After a month touring italy, we still have 12 days before we fly home out of paris. Can anyone give me a rough itinerary
of where to go. I had thought Montreux, but it is the festival dates and far too expensive. I will have 5 days in Paris before flying home, but can't make a decision as to where to travel (by train or plane) for the other 7 days. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Maggie, Some possibilities to consider are the Alsace region of France (Colmar / Strasbourg), the Black Forest region (Baden Baden, Freiburg) or middle Rhine area of Germany (Bacharach / St. Goar). There are lots of possibilities. Good luck and happy travels!
I would say with 7 days you could combine two of the regions Ken mentioned if you're energetic travelers. Have you traveled in Germany before? You could go to Munich from Itlay, spend a couple days there, work your way west to the Black Forest, then Alsace, then on to Paris from Strasbourg.
What do you like to do? What will you have seen and done in Italy? Will you need to spend a chunk of that 12 days regrouping, or will you be raring to go and see lots of stuff?
Our trip to Italy will be Rome, 7 day cruise, back to Rome, south to Sorrento, up to Assisi, Cinque Terre, Lake Como and Venice with a few days in each place and travelling by train. We will be on the go all of the time, this is not a problem. I think we will fly to Geneva, catch a train to Lausanne which is not as expensive as Montreux, spend a few days there then head off to Paris and rent an apartment for the remainder of our trip. Last time I went to Europe, I hired a car and found the parking to be horrendous. I think the train travel will be relaxing, or I hope so. Thanks for your reply.
Maggie.
I think your plan is perfectly feasible and your choice of transportation wise. If you would like to add one or two interesting destinations between Lausanne and Paris, both Lyon and Burgundy are enroute.
I agree with the recommendations in Switzerland, Luzern and Berner Oberland. From northern Italy (Milan) to Interlaken and Berner Oberland is relatively easy via train.
You have 7 days, but your itinerary lists Geneva, Lausanne and on to Paris. Switzerland is a great choice, but, as you indicate, very expensive. I would spend a full day in Geneva. Walk the old city above the modern area. Also walk up the lake to the international section. Lausanne is good for a day or so. Luzern has much more to offer than Lausanne with similar prices. The crown jewel is the Berner Oberland, easily accessible by train, and, excepting travel, much more economical than Geneva, Lausanne, and Luzern.