Request a Quote. For each itinerary there are suggestions of other destinations that are easy to add on to the main cities. Its really amazing how much you can see in two full sightseeing days. Its definitely worth checking to see if you can do an open jaw ticket or two round-trips, but if its much more expensive then its probably best to, for example, fly back from Paris to London for your flight home, as long as its from the same airport. Geneva - Catch a train to Geneva via a stop in Lausanne. Its picturesque streets and historic buildings, including a 14th-century castle, make it a popular destination. 10 DAYS IN SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY ITINERARY Munich - 1,5 Day Neuschwanstein Castle & Fssen - 1 Day Eibsee or Rothenburg ob der Tauber - 1 Day Zurich - 1 Day Lucerne - 1,5 Day Interlaken - 3,5 Days Travel time around 12 hours (with Eibsee) in total or 17 hours (Rothenburg ob der Tauber) ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER - 1 DAY In general I highly recommend spending 3 nights in almost any city you visit because it you try to move faster you end up spending way too much time in train stations and/or airports. Travel documents, including your passport, visa (if required), travel insurance, and any necessary vaccination certificates. Edinburgh is not only the capital of Scotland, but its easily the second most interesting city in all of Britain. Take a walk and discover hidden gems like St. Pierre Cathedral, the Reformation Wall, and the Place du Bourg-de-Four. Hi, I am Arzo. Day 1: Semois Valley in Belgium & Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Day 5: Lucerne. Day 4: Montreux. Also, especially on a first trip, Id recommend going wherever you like and then flying to Athens for your last stop. Here are some general considerations for the costs of the above itinerary: Accommodation: The cost of accommodation in Geneva and other Swiss cities can be quite high, especially during peak tourist season. From there, continue your trip to Zurich and add the places mentioned above. A day trip to Lausanne from Geneva or Montreux is a great way to experience more of the beautiful scenery and culture of Switzerland. Visit the Mer de Glace Glacier: This is one of the largest glaciers in Europe and can be accessed by a funicular train. Mountain streets are usually a bit more challenging, but overall, I looooove driving in Switzerland. Take a walk along the canals and enjoy the picturesque views of the town. We want to see as many as we can but also still wanna enjoy it and not rushing it. If you have more than 7 or 10 days in France & Switzerland, I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary. It is quite a big city, but thanks to good public transportation, you can get around easily and see some of the best places in a short time. The Montreux Jazz Festival takes place every July and features a lineup of top international artists. Interlaken to Bern: 53 minutes However, you may be able to find more affordable options in smaller towns or by booking in advance. Madrid, which is the capital, and Barcelona, which is on a northern Mediterranean beach, are very different from each other and not substitutable for each other at all. Meanwhile, Frances Annecy, Yvoire, and Chamonix are rich with medieval charm, alpine scenery, and world-class ski resorts, with the towering Mont Blanc providing a stunning and awe-inspiring vista. Enjoy the stunning vistas of Lake Geneva, explore medieval villages, take cable car rides to the mountaintops, and indulge in world-class cuisine. Winter is also a great time to visit Switzerland for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, especially in the Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc area, but be prepared for colder temperatures and shorter days. The cable car is divided into two stages. A trip to France and Switzerland, covering places like Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Annecy, Yvoire, and Chamonix, is a fantastic experience that offers something for everyone. Take a boat tour of Lake Annecy: Lake Annecy is one of the cleanest and most beautiful lakes in Europe. HOW TO SEE GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND IN 7-14 DAYS, TRAVEL TIPS FOR YOUR GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND ITINERARY, HOW TO GET AROUND SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY, COSTS OF TRAVELING TO GERMANY + SWITZERLAND, SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY ITINERARY FOR 7 DAYS, 10 DAYS IN SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY ITINERARY, CREATING A PERFECT SWITZERLAND & GERMANY ITINERARY. I would go as far as saying, Montreux is one of the most beautiful places in all of Switzerland. Consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass or other regional travel pass to save money on transportation costs. Admire the architecture and take in the vibrant atmosphere of this historic area. The trains are not always on time, some connections might be canceled, and it isnt cheap. Walk on a glacier: Even in the summer months, you can walk on a glacier an amazing experience you cannot experience at many places. Tip: If you plan to rent a car, I suggest renting the car after your time in Berlin and not driving in the city itself. From Lugano, drive to Zermatt (crossing again through Italy) and resume the above itinerary, visiting Luzern at the end before returning to Zrich. 