where to go around Germany/Switzerland

[maggie]

I'm traveling to Europe with a couple of friends for 2 weeks in January. We're flying into Frankfurt and plan on spending a couple days in Zurich. Other than that we don't know where we're going - maybe Paris, Prague, Munich? Can anyone please offer some advice on which cities to go to and how long to spend in each one? We'd like to see as much as possible but don't want to spend our whole trip on trains.

Thanks!

[me]

Hi, Maggie!

Zürich is a rather boring place to go in January. the interesting things there, to me, are outdoors. the architecture of old buildings, and the beautiful lake next to an urban setting.

as a Texan, i'm not a huge fan of cold. so, for a January trip i'd suggest going South. Italy & Spain/Portugal are options.

but, if you want to stick to that Central/South German area, plus Switzerland, i'd suggest going to Mainz when you land. [Mainz station is almost as close to the Frankfurt airport as Frankfurt station, 20 min vs. 14 min]

there are some interesting places in Mainz. the Gutenberg museum might appeal, if the origins of the enlightenment interest you. (Gutenberg invented movable type. arguably the most important development leading to popular literacy.)

from Frankfurt/Mainz area, you could go Southwest to Strasbourg, get a taste of France. [although Strasbourg's culture is heavily influenced by Germany] from there, check out some of the Black Forest. Freiburg is a nice town. if you go in the beginning of January, the Xmas decorations will still be up.

perhaps go to the historically important city Konstanz, on the Bodensee before going to Zürich.

another option would be to go Southeast from Frankfurt/Mainz area. check out Munich. there's lots to see in Munich.

there're some ideas from David. happy planning!

- d

[herrbert]

As you can imagine there is plenty to do in Berlin. There are a lot of cheap-flights available to reach Berlin, from other places in Germany (Check: hlx.com, airberlin and germanwings).

But there are also cheap flights enough to cover a flight to a place a little warmer, from Munich you can get a cheap flight to Venice. (by Hlx.com) You can easily spend 1-2 days there (and maybe even travel on to Florence of Rome).

There are a lot of places to see. If you tell us what you are looking for (ancient cities/castles/history/arts/modern places/mountains), it is easier to to give you an advise.

[madamtrashheap]

herrbert said:

a place a little warmer, from Munich you can get a cheap flight to Venice.

Every time I go to Venice in Winter I marvel at how freezing it is! Yes, I know Munich can be super-freezing, but Venice is a cold place to be too. Although I much prefer it in Winter than in Summer. At any rate, it's Winter in January in Europe so let's not look for places that are warm, rather at places that will be gorgeous in Winter and be worth a visit.

David's suggestions of the Black Forest (Trier is my favourite, but there are plenty to choose from) and Munich are good ones. As is the suggestion of Berlin from Herrbert. Switzerland has far prettier places to choose from than Zurich - look at Luzern or Bern.

A sample itinerary might be:
Frankfurt - train to Luzern (depending on what time you land, otherwise one night Franfurt/Mainz/Black Forest)
Luzern (2 nights)
overnight train to Venice
Venice (2 nights)
overnight train to Munich or fly - whatever suits you best (cost and time factors)
Munich (3 nights, allows for day trips)
fly Munich to Prague
Prague (3 nights)
train Prague to Berlin
Berlin (3 nights)
fly or train Berlin to Frankfurt

The above assumes you have to get back to Frankfurt and doesn't really allow for jet lag recovery (snooze on the train). Are you flying into and out of Frankfurt, or do you have an open jaw ticket to fly out of another city? This will help in determining a good itinerary/route for you and perhaps fitting in another city.