pittsveggieburgher

Hello! My husband and I are planning our trip to Europe for mid June this year. We will be spending 2 weeks there and flying in and out of Paris. We have already booked 3 nights in an AirBnB in Montmarte but other than that, we could use some assistance. This is not our first trip to Europe but we are not seasoned experts either.

He would really like to go to Amsterdam for a few days and I'm up for anything. We purchased our tickets thinking that we would rent a car but are shying away from that idea now and considering taking trains. Our plane tickets are nonrefundable so it is what it is. I'm wondering if anybody has an idea of a perfect "loop" of travel that will take us from Paris, through other areas of France, Bruges, Amsterdam, and back down again.

Any and all suggestions are helpful and welcome.

Thank you!
A&D

michelhuebeli

First things first - fingers crossed about the AirBnB lodgings, Paris has outlawed all those that don't register and get approved and pay the fees and taxes etc. They are starting to clamp down.

It's not a question of either/or when it comes to renting a car. Amsterdam only makes sense by train, for sure, and Bruges and Antwerp etc.

But if you want to do a swing through Normandy for example, not on the major autoroute but on the secondary roads that take you through and closely past villages and such, on your own terms, finding lodgings wherever and whenever, then a car can be just great.

Example: We took the airport bus to Beauvais airport, rented a car there, and gallivanted as far as Mt. St. Michel where we had a house to ourselves for ten days. We criss-crossed the region, including Giverny (Monet!), Rouen, Bayeux, Sainte-Mère-Église where we began our D-Day Tour with the excellent www.ddaybattletours.com people, Mont St. Michel, and many points in between.

Never once drove on a toll road, and enjoyed it - the round-abouts alleviate the stopping at intersections, and the many towns and villages tempt you with boulangeries etc. and pretty old churches and such - just gorgeous.

With the internet and smart phones it is easy to book lodgings at short notice, or wing it - in small non-touristy towns there's always a hotel with an empty room.

FuryFluffy

As you said you wanted to do Paris, Amsterdam, Bruges, then you can do this loop:

Paris: 3 night
Brussels: 1 night
Ghent: 1 night + 1 day trip to Bruges
Antwerp: 1 night (the train from Gent to Amsterdam will likely pass by Antwerp, so why not)
Amsterdam: 3 nights
Rotterdam: 2 nights (You can do day trip to Kinderdijk)
Back to Paris: 1 nights
Facturing in the intercity train time and you'll have 14 nights.

That is, if you have full 14 days on ground. If not, you may cut out Rotterdam and Antwerp and it'll still do a fine loop.

FuryFluffy

Forgot to say, for those cities you don't need car. They are perfectly served by train, tram and subway.

pittsveggieburgher

These are incredibly helpful. I am so grateful for the advice and information. ❤. I'll speak with the hubs and come back with more questions.

joannyc

I would suggest putting all of your Paris nights at the end of your trip, saves time and a check in/check out. Go directly to Brussels if you pick that location which is ok for a night, especially if it is your first night.

I would spend 2 nights in Bruges. I like Ghent very much but prefer Bruges much more. And it is gorgeous at night after the day trippers leave. Do a day trip to Ghent. Very close by train.

janisj

I would also combine all your Paris nights together -- eliminates an extra unnecessary packing/unpacking. And unless you have pre-paid non refundable for some reason, seriously reconsider that airbnb . . . I'd book a hotel or Aparthotel like Citadines. Rentals are just fine in many/most European cities -- but most in Paris are illegal and they are cracking down.

pittsveggieburgher

Thanks again for the help! I really appreciate the advice about AirBnB... our rentor has the highest reviews on the site but perhaps I should do some research to ensure that it will be OK.

So now on to my *new* questions:
We are thinking of the following itinerary
1-3 Paris: 3 night
Bruges: 2 night
Amsterdam: 4 nights
Rotterdam/Kinderdijk: 1 nights
Departure flight from Paris is 6pm.

This leaves us with 2-3 more days. The following are things we are thinking of but again would like input: French countryside, French Riviera, or some part of Germany.

Final question, because we don't like to stick too closely to a schedule, would you recommend buying a rail pass, advanced tickets, or just go day-to-day?

WoinParis

French countryside, French Riviera, or some part of Germany.

French countryside : why not the Loire ? Close and nice.
Germany ? Add a few days to Aachen and the Rhine valley whilst in Rotterdam.

French Riviera : you lose at least half a day going there and half going back.

Btw, you are staying in MontmartRe znd you'll visit Brugge. (like Brucke in German : bridges)

StCirq

Having the highest reviews on "the site" means absolutely nothing in terms of the legality of the apartment.

Do not buy a rail pass. For long-distance/high-speed lines (like the TGV, Thalys), you will save a LOT by buying in advance (92 days for the TGV, longer I think for Thalys - the tickets get more and more expensive as your travel dates approach). Buying tickets day to day is the most expensive option. Regional trains are almost always the same price, no matter when tickets are purchased, and don't offer reservations.

PalenQ

Do not buy a rail pass>

Without knowing the full extent of your travels no one can say this BUT in two weeks unless traveling every other day on inter-city trains a pass would be hard to realize the benefits of.

Especially since going between Paris and Brussels and Amsterdam to Paris involves Thalys trains which charge pass holders IMO an obscenely high surcharge to use - about $35 or so plus using a day on a pass - and which St-Cirq points out have discounted tickets you can easily purchase if far enough in advance that are about as cheap as the surcharge alone!

If you were traveling in other countries but in France and Benelux it would be hard to realize economic benefits of a pass - and the only pass you would look at is the France-Benelux Pass - but booking early for long-distance trains is the way to go for your plans -like StCirq says regional trains with flat fares you buy as you go.

Anyway for lots on European trains check www.seat61.com - sage advice on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

suze

<This leaves us with 2-3 more days.>

Put those days in the places you have already decided on. This trip is only two weeks. You don't need more than 4 destinations especially since you have to be in Paris twice.

topeater

I agree with joannyc. Arrive in Paris and take the train to your next destination. I find immediately getting on a train restful and it really helps me get over jet lag. The other good reason to put your Paris days at the end is so you are not dragging luggage around your last day in Paris.

artsbabe

We found Rotterdam to be an easy day trip from Amsterdam. Obviously, we didn't see everything in Rotterdam, but doing it as a day trip is a viable option.

justineparis

Did you just give PAris three nights.. that's only 2 full days.. Paris , more than any other city on your list has so much to see and do.. it deserves more time. I have been to Amsterdam 4 times now.. and its 2-3 nights to me.. definitely swing a few mmore days at Paris.. there are like 100 daytrips you could do from paris too. !!

Kathie

Have you been to Paris before? If not, I'd add all of your "extra" days to Paris. We spent 10 days in Paris a couple of years ago and din't have time to do/see all of the things on our list.

I think 4 nights in Amsterdam is just fine. I am not a fan of Bruges, I think one night is plenty. It will give you to opportunity to see it without all of the day trippers.

Unless there is something special you want to do/see in Rotterdam/Kinderdijk, I'd cut that. Less (stops) is more (fun, fulfilling).

PalenQ

To me for the average first-time traveler four nights in Paris is about right - Paris can be tiring - lots of traffic and too many must sights. But just 2.5 days is too short.

Yes one could spend weeks there and be fine but I say visit more places and next time if you like Paris do a trip there.