catherinehaas

Hello evreyone,

I am throwing this question out into the abyss and hoping that some Fodorites can lend some guidance/assistance in planning a vacation for 2013.

When lending this type of assistance, it is best to understand a little background.

Budget is ok for a 2 week trip. Staying in apartments or moderate hotels.
Interests are history, scenary, and culture.
Going for 2 weeks towards the end of September.
I have been to London (not a fan), all over Ireland, all over Italy (LOVE Italy), all over southern Germany (LOVED it), Vienna, Paris (once for 3 days and LOVED it), and Prague.

My initial thought is Paris for 4 days and then fly to Switzerland. My other thought is Spain.

My worry with Switzerland is that there won't be enough to do in Switzerland if one is not a big hiker or paraglider. I am mostly interested in the small, quaint villages of Switzerland. But is that enough to justify a trip? Am I missing more history and culture by not going to Spain? My worry with Spain is that the sites are spread out all over the countryside and a week won't be enough time to see it all without changing hotels every night (not doing that).

I still have things to see and do in Paris that I did not get a chance to do the first time around.

So I impart on the Fodorite's knowledge base to provide help for this.

Thanks in advance.

Myer

Where are you coming from?

Pepper_von_snoot

Switzerland is SUPER EXPENSIVE.

What is your budget for two-week trip there?

You also don't have to hike in a place like the BO. You can take nice walks along clear paths.

A very nice walk in the BO, for example, is from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg. People push babies in strollers along this down-hill route.

The great thing about Switzerland is that the trains, boats, and gondolas go everywhere. No need or a car in many places.

Thin

catherinehaas

Coming from Florida.

The entire budget, including airfare, is going to be roughly $15,000 for just me. There is a thought about taking my son for a graduation from college congrats trip (the "before you start your real job" trip). The trip is split for 1 week in Paris and 1 week in Switzerland.

Good to know about the walks in Switzerland. I am all about seeing the mountains and enjoying the quaint towns. If my son goes, he will be all about the paragliding stuff.

Help me with the exchange in Switzerland. It appears to be 1 for 1 with the USD. I guess the problem is what you get for that 1???

Thanks!

Pegontheroad

Spain. You don't have to see everything. I think that the most important and interesting cities are in Andalusia--Seville, Granada, especially the Alhambra, Cordoba with its wonderful Mezquita, Ronda,the white hill towns.

Barcelona has stunning architecture, and though it's fairly far from Andalusia, you can catch a cheap flight from one of its cities.

I don't find hotels to be expensive, though I think the food is on the expensive side.

Myer

I also live in Florida.
There was a time I thought a vacation had to be in Europe.

Then I happened to see a photo in a book that caught my attention.

It was in a U.S. National park. I planned a trip and got hooked.

I've been to Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Yosemite and Banff in Canada (and Victoria & Vancouver) between once and three times. This summer I'm taking my daughter to Glacier NP in Montana.

Two years ago we (my wife and I) spent 10 days in Tuscany and this June we're spending two weeks in Provence and Paris.

What I'm saying is if you haven't already done so, I'd investigate your own back yard. Different but amazing as well.

suze

Yours is a pretty huge question but I'll take a try.

If I were in your shoes I would, from Paris, take the fast train to Lausanne (not a plane). Then I would get a hotel or apartment in Vevey or Montreux (my favorites), or Morges, Lausanne, Villeneuve all beautiful towns lakefront on Lac Leman (lake geneva). I've been in this area 5 trips (sinceI have a friend who lives there) and have yet to go hiking or paragliding!!!

These are charming small cities/large towns with plenty to see and do, or just relax and wander the lakeside promonade, old town, historic sites. They both are right on the train line so excellent access if you want to further tour around.

Farmers street market Tues/Sat AM in Vevey, Fri in Montreux. Roche de Nayes tram up the hillside, Old Town, and Chateau de Chillon all Montreux.

I'm sure Spain is fabulous as well but that sounds like a separate trip. Since you have two weeks and seem to have an interest in Paris, why not split 50/50 between Paris and Lac Leman?

HappyTrvlr

You are correct about prices. Even though the exchange rate is fairly equal, the prices are high.
However, we were able to find accomodations in the Berner Oberland and Pontresina that were nice and somewhat reasonable.

PalenQ

a couple of sites with lots of great itineraries laid out - www.ricksteves.com and http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/si...s/rg011210.pdf

both sites are somewhat rail oriented as train travel are their specialties but itinerary suggestions can be done by rail or car or rail and car (or mix in flights as well).

catherinehaas

This is great.

I think I will continue with my plans for Switzerland and save Spain for an entire return trip.

Also, I am saving all the US travel for when I can no longer manage the long flights and the grueling travel to Europe.

Thank you everyone for all your input.

And PalenQ, I am reading that information and am excited for some itineraries.

catherinehaas

Couple more questions...

Do I stay in someplace like Interlaken or Luzern and take day trips or station myself elsewhere?

Is it worth going over to St. Moritz? Or Lugano?

Thanks.

swandav2000

Hi catherinehaas,

I hate to have to tell you, but nearly every place in Switzerland is <<worth going over to>> lol. You just have to decide which places you most want to see and which ones you can fit into your schedule.

I'd like confirm what suze said above about taking the train and not a flight -- you'll find that trains are just as quick and a lot more comfortable than flying. By the time you get from Paris to the airport (45 mins), wait at the airport (2 hours), fly (1 hour), and collect your bags, you will have spend the same amount of time as on the train.

The fast train (TGV) also goes directly to Basel in about three hours. From Basel you can head to the mountains of the Jungfrau region, but I don't like Interlaken itself as a base. Interlaken lies in the flats between two lakes, with the mountains up over your head and a further one to two hours away. In addition, Interlaken is a huge tourist and transport hub, and in summertime it is overrun with tour busses and the off-loaded day-trippers. It also has a Hooter's restaurant --

Instead of staying in Interlaken, I suggest you consider staying in one of the car-free mountain village above, either Mürren or Wengen. You can get more information at

www.myjungfrau.ch

To round off your stay, yes, spending a few nights in Luzern is a good idea. Luzern has a lot of history, an interesting old town, some monuments and sights, and of course a beautiful system of lakes. More information at

www.luzern.com
www.lakelucerne.ch

For information on Swiss trains, see

www.rail.ch

Have fun as you plan and dream!

s

PalenQ

www.swisstravelsystem.com has loads of great info on Swiss specialty scenic trains like the Golden Pass and Bernina Express and Glacier Express as well as boats, postal buses and schedules and fares, etc.

Pepper_von_snoot

15K for two weeks?

That is too rich for my blood.

You can afford to stay at the Beau Rivage in Interlaken or L'Abbaye in Paris.

Thin

PalenQ

$15 K in Switzerland could go quickly! One of the world's most expensive places - outrageously expensive on many things - if on a budget take everything you need and can into the country with you!