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Alps 2 Week Trip Help

So planning trip w/ myself, wife, kids 22, 19, and 15. Was looking at flying multi city landing Tuesday 5/30 in the am, and leaving Tuesday 6/13. I had looked at flying Cincinnati to Stuttgart, and then back from Zurich. I was originally trying to see first before I start to book anything if its feasible to start in southern Germany for a few days (thought Rotherburg, Neuschwanstein Castle), then move on to Lauterbrunnen area for a good 5-7 days for our Switzerland home base, and then hit France for a few days (Chamoniz and or Annecy), and then fly home.

Now logistically not sure this works too much travel between, using both car and trains. Is there a better way to make to see all 3 countries or are better off eliminating one. We had planned to do some hiking, sightseeing, castles, churches, cute town, maybe some biking. Any advice is welcome. Thanks in advance!!!!

Posted by
612 posts

We've stayed in the Berner Oberland area for 6 weeks every summer for years and I'm currently planning our 6th summer there for 2023. We still have yet to get sick of it or feel like we've exhausted all the beauty there is to enjoy about this region. It's tempting to want to do and see it all, but part of what makes a trip to this area epic is just soaking it in and not feeling rushed to keep an itinerary. If it were me planning your trip I'd recommend spending your entire time staying in one of the car free villages (Wengen or Murren) and if you feel like you must see a few other areas, wake up early that day and take a train to them. The train system is amazing in Switzerland and you can do day trips that are potentially hours away, if they are a must see for you. I wouldn't waste a single moment of 10-12 days changing lodging when you can just train to Montreux for the day and then come back to your home base. Enjoy! It's the best place on earth.

Posted by
4 posts

kristyn thanks for your response and advice. You were reading my mind. Our plan now is to stick w/ Switzerland and spend most of the time in the BO area. Have not decided yet between Murren, Wengen or Lauterbrunnen as are base yet still researching. Have thought of splitting the overall trip between BO area, Montreux, and Lucerne. But sounds like we could train to Montreux from the BO area anyways.