By public transportation: I suggest, taking a train from Geneva to the pretty town of Nyon, Switzerland, and then taking a ferry across Lake Geneva to Yvoire. HOW MANY DAYS FOR SWITZERLAND AND FRANCE TRIP, BEST WAY TO GET AROUND FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND TRIP. By popular demand, Ive added a full article on where to go in Spain with itineraries from 7 to 10 days up to two weeks. So, today I share my favorite tips with you, so that you can have a fantastic trip to Germany and Switzerland. 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. min. It is a unique destination and it is quite easy to get there (okay, only by cable car, if you hiked it would take 1-2 hours but it is quite steep). Those two cities are the keys to a Germany visit, and after that youve got a wide variety of choices. $0. By car: The easiest way to get to Yvoire from Geneva is by car. Actually, England is arguably the best choice for your first trip to Europe. And though Switzerland is not part of the EU, it is part of the Schengen Agreement. By private transfer: Another option is to book a private transfer service, which will pick you up from your hotel or any other location in Geneva and drop you off at your destination in Annecy. Day 1 - Arrive in Zurich & Explore. -Roger, Wow, thanks for the speedy reply Roger I really appreciate it. Germanys capital is for sure an interesting place to visit. DAY 3: Zermatt. I would go as far as saying, Montreux is one of the most beautiful places in all of Switzerland. After exploring the old town (and the famous Chapel Bridge) and marvel at the unique and historic buildings, you can add a mountain excursion for the afternoon. 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. You could then take a train down to Nice for a few days in the French Riviera, although it will be crowded and fairly expensive that time of year. 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. The architecture all over France is a highlight, and of course Paris has some of the most famous structures on earth including the Eiffel Tower and Louvre museum. Our son is studying abroad from May-July. I would probably suggest something along those lines if this is your first trip to Europe and wont be your last. Enjoy! Barcelona is another great party city by the way. It is one of Germanys biggest cities, so there are tons to do and see, but in this case, I suggest spending only 1 or 1.5 days in Munich. Take a walk along the canals and enjoy the picturesque views of the town. 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. France and Switzerland Itinerary in 7-14 Days 10 Best France and Switzerland Tours & Trips 2023/2024 - TourRadar I also discuss Mediterranean cruises, which can actually be an amazing way to see a lot of Europe on your first visit, especially if you dont like going back and forth to train stations and airports every 2 or 3 days. Liechtenstein. Leaving. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi Roger. This South Germany Itinerary does its best at showing you some of the best that Bavaria has to offer. While I normally recommend staying 2 days in Zurich, one day is good to see the main sights. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Switzerland on a Budget // What I Spent in 10 Days in Switzerland Two Week Eurail Itinerary Want to steal my Eurail itinerary? So many first-time visitors are initially planning on spending only 1 or 2 nights in major cities that I wrote a detailed explanation of why3 nights is ideal for almost all European cities, even if you want to see as much as possible. Thank you so much. The one-hour cable car ride up to the Schilthorn observation deck is something youll never forget, and the only thing that might be more dramatic is the train ride up to the Jungfraujoch station, which is the highest in Europe. Check out my tips for Switzerland on a budget here. Highlights Of Those 9 Days In Switzerland, Amsterdam, Paris. Travel adapters to ensure that your electronics can be charged and used in both countries. Hi Roger! Berlin is the capital and the most interesting city in the country by quite a bit, and its also pleasantly affordable compared to the other large cities in Germany. Switzerland Itinerary: Where to Go in Switzerland by Rick Steves With two weeks I think Id choose 4 or 5 total cities, as I think that 3 nights is the optimal amount of time to spend in each city so you get to see a lot without spending half your time on trains or in airports. Amsterdam to Paris: 3 hours 17 minutes. How To Plan a Trip to Europe: Sample Travel Itineraries - Go Seek Explore Just walk around the Eibsee and have a picnic. Personally, it felt that no hills and mountains are greener and lusher than here, which makes driving here even more fun. KG. If you dont like Sparkling water, then shy away from Wasser mit Kohlensure and ask for still water.