Europe week 2, what to do?
 

So, I've almost convinced my wife to go hiking in Switzerland this summer.

Switzerland hiking

I have no interest in flying that far and staying a single week, She isn't interested in hiking 2 weeks straight. Suggestions? Paris or Rome seem doable. Something else I'm not thinking of? I'll be flying into Zurich or Geneva.

Well, it's about 3 hours on the train from Geneva to Paris. You also border on Italy, Germany and Austria. There's certainly no lack of things to do or places to see, but it depends on what your mutual likes are. Museums? Architecture? Shows? Cathedrals? Food? It's all readily at hand but you know, everyone has different tastes.

You are pretty much in the centre of things in Geneva.

After a week of hiking you should treat your wife to a fancy hotel and spa. If you are not into the big city you can find all kinds of great places that are off the beaten path that offer great food, luxurious settings and plenty of time to unwind.

when exactly are you thinking about doing this?

Ooh, how about the Italian lake country NNW of Milan? Lago Maggiore, D'Orta, Como, etc.

First week of August. I'm leaning toward 3-4 days in Zermatt with the remainder in Paris.

yeah--paris in early august can be kinda grim because the it during the vacation period (mid-july through september 1)--so while the cty runs, it does so on a skeleton crew basis. if you haven't been before, i would still do it as the main tourism objectives are all open etc...but the city itself is kinda empty. my viewpoint on this is shaped by having spent alot of time there, so it may not apply if this will be your first time through.

if you go to paris, check out the ossuary at denfert-rochereau (metro stop)

http://triggur.org/cata/entry2.html

i am a big fan of the sewer museum:

http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/a...ers-museum.htm

there's frequently cool stuff to look at here:

http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompido...enDocument&L=1

and you should go to the batofar, the dub tugboat:

http://www.batofar.org/events.php

but i think instants chavires--which is my favorite parisclub--is closed for august. you can check here:

http://www.instantschavires.com/

Agree with Roachboy. Paris in August can be hot and deserted. Not what most of us have in mind when we think about visiting the City of Lights. If you are flush with cash, head for a beach in the Southwest of France or the South of Italy. Or if you aren't a beach person, consider Stockholm or Oslo. With 22 hours of daylight, you can get a lot done...

IMHO, don't spend more that a few hours in Geneva.