Ugh, we want to visit Normandy, Switzerland and Austria in 14 days - is this even possible?

Have you already bought your open jaw plane tickets, Paris and Vienna? If not, I would suggest a little more time in Normandy, and a lot more time in Switzerland, and possibly skip Austria altogether. I would not attempt your itinerary - too many changes of location in 2 weeks. I think that trying to combine Normandy and Switzerland would be enough to keep me busy for 2 weeks, but not overly rushed.

It would help to know where your flights are arriving and departing to give good advice - if you're boxed in you may not appreciate answers suggesting you alter your itinerary. Also if you can state exact dates that will help giving advice (e.g., the Olympics prep is already well under way and could adversely impact your plans for ideas of going to/from Paris and renting a car). It does seem like too much moving around to me.

Well, have you done the rough research, like with Google Maps? It's not very precise a map system, but it's a full & long day of travel, with multiple changes, by train from Bayeux to Lauterbrunnen. That suggests that you don't have enough days, and should not be combining these locations. It is quite late to plan European travel in peak season, so you might do some trial hotel bookings, just to get an idea of what you're going to have to settle for.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eEfTs89sd1fgZnm86

It sounds like you are experienced enough travelers to know that you have to change train stations in Paris if you train in from CDG. But maybe you plan to rent at CDG, jet-lagged and all, to drive to Bayeux while sleepy.

We spent four nights in Vienna. With a line to enter everything, and some things (Lippizaners?) already sold out, you will not be doing this checkbox on your list justice. Won't the boys continue to travel after they fly the coop?

You don't make clear if Normandy actually means "the American D-Day sites." I'm not telling you what you want to see, but you could do that respectably (no, not "completely" or "exhaustively") with one night, especially with a car. But I know from experience that the parking lots will be like Christmas at home. You have to sit and wait for a space to open up, and grab it before the car at the other end of the aisle does. You need five to eight parking spaces a day at the beaches.

We are trying to check off three of our top remaining places to visit in Europe before the boys fly the coup.

Two points I want to make:

You say Normandy, Switzerland, and Austria represent 3 of your top remaining places...what are your other "top remaining places"? There may be a "better" trip out there depending on what you think are your top remaining places. Switzerland and Normandy are doable, and Switzerland and Austria are an ideal pairing, but you made Normandy non-negotiable, but in doing so you have strung together 3 destinations that don't particularly make a lot of sense in terms of travel connections and wear and tear on your family in a 2 week trip where you are basically changing your location every 2 days on average...this is my opinion, of course, but with only 2 weeks, concentrate the geographic area a bit more, and reduce the travel days, and I think everyone will enjoy the experience more. What you proposed looks exhausting to me - yes I am older now - but this would have exhausted me back when I had teenagers, too.

As for "before the boys fly the coop"...do you mean they leave for college, or just what? Our 2 kids are in their late 30s, and we still treat them to trips all over the world...your travels with your kids don't have to end with them "flying the coop".

The logistics of getting to Normandy immediately after arrival to CDG are not great. It would take a minimum of 6 hours by train. I definitely don’t recommend driving immediately after a transatlantic flight. It might be better to move that to the end of the trip. You also have the Olympics in Paris to contend with this year.

Only 2 nights in the BO area is REALLY risky. What if it’s cloudy and rainy those couple days (as we experienced last late-June)? You’ll have travelled around the world and will miss those epic views you came for. You really need to account for mountain weather and give yourself more time.

Kelly, sorry to see ANOTHER planned itinerary that is too rushed.

Way too much travel.

Austria is cheaper than Switzerland, don't cut amazing Salzburg. Why not do Normandy on another trip.

Many things are possible. You can visit New York, Washington and Boston on the same day. Is it practical or sensible?

Pick two or three locations much closer to each other. Your initial description of your itinerary - Ugh - is correct.

It can be done, but this is not a year I'd recommend Normandy. It's the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and prices are crazy and most everything is overbooked. One of my co-workers spent last weekend there with over 1000 people in a campground. If you don't have a car reserved you may not get one now. Likewise hotels. Paris is the same.

