Paris + what?? 10 nights
 

Hi,

My wife and I with our two kids (5/7) fly into Paris on morning of 13th May. We need to be in Zurich on 23rd May. This gives us 10 nights.

Option 1: Paris - Lyon - Nice region for 3-3-4 nights and then fly into Zurich from Nice. Flights look expensive though. I was planning on taking the train throughout but I read a thread where someone rented a car in Lyon and said car was essential for the riviera region. Thoughts?

Option 2: Paris - Bruges - Amsterdam for 3-3-4 nights or any other option. In this case, we fly from either Amsterdam to Zurich or do this in reverse and take the TGV Lyria from Paris to Zurich. Again train here throughout.

Visiting family in Zurich so that leg is taken care of.

It's my feeling that you're seriously short-changing Paris.

Option 3: Drop 1 city, 6 nights (that's only 5 days) in Paris and 4 nights (3 days) in another city, take your pick.

Agree with MmePerdu that you are shortchanging Paris. I would do at least 5 nights if not 6 nights in Paris. Could do 5 nights Paris/2nights Bruge/3nights in Amsterdam. Could do 6 nights Paris and 4 nights in the South of France. Flights from Nice to Zurich should be around $100 or so which I do not regard as expensive.

If you're coming off a trans-Atlantic flight, you'll lose most of the first day in Paris due to jet lag, getting settled, etc - especially with kids this age.

Monday May 16 is a public holiday, when some things will be closed. Make sure to check the attractions you want to see, to assure they'll be open. Some places will close for a long weekend, usually beginning the Friday before the holiday.

Depending on when and how you'll leave for the next city, you'll probably miss out on several more hours. Though not everyone needs to spend a lot of time in Paris - many people aren't interested in museums, for example and just want to get a glimpse of a few things - I would recommend adding one more day to Paris.

Getting from Paris to Lyon by TGV takes only about 2 hours and isn't as expensive if you buy tickets in advance on the official SNCF website. Fares are much cheaper during certain days of the week and times of the day, so look for that on the schedule page.

Not sure if the kids that age would be interested in Bruges and Amsterdam - but Lyon is interesting and the food's very good and if they like the beach, Nice would be a good idea.

I wouldn't bother with a car unless you just want to drive around the Riviera - you'll have to deal with parking and traffic, as well as waiting in line to pick up and drop off the car - which is no fun during the May holidays. The buses are convenient for getting around.

Last summer my husband, son, and I spent 10 days in Paris alone. There is SO SO much to do, see, and just enjoy strolling and being in Paris. Our son loved stopping at all the little squares with playgrounds.

Loved going to the Mosque and drinking mint tea/sticky pastries at that little restaurant around the corner.

We did take a day trip to Normandy, highly recommend it. We went to Rouen and walking around medieval buildings, that beautiful clock, and the spot where Joan of Ark died was so special. The juxtaposition of history and the sea were amazing.

I would limit this trip to Paris + a day/overnight trip, and maybe Amsterdam. I think you and the family will have a more memorable and less rushed time.

by the way, we went to only 1 small and free museum the whole time we were there...I think it was the Orangerie.
Anyway, my point is there is so much to enjoy :)

Thanks so much for your responses. We're flying over from India with a halt in Dubai, so I guess we'd be a bit jet lagged.

Thanks for the heads up on the holiday on Monday fuzzbucket.

Nice - Zurich rates were no less than $300 on 5/23 when we wanted to go. Will look around more. Will the waters be warm enough to swim in in May? Thanks for your suggestions luluinlove. Will definitely consider.

MmePerdu / mjs - Noted. Will relook at this schedule. I definitely agree that Paris is one of those cities where slower is better. Will get back with a revised plan.

Hi

So based on your feedback and some additional research, I've arrived at the following option.
Arrive Paris 14th morning 930am.
5 nights in Paris
19th - train to Beaune - is this a good gateway into the burgundy region, spend some time in the vineyards. Are there winery tours in the region?
21st - train to Lyon. 2 nights.
23rd - train to Zurich. 3 nights.
26th - rent a car and drive to Gengenbach in BF for 3 nights.
29th - 1530 flight back home out of Zurich.

Is this a more relaxed trip? Do I need a car for Beaune?

Thanks. Feedback welcome.

SS

I think this looks much better, and yes, you'll need a car for Beaune unless you want to take the bus or can book a hotel with a package which includes transportation to the wineries. Here's the official tourist website, which has lots of info
http://www.beaune-tourism.com/

Disagreeing with the comment about needing a car in Beaune, I spent more than a week there and didn't find myself wishing for a car, ever. The tourist information office offers small group wine tours at very reasonable prices, with an English-speaking guide who will take you to places you'd be unlikely to find on your own in a car. Dijon is a short train ride away if you want a day trip to another place.

Thanks for the info fuzz bucket and MmePerdu. Will explore both options.

With 2 young children, I would recommend a car. A solo adult or a couple would have no problem without one, though.

3 nights in Zurich sounds like a real downer end of trip, but that's maybe just me. As many know, I really dislike Zürich.

StCirq - I am visiting family so I don't have an option here but we're doing some day trips and not spending the whole day in Zurich itself. Rheinfalle, St Gall, Richenau, etc. Other suggestions outside? within a 60-90 minute drive / train?

Another question. So if I do the above trip, I have to give up the riviera. Any way I can fit that in too? Or is that too ambitious?

Nice over the Burgundy region?

Sunsind

You could take the train or boat or combination to Rapperswil. The lake towns are very pretty.

I would choose Burgundy over Nice, but many people would say the opposite.