London, England
This was our third trip to London; and this time our family came with us.

If you purchase a flight through a vacation package chances are you will be flying into London Gatwick Airport. Most business travelers will fly into London Heathrow.

From London Gatwick Airport, the city center can be reached fastest by the Gatwick Express. There are cheaper, slower trains, but after a long flight, you just want to get to the hotel fast.

The Gatwick Express drops you off at Victoria Station. From here, you can buy Underground tickets, grab a quick bite to eat, and pick up toiletries and other neccessities (The Underground is what they call the subway).

We recommend an unlimited Underground week pass for zone 1. Most, if not all of London's major attractions are in zone 1.

The Thistle Kensington Gardens Hotel is a good base of operations. It is near an Underground station and a gas station is just outside. But, I would first try the other hotels we have stayed at in London.

More London travel tips under 2005 and 2003.

Paris, France
A great excursion from London is Paris. The high-speed Eurostar rail service departs from Waterloo Station in London and arrives 3 hours later at Gard du Nord in Paris. For the best prices, buy your tickets over the internet well in advance.

Britian Shrinkers offers escorted package tours from London to Paris and Brussels. Its very expensive, but its comes complete with Eurostar tickets, tour guide, and attraction tickets.

The Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center is a business traveler hotel. Its modern, in a nice neighborhood, and on a Metro line. Don't eat in the hotel resturant. Remember you are in Paris. There is no such thing as a bad meal here. Try the resturaunt across the street.

The Metro, Paris' subway system is safe and clean. It is also very confusing. Study the map carefully and note the stops just before and after your stop.

There are thousands of websites that describe the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and Arch de Triumph so I won't mention any of it here.

The Denfert-Rochereau Ossuary is one of those attractions that you will not find in most package tours. Situated in the Paris Catacombs is a mile long, underground self guided tour of one of Paris' best kept secrets.

It's not easy to find, but here are some good directions, "Take the M�tro to Denfert-Rochereau, then find the lion in the big traffic circle; if he looked left rather than right, he'd stare right at the green entrance to the Catacombs." (source - www.ricksteves.com). Take note, the stairs down and back up is equivalent to a 10 story building. A flashlight can be handy.

Zurich, Switzerland
Like most of our trips, this was a last minute find. American Airlines had a sale on a new route from Dallas to Zurich, Switzerland via New York. The only catch is the transfer in New York From La Guardia (primarily domestic) to JFK (primarily international).

New York Airport Service is an affordable shuttle between the airports with regular service. Don't waste money on a taxi. Taxis and shuttles all move at the same speed. Allow a few hours for your connection.

Zurich Airport
SBB(Switzerland's national railway)

Zurich is the financial capital of Switzerland and like Frankfurt, Germany or even Cleveland, Ohio there is only enough to keep you entertained for a day.

One of the great shopping avenues of the world is just outside the Zurich train station but if you have been to Chicago's Magnificent Mile, New York's 5th Avenue, or Paris' Champs-Elys�es, don't bother. Its pretty much the exact same thing.

Walhalla Hotel is a moderately priced hotel across the street from the main trainstation.

If you are staying for a few days, we recommend the Swiss Flexipass. You can travel any 3 days within a month and get discounts on mountain rail service.

There are 3 languages used in Switzerland: French, Italian, and SwissDeutch (a German slang); but don't worry like most of Europe everyone can speak English.

Luzern (Lucerne), Switzerland
Luzern is a medium sized city about an hour south of Zurich. This town blends the best of small town charm and big city amenities. Be warned, this is a popular tourist stop so it may feel like Disney World at first. I promise you, the mountains in the background are not made of fiberglass.

Hotel Goldener Stern is an affordable hotel a short walk from the main train station.

If you are there during the weekend, stroll the farmer's market. Resturants in Switzerland are expensive so take advantage of the affordable and locally produced, sausage, breads, cheeses, and fruit. (Don't ask for Swiss cheese. You are in Switzerland, its all Swiss cheese).

A great introduction to Switzerland's mountains is Mt. Pilatus. Its not the highest and its not the prettiest in Switzerland but it is better than what most of us Americans are used to. Visit here before visiting the Alps in Interlaken.

We recommend the Golden Round Trip. Starting in Luzern, travel by boat to Alpnachstad, then by the world's steepest cogwheel train to the top of Mt. Pilatus. Take a walk around the summit and soak in the views. On the way down take the gondola to Fr�km�ntegg. Stop and try the Switzerland's longest summer toboggan run. Decend further by cable car to Kriens and then by bus back to Luzern.

Interlaken, Switzerland
I have seen majestic deserts, I have seen aqua blue tropical waters, I have seen romantic medieval towns. But to me, nothing is more picturesque than the mountains above Interlaken.

Interlaken is a medium sized tourist town a couple hours Southwest of Luzern and a great base of operation for high alpine adventures. All roads and trains into the Swiss Alps start in Interlaken.

Due to its popularity with extreme sports and relaxed marijuana use laws there is a Gen-Y feel to the town; complete with a Hooter's and McDonald's. Ignore all that and focus on the mountains.

Hotel Lotschberg is a great essentials only hotel a couple blocks from the west train station and the Migros grocery store. The owner Fritz, is always glad to offer some sightseeing advice.

To save a few francs buy some picnic items at the Migros and eat on the hotel's sun terrace and soak in the mountain views.

For another type of high, try Twin Paragliding. Their highly experienced team of paragliders offer breathtaking tandem flights over the valley. You won't be disappointed.

The defining Swiss Alp experience is an excursion on the Jungfraujoch. The 3 hour train ride to the summit of the Jungfrau is jam packed with unblieveble views. At the top, see ice, snow, and glaciers; even in the middle of summer. It is expensive, but if you only do one thing in in Interlaken, this should be it.