I found good flight into Zurich, then out of Paris. I have 10 days to spend working my way between these cities. I’d like the first 5 in Switzerland, then move on. It will be early Dec. I would like to fit Strasbourg in there. Using all trains. Any ideas to make it special and leave me at least a day in Paris before flying out? ( I’ve been to Paris Strasbourg, colmar, Stuttgart. Frankfurt. Except for Paris and Strasbourg hoping for a new area for 3-4 days with side trips near enough to get to Strasbourg for train and cathedral I missed last visit. Also looking for the first 5 days in Switzerland help. We’re used to fast travel and want charming Christmas market experience. Any help appreciated. I have yet to not take advice offered on this forum in my travels. I would consider alternative to omitting Strasbourg if given one.
Posted by
NorthCarolina
1138 posts
We go over every other year and France & Switzerland are NOT our favorites for the Xmas Markets. We MUCH prefer Germany & Austria. For Switzerland, Basel has the best. Lucerne is especially stunning in December, even though no traditional markets.
While Strasbourg & Colmar are stunning, they have LOTS of Chinese imports. If you can get to Heidelberg or Cologne, there are good markets there.
If you ever get back - we love Vienna, Salzberg, Passau, Regensburg Thurn & Taxis market, Nuremberg.
Posted by
El Dorado Hills, CA
74 posts
Hubby and I have been to Swiss, German and Austrian Christmas markets (multiple years). On our Swiss Christmas market trip we were disappointed in the Swiss markets. Visited Luzern, St. Gallen, Appenzell, Stein am Rhein, Winterthur, Zermatt, Montreux, Lausanne and Zurich. We enjoyed Luzern, but the market was small. Pop up fondue building at the Luzern market was fantastic. The largest markets were in Zurich. We enjoyed the Montreux market as it was along the lakeside promenade. It was our 5th trip to Switzerland and our first in winter. We tried to do other activities along with the markets. The Swiss markets are very small compared to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Salzburg, Heidelberg and Munich (was there last December). In Switzerland, they are a bonus, not the main attraction.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1755 posts
Zurich's Christmas markets are all spread out. The largest is right at the train station, but I think the nicest one is fairly close, in the courtyard of the Landesmuseum (but it only opens in the evenings).
Considering where you've been, and an easy train route to Paris, I think you'll find the best Christmas markets will be Heidelberg, Trier, and Metz, all of which are cities worth a day or two of exploration, There are some very nice smaller ones along that route, I particularity enjoy Speyer and Neustadt (winestrasse),
Posted by
OP
39 posts
Thank you both, exactly the feedback I was hoping for. I do want to see Lucern at Christmas, then I guess we’ll move on to some of recommended towns.