Once again I come to the experts...

[sapl]

Hello all! You were such a great help with the pre-booking of this trip, I wanted your advice again Below is the itinerary we have planned. So far we haven't had any luck with a place to lay or heads in Switzerland, any and all feedback is appreciated!

July 24th Arrive Paris
July 25th All day Paris
July 26th Morning Paris
Leave Paris
Arrive Lyon
Leave Lyon
Arrive NiceJuly 27th
Leave Nice
Arrive GeneveJuly 28th
Leave Geneve
Arrive BernJuly 29th
Leave Bern
Arrive ZurichJuly 30th
July 31st Arrive Munich
August 1st All day Munich
August 2nd All day Munich
August 3rd Leave Munich
August 3rd Arrive Frankfurt
August 4th 10:00am Go home

[Eagle]

sapl, your Itinerary looks fairly well organized, but I have a few comments and questions.

I was a bit surprised to see such a short time in Paris? As I recall, that was a city that was very important to you. If I were planning this, I'd probably adjust some of the other stops to allow more time in Paris. Keep in mind that you'll still be getting over jet lag, so you won't really be up to "touring speed", and it would be a shame to miss some of the great sites in Paris.

I wasn't sure what your intentions were regarding "Arrive Lyon / Leave Lyon"? Are you planning to stop there for a day trip, or spend one night there?

I was also a bit curious on the emphasis on cities in Switzerland? The majority of your trip will seemingly be spent in Geneva, Bern and Zurich, with no stops at all in the more scenic areas such as the Berner Oberland that's a big favourite of the group here (including me).

The time you have allotted for Munich looks good (although a bit longer is always nice), but be sure to plan your touring carefully. What were you planning to see in the Munich area?

Depending on what time your flight leaves from Frankfurt, you could perhaps arrive there on August 4th? There's a train station right at Frankfurt Airport, so transportation is very easy. You could perhaps stay in a nearby town (again depending on flight departure time)? I'd have to check the travel details, but some towns you could consider are St. Goar, Bacharach or Wurzburg.

Keep in mind that travel during July and August is going to be VERY busy, so careful planning and pre-booking of accommodations will be important.

When your Itinerary is more-or-less finalized, I'll try to offer some suggestions for lodgings in Switzerland.

Hopefully the rest of the group will have a few suggestions also.

Happy travels!

[sapl]

Hi Eagle! Thank you for your response!

I had to give a little in places on the itinerary, so only 2.5 days in Paris. We'll see. Overall we know where and when we fly in and out of Europe, so the rest is a see as we go kinda deal.

Yes for Lyon, as we need to find a sign for the place as its my last name

Switzerland was my travelling partners place he wanted to go, hence the emphasis. I heard there was a unpolluoted river in Bern that seemed nice to venture into!

In Munich, so far I know I want to see Mad Ludwigs "Schloss" and the concentration camp. Other than that biergartens!

We leave Frankfurt at 10:50 a.m. Is that enough time?

[Eagle]

sapl,

Thanks for the additional information; that clarifies things somewhat.

It's unfortunate that you won't be able to allot more time for Paris, as there is so much to see and do there! I'm heading there again at the end of May, and quite looking forward to being there again.

My impression is that you're planning to travel somewhat "spontaneously"? Given the time of year you'll be there, I'd suggest pre-booking accommodations or you may not have anywhere to "lay our heads"!

I gather the stops in Switzerland are somewhat "fixed" due to your travel partner's preferences? I'll try to offer some lodging suggestions shortly, when I have more time.

Regarding your trip to Munich and visits to Schloss Neuschwanstein and Dachau, were you planning to see both of those on your own or with a tour? Given the short time frame and the need to use your time as efficiently as possible, you might consider taking a guided day tour. I've used www.radiustours.com/ in the past (for both places) and would certainly reocmmend them. They have an office in the Munich train station and take care of all transportation arrangements as well as booking the Castle tours (which are provided by Castle staff, rather than other tour operators). They also have a very interesting Munich Walks tour and offer bike tours. Check the website for details and prices. Again, given the time of year you might consider pre-booking the tours if you decide to take them.

Good luck with your planning!

[sapl]

Eagle, you seriously are becoming one of my favorite people!!

I wish we had more time in Paris too, but I've been told that one day I will probably be back. Thats so exciting that you are going in May! You'll have to come back and let me know all about it!

