Where would you go? Suggestions/Ideas please
 

I will have 10 extra days in Europe starting in Zurich, the question is where to go and what to do? I love history and culture, nightlife and partying are not my thing. I will be by myself (female) so would like somewhere safe. I will be coming off a little over a week in Switzerland and I'm toying with the idea of whether to take a train from Zurich and stay "close" or do I hop a cheap flight and go further afoot? I can take a 4-5 hour train into Germany or fly to Spain for almost the same price, leaves one very indecisive! My return flight to Canada is currently booked from Prague but can be changed easily enough if someone has an irrestible trip itinerary that takes me in the complete opposite direction :) Thanks for your help!

What time of year will you be traveling?

Heaing to Bavaria/Munich, Austria and then ending in Prague would be my choice if I had the option. I really do love Central Europe though and prefer trains over flights.

"<i>I love history and culture</i>"

That pretty much covers all of Europe! Before making specific suggestions, could you tell us what time of year is your trip? Eg, if you're there in Sept/Oct, then I won't recommend Munich to you (octoberfest).

Also, where in Europe have you been to previously, and which towns/cities did you enjoy or did NOT enjoy? If you give us a bit more information, we can have a better idea of which places will fit you better.

All these places have their distinct charms and disadvantages.

And just to enumerate countries is not helpful either as Spain is really seven countries in one geogrpahic fiction and France has Paris, of course, but also beautiful countryside.

You need to do some research and narow down your choices.

for lots of intinerary ideas by train in that area check out these super IMO sites - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com - check the latter's online European Planning & Rail Guide for rail itinerary suggestions for each country.

BTW when are you going - the time of year may influence where I would want to go - eastern Europe can be cool, dank and dark during mid-autumn to early spring IME and if that time I would head south if I did not especially like wet weather.

Thanks everyone!

I will be there from Mid to end September, which is coming up quickly! I have only been to Scotland/Northern England previously and loved everything. I have an affinity for Scottish history/culture. I like the medeval ages or anything from about 1100-1600. Edinburgh and York were my favorite cities and a little spot about 30 mins outside Edinburgh, Inclcolm Abbey, a ruined abbey on an island in the Firth of Forth. Architecture, scenery, history, culture, I know these things are found all over Europe I just hope to find the perfect mix for this trip.

The time of year you are there, I would avoid Munich. You can go to the Rhine in Germany with castles, we really enjoyed that. Vienna has the Melk Abbey within a daytrip. Prague is a larger city but has a compact oldtown area with a large castle complex. Salzburg is a smaller city with a castle, Mozart and Sound of Music stuff.

If you are willing to fly you can really go anywhere but those are good training options that end in Prague.

I would spend two of your "extra" days in Salzburg.

Vienna + Salzburg or Vienna + Prague or Vienna + Budapest

Vienna for its history and culture.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622927111169/

Vienna is not medieval. It doesn't fit well into the OP's 1100-1600 AD preferences.

Swinging down into northern Italy certainly would. Florence, Bologna, Venice. Perfect weather, too.

Zurich to Florence is only a 6 hour drive. That surprised me, pleasantly, when I discovered I was able to buy a flight into Zurich for $450 less than I could get into anywhere in Northern Italy. I am not sure about train times.

And one might get a 25CHF train ticket from Zurich to Milan as I did in the reverse direction.

Munich is certainly not medieval but post WW2 as the city, like many German towns, was heavily blitzed during the war.