Switzerland & Denmark??

So, a week in each? Can you "see it all"? Nope. Can you have a really good time? Yup. Can you be more specific? What does he want to see in Denmark? Countryside? City (which?) Coastline? Beach? What does he like to see? What about you? Alps? High Alps? Scenic trains? Walking or hiking? Cities (which?) ? Lakes? Gondolas? Via Ferrata? Extreme Sports? Castles? Steamships? River swimming? Art? Modern art? Is there anything in Denmark that attracts you or are you just "going along"? And Vice-versa. Lisa, these could be valid questions to ask yourselves as you plan the trip. You don't have to answer them here, but it might be as well if you do among yourselves. Have you read Europe Through The Back Door? It is an excellent primer about all things European Trip-wise. Just a couple of words about not being able to see it all. I've never been to Denmark (very close indeed but never over the border) but I been going to Switzerland for at least a week just about every year for 15 years and I have by no means come even close to seeing all of Switzerland. I'll be back there for the second trip this year at the end of the month.

We don't necessarily need to spend a week in each country. I have read Through the Back Door and the Switerland book as well. Own a very old copy of Rick's Germany, Austria and Switerland too. We live in a very large city and don't care to visit the big citiescountryside, hiking the Alps, visiting a castle or two is more in line of our idea of a vacation. No exteme sports. My son's grandfather immigrated from Denmark so that's my son's attraction. I'm not sure that it warrants a trip, though when there is so much to do in Switzerland and we have no family connections there.

Yes, you can easily do both. Two weeks is a good amount of time. Here are travel suggestions. Book an "open-jaw" flight, into one city and out of another. For example, fly into CPH in Copenhagen, then fly home from ZRH (Zurich). Book a separate one-way ticket from CPH to ZRH, this should not be expensive, and much faster than the train. If you want to hike, I strongly recommend you focus your research on the Berner Oberland area, is 2 1/2 hours by train from Zurich. There are tons of options in that area, I personally recommend sleeping in Lauterbrunnen in the valley, or Murren higher up in the Alps. You can't go wrong in this area, is really amazing. You can search this site for lots more info, the search tool is very effective when you put in a few key words.

Hi Lisa!! OMG! The Berner Oberland is by far the most gorgeous place I have seen in my whole life. I stayed in Murren at Hotel Jungfrau and laying in bed you van see the alps. There are endless hiking possibilities. My dad and I walked the Flower trail, so many flowers. The goats are so tame, they just come up to and want to be petted. Definitely a must see place.

Two of my favorite countries! Like the person above, I suggest you fly into Copenhagen and back from Zurich ( or maybe Geneva if you want to see Chateau de Chillon). 4 or 5 days are plentynto explore Denmark; it is a very small country. Consider renting a car to tour outside Copenhagen. Try to get all the way up to Skågen and also include a castle or two. Then fly to Zurich. The Berner Oberland offers lot a of great hikes, but it is by no means the only hiking in Switzerland. It is fairly close to Zurich and makes a good place to start. Stay in either Wengen or Mürren ( (Mürren has more hikes right from your door) and spend four or five nights there. Then you could head someplace else for different scenery. My number one recommendation for another hiking base is Bettmeralp in the Valais. This is a car free village perched high above the Rhone Valley, with views clear ro the Matterhorn. Hikes take you over the ridge where younwill see the huge Aletschgletscher, Europe's largest glacier, and hike alongside it for miles. See Www.bettmeralp.ch for photos. Bettmeralp is close to Brig, where you can pick up the train to Lac Leman ( Lake Geneva) for a taste of this area. Spend the night in one of the smaller towns along the lake ( Vevey, Morges) or in Montreux. In addition to the castle here, you csn hike through vineyards and visit the chocolate factory. You could either fly out of Geneva or take a train back across Switzerland to fly home from Zurich.

Good choices for different scenery and cultures. Have been to both and for 2 weeks I'd probably give Denmark about 5 days & the rest to Switzerland. Compared to Houston, Copenhagen isn't that big and is definitely worth spending a couple days. Choosing which country to see first and which Swiss airports to use may be one of the 1st things to plan.......mostly having to do with the cost of the flights. There may be a big difference between going to Denmark 1st or Switzerland 1st, so always check on a reverse itinerary. Besides Zurich, check Geneva. You'll probably see more schedule choices and cheaper fares on the Atlantic crossing to Zurich. However, the one-way segment to/from Denmark can be much cheaper to/from Geneva.

I can tell you from 1st hand experience that seeing my grandfather's birthnotice (along with his 5 brothers and sisters,my greataunts and uncles) in a 100 yr old book, in a tiny town in northern Italy was well worth the trouble to get there.

Nope, you can't see it "all", but you can enjoy a good deal. My suggestions are similar to those of Lola's. I've not been to Denmark, but I'd start there and grant it five days or so. Move on to Switzerland and focus on the Berner Oberland and regions. Include time to stroll in Luzern ~ truly, it's a completely different city than the concrete jungle that is Houston ~ and head up to Rigi (less tourist-oriented than Pilatus). Include some day trips by train to appreciate other regions. Wrap it up in Lausanne, making sure to visit Chateau Chillon, and fly out of Geneva. Enjoy!