megalodon

Have 2 weeks to travel in Europe and wanted to stop at the places listed in the title. I likely need to remove one or two in order to do some quality exploring, but would like to know what you guys have enjoyed/disliked about Lyon/Lauterbrunnen/Genoa/Cinque Terre/Florence.

Personally, I enjoy hiking/being outdoors, museums, and food — I'm not concerned with shopping or drinking.

So, what can you suggest? Thanks!

Jean

How are you moving from place to place? The logistics involved might point out which destinations could/should be dropped. Just guessing, but you might decide between Lyon and Lauterbrunnen, not both.

And what time of year are you going?

megalodon

Sorry for the lack of details! We will be going the first two weeks of August. The tentative route (beginning in Paris) is travel to Lyon, Lauterbrunnen, Genoa, CT, and then Florence. If plane tickets are cheaper from somewhere in Switzerland, then we will go from Lyon to Genoa, CT (skip Florence) and journey to Lauterbrunnen.

RonZ

Six destinations in 3 countries in 14 days? The relocation time [packing up and checking out of one hotel, doing the reverse at the next] overwhelms the time left for enjoyment. Add an hour on either side of a train ride. So CT to Florence that's about 5 hours. For these international flights [about 3.5 hours or so] figure an entire day. See skyscanner.com.

annealex

We loved Lauterbrunnen. Charming and tiny. Great base to explore the other towns in the area. Be sure to try the fondue. Worth 2 days or 3 if you're doing more side trips from there.

Our side trips were the Schilthorn (go only in clear weather), Murren, Interlaken (great Indian food), etc. Have not been to Lyon so can't comment. Lauterbrunnen, IMO, should not be missed if you enjoy nature.

trycke

A second vote for Lauterbrunnen. There are countless opportunities for hiking and being outdoors and the scenery is beautiful. The Cinque Terre is also an outdoor/ hiking destination not to be missed (busy in the summer but not unbearably so). Florence the first 2 weeks of August has the potential to be quite hot, with some businesses / restaurants closed for vacation (not sure of the spelling but you will see many signs saying "chiuso per ferie"). The museums are all open though and there is a lot to see! You will also still find restaurants with delicious food, despite some being closed. I personally dislike the heat and "summer smell" of cities and tend to choose smaller towns if possible. There are good train connections, via Milan, between Lauterbrunnen and CT, but it means several hours in the day to travel (which I enjoy...seeing the passing landscape and the changes along the way).

PalenQ

Why Lauterbrunnen is nice it would not be my favored base in the wonderful Jungfrau Region and it is the region not any town here that is the attraction. Also consider Grindelwald and Wengen as neat places with better views - Lauterbrunnen is in a deep gorge the other two on top with full frontal views of the awesome Jungfrau Massif.

But Lauterbrunnen is a nice place with different and still awesome views - point is judge it by its region not the town itself.

greenie

We did the Accidental Tourist in Florence. It's a tour of a private estate that makes wine and olive oil along with a past a making. After we made the pasta, the woman who owned the home, cooked lunch for us in her kitchen. It was wonderful