We are looking at the following 4 tours for our 2010 vacations.

1) Best of Greece
2) Best of Switzerland
3) Wonderful France
4) Sound of Music (Austria)

We went on the Italian Concerto Tour in 2008 and absolutely loved it. I badly want to get back to Italy.
However, I want to see other areas as well. We like scenery, history and photography.

We have vacation in mid May 2010.

Particular questions.

1) Is May too early to go Austria or Switzerland-weather wise? I want spring, not an alpine winter.
2) On the Sound of Music tour, do you get to see much of the Alps? I see pictures on the interot of Vienna and Salzburg and the area looks somewhat flat. I definately want to see the Alps, and I don't know what you see on this tour.
3) I never have a great desire to go to France (Italy as a matter of fact before 2008). But I hear great things about France. This tour focuses on Southern France. How is Southern France from the scenery and history side?

General comments welcomed on all tours. As usual, thank you.

Hi WallynDiane,

I have been to Vienna and yes you are correct there are no mountains in this area of Austria. Salzburg and Innsbruck have mountains but they are not as high as in Switzerland. Bavaria is beautiful but the mountains are not high so if you want to see specifically mountains, then Switzerland is the best place to visit.

I have not been to Switzerland in May only in late June and the weather was perfect then. I am sure others will tell you about the weather in May.

France is my favourite country! The South of France has very interesting history as it was part of Roman Gaul and there are many remains of Roman buildings. You see one of the most famous of all the Pont du Gard. There are medieval villages on this tour and France has beautifuly preserved villages. You also spend time on the cote d'Azur, which is very beautiful.

Choosing a tour is difficult, so all the best with deciding

Been awhile since I was in Innsbruck. There are some mountains there but I don't remember it being in the heart of the Alps. Switzerland is the place to see the Alps. Vienna is too far away.

I just did the Best of Greece with 7 day cruise. Highly recommend it...and May is an awesome time to go. Not too hot.

I did the Bohemian Highlights last June which included the stop in Vienna. For the two weeks before I visited, the whole area was sunny and in the 20s. For more than half the time I was on the tour, it poured and poured and poured with temps in the teens. So, the climate in May can be as variable but I wouldn't call it Alpine in Switzerland. I would be taking a fleece along for the evenings though.

I was on the European Marvel last year in April. We visited Austria, Switzerland, Germany and France. The weather was perfect. Cool but not freezing. Very comfortable for walking. Some days were warm enough to take off the jacket or coat. I would recommand April-May for any tour of Europe. The Alps were covered with snow and when we took the cable car up to the top of the mountain, it was cold but so perfect like a postcard.

We were in Austria and Switzerland in May 2008 and the weather was perfect. We were very lucky though and of course there is no way of predicitng what you will get. I have photos from the window of my hotel in Innsbruck- looking out onto some amazing mountains. When standing in the old town the place is framed by mountains. Southern France is one of my favourite parts of the world- and I would be amongst a majority on this board by saying that. It is very beautiful and the little villages you visit are breathtaking. If you get to do a trip up the three corniches it will remain as a travel highlight in your mind for a very long time.

quote:

Originally posted by WallynDiane:
Is May too early to go Austria or Switzerland-weather wise? I want spring, not an alpine winter.

Hi WallynDiane

Whilst generally speaking late May will probably be OK to visit Switzerland you should be aware that the mountain passes are often closed with snow until early May (and sometimes later).

We had been to Switzerland a number of times and on our 2007 visit we deliberately chose late May on the basis that the passes should be open by early to mid May.

Unfortunately there had been late heavy snow falls and every day was a risk to get through the passes



and in Zermatt we did not see the Matterhorn at all on this visit because it was snowing while we were there.



Others will have travelled to Switzerland in May and had glorious weather. Just be aware that early may can be risky.

If you are interested my trip report can be found at Switzerland 26 May to 9 June 2007.

You can find some of my Switzerland photo here:

Switzerland Photos 1

Switzerland Photos 2

Switzerland Photos 3

I am sure you will have a fantastic trip because Switzerland truly is a beautiful country to visit.

One advantage of traveling in late May, is because that is the "shoulder" of tour time for many and there tend to be fewer tourists. July and August tend to be the time when many Americans take their holidays and that is why there are bigger crowds during that time.

We try to holiday in Europe in May or October, that is also when schools are in session here in the U.S.

I did the French Escapade tour and I would have no problem recommending it! The south of France is GORGEOUS and even though I thought Paris could never live up to the hype... it did!!

WallynDiane,
My daughter and I did the Best of Greece w/4 day cruise in May of 2008 and The Sound of Music the previous August 2007. May is a great time to be in Greece, the weather is just warm enough but not too hot. The cruise was fabulous and we had smooth sailing. I would love to go to the Greek Isles again. You can read my tour tale on the Best of Greece and the Sound of Music in the Tour Tale Section under where are all the tour tales.

Our tour of Austria in August was good too. I haven't been to that area in May only July or August but the weather at that time could be good or it could be rainy. But it is still warm when the sun is out. We loved that tour and we did see some of the Alps when we went to the Eagle's Nest. Also we drove through some beautiful scenery and tunnels through mountains going from Salzburg to Innsbruck and Innsbruck to Munich. Bavaria is a beautiful part of the country and very worth seeing. But I don't think I would want to do it in May, June might be better.

We did Greece last year at the beginning of May. The weather was gorgeous. It was perfect. A light jacket in mornings since it was still a little chilly.