Where to go before/after meeting daughter
 

Our daughter will be in a college program ending in mid-July in Geneva. Her group will then fly to London, and then home.

DH and I want to go over and travel a bit (7 to 10 days?) before meeting up with her, and then the three of us would travel another 7 days or so. So we can meet her in Geneva, or in London after she flies there.

So the question is where do we go, for how long in each place? I was thinking Paris for the two of us, maybe 7 days. (Not too long there, I gather, from what you Fodorites say!) Also interested in Prague, but does that makes sense given the distance from Paris? And Switzerland sounds appealing (where exactly I'm not sure- Basel maybe?) How best to divide up the days if we try to include more than Paris?

Then the next question is for after we meet daughter- was thinking Amsterdam, the Belgium region, and London if she leaves from there. Anywhere else in that general vicinity that would be good? Figured it made sense to keep things somewhat geographically close. Also, we would prefer several days in one spot, vs a lot of moving around.

I'm looking for those places where you say- "oh my gosh, I just loved xxxx and you have to go there!" Thanks!

Go to Amsterdam first and then Paris before meeting her in London.

I would do 5-7 days in Paris and then train down to the Lac Leman region outside Geneva and spend 3-5 days seeing Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux, Gruyeres because I absolutley adore that part of Switzerland.

With youe daughter a few days together in Amsterdam at the end would be great (just fly to London in time for the flights home).

Switzerland is about mountains and natural beauty. Seems to be a pity if you don't spend at least 3-4 days exploring. I'd go to Berner Oberland for at least 2 days. Please research Fodor's for some excellent information.

For the other 3-4 days, take the TGV and go to Paris. It's only 3.5 hours away by train.

Good luck!

Switzerland seems to be an enthusiastic choice! It sounds wonderful. No one mentioned Prague- is it more a location thing, or just doesn't sound as enticing?

We won't have a car- is that a problem for any of the suggested Swiss locations?

Hi nvl325,

I also think Switzerland would be a great choice, and the Berner Oberland would be the place to go to see the best -- quaint mountain villages, Alpine lakes, stunning Alpine peaks.

No, you really and truly don't need a car to see it. The Swiss train system runs like, you know -- clockwork! It's fun and easy! Plus, the most charming villages and all the mountaintops do not even allow cars, so it is built around the transport system.

Take a look at the two car-free villages of Wengen and Mürren to have a really charming experience.

Have fun!

s

In mid-July I'd much rather enjoy the mountain climate in Switzerland than sweat in Prague.

Hi N,

I[m sorry, but I'm confused.

How much time does DD have between the end of her program and flying home with her group from London?

Or is she not committed to flying home with her group?

Has she been to Paris?

((I))

Ira,
I don't blame you for being confused; I didn't explain it very well... the students will be going to several cities, Paris among them. That's why even though they won't have time to see anywhere in depth, at least she'll have a chance to see Paris, and why I thought DH and I should go there before meeting her.

Her program ends in Geneva; on the last day the group flies to London, and from there on to the US. If we meet her in Geneva, she just wouldn't travel with the group home at all. If she flies with the group to London, we'd meet her there (or somewhere) and her ticket home will be changed to a week or so later. (For a fee no doubt!)

So I'm trying to figure out where the two of us should go, and then the three of us, without too much running around or backtracking. I enjoy your posts, and appreciate all the comments from the whole Fodorite community!

I don't know a thing about Prague, but I've been to the Lac Leman region of Switzerland five times (I have a friend from the States who moved there a couple decades ago and never returned). It simply holds a very special place in my heart, that other major destinations like Paris, Geneva, Amsterdam... don't stand up to. Hard to describe it's just a very different experience.

great tips on Switzerland! Suze, it's funny- I had been looking at a map, and I didn't realize right off that Lac Leman that you suggested was the same as Lake Geneva! Live and learn...

Would you suggest using one of the villages you mentioned as a base, and then explore from there, taking the train to the other places? Looks like they're not too far-

and could we do that region, plus Berner Overland- without changing hotels too much? I sleep better when not every night is different!

I meant Oberland-

Hi nvl325,

Yes, doing the Lake Geneva region and the Berner Oberland is a great introduction to the country! You'll see quite a lot of good and diverse sections.

In fact, the scenic train Golden Pass links these regions, going from Montreux up to Interlaken through the gorgeous Saanenland towns of Gstaad and Zweisimmen. You don't have to take that exact special train, but going on that route is really lovely. You can research it at

www.goldenpass.ch

For your further research, here are my "reviews" (w/photos) of Montreux and the Saanenland:

Montreux old town
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Lavaux
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Promenade Fleuri
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Morges
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rges_Vaud.html

Gruyeres
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Fribourg.html

Saanen
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Gstaad
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Have fun!

s

Clearly loads of the guys here like Switzerland. Despite having family memebers living there it is the ultimate safe European country to visit and pretty dull. I agree the scenary is good but lets face it the US has a a few mountains/lakes etc.

For me I would try to do more of a normal European visit that was different to what your daughter had just done. Hence I would look at Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona chosen because they will be relativley cool, have great museums, shopping, opera, shopping, theatre, shopping, art gallleries, shopping and restaurants. I also don't think you want to spend much time traveling so at best chose only 2 of these cities and book into the hotels the locals do please don't use the international hotels.

Prague will be packed by Mid July so if you do decide to go it will cost you a lot and has less than the other three.

London is a world city and she will end up there some time anyway

bilboburger,

Hee hee, the US also has cities, shopping, restaurants, and museums --

I don't think the US mountains compare to the Swiss Alps.

s

swandav you are right it is just go to Switzerland is like going to the Hamptons. What girl wants to go there with her mother. Also Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona are very European while Swiss are just so IMO dull.

No please don't shout at me Im thinking of the OP

bilboburger,

Gosh, hope I didn't come across as aggressive; hate shouting online (as in real life) too!

Hey, if we all liked the same things . . . we'd all be living in the Alps, lol!

s

I was suggesting the Lac Leman itinerary time for when the couple was on their own alone, before meeting up with their daughter.

Sorry Swandav we are both getting our wires crossed (but blame me)email and conversation styles just don't mix.

:-)