My husband and I will be spending 13 nights in Europe in September and have narrowed our itinerary loosely down to the following cities: Prague (2 nights), Salzburg (3-4 nights), Munich (3 nights) and Lucerne (3-4 nights). Our primary reason for going to Munich (and for traveling when we are) is to attend Oktoberfest but we will also want to visit some of the WWII historical sites in that city while we are there. Flying into Prague and out of Zurich right now. Before people say this isn't near enough time in each city and that it's a lot of traveling, we prefer to a faster pace vacation and "country/city hopping" is the idea for this trip so we know where we want to go back and spend more time someday. My question ... if we were to spend more nights in either Salzburg or Lucerne, which would you recommend? We plan to do day trips from both already. Or would it be worth to spend 2 nights in an entirely different area (considering Lugano, St. Moritz, Zermatt or somewhere in Austrian Tyrol). We will not have a car. We enjoy history, beautiful landscapes, good food (but not Michelin star), wine and just learning about the culture of the area. Appreciate the help!
Posted by
San Diego, California
6298 posts
IMHO, you need to eliminate one location. You don't experience an area when you're on a train for half a day, then rushing to check out and check in, orientating to an area. Download the local train apps and determine how long the travel time is between cities. Two nights is one day, and that's a jet-lagged Prague day at the beginning, so not really worth the effort. So eliminate either Prague or Lucerne. Personally, I love Lucerne, so I hate even suggesting that.
Have a great trip. Safe travels!
Posted by
Irving
3391 posts
Don’t waste your time in Lugano. I spent four nights there and there are way more scenic lakes to visit than Lugano.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
For reference on our travel style, we spent 9 nights in Italy last year - 2 in Bologna (arrival city), 3 in Siena and 3 in Florence. We felt that we had more than enough time in each place and did day trips from all three. I understand Prague is a longer train ride and honestly, that was a late add-on because we were concerned we'd get bored just doing the three places but I'm certainly open to eliminating that city due to travel time and finding another location in Switzerland, Austria or Germany to spend a few nights.
Posted by
San Diego, California
6298 posts
Comparing the pace of your Italy trip to your proposed trip is like comparing apples to oranges. Your current proposed trip includes larger areas, actually three different countries/cultures, each with access to multiple wonderful day trips.
If you dropped Prague, I'm assuming you'd fly into Munich, then onto Salzburg, then Switzerland?
The Berner Oberland is beautiful in September , and actually sleeping in the Alps ( Murren or Wengen) is priceless. No one is ever ready to leave the Alps.
You could then go onto Lucerne, and commute to the Zurich airport from Lucerne.
Just some thoughts-
St Moritz is just high- end shopping. Pontressina, close by, is delightful and scenic.
Berchtesgaden, outside Salzburg, has absolutely beautiful scenery, plus the Salt Mine tour, which is on the way, via bus. And- the Red Bull Museum is about 15 minute bus ride in another direction outside of Salzburg.
The Augustiner Beer Garden in Salzburg is alot of fun, and it's a beautiful walk down from the fortress.
You are considering some beautiful areas, and I wish you a great trip.
Have fun planning, and safe travels.