Hi all. We are planning a train trip around Austria & Switzerland this Christmas, (first time Europe)then to Paris and onto London. We are thinking of travelling clockwise, from Vienna to Salzburg, Munich, Zermatt possibly. From there I am stumped - think that I should make an effort to see Geneva, Bern, Basel, Lucerne, Zurich - but not sure then of the most interesting route (train) to Paris. Can anyone describe what I am likely to see from any of the abovementioned towns en route to Paris?
Many thanks - all previous suggestions have helped enormously.
Cheers.

I would not necessarily include Zurich or Geneva as "must sees". They are such large cities, and I think the beauty and interest of Switzerland is more in the smaller towns and countryside, mountains, vineyards, etc.

How long's this trip? (You've named an awful lot of destinations)

Bern is a nice, smaller city. If you are a fan of Paul Klee, this is his home museum city, in both the new museum and the Kunstmuseum.

Basel seems like very friendly small city. You are in Switzerland and can see both Germany and France in the same view.

You might dip over to Colmar, as that is a special small city. Take the newly opened TGV from Stasbourg to Paris, where they just set the speed record for a 'conventional' train @ 357 miles per hour, but don't expect that speed on your trip.

Hi S,

>...Vienna to Salzburg, Munich,...)then to Paris and onto London.<

How many weeks do you have?

If you have time I would take the train up the Rhine as far as Cologne and head to Paris from there.

I have never trained Geneva to Paris, but have trained around that area (Geneva to Venice). Often it is not the most scenic as you are passing thru the 'backside' of places.

Thanks all for your very helpful replies. The trip is 2-3 weeks, just a "taste of" this time - an opportunity to get right away, do something entirly different, grab a short amount of time as a family before what will be a hugely hectic year of business (us) study (kids). As we are travelling in northern winter we figured we might as well head for the Alps, even though we are not avid skiers. A cold, crisp, Chocolate-box scene Christmas etc.
Because my husband might have to come back to Oz earlier we figured he could do the Austria/Switz/Germany/France whirlwind with us, then I (plus 2 boys) would do UK on our own at more leisurely pace. Would be fairly confident of doing that on my own with kids.
Itinerary to date - fly into Vienna for a couple days, be in Salzburg for Christmas (22-25 Dec?)... Dachau (I have been warned it is hard going but guys are keen), then wouldn't mind going to a ski resort for a couple of days just to know we've experienced snow (been told Zermatt is lovely), then somehow fit in a Rhine cruise (that's my mandatory!) and get to Paris for a few days. Need help to fill in the dots!
I follow up all suggestions and greatly appreciate them - my sense of geography is absolutely appalling!
Cheers