area that's on the western edge of the mountains, with a stay in San Sebastián as your city break location.
You can see how the BBC covered Val d'Aran which is a area of this region to see if you like the scenery -
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220117-aranese-spains-little-known-language
Posted by
OP
Illinois
4 posts
Thank you!! Really appreciate it!
Posted by
Bay Area SF & Uppsala Sweden 🇸🇪
1584 posts
Hmmmm, interesting question.
- How about Vienna & the Austrian Alps?
- Oslo & Norway in a Nutshell via the fjords to Bergen, train back to Oslo, which is a very nice larger city with great architecture and museums? Norway would be cooler and easier to navigate than the other suggestions during the height of summer, but book those hotels sooner rather than later!
Neither of these jaunts would require a car.
Not suggesting a beach in the summer in Europe, just too crowded. Greece would be too warm.