sophie4518

Hi everyone, I'd like to get some opinions please. We're going on a week long family holiday (no small kids) to either:


South of France: Nice, Eze, Antibes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

or

South of Germany: Munich, Fussen, Garmisch partenkirchen, Bertesgaden


We'll be renting a car and driving ourselves. We like pretty scenic places.

Does anyone have a preference for one over the other?

gailscout

When are you going? I'd check the temperature of those locations for the time you are going. We recently drove in and around your south of Germany cities, so I would select that area with its history, castles, lakes and gardens.

I don't know much about the South of France cities other than Nice. I love being by the sea and the drives in the area are stunning.

To me it would all depend on the time of year.

suec1

apples and oranges really - what do you want? me, I'd go to France!

stache

France ,me too

sophie4518

thanks for the replies so far!

We're going end of July

Envierges

I would avoid the South of France in July. . . crowds, impossible parking, traffic bottlenecks . .and with July heat a higher elevation might be a better choice

annhig

end of July, Nice is likely to be hopping and hot.

with older kids [which is what i infer you are talking about, though I may be wrong] I'd pick Germany. Loads of history to learn about, mountains to climb, activities to engage everyone.

My only caveat would be if the kids are teenage girls, in which case the beaches and shopping of Nice amy prove more alluring.

Sassafrass

In July - Germany.

Dogeared

Well, most people who have been to both might have a preference for one over the other. Those who have only been to one OR the other have no basis on which to have a preference.

But even if someone does have a preference, what relevance does their opinion have to which you should choose? The only criteria you have given on which those who have been to both could give an opinion is, "we like pretty scenic places." Since 'scenic' can be applied just about anywhere, that's as good as useless unless you were asking about the industrial area of a city or something.

Anyone can ask a quick question but asking an intelligent question takes time and thought on the part of the person asking. The more relevant background info and criteria you provide the more relevant responses can be. Otherwise, people are just guessing at what YOU might prefer and why.

sophie4518

Nice temperature in July looks to be around 25 degrees - surely that isn't too bad? I do worry about the traffic though since we are driving.

Sorry for the vague criteria of "scenic"! Problem is I'm taking my parents and neither of them have really traveled much, so they're not sure what they enjoy other than cheap and something different to the UK.

It's still useful to hear other people's preferences and their reasons.

The kid in our family is my little brother who is 17. He likes adventures but I'm more considering what my parents would like.

bilboburgler

As a kid I would have been bored silly by the south of France in July. Even as an adolescent the naked chests of French women were not as exciting as the totally naked bodies of German ones.

As an adult I've been to both, though Germany more often than France in those particular regions.

I would avoid the south of France at that time

Germany is much under-publised in the UK. As a Brit I get there at least every other year and apart from the odd shock like "shandy" I think it is more fun. The wine is good, the beer is better, the food (at the moderate level) is probably better and at the very high price end (I visit wealthy family) is way better.

I prefer the area around Lake Constance more than the area you refer to, but generally the Germans are a happy bunch, well mannered and the walking, sailing, bike riding more friendly than many French on their hols in their south.

Dukey1

I have been to both locations and more than once.

I do not understand why you have not asked the people you are taking if THEY have a preference, or have you? Be helpful for us to know that IMO.

Bavaria? In July? NOT have a lot of visitors? Think again, believe me.

The war is OVER.

WeisserTee

As others have said, a little more info from you would be helpful.

As for late July, yes, southern Germany will have plenty of visitors and some places will be crowded. But not all.

Have you also considered Austria (beyond the Salzburg area, which is a tourist mecca)? There are several beautiful mountain regions in Austria which are not crowded. Or the Engadine in Switzerland? (Austria will be cheaper, of course, than Switzerland...)

Southern France will be the most crowded, IMO, but maybe that doesn't bother you...

bilboburgler

The area that often misses out on Tourists is the Jura Alps, north of Geneva and south of Bescancon, the prices are good and the area quiet.

Christina

I haven't been to those German places but would not pick the Riviera at end of July for a driving trip when you mainly want to stay in large cities anyway (like Nice). Some places in the south of France might be scenic and have good drives, but you picked the most commercialized busy places to go.

Switzerland would make more sense to me or Alsace.

Sassafrass

If Austria is in the mix, scenery is great!

quokka

End of July? Certainly nowhere south of the Alps.

sophie4518

I have asked my parents where they want to go, but they have no idea.

Thanks for the other suggestions as well, I will certainly look them up!

StCirq

I live in the south of Franc, and I wouldn't come here in July. I probably wouldn't go to the south of Germany, either.
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If you're looking for "cheap," look at eastern Europe. Like Albania, Romania, Bulgaria...

WoinParis

The bouillabaisse is not as good in Bavaria and the sauerkraut can hard to find in the riviera.