Single Middle Aged Female Vacation to Europe
Mar 3rd, 2013, 08:56 PM
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Single Middle Aged Female Vacation to Europe
Just completed booking my air travel for my first ever trip to Europe - by myself - excited but nervous! Arriving to meet friends in Frankfurt, Germany, then want to see Black Forest (train, maybe?) - they have suggested that I see Locarno, Switzerland then take the train to Domodossola. Want to go to Grindelwald to look up a school-mate. Think this is do-able in 3 days - any tips? On modest budget, where to stay?
Mar 3rd, 2013, 09:24 PM
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It is probably technically do-able -- I haven't checked -- but I'm not sure it would be as enjoyable as some other options. You would be spending a fair amount of time traveling relative to the time you would have to actually see anything. And traveling from place to place will add to your costs.
Have you considered staying in or near Grindelwald for all 3 days? I think you'll find that there is a lot that you can do and experience in that part of Switzerland. (I'm currently struggling to decide how to keep my time in that area down to 4 days!)
You should be able to have a wonderful trip whatever you choose - just think through your options and decide how you want to spend your time.
And BTW, I find traveling solo to be a wonderful self-indulgence - I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. I hope you find a similar experience!
Enjoy!
Have you considered staying in or near Grindelwald for all 3 days? I think you'll find that there is a lot that you can do and experience in that part of Switzerland. (I'm currently struggling to decide how to keep my time in that area down to 4 days!)
You should be able to have a wonderful trip whatever you choose - just think through your options and decide how you want to spend your time.
And BTW, I find traveling solo to be a wonderful self-indulgence - I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. I hope you find a similar experience!
Enjoy!
Mar 3rd, 2013, 11:08 PM
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Do-able = time to move around is less than your total travel days? If this is what you mean by do-able, you can compute the time on your own without having to wait for someone to do it for you. For train use www.bahn.com and for driving use www.viamichelin.com. The July train schedule may not be fully published yet. Just use the same day of the week in March to get an idea. If viamichelin requires too much detailed info, just use the google map for rough driving estimate.
Mar 4th, 2013, 06:28 AM
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> kja - do you primarily use trains to get from place to place?
It depends on where I'm going. For the part of the world you are considering, I would certainly consider trains and buses. You can see schedules for transportation within Switzerland at
http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
greg has given you a good site for train travel in Germany.
The Rough Guide generally has good transportation information.
Happy planning!
It depends on where I'm going. For the part of the world you are considering, I would certainly consider trains and buses. You can see schedules for transportation within Switzerland at
http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
greg has given you a good site for train travel in Germany.
The Rough Guide generally has good transportation information.
Happy planning!
Mar 4th, 2013, 06:45 AM
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Thank you, kja! Just read your thread on Swiss travel - very helpful and it looks like you hit the nail on the head of what I wish to accomplish on my trip. Many, many good ideas and tips from everyone. Once I have a tentative itinerary, I'll come back and ask for feedback. Must spend more time with the guidebooks and maps and internet first!
Mar 4th, 2013, 05:30 PM
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There's some wonderful information on those threads, isn't there? I've benefitted greatly from some wonderfully generous and knowledgable Fodorites and am pleased to think that you are finding their answers to my questions helpful. Happy planning!
Feb 26th, 2014, 06:33 PM
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kja - just read your Swiss trip report - and your many, many thanks to people who gave you info, ideas, etc. You, my dear, were so very influential for my trip last year. I now call it my "European Cruise" - because I didn't spend more than a day or two in any one place. It was a PERFECT first trip for me (we all have different travel styles and this one was just outstanding). Loved reading your Swiss stuff!!! Isn't it a marvelous country? I stayed in Interlaken a couple of nights, visited Harder Kulm, rode the train to Klein Scheddegg (where my schoolmate takes pictures of the tourists with his beautiful new St. Bernard, Scarlett), rode the train on around to Lauterbrunnen and enlisted the assistance of the Aussie kids in my train car to sing "Happy Birthday" to my 82 year old dad back here in the states, and ate myself silly . . . as I did all over Europe (France, Germany, Belgium, England and Switzerland). Thank you again for your kind and patient answers to my scattered and silly questions!
