Hi Guys,
After your input (see Going to Europe August 3 thread), I decided that maybe 1 week in France, and the remaining four days elsewhere. I figure I might as well get a taste of something else. Marie suggested Switzerland. I don't plan on doing the British Isles (another time), so what could I do with these other four days? Switzerland? Benelux? Italy?
I'd do France with a side trip to Belgium & Holland. You can take the train from Paris quickly. I'd hit Brussels (no more than a day), and spend a day or two in Bruges (do you like beer and chocolate? you'll like Bruges!) and another couple days in Amsterdam. Both are delightful cities and very quick and easy to get to from France.
I'd skip Switzerland and Italy, and save those for another trip (takes longer to get there, and they deserve more than a day or two).
Contrary to what you'll often hear, I think Luxembourg is a beautiful little country, well worth visiting on a European trip when you are in the neighborhood AND if you have some time. The capital is nice but doesn't compare (at all) to the great cities of Europe in terms of monuments and 5-star attractions. There are other places in Luxembourg that are under-rated and not famous (and not crawling with foreign tourists) that I really liked. That said, I don't think Luxembourg fits with your other criteria.
You need to limit your ambitions -- take it from me, I usualy try to do too much on a trip.
I'd reiterate my suggestion above: spend your week in France, focus on Paris with probably one (or MAYBE two) French side-trips (only two if you're willing to shave off a couple days from Paris). Pick one side-trip: either the Loire Valley chateaux or Normandy/Mont St. Michel. Jump on the train and go spend a day or two each in Bruges and Amsterdam.
The timing of the sequence depends on where your flights go. Ideally, you could fly in to Paris and out of Amsterdam (or vice versa), that way you don't have to double-back to Paris.
I'd fly in to Paris, spend the bettre part of a week there, then do your side-trip (Normandy or Loire; consider renting a car for part of that), then catch a train to Bruges (probably via Brussels, so you can spend a few hours there on the way), do 2 days in Bruges, then train to Amsterdam for your last 2 days, fly home from there.
That would give you a nice diverse trip, focused on several of the major cities, but with a little of the countryside and a nice slice of different countries/cultures.
What about Luxembourg? Anything to do there?
Luxemburg?
Stand in front of the duke's residence and have your picture taken with the guard maybe . . . Just a nice place to have a passport in.
Either Switzerland (great rail/bus system with Swiss precision) or the Low Countries would be suitable. Another alternative would be Barcelona.
Saw your original post over here.
I think your 4 days should be determined where you fly out to head back to ATL. If you decide on an open jaw ticket you can go anywhere for your 4 days.
If you're doing a round trip (ie: ATL-CDG)then consider which place is easy to return back to Paris.
Have a great post bar exam trip!
I second the Belgium/Holland suggestion.
