My husband and I have our first chance to go to Europe. We are interested in visiting Lucerne and Torino and planning about a 7 day trip. Is that too little time to try to fit in Paris? Any suggestions on places to visit and to stay in those cities would be very much appreciated!

Hi bbstephen,

Yes, imo, that's far too much for seven days. Spending seven days in Paris alone will just barely scratch the surface.

You'll barely have time to see both Luzern and Torino in seven days, with about three days in each.

We can help you more if you can give us a bit more information -- like what is your budget for hotels (a specific figure is best because everyone has a different idea of "reasonable&quot, if you're driving or using the trains, what time of year this will be, and where are you arriving and where are you departing from.

Hope to hear from you!

s

Yes. I feel it's too many cities and too little time to fit in Paris. Paris alone you can visit for seven days and that is not enough time.

I can't see how fitting those 3 places in to 7 days will be very practical or enjoyable. If you can't get a longer vacation, I would pick just 1 place, or 2 max.

Thanks, I appreciate your advice. I figured it was too hopeful to visit all three in that short of a time. We are going to only Lucerne and Torino, traveling mostly by train. Have figured too many other details yet, traveling the last weekend in July.

Lucerne to Torino is a beautiful ride with a connect in Milan.

Search these boards for Turin or Torino and there will be a lot of info.

Paris would be a bit much although it's a lot quicker than it used to be -- about 5 1/2 hours. If you did an open jaw -- flying into Switzerland and out of Paris, it would be too hectic but do-able. Save it for another time.

In Turin, the Cinema Museum and the trip to the top of the Mole are not to be missed. There's also a Egyptian Museum. It's a great foodie city.

You could also spend the night at Stresa on Lake Maggiore on the way down.

We can recommend the Hotel Continental Park in Lucerne--a very nice 4* hotel very close to the old town and the train station.

Some things to do there:

1. Stroll around the old town area and the beautiful old bridges. You can arrange for a good, quick cheap tour at the TI in the train station.

2. The Swiss Transport Museum, if you a have any interest in trains, planes and automobiles--an excellent museum.

3. Day trips to Mt. Pilatus and the Interlaken/Lauterbrunnen Valley area.

4. Scenic boat trip on the lake.

Les