We have a 32-25 day trip, driving, that starts Paris, Amsterdam, Rhine, Salzburg, and Alps. Although I am summarizing here, I have it detailed well and am comfortable with it. No car in those big cities, Those are general areas, from which we are day tripping into the larger cities. But I have a question, about which I would like to hear various opinions. The end third of our itinerary is Reutte area, Lauterbrunnen area, and Chanonix area. (several days in each.) My original logic was this. We love natural destinations as opposed to cities ( In the US we have been to almost all the National Parks except a few in remote Alaska and Guam.) And we are in this "Alps" region the last week of June to the first part of July, so as I understand this is a good time to visit these various "Alps" locations. Usually we travel in shoulder seasons. But in order to give this much time and emphasis here, I eliminated Italy (originally thought about Venice, Rome, Cinque Terra). Well, if I were to trim the Alps areas to less destinations, I could add the Cinque Terra back in, (five days or so in each.. approximately with travel time etc.) So.. What is your opinion... Big mistake to chop the Cinque Terra? We have never been to mainland Europe and can't go often. The Cinque Terra had been one of the top destination wishes. A few years ago we centered around London/ Dublin, This time around Paris/Amsterdam/Alps. I figured in a few years another trip centered around Rome/Italy. (We are not able to go every year or so like many of you, but we prioritize and value good travel).. So those of you in the know, what is your opinion? Thanks! :)
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
Sounds like a wonderful trip... Yes, Ct will be hot and crowded, but as someone who has been there about 6 times (never for any great length of time) I would say try to make it happen. "The CT has been one of the top destination wishes"... You will regret it if you are so close and don't go. Despite all the people, it is still unique and beautiful and if you love the Sea, it's worth it.
Posted by
southwest, Missouri, U.S.A.
1717 posts
Hello Cynthia. Do you have your airline flights reservations ? You said your major destinations in this trip are Paris and Amsterdam and the Alps. I think you can go to those places, plus go to the Cinque Terre villages in Liguria in ITALY. Be aware that the Cinque Terre is likely to be very crowded with Italian people in July. I think the places to delete from your trip are Salzburg and Reutte in Austria, as they are at very long distances to the east from the Cinque Terre. I was at the Cinque Terre in Italy. I liked the views of the Mediterranean Sea there. You said you like going to places in nature, more than Cities. Italy's Mediterranean Sea coast at the Cinque Terre is a wonderful place in nature. A travel route that I think would be good for you is : >Fly from the U.S.A. to Amsterdam. >Amsterdam. >Paris. >Lauterbrunnen valley in Switzerland. >Cinque Terre villages in Liguria in Italy. >Fly from Malpensa airport of Milan to the United States of America. If you travel the route that I suggested, I guess you could stop at Semur-en-Auxois in Burgandy in FRANCE, and Lausanne (Ouchy) in western SWITZERLAND. Why do you wish to go to Chamonix ? You will travel long distances in Europe. Therefore I recommend that you travel in railroad trains. In one day you could ride in trains from Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland to a Cinque Terre village in Italy. (I would start at Lucerne that day). If going to the Rhine river (Bacharach) in GERMANY is a high priority for you, I think it could be included in your trip itinerary. If you fly from the U.S.A. to Amsterdam, you could ride in trains from Amsterdam to Bacharach in Germany via Koblenz. When you leave that Rhine river area, you could ride in the Express train from Koblenz to Paris.
Tell us what you decide to do.
Posted by
Clermont FL, USA
62 posts
Cynthia,
If you are going to be in the Ruette area doing the castles, I would head to Salzburg and catch CT when you go back to Italy, and I would go in the shoulder season. We were there in Sep 2010 and had a wonderful time with no big crowds and the water was still warm. Salzburg and Hallstatt would be my focus from where you will be. Hallstatt is quick by car but long by train and is beautiful and only needs a day and a couple nights. You could travel on to Vienna for you ride home. The trip along the Danube is very pretty.