Where to spend 4 days in a mid-sized or large city, departing from Switzerland?

Hi everyone,

We’re planning this *very* last-minute—I know! But we’d love to spend 4 days soon (within the next 10–12 days) on a city getaway with our young adult kids. Ideally by train, and for this short trip, we’d prefer not to spend more than 4–6 hours in transit, leaving from Lausanne (Switzerland). We’ve been considering Milan, Strasbourg, or Freiburg im Breisgau, but I’ll admit I’m feeling a bit lost...

Venice was our original plan, but the connection changes in Domodossola or Milan are making the travel time longer this year.

It’s peak summer, so there’ll be tourists and it’ll likely be hot, but oh well...

Any suggestions? We love wandering around, taking photos, exploring cities on foot, trying out restaurants, and keeping things low-key.

Thanks to anyone who wants to chime in! :o)

Hi, Have you considered Lyon? Reading your post, it’s the first city that came to mind. I think Lyon has everything you’re looking for! 😛

Hello Lescaribous,

Thanks for your suggestion. Lyon is a beautiful city, that’s true, but I already know it (given how close it is to Switzerland, it’s kind of inevitable). I was looking for a city I’ve never been to. So I’ll cross Paris off the list too ;o).

Have a great Sunday (and if you have another idea..., don’t hesitate!)

Happy Sunday (and if you have another idea..., don't hesitate)

Do you prefer heritage cities? I’d recommend heading to Eastern Europe. Alternatively, there’s Lake Maggiore in Italy, but it won’t feel much different from Lake Geneva 😛 Milan’s nice, but it’s definitely *very* hot in the summer—I nearly got heatstroke the last time I was there.

Sorry about the sunstroke 😕 Matthews,

Eastern Europe would be a big yes, but too many train hours for Prague, Vienna, Budapest... (if we’d planned *way* ahead, the overnight train could’ve been an option, but obviously zero seats left now). And we don’t want to take a flight, which makes the search a little "tricky."

Lake Maggiore is gorgeous, but honestly less "exotic" compared to where we live. Also, just to clarify, Lake Maggiore straddles Switzerland and Italy—leave us the northern bit :o).

Thanks for your reply !

Hi there, Have you considered Strasbourg? I’d also suggest Colmar—it’s smaller, but so much prettier! !

Hello, Alsace is a great idea, but it can get very hot there in the summer. Colmar is a really pretty town, while Strasbourg is larger, more diverse, and more "grand". You should compare based on your preferences.

Hi Djalma,

Yes, Colmar looks really charming—I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks! !

Hi Gaura,

Where isn’t it (too) hot in the summer... 😕? We’d love to go in May/June or September/October, but my "workplace" closes for 3 weeks right in the middle of summer...

Strasbourg and Colmar could be combined. I’m also considering them, thanks! !