Planning for a 12 days trip to Germany,Swizerland ,France and Italy for my family. 3 days each. Please advise on the itinerary.

Hi, Rishikesh.

Problem is, it won't be "3 days each" because you have to check out of a hotel, get to a train station or airport, get on a train or plane, travel to the other country, make your way to a hotel, and get unpacked and oriented. So it's more like 2 or even less days. Which isn't enough time to really see much of anything. Suggest you rethink your plan.

welcome to Fodors Rishikesh_Patil. I do (very much) hope you are joking.

You have mentioned 4 <u>countries</u> . . . even four <u>cities</u> would not be easy in 12 days.

Give us some details - family?, time of year?, what you thought you were going to see on your trip?, Which country in your list is most important to you?

I understand its really going to be too hectic. Its for the family. Trip is being planned around end of may .

We are looking to explore the cities as such. Just look at major tourist places in tht city.

Say: If 3 days in france ,

2 days can be in paris and another day somewhr around paris..

I meant not really exploring the cities just look at major tourist attractions..

Really, you need to do the math. It isn't 3 days anywhere, unless you can teleport. And do you have 10 days or 12? Your subject line says 10; your post says 12. Either way, it will be far more than "hectic."

I agree with StCirq. It really is more like 2 days each city. Are you including your flights to and from Europe? That makes even less time.

I'd choose two countries at most.

It's a strange way to spend money - going to Europe and just looking around some cities and dashing on to the next place but here's an itinerary for 12 days.

Paris - 2 days
Loire Valley trip - 1 day
Fly to Munich
Munich 2 days
Fly to Lucerne
Lucerne 1 day
Fly to Rome
Rome - 3 days

Now the last time I posted a senseless itinerary for someone who wanted to dash around several countries in a short time I was told that my itinerary made no sense. No kidding! But this is what the OP wants to do so let him do it and learn himself.

adrienne: You are just being an enabler

Why don't you do just Paris & Rome, with a couple of day trips? Even just looking at the major tourist attractions takes time, as does travel, checking in and out of hotels, etc. You could minimise the travel time by taking the night train, you'll also avoid airport/flight delays. Talk it over with your family and try and rethink your plans

Adrienne, there's a new career awaiting you: Mistress of Impossible Itineraries. Seriously, after reading Fodors long enough, I think you'd get a lot of clients. All the other trip planners are just so sensible!

The only problem is that there is no time allowed for getting from one city to another. Assume (best case) the OP has 12 days. th day you land an depart are useless - so this is actually 10 days on the ground.

Days 1 and 2 - city 1
Day 3 move to city 2
Days 4 and 5 - city 2
Day 6 move to city 3
Days 7 and 8 - city 3
Day 9 move to city 4
Day 10 city 4

this is not oly very expensive (all those train fares or flights) - it also ensures that you will have minimum time to actually see anything.

And when is this trip going to happen? Will you need to allow for masive crowds (August) or bad weather (late fall)>

janis - StCirq - I can't decide which title I like best: Adrienne the enabler or Adrienne, Mistress of Impossible Itineraries. Perhaps the latter today! LOL

This OP should get together with the other person who wants to do the same countries in the same amount of time. I think they're related. I came back to this thread to get the link to post for the other person. If they don't already know each they should meet. Perhaps get married and zoom around Europe for their honeymoon!

Rishikesh - you have to meet this poster. If you don't get together in Europe for your whirlwind tour you could perhaps teach her to spell itinerary!

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/need-itenary.cfm

You folks are making me ill.

Just sign onto a tour group somewhere that does this. It will be an impossibility to do it as an inexperienced traveller--and planner.
It may be for the "family" but it is not a reasonable trip. You need to understand that.