Vacationing alone in Paris, Switzerland, Croatia and Russia 2016
 

I just came back from a month long vacation in Paris, Nice and Istanbul and ready to plan my next one. Initial thoughts for May or June 2016:

Paris
Switzerland - Basel, Zurich or Lucerne not sure yet.
Croatia - Dubrovnik and/or Split.
Russia - St Petersburg or Moscow

Will get some guidebooks to narrow down but which part of the country did you particularly like and why? Very broad I know but just trying to get a general idea for now. I usually prefer the city center for easy access and night life, popping in for some art, trying interesting restaurants - but since this is my only vacation for the year, priority is to unwind. I will have a month.

Purple Orchid (sounds delightful):

I would suggest you add the Berner Oberland to your Swiss itinerary, with a few forays by train into the alps. We particularly like staying in a great hotel on the north side of the tranquil River Aare (Hotel Goldy Swiss)..see pix
(Three-five days)

Dubrovnik, Split, Mostar and Trogir, Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll have plenty of time to kick this all in...(say ten days).

Both St. Petersburg and Moscow (ten days...five each)...OR, as a viable alternative, consider taking a river boat between the two cities...(about 8-9 days) Bear in mind, no hotel or food expenses for all that time..river boat serves as your hotel...most touring off scheduled stopovers and in the cities, usually covered. We took Viking and loved it. This, after four prior visits to same regions (from 1980-2008), but as far east including Uzbek (then, SSR), now Uzbekistan, and recently Ukraine and Belarus.

So in less than 30 days, you've got yourself a varied, exciting, educational, exotic vacation. Ain't dirt cheap, but nothing worthwhile rarely is. The hell with it Orchid-lover...go and enjoy! Unforgettable.
Stu

Purple:

Forgot to include Paris...but there's enough slack in the schedule I suggested, to do about 5 days in Paree...still can stay below or just at 30 days.

Purple:
Here are some amateurish pics of your intended destinations. Good enough to provide you some with some familiarization.


http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...rOberland2009#

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ia2008And1980S

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...hkey=Gv1sRgCKq

Sorry...had the incorrect file for Yugoslavia 1980's and Croatia 2004: Try this

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...Kq1odTr3IKLHA#

I haven't been to Russia or Croatia, but in Switzerland, I enjoyed the area around Lac Leman probably more than Lucerne. I mean Lucerne was fine for a day or two, but that's it. But you can visit a lot easily (by local train or bus) in-between Lausanne and Montreux on the lake (Vevey is in the middle). So more variety for your time. I was only passing through Zurich as I landed there, so can't say, obviously more of a big city. But Lausanne could give you some bigger city feel, also (it's much larger than Lucerne). Vevey is small. I wasn't wild about Montreux myself, kind of seedy to me, but I guess worth visiting (the chateau there is interesting, Chillon).

I went by that scenic railway from Lucerne to Montreux, I really enjoyed that (Golden Pass). Actually, I think that train may pass through Interlaken, also, if you wanted to see it on the way.

I *love* the Lac Leman region of Switzerland (French-speaking part of the country). I have friends living in Vevey and Montreux which first got me to the area. It's about an hour outside Geneva by train (as far as airports). Gruyeres nearby is fun too.

I've been to all of these locations solo and loved them all, but for very different reasons.

Paris is magnificent any time IMO. :-)

For Switzerland, you might want to consider some time in the Bernese Oberland, staying in Lauterbrunnen or Wengen or Murren. It might not meet your interest in nightlife, but it is such a stunningly gorgeous area and there is a TON to do. BUT if you do that, you might want to wait until June, as May can be a bit if-fy in the mountains. (Or at least, that's my understanding.) Of the cities you mention, I loved Basel, enjoyed Zurich, and find it hard to imagine a city more beautiful than Luzern, although it does get a bit mobbed with tourists these days. I don't think you would go wrong with any of them, assuming you make your final decisions on how they match YOUR interests.

Croatia is glorious in May / June. With a month, I would think you might want to visit more than Dubrovnik and Split, as the country is sufficiently spread out that multiple bases would probably make more sense.

St. Petersburg offers a tremendous amount to see and do and is especially magnificent during the White Nights. Moscow is also a delight, and much different than St. Petersburg (which is quite European in character).

Hope that helps!

Thank you sorry I didn't log on sooner to thank you but thank you! Plans changed I posted a new one with the correct destinations.