biggy47

7 weeks in Europe from July 1 through mid August. From what I read here Switzerland is very crowded. Although we want to spend some time there, thinking now more time in Germany, Spain, France and Portugal. From Texas-Love the heat. Plan now is London-Amsterdam-Paris -1st 2 weeks/Provence next week/Switz 1 week/ Bavaria/Austria 1 week
Portugal/Spain 10 days / then up to Loire and Normandy to fly out of Paris. Should we add more time in Germany- a Rhine cruise. Where are the crowds not? Comments on itinerary? too much? We are travelling by Easyjet and train with a couple of car rentals in Bavaria, Normandy and Provence.Sorry so long but help, please.

rex

It's hard to discern exactly what is/are your question(s)?

"Where are the crowds not?" - - all over the little towns in many/all of the places you have named: Provence, Bavaria, Portugal, Spain, Loire, Normandy...

"Comments on itinerary? too much?" - - I need more context, but I am going to trreat you like my brother who has never been to Europe (I can't tell, are all of these destinations first time for you?) - - although he will never plan to be away from work for seven weeks: Yes, it is too much. Personally, I would break this up into three trips over three years. If you have enough money to do this all at once, then I would consider traveling for 12-18 days this summer, then two more similar length trips (each in the off seasons of April-June and Sep-October) and you will probably end up spending no more - - and enjoying each subsequent trip all the more (you will get so much smarter each time about how to plan a trip to your liking, and how to get the most for your money).

But I don't know your age, your circumstances, nor what all has led you to make this very big decision for this year, and this time in your life.

Best wishes,

Rex

LarryJ

Maybe I am a bit weird (yeah, I'm sure I am) but I enjoy the summer crowds throughout Europe. To me Europe in the summer is kind of like a big party with lots and lots of guests. I make three month long trips a year to Europe. I enjoy my mid-summer trips best with the heat, the crowds etc. As I always travel alone the large summer crowds provide me the opportunity to meet lots of great and interesting people and often spend a little time with these new friends dining, visiting museums, galleries, sightseeing etc.

Don't run from the crowds; if you do you will miss some good things.

Larry J

rj007

Since I have to deal with the crowds and the heat at work during the summer, I prefer cool, uncrowded Europe of the off season. I am fortunate to have some great friends all over Europe to spend time with and find things that may not be listed in the guide books.

And I agree you do meet great and interesting people when you travel. That is one of the joys of travel.

rex

My comments about two other trips in the off-seasons had to do with reduced costs, not reduced crowds. uch to my surprise, i have hardly ever been to Europe and had to face really hot weather (except one two heat wave, in Berlin, of all places - - about 35-38 degrees).

But I do, indeed, enjoy the really long days (that's why I like June).

Singletail

"Switzerland is very crowded"....that depends on how you define the term "crowded." It isn't as if you'll find yourself packed into a sardine can in any of the places you mentioned.

The boats traveling the Rhine will have lots of people on them and the more popular sites will have plenty of visitors. I don;t think you'll necessarily wait hours and hours in interminable lines, though. After all, your presence will be contributing to those supposed "crowds." You may be worrying over something that won't affect you nearly as much as you might have been led to believe.

One strategy: get to the most popular sites early in the day, if possible.

mgmargate

Where are you getting your info? You think Switzerland will be more crowded than the rest of western Europe? Your dreaming.You might consider getting a Eurorail map & flying in to 1 city then taking trains from area to area,then flying home from your last destination.That's what we did for 5 weeks.This is the most efficient & cost effective way to go.

biggy47

Good ?s Rex. I am 45, my husband 57-we just retired. Taking 2 college sons for first 2 weeks as celebration(this the summer time). Then we are off. Worried not so much about the mass of humanity as the need to make reservations. we will use Eurail pass,rent car here and there and have made a couple of Easyjet/Ryanair plane trips for long moves. More worried about hotel reservations than anything else. Books and this forum suggest need for reservations way ahead of time.What do y'all think?

papagena

If you desperately want to stay at the hotels which are recommended in all the guide books, and want a big room with a great view and a perfect location and a low price you probably need to book months in advance.

If you're happy with a good value, clean, quiet hotel in a convenient but not absolutely perfect location you can book right up to the last minute.

ira

Hi biggy,

If this is your first trip to Europe, I also suggest you cut it back.

Seven weeks on the road can become a trek rather than a tour.

I think 3 weeks at a time makes for a good visit.

biggy47

Not our first time. Longest trip though. Previous was 4 1/2 weeks in New Zealand and 3 1/2 weeks in Italy. I agree might be long. Hopefully spending longer periods in one place and "immersing "ourselves will help.

suze

I also question the generalization that Switzerland is "very crowded"? I've visited often in the Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux area in your exact timeframe. Except for the Jazz Festival in Montreux (avoid unless you're attending it) it never seemed particularly crowded to me.

Personally I'd cross out at least a couple *countries* from your list, but that's because I like to stay put and not rush around. I enjoy being in new places but not the hassle of transport to get myself there.

rex

With your travel history, now I understand the question even less. Only you know what you like. I would not worry about crowds, and I suspect you have a decent idea about how to plan this trip.

I personally am no fan of traveling without reservations for lodging, but that's because I love the proceess of researching fifty different places to stay - - spending twice as long thinking about Europe as I will actually be there!

Thus "Comments on itinerary? too much?" - - I can't begin to guess as well as you can guess about yourself. No better odds than the chances that I could guess the answer to "will I be able to sit through a 4 hour movie?