Hi there, i would like some help with regards to a 10 days itinerary to Europe in august. It is my first time there and am would like some recommendations on the countries/cities that i can cover within this period. Switzerland is one of my shortlisted as i am interested in outdoor activities. Is there another 1 or 2 countries that i can include in 10 days?
Cheers
Irene from Singapore
If you're wanting to do outdoor things around Switzerland, I'd stick with Germany and Austria. You can do the trains (which I would suggest doing in August, traffic on the autobahn can get really bad then). The trains go to plenty of small towns in Bavaria with lots of hiking in the area. You can go to Füssen and see the castles. Spend a couple of days in Munich. Going towards Austria from there, there's Berchtesgarten, Salzburg, and Hallstatt. Lee will probably be on here soon, he's a guru with the trains.
Hi Irene,
While you could see some of Austria and Bavaria, with 10 days, and since Switzerland/outdoor activities are on your "shortlist", I'd concentrate on Switzerland and really see/experience some of it. Switzerland is a beautiful country and well worth 10 days.
With that amount of time, you could visit Luzern (2 or 3 days), the Berner Oberland (4 or 5 days) and perhaps Zermatt (2 or 3 days) and really enjoy some outdoor activities and some of the best alpine scenery anywhere, instead of looking at the scenery from a train window going from place to place. Sometimes when you try to see too many places, you really see nothing.
The Swiss train system is excellent.
Just my opinion.
Paul
Find something interesting geographically close to Switzerland that you would like to see. Please please please do not spend any more of your 10 days than you have to on dealing with transportation. And remember, even a one hour flight consists of travel time to and from the airports, plus time at security gates...its will eat up your prescious time. Enjoy the region, not the continent.
I dont have specifics for you, but would hate for you to come all this way, and then spend half the time on shuttles!
I agree with Paul - spend the better part of a week in Switzerland. Great train rides in Switzerland! You can combine Switzerland with the Alsace region of France. Take the TGV, Strassbourg to Paris, and finish your trip with 2 nights in Paris. Paris will put stars in your eyes ;-)
I agree with those who say stay in Switzerland. I like Rick's philosophy...always plan as though you are going to come back - because then you will. There is more than enough to do for 10 days in Switzerland. We loved Interlaken. There is a TON of hiking to be done around there. I've not been to Lucern or Zermatt, but I know they are high on most people's lists.
Thanks all for the advice. Great help. We are very likely to spend most of our time in switzerland ending if off in paris.
Thanks again!
