My cousin and I will be meeting in Paris and have an outbound flight from Amsterdam 2 weeks later. We were planning on taking a train from Paris to Munich and then making our way up Germany to Amsterdam but that's about as far as we've gotten. I've been doing some research but it's overwhelming. Any suggestions on towns/cities to stay over or side trips would be much appreciated! I know it's very vague but we are up for anything. Only requirements are that we see at least one castle! Thanks!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Yes, it can be overwhelming. For itinerary planning of the type you want to do, Rick's "Best of Europe 2015" would be helpful.
First, I'd decide how many days in Paris, the beginning of the trip, and then proceed from there in your planning.
You'll be able to see your castle in Germany, not France.
You'll want to decide:
How many days in Paris?
Do you want to see part of the Rhine Valley on your way to Munich (there are castles there)?
Do you feel you have enough time to go from Munich to Berlin?
Then you'll go west to Amsterdam.
Posted by
Paradise
6658 posts
You're meeting in Paris. I assume that means you will spend a few days there. So minus that you have maybe 10 days. What you might do...
Strasbourg France (about 2.5 hours from Paris)
Black Forest, just over the border: Gengenbach and other old world villages.
Stuttgart and or Tübingen (university town on the Neckar River)
Head north to the Rhine River (the CASTLES are here and on the Mosel River (BURG ELTZ).)
Head north to COLOGNE for some good museums (including the former Gestapo prison turned Nazi Documentation Center) and its massive CATHEDRAL
From Cologne you are 3-4 hours from Amsterdam.
This is a lot so maybe you pick and choose what looks best.
Posted by
OP
mpls, MN, USA
10 posts
I didn't count the Paris days in the 2 weeks, we've both been to Paris before so will only be there 2 days, with a full 12 days to explore Germany after!
Thank you for the suggestions, I can't wait to do more research!