We are a family of 4 (2 adults and my ten years old twin girls) traveling next June. We are going to fly from Colombia to Barcelona; then we are going to Zermatt and the Dolomites in Italy for some hiking. Because of our focus in those two regions is hiking and nature, we would love to add a new experience and explore some charming towns with relatively easy access.
This is not our first trip to Europe, my husband and I lived in France for six years, and we have visited with the kids the big capital cities, the Amalfi coast, and the Bernaisse overland region.
Any advice on where to go? We can accommodate this part of the trip at the beginning or the middle of our journey. We were thinking of the Bavarian alps or Alsace in France, but are I am open to suggestions! Remember, we have two kids!
Thanks in advance
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4170 posts
Why not the magnificent Pyrenees, so wild and beautiful, the small towns and villages there feel like they are in a time warp, you'll find 7 languages spoken in and around the Pyrenees, some very old indeed.
Or better yet los Picos de Europa mountain range, a bit like a mix between Switzerland and Ireland, the cradle of Spain itself, dotted with many ancient stone villages and towns. Recently rated by the NY Times in their 2020 52 must-see destinations.
Posted by
Niagara, Ontario
1672 posts
Where are you flying back home from? You are already doing plenty of moving around as it is. Are you driving?
Posted by
OP
Medellin Colombia
9 posts
@carlos: thanks for your advice! I’ve never been to Picos de Europa nor the Pyrenees. Can you tell me which towns do you suggest in any of this regions? I am flying back home from Madrid!
Posted by
OP
Medellin Colombia
9 posts
Hi Gundersen,
Thanks for the reply. I am flying back from Madrid. For now my itinerary is something like this:
1. Barcelona- Geneve (by plane)-Zermatt (by train)-geneve-
2. Here is where I expect to visit some charming towns
3. Dolomites (I am renting a car here) and taking a plane to Madrid from Venice.
I know for a fact that getting in and out of Zermatt And going to the Dolomites requires a good amount of traveling. We did this exact same journey last year (we love it so much that we are going back to do new hikes because we didn't plan enough time for this 2 places.
I know that I need to take a plane or a trains to add a new region, and even though I will like to do it in the middle of Zermatt and the dolomites to break up the hiking I can do it at the beginning of my journey. I need to take a plane from Barcelona anyway!
Las year we did something like this:
Madrid -Naples -Amalfy coast
Naples- Venice (car) - Cortina d’Ampezzo
Dolomites - Zermatt by car (with a night in Sirmione to rest)
Zermatt -Milan (retun the car)
Milan Paris
Paris Madrid
We are in Europe for 3 weeks!
Thanks in advance
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Definitely Alsace.
The alps in June will be cold and still snow covered to some extent. Trails won't be open.
I went to Alsace in May and it was decent. I went to Burgundy first, early May, and it was still too cold. A week later in Alsace was comfortable. Another month and the area would have been glorious.
For little charming towns, you can't beat the area. Burgundy has small stone towns. Alsace has small half timbered towns (think the town at the start of Beauty and the Beast). In both areas each town seems to be prettier than the last.
Posted by
OP
Medellin Colombia
9 posts
Thanks a lot Brad, I love Alsace and we visited a long time ago, and I am pretty sure my kids will love as well! I started to look into Bavarian alps to get to know a different place but as you point out I am finding this area full of natural beauty (the alps, the lakes) and some pretty towns but every video I've watched focus on the nature more than the villages and for this part of our trip we are looking into towns and villages more than nature. I know that beauty is subjective and personal, but, after seeing some videos, I am not sure if Bavarian towns are as charming as I was thinking, but i can be wrong.
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4170 posts
Hi Natalia, since you will be flying in to Barcelona and out of Madrid it will make more sense to explore the charming towns geographically closer to where your flights will be, I think. Here would be some of my personal recommendations of those points of interest:
Pyrenees: Besalú, Rupit, Vall de Nuria, Queralbs, Puigcerdà, Foix, Vall de Boi (UNESCO), Parque Nacional de Aguas Tortas, Jaca, Castillo de Loarre, Sos del Rey Católico, Olite + more
Picos de Europa (and surrounds): Santillana del Mar, Altamira (UNESCO), Potes, Fuente Dé, Cangas de Onís, Covadonga, Llanes, León, Burgos + more
Hope this gives a few ideas :)
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17330 posts
Maybe Neuchâtel or Vevey? Vevey is right on your route to Zermatt, and Neuchâtel is not far off it.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2572 posts
If you go to Alsace, get a car. I cycled part of the wine route years ago. I’ve never seen so many pretty villages in such a small area.
Posted by
OP
Medellin Colombia
9 posts
Thanks, everyone. I am looking at all your suggestions to make a decision!
Posted by
25 posts
We recently did Germany & Alsace. RS suggests Colmar and we agree wholeheartedly. We did a cycle tour which went through the vineyards and hit the small villages along the way. I'm not a huge cyclist, however the power assisted electric bikes helped on the hills and we pedaled the rest. Our tour had a family with children your girls' age, so it's doable. Really loved our time in Colmar and Alsace.