Europe Trip

[MUMMYOF3]

Hi, we’re planning our first trip to Europe in March next year. Currently looking at 15 days trip to Italy, Switzerland & Paris.
However, my friend told me to omit Paris as it’s dirty and lots of pickpockets. Not worth to visit there. She suggested to travel to Germany and Netherland instead.

Anyone here could share with me your suggestions ? Also do we need to get a 15days euro rail pass for these 15days trip ?

[slmkhoo]

Hi, we’re planning our first trip to Europe in March next year. Currently looking at 15 days trip to Italy, Switzerland & Paris.
However, my friend told me to omit Paris as it’s dirty and lots of pickpockets. Not worth to visit there. She suggested to travel to Germany and Netherland instead.

Anyone here could share with me your suggestions ? Also do we need to get a 15days euro rail pass for these 15days trip ?

Paris has some lovely parts, but like most cities, some grubby parts. I wouldn't exclude it just because of some less-lovely parts. Lots of beautiful buildings, history, etc. With the current economic situation, the pickpockets are likely to be all over the place, not just Paris.

My family did a trip in 2012 (10 yrs ago! - but Europe doesn't change that fast) when my daughters were 13 and 15 yrs. We travelled by train: Paris-Lucerne-Venice-Florence-Rome (about 3 weeks) and had a great time. We didn't get any rail pass but just booked the tickets for each leg individually. It was quite a while ago, so you will need to do your own research about what's the best way to book.

[Toomuchlaundry]

Hi, we’re planning our first trip to Europe in March next year. Currently looking at 15 days trip to Italy, Switzerland & Paris.
However, my friend told me to omit Paris as it’s dirty and lots of pickpockets. Not worth to visit there. She suggested to travel to Germany and Netherland instead.

Anyone here could share with me your suggestions ? Also do we need to get a 15days euro rail pass for these 15days trip ?

You're so lucky! How I wish I didnt have an unvaxxed toddler at home!

I would be concerned about the crime rate in Italy during the pandemic, esp Rome and southern Italy, if you have kids. Paris is a little safer but for acquired tastes only, for eg if you are a Francophile or love Emily in Paris. Instead of splurging on a multi country EU pass, I would hire a car and go straight for the French Riviera and get a Switzerland rail pass. Berlin and Amsterdam are very charming as well.

[floppy]

…
but Europe doesn't change that fast) when my daughters were 13 and 15 yrs.
…

The Ukrainians and Eastern Europeans would probably disagree… but generally, that’s true for Western Europe (unless Putin decides to send over some love tomorrow)

[floppy]

Hi, we’re planning our first trip to Europe in March next year. Currently looking at 15 days trip to Italy, Switzerland & Paris.
However, my friend told me to omit Paris as it’s dirty and lots of pickpockets. Not worth to visit there. She suggested to travel to Germany and Netherland instead.

Anyone here could share with me your suggestions ? Also do we need to get a 15days euro rail pass for these 15days trip ?

My suggestion would be to consider the beginning and the ending point, then join the two dots together and viola!

On that note, IT - CH - FR is going to be a relatively tall order for 2 weeks unless you are only interested in ticking off all the main places of interests and be constantly on the move.

An easier 2 weeks itinerary would be NL - BE - FR (relatively flatter and a straight line) or if you really like where you wanna go initially, stick to either IT - CH or CH - FR in two weeks.

[Zeal mummy]

Hi, we’re planning our first trip to Europe in March next year. Currently looking at 15 days trip to Italy, Switzerland & Paris.
However, my friend told me to omit Paris as it’s dirty and lots of pickpockets. Not worth to visit there. She suggested to travel to Germany and Netherland instead.

Anyone here could share with me your suggestions ? Also do we need to get a 15days euro rail pass for these 15days trip ?

I wouldn’t skip Paris if I were you, especially since it’s your first trip to Europe. Go up the Eiffel Tower, take a cruise along the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River, visit the Louvre museum, splurge on a Paris Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show with Champagne, tour the Palace of Versailles if you’re a history buff. We took the hop-on and hop-off big bus while in the city. Oh, buy a few LV bags? Haha. 2 days will be good enough.

Then we drove around to other cities.. (rental car). Germany is nice too, Berlin wall and many historical sites. Are you both adults only or with young children?

[floppy]

I wouldn’t skip Paris if I were you, especially since it’s your first trip to Europe. Go up the Eiffel Tower, take a cruise along the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River, visit the Louvre museum, splurge on a Paris Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show with Champagne, tour the Palace of Versailles if you’re a history buff. We took the hop-on and hop-off big bus while in the city. Oh, buy a few LV bags? Haha. 2 days will be good enough.
...

Based on what you quoted, that's a little bit more than 2 days already

- Louvre + Musee d'Orsay is easily a whole day (even for non-museum, non-art lovers).
- Palace of Versailles + Gardens is likely a day trip.
- Strolling down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees from Place du Carrousel to Arc de Triomphe (assuming you don't get struck in one of the branded shops) + cruising / strolling down the Seine River + Eiffel Tower + Trocadero Gardens is going to take you another day.
- If you consider other landmarks like the Pantheon (probably covered by the hop-on-hop-off bus?), and getting lost in some of the arrondissements, or somewhere different (weird?) like the Pere Lachaise Cemetery and Catacombs of Paris, or Disneyland Paris for the young-at-heart, you can easily add another day or two.

Paris maybe grey, supposedly full of pickpockets (I was warned to stay away from the gypsies) and dirty (IMHO anywhere compared to Singapore is dirty), I still wouldn't skip it if I am given a chance to order a kopi-o-gao-kosong at one of its many cafes.

[Zeal mummy]

Oh, I meant for her to pick and choose from this list …what she would like to see base on her interests. I didn’t think she would do everything I’ve done or recommended.. (as such, 2 days) oh, Arc de Triomphe too! I love the city and yes she should not miss any of these lovely places.

We are on the same page with regards to pickpockets, “dirty” environment and cafes! It’s such an awesome roadside cafe experience. And don’t buy their overpriced souvenirs!

[Estéema]

I backpacked Europe in the 90s. Took a train fr Frankfurt to Paris. I rmbr arriving late in the evening & met a tall policeman whom gave me direction to my hotel.

The next day I spent a casual day sightseeing & went to a nice chinese restaurant within my area. As I was walking back, I was approached by a short stubby guy “asking for directions to Champs-Elysées”. Even before I cld respond ano short stubby guy came along shouting “police, check drugs, drugs” & demanding check passport, etc and all the drama. Instinctively, my mind flashed memory of the tall, handsome policeman & I knew in my heart French Police ain’t 矮冬瓜, so I switched to Mandarin & gave him a hard time till both gave up & I bravely signal to them to follow me, intending to bring them to my newly found frds at the Chinese restaurant. They didn’t follow & I was so relieved.

My advised wld be to stay alert at all times, travel inconspicuously and if u can avoid the ‘holiday style’ of dressing & blend in with local type of dressing. Just be extra careful with yr passport. Singaporean passport hv one of the highest access around the world & ‘highly sought after’ by thugs everywhere. Btw, u’ll usually meet the Italians thugs or some Eastern European ones. Now u know how I cld switch instinctively ‘not cooperating even the guy said he was ‘police’? (Guess God was protecting me, sending me a French policeman on my arrival night as a beacon)

[ChiefKiasu]

Hmm... I've never been to Europe or Britain. No real urge either Most of my time was spent in north America and Asia. But I've been "jogging" virtually around the Eiffel tower on video. It's nice.