I’m planning a trip for two to Europe for November/December (dates are flexible as is the length of time of the entire trip, but probably no more than a month). We’ve both been to Europe numerous times but I tend to get bogged down with logistics when I start adding in multiple destinations, so advice is welcome! We’ll be flying from the East Coast USA (Washington, DC area). We’d like to do Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris (these stays will include day trips out of the cities), but I’d also like to go down to the French Alps, Annecy in particular, because it’s one part of France I haven’t done and as long as I’m there, if possible, I’d like to get it in this time. We’re not skiers so weather-wise, will this still be enjoyable? Any other towns in the area you recommend? And in terms of the circuit of the entire trip, what would make the most sense of which city to fly into and which to return to USA from? (Would flying into or out of Geneva instead of one of the other cities be preferable?) Thanks for your input!
Posted by
Paris
7312 posts
I'll be the first to say "Why Brussels? Stay in Brugge, Gent or even Antwerpen, and daytrip to Brussels if you wish, but not the other way around". Few folks seem to like Brussels, and I'm not one of them.
As for Annecy in Nov-Dec, if before 15 Dec it's before skiing season, so snow-wise you likely won't have issues. It is the quietest time of the year, weather can be iffy (rainy, cold), but if you're lucky the lake and mountains will be just as beautiful.
For flights: you could fly into Amsterdam and out of Geneva perhaps? Or out of Lyon, or out of Paris at worst, but by all means try not to backtrack to Amsterdam.
Posted by
OP
51 posts
Brussels because I have friends there and have been numerous times...I actually love it there, but that might be because of my connections. (Love all of Belgium as well.)
Definitely wouldn’t backtrack to Amsterdam, but into Amsterdam and out of Geneva might work.
Posted by
613 posts
As a general rule of thumb, for where you will be, the best flights and lowest air prices will be FRA, AMS, and CDG. There is a good chance that if you use Geneva, you will start your trip by changing planes at one of the 3 aforementioned.