We are travelling somewhat spontaneously. So far I have our hotels in Paris and Munich booked and now since we are three months away (to the day actually) we need to start planning further for accomodations - agreed!

Can you do both the castle and camp in the same day? I will check out that tour for sure. Any other links you have you can send my way you know

[Eagle]

sapl, yes, it is exciting to be going back to Paris. I find that when paying return visits to places I've been before is almost like "coming home" in a way. I feel comfortable right away, as all the landmarks, shops, etc. are so familiar. I found that with Munich when I returned there last spring. I'm sure I'll be learning an incredible amount about Paris on this trip, as I'll be on a tour and the Guides are incredibly knowledgeable. I'm sure the other stops in France will be interesting too! I've been busy this morning "brushing up" on my French (I can get by in Italian, but my French is weak).

Just curious, which Hotels have you booked in Paris and Munich?

It would be quite "challenging" to take the Neuschwanstein tour and Dachau tours on the same day, as they're in different directions to some extent. The Dachau tour is only about half a day, so that would leave time to return to Munich and spend some time around Marienplatz or other sites. The Neuschwanstein tour is a bit longer, due to the travel times to Fussen (via train and bus if you use Radius Tours). Some people prefer to visit those locations on their own rather than with a guided tour, but I felt the tour was good value and I learned far more about the history and significance of the sites than if I had gone on my own.

Yes, I agree it would be a good time to start booking further accommodations. I'll try and post a few suggestions later on today.

Cheers!

[sapl]

Hi Eagle, we have booked the Le Meridien in Paris and a Sheraton in Munich.

I checked out that link - it was great! Any more links for tours like that would be awesome

I am starting to rethink our itenerary because for example, in Munich, we only have three days and two would be spent on the above tours

Arg.....

[Eagle]

sapl, thanks for the additional information.

As you've booked the Le Meridien in Paris and Sheraton in Munich, it sounds like your travel budget is a bit more "generous" than mine!

Regarding the tours in Munich, the Neuschwanstein tour is about six hours or so, but that still leaves lots of time back in Munich for exploring the city. The Dachau tour is only about half a day or so, leaving more time for other sights. I suppose your Itinerary will depend on exactly what you want to see in that area? If you plan well, you should be able to see quite a lot. Is there any possibility of extending your time in Munich?

If you haven't booked Hotels in Switzerland yet, you might have a look at:

BERN -

www.nationalbern.ch

www.goldener-schluessel.ch/E/

ZURICH -

www.hotel-alexander.ch/?page=&lng=en

www.hotelbristol.ch/home_e.html

AFAIK, all of these Hotels are "independents", rather than being part of a chain. If you'd prefer a "chain hotel", check the applicable websites (Sheraton, Best Western, etc.). You might also have a look at www.ibishotel.com/hotel-directory/gb/europe/switzerland/switzerland-hotel.htm to see if these Hotels would be suitable.

GENEVA - check www.tripadvisor.com for listings. Incidentally, some travel experts have characterized Geneva as "dull", suggesting Lausanne as a more interesting alternative. Something to think about......

Cheers!

[WillTravel]

sapl, perhaps you booked those two hotels because you had Starwood points? For either Le Meridien in Paris (did you book Etoile or Montparnasse) you can take the Air France bus from CDG airport and it will drop you off right by the hotel. In Munich, the Sheraton is walking distance from the train station.

[sapl]

Eagle and WillTravel - it is all about the family rates! That is the only reason we are staying there (eating off dollar menu meals our whole trip for sure! ) Do we have to pre-book the Bus from CDG to Etoile? What if we didn't fly Air France?

Eagle, I think we have to book more time in Munich, there is so much to do! Thanks for the links, we are not partial to anything (except inexpensive ).

Again, all the help I am recieveing here, I truly hope to learn a lot when I am away to help someone else one day. You guys are awesome!

[WillTravel]

No, you don't have to prebook the bus and you don't have to take Air France.

[sapl]

WT - where do we pick it up?

[WillTravel]

sapl, I can't recall the airport well enough to say, but I found it even when I wasn't looking for it. It's called "Les Cars Air France", although they are buses.

[sapl]

Is it much more expensive than the subway?

[WillTravel]

Each adult ticket is about 16 or 17 Euros, depending which hotel. I think the RER is about 11 Euros. You'll have to check for the latest prices. So it's a bit more expensive, but in your case, it will take you right to the hotel without any changes, particularly if you are booked at Le Meridien Montparnasse.