If you do decide to go to Normandy, I don't advise driving from and back to Paris. It's a LOT of driving, so probably not the best use of your time if Normandy is your real goal. Take the train from Paris to Caen or Bayeux and rent your car there. I also agree with other posters that it's not advisable to try to drive this on the day of your arrival in Paris. However it would be easy to get on the train immediately after arrival at CDG, and use this day to get to Caen or Bayeux, wherever you can rent a car. (Be sure to take some sandwiches with you.) Nap on the train, spend that night in a hotel, then pick up your car in the morning.

Thank you everyone for your insights! All helpful. Yes, I still agree, Normandy is hard to tie into Switzerland and Vienna. I actually (shame on me) had forgotten this was a monumental anniversary so thank you for the reminder! I believe it is so imperative to remember our history so we avoid mistakes in our future. I am so glad Normandy continues to be an honest reminder.

Interestingly, we continue to have air fare price drops for Europe, we recently had a new carrier come into the market, that might have helped.
We are all good sleepers on planes and I have done the drive to Bayeux after landing before but that was while we still had direct flights to Paris. Can't believe they haven't come back-online again. So That is a consideration. Thanks!
You have all convinced me not to do the three.

Interestingly, we continue to have air fare price drops for Europe

I set a google flight alert about 6 months ago for mid May dates, never acted on it, but I kept the alert, just to monitor pricing. And the lowest price for the itinerary I was interested in (to CDG) hit the lowest price about a week ago. More importantly, the current price of this itinerary is far below what I paid for the same dates a year ago, May 2023. About 30 percent lower...

Kelly,
Just a thought...France has WWII memorials and important sites all over, as well as very moving WWI sites. If Normandy ends up being too much of a problem to visit this trip, there are many other places to go that are not such a long journey from Switzerland and Austria. The long WWI and WWII wars didn't just happen in Normandy.
Worth investigating.

Judy, So true. Any top recommendations in Austria? And someone mentioned you can visit the bunkers in Switzerland?
One highlight for me, We went to Belgium a few years back and did a tour of the WW1 sites, including Flanders Field where my grandfather was taken POW. The whole day was very moving and informative. WW1 was a different beast and he credits his survival to being taken captive that day. And while some may find it tacky, I thought the Hospital in the Rock in Budapest full of history. Auschwitz, should be in everyone's eyes. I just can't believe the boys haven't been to Normandy yet. Maybe next year. Ideas for this year in Austria and Switzerland? Thanks!

Jojo Rabbit. 30% wow! Yes, the dollar is good to travel on right now, maybe it will help offset the pain of prices at home ;) Hope you make it to Europe with those prices! Good Luck!

• Smaller and Regional airports * Incase this helps anyone else, since we dropped Normandy. .... It's worth looking into smaller airports when direct flights to the big ones are not available.

For Example, We still cannot get direct from Orlando to Paris, so it opened up ideas. Norse Air (our new airline) flies into Gatwick for $250 one way, $600 Premium including a carryon, seat, meal and taxes! Pick the right day and you can fly out of Gatwick same day on Easy Jet to Nantes for a good price. It's still a one layover flight and a 3 hour drive with a great price and a smaller airport and city to maneuver.

A day trip to Puy Du Fou, (its shows beat Disney and Universal 10 fold just don't go on a weekend) then onto Mont Saint Michelle with a guided walk on the mud flats not to be missed and dive into the French/British battles for land, Bayeux and the tapestry that tells the story then DDay sites and memorials, Honfleur where hopefully you catch their magical Market day. So much in between.

Then if you wanted to head to Switzerland, back to Nantes and a direct 1hr20 Easy Jet flight to Basel! So 4-5 days in Normandy and 4-5 in Switzerland! Or just stay in France... So So much! Oh well, I went there in my memories :)

Alas, I have no recommendations for Austria and Switzerland. You could check on the Austria and Switzerland sections on the forum. The only WWII places I have visited outside of France is Dachau, Germany. The WWI Verdun area in northern France is sacred and tragic at the same time. It always takes my breath away. When you get to that area, definitely go there and the Duomont Memorial/Cemetery and the many WWI and WWII locations in Belgium as well.
Whatever you finally decide, have a wonderful time!