Switzerland for 2 weeks

Old Jul 21st, 2017, 04:15 AM
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Switzerland for 2 weeks

I will be going from Florida to Switzerland for 15 days with my 2 adult daughters and my Son in law. We would like to visit other countries nearby. Any suggestions? How many days to spend in each. Mode of transportation and what to see in each country. Thank you so much for any replies.
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Old Jul 21st, 2017, 05:34 AM
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Switzerland - I suggest you travel by train. The Swiss transport system is easy to navigate. The passes are a bit more confusing.

I saw on your other thread that you will be there late April/early May.

This can be a slow time in the alpine areas of Switzerland with some gondola and cable car closures. Prior to Easter ski areas are very busy, afterwards, things close up for a rest and maintenance period before summer season.

This isn't to discourage you - we prefer to visit Switzerland in the off season, but if you have a list of must dos's you might be disappointed.

Your other questions are a bit too vague - the options are endless - Germany, Austria? But with only 15 days, I'd limit the hopping around and concentrate on seeing Switzerland, or at the very most, add a second location in Germany or Austria.

We visit Switzerland often, are planning our second trip for later this year. Although its a bit dated, my TR from a trip we took in April might give you an idea of what to expect that time of year:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-walkabout.cfm
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Old Jul 21st, 2017, 07:40 AM
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Switzerland pairs well with Paris or Italy especially and yes trains are fantastic - check www.budgeteuropetravel.com (superb online European Planning & Rail Guide will give you loads of ideas on where to go by train); www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.
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Old Jul 21st, 2017, 05:02 PM
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Yes, train travel for sure in Switzerland! It’s an extraordinarily effiicent and comfortable option with extensive options, including connections to buses and boats as necessary.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

Melnq8 has given you the necessary caution about the time of year when you will be there. I’m no expert on seasonal differences, but would encourage you to learn more before planning -- it really can make a huge difference!

And I agree that, with 2 weeks, you might consider staying in Switzerland. I spent a very busy month there, and there is SOOoooo much that I didn’t see! If you haven’t seen it, you might get some ideas from my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...any-thanks.cfm

Hope that helps!
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Old Jul 21st, 2017, 08:57 PM
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Hi Dadelle,

Like others here, I also think you would be very happy to spend all 15 days in Switzerland. Switzerland offers a huge variety just within its boundaries, including a French section, a German section, and a Romansch section; there are mountain areas, lakes areas, and mountain-and-lakes areas; and finally there are cities as well as towns, villages, and countryside.

You may want to spend 4 or 5 nights on Lake Geneva in the French section, visiting wine-growing villages, taking cruises on the lake, seeing Chillon castle, walking the flowered promenade of Montreux, and getting lost in the tangled streets of Vevey. You can also take the Chocolate Train or visit the cheese-making facility in Gruyeres and the chocolate factory in Broc on your own. Lake Geneva is wonderful in the springtime.

You may want spend 2 or 3 nights in Zermatt to see the Matterhorn and to hike the mountains, then take the Glacier Express train over to St. Mortiz. Then spend a 3 or 4 nights in the upper Engadin Valley, again visiting the peaks or walking or hiking or biking down the valley and around the many lakes dotting the valley.

You may want to spend 4 or 5 nights in the Jungfrau area of the Berner Oberland, where many folks enjoy their first visit to Switzerland. The Oberland offers majestic peaks, green valleys, and several lakes to cruise & enjoy. This area has a really well-developed infrastructure of transportation and hospitality that is makes a great stop for first-timers to the country.

And you may want to spend 3 or 4 nights in Luzern, which has an amazing combination of mountains-and-lakes scenery. You can spend days cruising the lakes and visiting lakeside villages, or you can go hiking in the hills and mountains. Luzern also has a very sweet old town.

I strongly suggest you stop by a library and pick up a guidebook or two so you can see all the variety and interest that Switzerland offers --

Have fun as you plan!

s
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Old Jul 22nd, 2017, 05:23 AM
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We would like to visit other countries nearby.>

that's the OP's wish -they do not want to spend all 15 days in Switzerland.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2017, 12:15 PM
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Yeh Swiss could be nice for all 2 weeks but if never been to Europe before yes by all means hop also to a neighboring country - south to Italy- north to Germany - East to France.

Fly into one place and out of another -sounds like they have return flights to Zurich perhaps - easy to get back there too by train or cheap flight.
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