My best friend and I are planning a three-week trip starting sometime in early June. We’re both female 18 yr-olds. My only experience in Europe was a brief trip to France and Switzerland a few years ago, and my friend has never been. As of now, we’re planning to go to Paris, either Florence or Venice, Vienna, and Munich. We’d also like to go somewhere in Switzerland, preferably the French region (I speak some French), where we could get away from big cities easily (perhaps the Geneva area?). It has to be as cheap as possible, and we plan to stay mostly in hostels. Any advice, especially regarding our itinerary, safety, transportation, and places to stay, would be greatly appreciated.

I would choose Venice over Florence myself. I would also try to fit in Prague if you can. Vienna isn't too far from it, and its a magical place and great for young people. The only place I've been in Switzerland is Geneva (I'm going to Zurich in March)and it isn't all that spectacular, in my opinion. Lots of banks, a sedate lakeside, and a small, not too impressive old town. You may be better off going to the countryside, especially since that's what Switzerland's famous for, mountains and hiking and all that.

Hi fletch23,

Because you want to stay away from big cities, I'm going to recommend you also stay away from Geneva. You can go to the towns of Vevey or Montreux and enjoy some of that beautiful lakeside scenery and a slower pace.

If you arrive in Switzerland from Paris, you'll probably come from Paris via TGV. If so, you'll probably end up right at Lake Geneva -- so stay there a few days, then head to the alps. There are a few options for French-speaking areas --

Gstaad-Chateau d'Oex-Rougemont area is beautiful with lush, green, rolling hills. This is the extreme western part of the Bernese range, but it doesn't have the huge, towering peaks you may be looking for. It's also pretty expensive as Gstaad is an internationally known resort for the rich.

The Valais alps are partially French speaking, but I don't recall right now where the line is. You can investigate the towns of Verbier, Zermatt and Brig (I just spent a few hours in Brig and really fell in love with it; I'm returning this June). However, Zermatt & Brig are German-speaking (I'm sure they'll understand your French though).

Finally there are the Vaudois alps around Lesyin and Villares-sur-Ollan, which are French speaking.

I recommend you do a bit of research -- just Google & hunt around until one of these places strikes you as just right. You can research your train journeys at www.rail.ch. You can find inexpensive hotels at www.rooms.ch or hostels at www.hostel.ch

I also want to add that you may want to go to a German area in Switzerland too; don't let your lack of language skills keep you from it! There's a very famous hostel in Interlaken, and a lot of tourists think that the mountains south of Interlaken are the best in Switzerland. So take a look at it.

Have fun planning!

s

The "line" between German and French speaking in Caton Valais seems to run just to the East of the cantonal seat at Sion..as you move to the est from there German seems to be the dominant language although as you move south from Brig toward Zermatt you'll also find some Italian.

Hi F,

Are you sure that you want to do 5 destinations in 21 days?

Is there a major region for visiting Munich?

Have you checked the train and plane schedules fro traveling between cities?

Keep in mind that each time you move you lose at least 1/2 day.

I suggest skipping Munich and Vienna this trip and concentrating on Paris, Switzerland, Venice and Florence.

You could also fly Paris to Venice and see Venice, Tuscany and Florence.

Thanks for all the great advice! I'm looking into all the Swiss options and considering Prague as an alternative to Munich. Ira, is 5 destinations really too many? With travel, we'd have 3 full days in each place. I don't want to feel too rushed, but I'd like to get out farther east if possible. Thanks again!

Hi F,

>considering Prague as an alternative to Munich.

Good idea.

>Ira, is 5 destinations really too many? With travel, we'd have 3 full days in each place.<

Good analysis. That's what I estimate.

I think that 3 days in Prague, Vienna, Venice and Geneva is OK, but I strongly urge you to consider a full week in Paris. Which would mean 4 destinations:

Paris, Geneva, Venice and Vienna or Prague.

Before buying train tickets, enter your itinerary at www.railsaver.com and click "only if it saves me money".

For Paris/Geneva tickets see http://www.voyages-sncf.com

For Geneva/Venice/Vienna see www.trenitalia.com

Check open-jaw fares (into Paris/ out of Prague) at www.kayak.com and www.1800flyeurope.com

Whatever you decide, have a great visit.

The 18 year olds with us loved Murren. There is a hostel in Gimmelwald. Great for walking, but no "city life".

I did a similar trip about 7 years ago (when I was 25 and full of energy). I loved Paris... so much to see. I spent about 4 days in Paris then hopped a night train (saves on hotels and gets your travel out of the way at night instead of losing a day) to Munich. We spent 2 days in Munich (enough time if you're not planning to do any side trips) then moved to Switzerland. The plan was to go to either Zurich or Munich, but we ended up in a fantastic town called Interlaken. I highly recommend this!! We had a wonderful time. We stayed at an inexpensive hostel called Balmers -- full of young backpackers. They have hammocks in the field and an entertainment department that will take you on fantastic day trips (canyoning, etc). There are also great hiking trails -- one with a great restaurant at the top (worth the 2 hour hike for their ice cream). We then headed to Venice and Florence. Venice was more intimate and great for people watching. Florence was a bit busier with more museums. I might recommend cutting out Italy and adding on Prague and Vienna -- wonderful cities. Italy can be a trip of its own.

you are young and have energy - I did this when younger - I say go to a lot of places and check out as many as you can so when you return for shorter one week trips you will know which places you want to go back to and which you could wait on - we slept on trains and saved the money, as someone else wrote - don't miss Munich - even if it is one or two days - the beer halls and a trip to Neuschwanstein (spelling?) Castle, etc. - why aren't you going to Amsterdam??? That is a ton of fun - you could rent a tandem bike and bike all over the city - great culture and fun night-life - I agree on venice over florence if you must cut some places - but don't skip Italy - and why aren't you going to Greece???? 4-5 days in Paris is fine - you do not need a whole week - many will disagree, but I am looking at your age - now is the time when you are young and energetic and on a budget - go and explore lots of places to get a good taste and then you can return and really seek out more in depth stuff. Switzerland is okay, but not as exciting as other places. I agree on Prague - very cool place. good luck - I did 3 trips like this when I was 17-23 and each with people who had not been to europe before and we always had the most fun checking out lots of places.

I agree with the rest... Prague is the best!!!
Me and my friends were there for spring break last year(2 1/2 weeks) and it was AWESOME. Other than the scenery, Prague got some of the hottest clubs and raves. Check out these sites rave.cz, techno.cz, defile.cz...and for a place to stay... go to Sir Toby's Hostel or the hostel next to Roxy (I forgot the name).

Have fun