Hi All,
I have around 16 days from Paris to Switzerland. We really want to see the Christmas Markets in Strasborg and Basel and then lots of mountains and beautiful sceanery.
We also want to drive while in Switzerland for some scenery and being able to stop for pictures etc but not opposed to a few train rides for day trips (I know everyone will say just ditch the car and go by rail but we really want to do some driving).
This is what I am thinking please let me know. We are flying in and out of Paris. Would one day trip to Zermatt be good enough and spend another day in the Gruyeres/Montreux area or another day in Grindelwald? I would like to base camp at as few places as possible that still make sense to see a lot. I was looking through the Grand Tour Photo spots to kind of plot the trip.
Thanks in advance.
30-Nov Paris
1-Dec Paris
2-Dec Paris
3-Dec Paris
4-Dec Strasborg
5-Dec Basel
6-Dec Grindelwald
7-Dec Grindelwald
8-Dec Grindelwald
9-Dec Grindelwald
10-Dec Zermatt
11-Dec Zermatt
12-Dec Bern
13-Dec Grueyers
14-Dec Paris
15-Dec Paris

I visited the Christmas Markets in Switzerland last Christmas. It was our 6th trip to Switzerland. We visited Zermatt for the fifth time. Zermatt has no Christmas markets. We stayed at the Hotel Julen (some hotels are closed during the runup to Christmas) and just drank wine on our balcony in 40 degree weather with a view of the Matterhorn. Loved it. Montreux is a wonderful place to stay in December. We spent two nights there at our favorite 3 star hotel with a balcony overlooking Lac Lamon (Lake Geneva). They have a wonderful Christmas Market along the lake promenade. We also visited our favorite winery in the famous Lavaux region (terraced vineyards going down to the lake). Also visited Glacier 3000. Fantastic! We rode the dog sleds and did the peak to peak walk. Talk about beautiful views...OMG. https://www.glacier3000.ch/en Nearby is Lausanne with all sorts of museums and a Christmas Markets.

While I love the Lauderbrunnen Valley (have stayed 5 times in Wengen and Lauderbrunnen) I would stay only three nights. Visit Murren and Jungfrajoch. Weather was much better in the Lake Lamon area than in other places. Many places had fog, but in the higher elevations, you can be above the clouds. We loved our visit in December, but it was cold and drizzly.

Have fun!!

A ttain ride from Berne, Gruyeres or Montreux to Paris would be easier and faster than a flight (and if you book well in advance even cheaper).