5 days ending in Basel

[Anonymous]

If we were gojng go do a river cruise out of Basel in July with teens, how would you spend 4/5 days prior to that? Fly to Paris and train from there? Anyplace between to stop?
Fly to Zurich and see the Bernese oberland?

We’ve been to Paris but only for a day trip so didn’t see much except the big highlights, and have never been to Switzerland. Have never been anyplace else in France. (This makes us sound like total rubes but we’ve been to other European countries and lots of Latin American ones — just never Switzerland or really France!). We speak no French or German, if that matters at all.

If we could get a non stop daytime flight that would be a major advantage but I think it’s all red eyes to Europe now, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we were gojng go do a river cruise out of Basel in July with teens, how would you spend 4/5 days prior to that? Fly to Paris and train from there? Anyplace between to stop?
Fly to Zurich and see the Bernese oberland?

We’ve been to Paris but only for a day trip so didn’t see much except the big highlights, and have never been to Switzerland. Have never been anyplace else in France. (This makes us sound like total rubes but we’ve been to other European countries and lots of Latin American ones — just never Switzerland or really France!). We speak no French or German, if that matters at all.

If we could get a non stop daytime flight that would be a major advantage but I think it’s all red eyes to Europe now, right?

Interested to hear more about the river cruise- my understanding is that those are primarily aimed at retirees, wondering how your teens will like it. But no of course you aren't rubes if you haven't been to Switzerland or France before!

The only daytime flights now are from New York or Boston to London, and they arrive too late to get connections anywhere, so you would have to stay at least the night in London and fly to wherever the next morning anyway.

Personally I would fly nonstop to Zurich, train to Bernese Oberland (just over 2 hours from Zurich Airport to Interlaken), spend 4-5 days exploring the area, then it's very easy 2 hour train ride from Interlaken to Basel.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure you know, but Switzerland food is $$$. That part alone made it not as enjoyable for us. It was triple what meals cost here in DC. Paris was lovely when I went recently.

[Anonymous]

Fly into Zurich and do Berner Oberland. The area is gorgeous, 4 days is the right amount of time. Basel, particularly the old town, is also quite lovely! You can go swimming in the river, lots of great museums, go to the Vitra factory on the outskirts of town (in Germany).

[Anonymous]

What European countries could you possibly have been to but never France or Switzerland?! Truly curious.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for the BO area. Just stay in Wengen and do all the things. It will be divine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What European countries could you possibly have been to but never France or Switzerland?! Truly curious.

Me? Spain, Portugal, England, Ireland, Italy, Ukraine, Russia, Latvia. Kids haven’t been to all of those though. I’m actually part Swiss but never been. We have been to France but only to Paris and that very briefly.

For Pp that asked about river cruise, I’m looking at the disney adventure one (they basically contract an AMA boat. I think) so that there will be more teen type stuff.

[Anonymous]

You went to Russia? Ugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You went to Russia? Ugh.

During the Yeltsin years. I am very anti Putin and wouldn’t go there since he came to power.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You went to Russia? Ugh.

During the Yeltsin years. I am very anti Putin and wouldn’t go there since he came to power.

But you’ll go to Switzerland, the places that houses all the Russian money? Gross OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You went to Russia? Ugh.

During the Yeltsin years. I am very anti Putin and wouldn’t go there since he came to power.

But you’ll go to Switzerland, the places that houses all the Russian money? Gross OP.

You go by the White House, the place that houses all the Russian assets? Ew.

OP you could save some money and fly to Geneva but go to places in the French Alps, food and accommodations will be cheaper than in Switzerland. Rent a car on the French side of the airport to save money.