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Must see places in France, Germany and Switzerland?

Must see places in France, Germany and Switzerland?

Old Jun 2nd, 2012, 05:16 PM
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Must see places in France, Germany and Switzerland?

Going to travel in Europe with my mom this summer.
Do you guys a recommendation for places I should definitely see in these three countries?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!
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Old Jun 2nd, 2012, 05:24 PM
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Very general, broad question...provide more info about you and what you enjoy and you will get better info ....

In France, Paris ( Notre Dame, Ste Chapelle, Opera Garnier, Versailles), Reims, Giverny, Chartres

How long will you be there! What do you enjoy seeing?
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Old Jun 2nd, 2012, 05:29 PM
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Thanks denisea! You're right. Um, I'm planning to stay for 10 days in those countries. I want to kind of see a mixture of both very touristy and also local places that are less crowded. My mom and I are prepared to walk around a lot so energy won't be a problem. haha
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Old Jun 2nd, 2012, 05:35 PM
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Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland, great walks, magnificent scenery.
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Old Jun 2nd, 2012, 05:35 PM
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There is no way you can see 3 countries in 10 days. You - if yuo are willing to move quickly and see only a few major sights - see one city in each of the 3 countries.

It would help to know the age of you an dyour mom, intrests (museums, churches, architecture, scenery, fine dining, shopping, iconic sights, clog dancing, flower arranging?????)

Also a budget would helo (the more you move around the more it will cost). And since it is already June it's very late to start planning now - many of the best air fares may be gone along with the best hotel deals. Also, Swtiz is probably the most expensive country in europe - so you can plan on things costing at least twice what they do at home - perhaps more.

Have you even looked at airfares from your location into Paris and out of Zurich (open jaw tickets cost no more and save a day returning to your starting point.)
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Old Jun 2nd, 2012, 10:54 PM
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Hi everyone! Thanks for your concern!

My mom and I are hoping for mostly iconic sights, architecture, scenery and shopping

I've already bought our plane tickets so phew! But we're looking to spend as little as possible (on a very tight budget). Do you then recommend that we focus on just two countries?

Also, do you think Eurail is the best mode of travel in France and Germany?

Thanks so much for all your help, guys!
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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 04:30 AM
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Hi Ji,

>I'm planning to stay for 10 days in those countries.<

You have one country too many. If you wish to do all 3 you will lose at least 2 days just traveling from one hotel to another.

Pick 2 countries.

Then go to "Destinations" and decide which 2 places in each country you would want to visit.

Better yet, pick one country.

Happy planning

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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 04:36 AM
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>I've already bought our plane tickets...<

Mind telling us where you will be landing and from whence you will depart?
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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 05:13 AM
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If you are landing somewhere like Mulhouse (basically) where Germany/Switzerland/France meet then this is going to be an easy holiday. However that is unlikely so we need to know

1) where you are flying into (and out of if different)
2) which month you coming (to advise on weather and happenings)

There are some great places to visit around Mulhouse, Freiburg, Basel, Strasbourg
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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 05:31 AM
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Look here for starters:

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list
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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 06:07 AM
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I suggest you book tours at this point. It is too much for 10 days even to see "iconic" things.
As others have asked where are you arriving.
You must realize that moving in and out of hotels and getting to places is time consuming, removing the equivalent of days from your total time. I see Ira has already told you that.
Do yourself and mom a favor. Go to two places and enjoy them. If by any remote chance you have an open jaw flight plan, that "might" work.
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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 06:52 AM
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We couldn't possibly be of help unless you mention take ira's advice.
"Mind telling us where you will be landing and from whence you will depart?"
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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 07:10 AM
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3 countries (even just for highlights) is too much for a 10 day trip.

You could do Paris, some of the French countryside, then take the train to Lausanne and see the Lac Leman area of Switzerland (outside Geneva). But that's only one of a million possible suggestions.

Where did you buy your plane tickets in/out of?
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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 08:42 AM
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I suggest you get a guidebook. I never travel without consulting one or two guidebooks.

I agree that 3 countries in 10 days is too much.

As to the best mode of travel, you need to compare the cost of point to point tickets with the cost of eurail passes. I usually buy point to point tickets, because that's often the cheapest for my travels.
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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 08:53 AM
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You can't even begin to cover "iconic" sights in 3 countries in 10 days. You can't do that even in one country.

A Eurrail pass is likely to be your worst option, especially if you get sensible and pare this trip down to one country, with a week's stay in a major city and a 3-day jaunt out to the countryside. For example, a week in Paris with 3 days in the Loire or Normandy.

If you're on a serious budget, drop Switzerland immediately. Everything there costs a small fortune.
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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 09:51 AM
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Take Eurail out of your thinking altogether as has been said.
What is your budget per day or total?
How did you get so certain about airline tickets and price with so little "knowledge" about these things you are asking?
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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 10:26 AM
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Jilove, you need to know that here at Fodors, the slower you move and the fewer things you see, the more sophisticated you are. Explore, savour, experience. Those are the key words here.
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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 10:49 AM
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The OP did say that she was on a budget. If you want to save money it's best to stay in a place for a few nights and get a discount. Moving around too much is going to rack up the euros.
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Old Jun 3rd, 2012, 10:57 AM
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Agree that you need to tell us:

1) where you are flying into and out of
2) what your actual dates are (some people say 10 days but count the day they arive and the day they leave - which would mean you really have 8 days on the ground)
3) identify 2 or 3 things that you MUST see - as in Eiffel Tower, Neuschwanstein Castel or the Jungfrau

Then we might be able to be some help.

And agree if your budget is limited to avoid Switz - since costs are typricall twice what they are in the US (for instance - a MickeyD meal that is $8 here is about $17 there).
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Old Jun 7th, 2012, 05:24 AM
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You may wish to look at my Swiss Rail trip report under the Switerland tag. A stop in Luzern is highly recommended.
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