Starting to put together plans for next year. We plan on flying into Zurich. We would like to visit Lauterbruen/Grindelwaldand then another location (still determining) in Switzerland. We plan on one week in Switzerland and then one week either in Germany or France.
Would love to hear everyone’s thought on which other country we should go to, why, where in that county and how we should get there. Plan is to leave from that county.
Thx in advance
Posted by
Bend, OR
1514 posts
It all depends on what ‘your’ interests are.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2817 posts
In 2023, we spent 5 nights in Wengen, then 4 nights in Colmar, then 3 nights along the Rhine. We flew home from Frankfurt. This might work for you, depending on the time of year. We stayed in Bacharach last time, but we prefer Boppard for a base. Bacharach is a bit too small, and several shops were closed, even in July. Boppard is a little bigger, with lots of shops and restaurants. There’s a lovely promenade along the river, with lots of hotels.
Colmar is just adorable, as are the surrounding villages. We really enjoyed the area. If you like wine, you’ll love it. There are places offering tastings everywhere.
Posted by
NW England
843 posts
why Germany or France? The border is pretty fluid, it's perfectly easy to see parts of both from one hotel base. And without a long ride from Switzerland. Look at Freiburg in Breisgau on Google Maps. Really nice old city centre in a nice German region. And within easy reach by public transport from the already mentioned Colmar. But then you add the fact that if your hotel is within the german region (but NOT in Freiburg city) you will get a free travel pass for that region (regional trains and buses, plus trams in Freiburg). For trips into France you only pay the french section. So if not Freiburg city then where? Start at https://www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info/planen-buchen/konus-gaestekarte and zoom into the area around Freiburg, the red pins are towns and villages that DO give the travel card. For instance Bad Krozingen, a 9- 16 minute train ride from the city, https://www.bad-krozingen.info/en/Accomodation-packages/KONUS-Guest-Card was a traditional spa town, good connections for getting around, it's own sites like the ruins of Staufen castle sat on a hill keep watch over the Rhine and into France. All 45 minutes by direct train from the Swiss border at Basel, and by train around 2½ hours to either Frankfurt Airport or back to Zurich Airport (which might make booking flights easier!)
Posted by
OP
23 posts
Thank you Travel4fun and Another Steve. This has given me some new thoughts. I appreciate your time.