I am heading to France/Switzerland on a vacation this month and needed guidance with planning the itinerary. Days 1- 5: Paris (already made living arrangements) Following are the two options that I am currently exploring. Option 1: Days 6-7: Beaune, Burgundy (2 nights) Day 8: Colmar / Riquewihr. (1 night) Day 9-11:Lucerne, (3 nights) Day 12: Zurich (1 night) Day 13: Early morning train from Zurich to Frankfurt. Board flight back home from Frankfurt Option 2: Days 6-8: Beaune, Burgundy (2 nights, 3 days). Third day leave for Lausanne in the afternoon. Stay in Lausanne for the night. Day 9: Day trip to Montreux /chocolate train. Stay in Lausanne for the night Day 10 -11 : Lucerne(2 nights) Day 12: Zurich (1 night) Day 13: Early morning train from Zurich to Frankfurt.
Board flight back home from Frankfurt So my dilemma is that I love the wine country and would like to visit the Alsace region, but I would also like to visit the Swiss villages of Gruyere, etc. Which option is most recommended? Of course ditching both options for the Bernese Oberland is always appealing, but from what I read on other posts, late May/June may not be the best time to visit the Jungfrau region, right?? Thanks.
Posted by
Kansas City USA/Birmenstorf, Switzerland
453 posts
I'll only speak to the Swiss side of this trip. Personally I'd skip Zurich and spend time anywhere else in Switzerland. Luzern is gorgeous and only an hour (or less) away from Zurich by train, in my opinion Zurich is just a big city while Luzern is much more scenic and allows you many more options from a tourist perspective. You can easily catch a train to Frankfurt from Luzern (you might have to change in Basel, but its very easy) and thus you could avoid staying in Zurich all together. Just out of curiosity why are you skipping the Berner Oberland? While Lausanne is nice, I'd spend more time elsewhere. If you do stay in the BO vs Lausanne, and you really want to ride the route of the chocolate train you can do it as a day trip. Same for Gruyeres.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, United States
48 posts
Hi Marcus, thanks for the advice on Zurich! Reviewing some of the posts on the Bernese region, a lot of people were recommending that traveling to the Bernese Oberland region in the next two weeks wasn't a great idea since the snow has just began melting and there will be lots of "slush" around that makes it hazardous for travel.
Whats your recommendation?
Posted by
Kansas City USA/Birmenstorf, Switzerland
453 posts
Oops. I completely missed the this month part. They had a really hard winter in the alps this year. The BO is still beautiful and shouldn't be missed, but you're really on the cusp this time of year. You might want to contact the tourist information office in Interlaken (they speak English) and ask how much snow/slush/mud is on the ground at Kleine Scheidegg, Murren and Wengen. That'll give you a good idea of weather to go or not - particularly if you're planning on hiking. Luzern is gorgeous and low, as is the Rigi (comparatively). Boat trips on Lake Luzern are fabulous now as well.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16278 posts
The slopes above Lac Leman, particularly around Montreux, are wine country: http://europeforvisitors.com/switzaustria/vaud/lavaux/ So you could get your vineyard experience there. Skip Zurich and spend your last night in Colmar, and head to Frankfurt from there.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16278 posts
Please let us know what you decide, and how it turns out. I am considering similar areas (Colmar/Alsace and Montreux) for a trip this time next year.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, United States
48 posts
Sure Lola... will let you all know how it turns out!
Thanks everyone for the valuable recommendations!