We are a family of 4 with two teenagers (age 13 and 15) travelling to Europe in late June 2020 13th - 29th. We're already confirmed for Murren (6/20- 6/24) and Paris (6/24-6/29), but we're stuck on a plan for 6/13-6/20. Flights are not purchased yet, so we're still flexible on arrival city, however we are trying to keep airfare reasonable. So far, flying into London out of Paris, or Paris RT are more cost effective than any other combo with Paris, say Frankfurt, for example. Would love recommendations for itinerary for that time period either from London or Paris OR if that really isn't feasible, an arrival city that makes sense. A few details on the trip and us: planning to train to all locations, interested in another larger city possibly, seeing countryside including castles, places with interests for teenagers, otherwise we're open to any adventure. Look forward to your thoughts!
Posted by
172 posts
We flew into Frankfurt and then spent night in Bacharach. This area has many castles and you could take boat trips on the Rhine. We rented a car but it can be done by train. We then went to Black Forest and on to Colmar in France. Our favorite time here was renting electric assist bikes and biking all over the Route du Vin. The villages through this area are amazing, and very much like you just opened up a fairy tale story book!! Your teens should enjoy that and Colmar is so enchanting. You could base yourself there and take train into Strasbourg (a larger and charming city) for the day as well. Also took a quick train over to German side, Freiburg. It is a college town and very enjoyable as well.
After Colmar we took a train to Murren via Basel. Make sure you look at the choices for $$ saving cards for Switzerland, it is very expensive to take the funiculars, gondolas, etc. But Murren is our favorite place on earth!! We ended up getting half fare cards and really feel that they were worthwhile. We bought them at the train station when we were switching trains in Basel.
Keep your eye out for deals into Frankfurt, usually it is reasonable to fly into there.
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Grand Rapids, MI
768 posts
Since I brought my own teenagers to Murren at that age, you might benefit from seeing their favorite hikes in the area. They returned to these same hikes a dozen years later as adults. Just click on my name to find the link to their dozen favorite hikes at Murren and surrounding areas.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16241 posts
So you have seven nights open. If you fly into London, you could spend 3 nights there and then take the Eurostar to Paris. But don’t stop there, as you will have time there at the end. Continue south into Alsace and spend 2 nights in Colmar. Maybe rent bicycles and tour around the back lanes through the vineyards? Then take the train via Basel to Luzern and spend two nights there before heading to Muerren. You can ride a lake boat and do the “Rigi loop” or Pilatus.
Or you could head to Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) area from Paris. There is a direct train to Lausanne. Stay in one of the smaller towns on the lake (Vevey?) and visit Chateau du Chillon (a castle). And then maybe the Chocolate Train, with a castle in Gruyeres.
Rick’s article on Lac Leman:
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/lake-geneva-switzerland
And the Chocolate Train:
https://mob.ch/en/goldenpass/offer/view?id=15
Gruyeres castle:
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
What is your true destination? In your position I would not rule out spending more to fly into a city or region where I wanted to be. Flying into Paris and then immediately traveling to someplace else is going to be enervating at best, hellish at worst. And of course there are all the costs of getting to the place you really want to spend time.
That leaves London. How about that? You could probably catch a cheap flight from London to Basel or Zurich on the 20th. I wouldn't want to do that by train, personally.
in any case, the arrival city that "makes sense" is the one that lets you have a really great trip.
PS Teenagers like all different things, what do yours like?