My 50th anniversary is coming up(2013)Would like to plan great vaca.to surprise my husband. Must see:Chamonix(3 days),Paris(3 days),Chateau de Chillon,Stay in Murren( 3 days)Grindenwald,Mt Pilatus,Mateerhorn,Use golden pass and Bernase scenic trains,Black forest and river cruise on Danube or Rhine,Castles,Saltzburg,Hallstatstatt,Cinque Terre(Vernazza4days)your ideas.Please put in order and add your ideas.eg#1 fly into...ride by.. stay in...
Posted by
Kansas City, Kansas, USA
62 posts
One thing that stands out is the Cinque Terre. It is not close to anything on your list and doesn't have a great airport to fly back home, assuming you live outside Europe. If you can cut that I would consider it. If not, I would cut something else and add time to Milan, Florence, Rome, or somewhere else in Italy. For order, I would do France (flying into Paris), Switzerland, Germany, Salzburg and fly home from Vienna or Munich. I have heard the Black Forest is overated, but have not been myself. I also personally think the Rhine is better than the Danube and has some great castle options.
Posted by
OP
moosup
2 posts
thanks Lindy for your reply. Question: What country out of Switz. Germany,austria has best scenic drives and are not too difficult to navigate? We want to travel by car and rail.
Posted by
washington
837 posts
Overall, lots of good stuff. Agree with last poster that Cinque Terre is a bit out of the way. I would also say that while very picturesque, not worth anywhere near 4 days on your itinerary. If you want to go there, you might go through Lake Como (Bellagio) to Milan and down. Not sure about time distribution of 3 days in Paris and 3 days in Chamonix. Agree with previous thought of cutting Italy and extending to the east; from Saltzburg to Vienna and perhaps Prague. I think I would fly into Paris, if you want Chamonix, go there next but I would probably cut it, on to Lucern and Murren, then to Saltzburg, Vienna, and Prague. Alternatives: drop into Italy and skip Saltzburg, flying home from Rome, skip Italy, Vienna, and Prague and go to Munich and other areas in southern Germany.