We got a great offer to go to Switzerland in late March '03 for a few days, but want to expand it(to two weeks +- and are trying to decide what else to include in our trip. Any suggestions? thought of a trip on the Rhine; should we fly to London; Paris; Frankfurt?<BR>2 adults and 9 1/2 daughter and perhaps my brother too. Thanks

Germany is a favorite country so your idea of a trip on the Rhine would be good. You could fly into Paris, go to Switzerland and fly out of Frankfurt. You didn't say whether you had been to Europe before and where you were if you have. If you have, try something new. The best wine to me is in the Mosel/Saar/Rhine region of Germany. Munich, Berchtsgaden, and the rest of Bavaria is beautiful and easy access from Switzerland.

Looking at the time of year you are traveling you might want to think about flying into Vienna Austria-a few days there, train to Salzburg spend a few days, then on to Lucerne, Switzerland (great lake for cruises), Berne Switzerland (one day in old town area) and then train to Paris. The Allegro Hotel & Casino in Berne is a beautiful hotel. If money is no oblect the Hotel Gutsch in Lucerne is on a mountain with beautiful views over Lucerne. If you were traveling in Summer I would suggest Interlaken and then on to Murren Switzerland in the high Alps or to Zermatt to see the Matterhorn.

Leslie,<BR><BR>Paris, the South of France, London or all of Italy come to mind<BR><BR>What do you guys enjoy most? Countryside/scenery, museums, preforming arts, shopping?<BR><BR>Also, what have you planned for Switzerland?<BR><BR>Andre

We are going to Switz. to see my dad & his wife re-do their marriage vows in the village (near Lake Thune) where his family comes from. He's asked his kids to come along. We've been to Italy recently, so would like to explore other regions. Our daughter has not seen Paris or London yet.

Leslie,<BR><BR>Thanks for the helpful info!<BR><BR>Given your destination in Switzerland and the fact that you've already been to Italy, I would offer the following 2 suggestions:<BR><BR>a) Paris - it's easy to reach by train from the Berner Oberland and the weather might be more cooperative than in London.<BR><BR>b) The Gstaad/Saanen/Sch&ouml;nried area - since you will be visiting an alpine region during the ski season but don't mention anything about winter sports, I assume you're a non-skier. IMO the Gstaad area is a great place to enjoy the mountain scenery in the winter for those who don't ski. Plus, you can get there easily from Thun and continue to Paris by train painlessly (I think there are even direct TGV trains from Montreux to Paris in the winter).<BR><BR>You can get all the train info you need at:<BR>www.rail.ch<BR>While you can't book TGV tickets online for departures from Switzerland (you really should book ahead - trains open for bookings 60 days in advance), you can send a reservation request to the Swiss Railways by e-mail, which seems to work well according to other postings on this board (I live in Switzerland and just go to the train station or travel agency so can't judge).<BR><BR>There's lots of info on Paris and the Gstaad area on this forum, but don't hesitate to post again asking for more info (perhaps as a new posting so more people see it). Also, if you'd like me (or anyone else on this forum) to help you think through a specific itinerary or flight routing, don't hesitate to click the reply button!<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR>Andre

ttt

From Geneva you can catch an overnight train to Venice (spring for a private cabin). Then overnight train again Venice to Paris, transfers Milan. Would give you a nice two week trip without too much hassle.<BR><BR>Separately, and in regard to your original post, I'd suggest the speed train from Geneva to Paris, over another air flight.