7 days split between France and Switzerland is NOT a good idea. Some Things to do in Interlaken. Romes architecture is an obvious highlight and fortunately you can see a lot in a fairly short time. Depending on the length of your stay, I suggest changing hotels 2-3 times. Paris to Brussels: 1 hour 22 minutes WHERE TO STAY FOR THIS SWITZERLAND AND FRANCE ITINERARY? You can book this service through various companies, such as Alps2Alps or Geneva Airport Transfers. DAY 3: Zermatt. For most people its best to ignore those places on your first trip because none of the beaches are special enough to spend days on them compared to the culture of the cities. It depends on your nationality and the purpose and duration of your visit. Day 3 - Interlaken and Lake Brienz. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is north of Munich and also further away from Switzerland. Take a boat tour and enjoy the stunning scenery of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Especially if you buy them well in advance, the flights within Europe will be cheap. min. Here are thebest first-time Italy itineraries for 3 days to 2 weeks(in much greater detail). Venice is small enough that you can see the main sights in about 24 hours, and its so insanely crowded that many people tire of it after about a day as well. Additionally, you could consider adding other nearby destinations, such as Zermatt or Interlaken in Switzerland, if you have more time available. This isnt really recommended for a first trip to Europe unless you are a backpacker who is sure they are going to be able to visit Europe again when they have more money. ), and Amsterdam. Bath is another of Englands top destinations and its a gorgeous city that has been a spa resort for many centuries. Germany, France, Switzerland - Itinerary (Romantic Trip) Jun 1, 2022, 1:18 PM Save I'm planning a 12 days trip to Germany, France and Switzerland from 27th June to 8th July. Food and drink: Dining out in Switzerland and France can also be pricey, especially in tourist areas. Arrive early Thurs AM in Geneva. If you spend too long in one city youll end up seeing things that are way down your list, while you could be in another city seeing things at the top of your list there. There is little or no entertainment on the river cruise ships, but passengers dont miss it because the entire day and into the evening is spent just steps from local cultural offerings and restaurants. Comment* 6 Our Europe road trip itinerary. Cities like London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Berlin, Madrid, and Barcelona are all large and packed with world-class things to see and do. If you have seven days in Europe and you really want to see the quaint villages, the storybook streets, the breathtaking castles, and the fairy-tale beauty that's inspired countless books and movies, then you need to spend 7 days in Germany, France, Switzerland, and Austria. You can scan my article on where to go in Switzerland for specifics, but the short version is that the Interlaken area and specifically the Lauterbrunnen Valley are the best place for a few days, and maybe 2 more days in Lucerne if youve got the time and money (Switzerland is expensive!). However, it is not on many Switzerland itineraries though it should be. Paris is actually far more beautiful than London and the food is famously much better as well. I am a full-time teacher and part-time travel blogger and a solo female traveler (sometimes accompanied by my little dog) based in Germany, and in love with Switzerland, Europe, and the world. His #1 place to visit is Amsterdam. Hotel pickup offered Mobile ticket Take a cruise on Lake Geneva: A boat ride on Lake Geneva is a great way to enjoy the scenic beauty of Montreux and the surrounding area. Take a cable car or train to the summit: If you want to experience Mont Blancs stunning views without climbing, you can take a cable car or train to the summit. Very happy to use the train system to get around. Look for discounts or passes that bundle multiple attractions together to save money. Between you and me, its better to minimize time in Loch Ness or skip it altogether because its not one of the more photogenic parts of Scotland and the monster has always been a hoax. Were travelling from Melbourne, Australia so its going to be a long flight whatever we decide . Rome also lives up to the hype and spending a day in the Vatican City will be a highlight even for non-Catholics, but its also a crowded and busy city so three days is usually enough for most people. So, as a German and Switzerland enthusiast, I share my tips for having an amazing time in Switzerland and Germany. The best time to visit France and Switzerland for this itinerary would be during the summer months of June, July, and August, as well as early fall in September and early October. Our son is studying abroad from May-July. Wendy. Traveling from Fssen to Lucerne, whether by public transportation or car, will take several hours. However, due to the high altitude, the main tips I can give you are to be prepared for cold temperatures (even in the summer months) and take appropriate precautions to avoid altitude sickness. $640 days. Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites featuring France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Italy. First time to Europe for all of us. The best place to start would be one of the cruises that leaves from a popular port in the Mediterranean (and the adjacent seas). Tip: If you visit Eibsee and Fssen/Neuschwanstein Castle, I suggest visiting Eibsee first and then go to Neuschwanstein Castle. As you can see, you can combine your Switzerland and Germany trip quite easily. Venice is small enough to see in a full day, and so crowded that most people are satisfied to leave after that day. Florence is the most relaxing of the 3, and also a great base for side trips to Pisa, Siena, and Cinque Terre, just to name a few. Credit and debit cards are accepted widely. Click here to find the rates for a Swiss Travel Pass. A treat for your eyes! Just keep your eyes open and exercise common sense, and you should be fine as both are quite safe travel destinations overall. Lucerne to Zurich Airport: 1 hour 3 minutes. Lucerne is almost as beautiful with a scenic lake at its heart and also great mountaintop views nearby. Venice, Italy The cruise ships no longer dock close to the best tourist areas, but its easy enough to visit Venice for a day or two before boarding a ship. Cologne you can enjoy in a day because the main sights are the lovely historic center and the famous cathedral, and both are adjacent to the main train station. Switzerland. With that itinerary, you have seen some of the most beautiful places in Germany and Switzerland in only 7 days. Day 6: Panoramic views from Jungfrau. With its stunning views, historic landmarks, and cultural attractions, Montreux is a perfect destination for a day trip from Geneva or Lausanne. Some things to do in Zurich. Probably not. Nestled between the Swiss Alps, this town offers the chance to have a city trip while being surrounded by stunning nature. Thanks to good public transportation in both countries you can just lay back and enjoy window views while getting around or you can rent a car and explore both countries by car. Amsterdam to Paris: 3 hours 17 minutes. If youve decided to finally explore Europe for the first time, its quite possible that you havent considered doing it on a cruise. Im so happy that you have found this information to be useful and Ill try to help more. The train service gets really slow and infrequent as you get within 2 or 3 countries of Greece, and its not worth spending days going through Serbia, Romania, and/or Bulgaria. After Paris you could take a train to Interlaken and spend a few days around there to visit Europes best scenery. 12 thoughts on " Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and France (11 days 10 nights) - October 9-20, 2023 " Anilecc87 says: March 27, 2019 at 9:51 pm. Of course, it is a lot about Mont Blanc (which I will talk about more in detail later on), and you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including the Aiguille du Midi and the Mer de Glace Glacier. And though Switzerland is not part of the EU, it is part of the Schengen Agreement. We are flexible at this point. The French Swiss countryside and the area around Murten merit more time if you have a car. So with that in mind you can go in any direction you like and then have a flight booked from your last stop to Athens. From the old town of Zurich with stunning churches and cobblestone streets, to Lucerne with its enormous glittering lake and historic fortress you can climb to see the city from a bird's eye view. >>>Best one-week London and Paris itinerary in detail. For a bit of fun you might be interested in the cheapest 5-star hotels in Europe, which start at US$80 per night for really nice hotels. With lakes, mountains, delicious food, charming villages and expert . Try Swiss wine: Lausanne is in the heart of Switzerlands wine country, and you can visit local vineyards to taste the local wines. Ships from Athens usually head west towards Croatia, Italy, France, and Spain, but there are also ships that visit Greek islands and Turkey. Whatever you choose out of this group, you can be back in Paris on another high-speed train for your flight home. With the 5 remaining days I think you should visit two more places, and the most obvious is Paris, which is only about 3 hours away by high speed train. You cannot pay at some ticket centers with your credit card, so always have cash on you (American Express is, unfortunately, not as widely accepted as Visa or MasterCard). That's if you're a mountain lover like I am. With that in mind I think your best options for those two other days are Bruges, Brussels, and/or Cologne. Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy The port isnt very close to Rome, but its easy to get back and forth. Per day. Layers of clothing to accommodate the varying weather conditions. Spain. The castle now houses a museum dedicated to the history of the village and the surrounding region. If you can get a cheap enough flight, the 3 best cheap European cities to visit are Prague, Budapest, and Krakow, which are all around half as expensive as most of the other cities on this list. The cable car ride is an experience in itself, with breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps. 2. 