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Two Week Europe Trip with Teen Daughter - Looking for Pit Stop Ideas Before Meeting with Husband/Dad

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I'd love advice on a pit stop and/or travel route. I'm taking my 14-year-old daughter (Jenny) to Paris in July (we arrive in Paris late afternoon). We have 13 days to travel before flying home from Munich. My husband (Ben) will join us 1/2 thru by flying into Zurich. Jenny and I plan to stay 3 nights in Paris. We then have two nights for a "pit stop" before Ben arrives in Zurich.

Option 1
Jenny and I stop in XYZ for two nights (cool place between Paris and Zurich) and sightsee until Ben arrives in Zurich. Take the train together to the Jungfrau region for 3 nights.

Option 2
Jenny and I travel from Paris to Interlaken, where we can do outdoor things that Ben wouldn't enjoy (he hates heights and we want to paraglide). He can then join us in the Jungfrau region after arriving in Zurich.

Once Ben arrives, we have 6 nights together with bucket list items that include Neuschwanstein Castle, Dachau, and a day exploring Munich before heading back to the States. Note - Ben and I have been to Europe several times, and both are independent travelers. This will be Jenny's first time to Europe. After spending 2 nights in the Jungrau region, we'll have 4 nights.

Option 1
Would you go straight to Munich and get a hotel fro 4 nights, doing day trips to Neuschwanstein Castle and Dachau?

Option 2
Would you stop in Fussen on the way to Munich, and stay the night to see the castle the next day? Moving on to Munich after the castle.

Is there any reason to take a detour to Austria on the way to Munich so that Jenny will have seen that country as well?

Thanks in advance!

Posted by
22275 posts

I'd say you could stop in Fussen on the way to Munich. Coming from Switzerland you will pass though the far west corner of Austria, so look out the window and cross it off the list.

Posted by
2800 posts

Option 2. But instead of Interlaken, go the Wengen or Murren. Spend your time UP in the mountains, not at the base of them. You can paraglide in the area. It is much more spectacular than Interlaken.

With 6 nights in Munich, go to Salzburg for a day. Use the Bayern ticket. It’s a beautiful city.

Posted by
2129 posts

There really isn't enough time for Austria in your plans. Stop in Fussen on the way to Munich, but don't shortchange Munich. There is a lot to see and do there. However, Dachau is definitely worthwhile. We went as younger travelers, and each of our kids went on their own post-college Europe trips. It is importan and moving, and perhaps one of the best lessons one could ever learn in one's lifetime. Our kids have never forgotten Dachau and all hat it stands for. Never again.

P.S. I don't know the travel times between Jungfrau region and Fussen. If possible, visit the castle the same day you leave the Jungfrau, then leave Fussen early the next day for Munich. Munich deserves far more than one day.

Backing up, three nghts in Paris means just 2 full days there. To me that is such a small time there. I would take your extra two days and stay in Paris before heading off to Switzerland. But then, Paris is unique.

Amusez-vous bien avec votre fille avec sa premiere visite en France.

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