jennifer1978

Hello again everyone! I have posted numerous times regarding Christmas holiday travel. This year, my parent and I will be spending our Christmas to NY holidays in 3 European cities ( about 16 nights ). We have locked in on Paris and Milan.

Need opinions on 3rd city--> Zurich or Barcelona? Entire journey by plane. We are coming in from HK -> Paris ( 3 nights ) --> 3rd city (? for 3 nights too) --> Milan ( 3 nights ) --> Paris ( 6 or 7 nights ).--> HK

Thank you in advance

nytraveler

Zurich is primarily a business city and you really don;t want to spend all that time there.

Where to stay depends on what you want to do.

If winter sports (there is a lot to do besides skiing) head for a mountain resort. If just touring around I would head to Lucerne (only an hour by train from Zurich) for sightseeing, boat rides on the lake and ascending Mt Pilatus or Mt Titlus by cable car or RR/tram thingy.

If you want to avoid snow and cold altogether then go to Barcelona. Switz is NOT warm in winter.

Huggy

Second vote for Lucerne. If you have not purchased plane tickets, why not travel by rail between European cities especially Lucerne to Milan.

Dukey1

I'd go to MADRID or Barcelona but then again I wouldn't spend that much time in Paris.

thursdaysd

I would look into putting all your time in Paris at the end, rather than splitting it.

Definitely, if you decide on Zurich or Lucerne, take the train to Milan. (Why Milan? Am opting for Turin over Milan on my upcoming trip.)

Nothing wrong with spending time in Zurich: see http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...out-zurich.cfm

jennifer1978

hi Thursdaysd,

Thank you for your suggestion. my parents wanted to split Paris because in the first part, they wamt to spend christmas there but not buy too much yet. then come back again for shopping. not easy to lug around luggages in train.... and as of now, theres still no option for one city in, and another city out, back to our country.

regarding Zurich, is it possible to do a daytrip to Lucern? any daytrips we can do from zurich? we dont like skiing...

kimhe

Barcelona is both medieval and cutting edge modern, out of this world architecture, fabulous food, world class theaters and concert halls, excellent museums and many local feel neighbourhoods right in the city center: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/

Two food links that set the stage:
Boqueria, one of the finest food markets in the world: http://www.gardenista.com/posts/la-boqueria-market
Tapas from heaven at Tickets, currently ranked #57 restaurant in the world and very affordable for what you get. Expect some 70/80€ pp. for about 15 tapas each and some good cava: http://www.barcelonabook.com/tickets...estaurant.html

An idea for a magnificent Barcelona day:

Go to Montjuic (Jewish mountain) right in the centre. Spectacular views of both the city and the sea from the castle on the top, and Montjuic in general is lots of museums, theaters, 1992 Olympic sports arenas and greens. Take the Teleferic up here (or bus or taxi or walk): http://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat/en/

Two of my favourite restaurants in town are at the foot of Montjuic. La Perla is as genuine and traditional as it gets, only open for lunch (until about 5pm). http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

And I had one of the best meals in my life in close by Xemei a few weeks ago. The Bigoli en salsa Veneciana is unlike anything I've ever tasted before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lvcjtoh0tU

Went to Xemei late at night after seing out of this world Rocío Molina in Mercat de les Flors some 300 meters away (in the so called Theater city): http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...el-teatre.html

A "day-trip" to Montjuic could start with an early lunch at La Perla, then up to the castle on the top with the Teleferic, then a 20-25 mins fine walk down to the beautiful Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. After that perhaps a glass or cup of something in close by, tranquile and secluded La Font del Gat (http://www.lafontdelgat.com/ ) before a visit to the mind-blowing Miró museum just up the road. Prepare for a theater performance or concert in one of the venues in the Theater city in the fine little cafe in the Teatre Lliure, and round the night off with food from heaven in Xemei.

Given the natural and cultural richness of the Montjuic area, there are of course innumerable variants of this plan. You should also know that at the bottom of Montjuic, you'll find the very local atmosphere Poble Sec district with it's many great tapas bars and restaurants. https://www.airbnb.no/locations/barcelona/el-poble-sec

About Montjuic: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-montjuic.html

And, of course, mind-blowing Sagrada Familia: https://bjornandannette.wordpress.co...grada-familia/
http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/?lang=0

thursdaysd

Lucerne is under an hour by train. You could also visit Lake Constance/Bodensee, the Rhine Falls and St. Gallen.

kimhe - thanks for Barcelona info, I had just added Barcelona to my fall trip!

jennifer1978

Kimhe, we actually considered going to Barcelona, but finally decided against it. because we will be doing spain, portugal, and maybe morocco in another time, altogether