6.7 French Riviera: Cannes, St Tropez, Cassis and Marseille. Switzerland has the Matterhorn and France (and Italy) has the Mont Blanc these two mountains are some of the most iconic in the world! Visit the Castle: Yvoires castle, Chteau dYvoire, dates back to the 14th century and is a must-see attraction. Spending 4 nights in Paris and 3 nights in Amsterdam would be a great trip, but if you want to see something else youve got a couple options in between. I'd suggest going in a much more logical order! Though you can not directly access the mountain peak of Mont Blanc by cable car, you do get pretty close. By car: The easiest way to get to Yvoire from Geneva is by car. For scenic routes such as along Lake Geneva or in the Chamonix Valley, boats are a great option, providing breathtaking views and a unique way to experience the region. Its better to pay more for a hotel to be on the main island and visit quickly than to save money with a hotel on the mainland where youll be in crowds going back and forth as well. Day 7: St. Moritz. Yes, I meant Interlaken. You could even stop in Brussels for a few hours on your way to Bruges (you have to change trains there anyway) and see all three. Then spend the rest of your time in one of the most unique destinations in the world, where you will have an abundance of stunning lakes, mountain peaks, cute towns and villages, and more. If you only have 7 days then youll find a list below of classic itineraries that are well-suited to a first visit to Europe. Here are some must-see sights and activities in Montreux for a day trip: Chteau de Chillon: This castle is located on a small island on Lake Geneva and is one of Switzerlands most visited historic monuments. A huge part of Spains tourism industry is built around its southern beaches and islands such as Ibiza, Mallorca, and Tenerife (in the Canary Islands). This 13 days itinerary is designed to give you a good balance of sights, sounds and experiences. As for your itinerary, Im sure itll be great and you are off to a good start. Germany. Germany. End with 3 days experiencing the top sights and attractions of Paris. If you think you want to spend your whole trip in Britain you should have a look at our article on thebest itineraries in England, Scotland, and Wales. Your first visit to Europe is no time to try to be different or edgy. Explore the old town: Lausannes old town is a charming and historic area with narrow streets, old buildings, and picturesque squares. The streets are mostly well-paved and safe, and people drive well. 10 Days in Switzerland: Zrich, Lucerne, Bernese Oberland & Zermatt 14 Days in Switzerland: 10 Day Itinerary plus Lugano 14 Days in Switzerland: 10 Day Itinerary plus Lausanne and Lake Geneva 17 to 21 Days in Switzerland: The Best of Switzerland 7 Day Switzerland Itinerary The Highlights of Switzerland I suggest staying in either Montreux or Geneva both beautiful towns/cities on the shores of Lake Geneva, which will allow you to do day trips from there. Rothenburg is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Germany. It leaves out London, which I think could be good for a future trip instead assuming he enjoys this one. Read more aboutwhere to go in Switzerlandfor even more ideas. Or if Berlin doesnt sound interesting enough, you could fly to Prague from Amsterdam easily enough. We arrived on an early morning flight and headed right to the rental car booth to pick-up our rental and then we were off on our first day's adventure! Very popular! Europe Itinerary: 16 Days in France, Switzerland, & Italy We spent 16 glorious days in Europe several years ago, visiting France, Switzerland and Italy. If you arent much of a city person at all and you have a much stronger desire to see beautiful scenery and landscapes, then Switzerland could be a good choice for your first visit to Europe. -Roger, Wow, thanks for the speedy reply Roger I really appreciate it. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, as well as opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and other outdoor activities. 6.5 Portofino / Santa Margherita Ligure. And if you can make it happen, try to visit Switzerland and Germany for 14 days or at least 10 days. Thank you so much. Spend the afternoon and evening in the cute town of Fssen and have dinner here before continuing your journey to Switzerland. The town itself is charming, with traditional Alpine architecture, cozy cafes, and boutique shops. Book now and save with TourRadar.com! Let me know! Switzerland, France and Germany Duration: 7 days Highlights: Basel, Black Forest, Freiburg, Strasbourg, Colmar A 7-day off-the-beaten-path itinerary in Switzerland, France and Germany Request a Quote Send to Client Print Itinerary Download PDF Itinerary Day 1 - Arrive Basel, Switzerland From lakes, parks to museums, historical sites, and shopping opportunities: Munich has something for everyone. Per person.