4 days to kill between Paris & Amsterdam
Feb 1st, 2014, 09:53 PM
#1
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4 days to kill between Paris & Amsterdam
Greetings!
I am planning a trip with my girlfriend that has never been to Europe. I have been many times all over western EU, but mainly the big cities and highlights.
We are starting in London, then off to Paris, and ending in on a houseboat in Amsterdam for my big 40th bday. All of which I have done before.
But we do have 4 days to kill between Paris and Amsterdam. I would like to do something new / different. Either as day trips, or as a point to point to point type travel. And seeing as how we are already hitting the big cities, I am open to different / unique ideas. I did a day trip to Epernay from Paris on my last visit, and loved it.
My GF seems to want to see Germany. so maybe some western Germany / Rhine adventures? I have never seen Luxembourg or Bruges....
Bonus points for keeping it inexpensive! we love deals!
What are your suggestions? Thanks in advance!!
I am planning a trip with my girlfriend that has never been to Europe. I have been many times all over western EU, but mainly the big cities and highlights.
We are starting in London, then off to Paris, and ending in on a houseboat in Amsterdam for my big 40th bday. All of which I have done before.
But we do have 4 days to kill between Paris and Amsterdam. I would like to do something new / different. Either as day trips, or as a point to point to point type travel. And seeing as how we are already hitting the big cities, I am open to different / unique ideas. I did a day trip to Epernay from Paris on my last visit, and loved it.
My GF seems to want to see Germany. so maybe some western Germany / Rhine adventures? I have never seen Luxembourg or Bruges....
Bonus points for keeping it inexpensive! we love deals!
What are your suggestions? Thanks in advance!!
Feb 1st, 2014, 11:00 PM
#3
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I would have to say, go to Bruges. We have traveled to many places in Europe and loved them all...but Bruges has a special place in my heart. To me, I cannot imagine your girlfriend wouldn't think it is so romantic and special. We probably would have never gone there unless my sister in law married someone in Amsterdam and we visited Antwerp. We were then traveling to Normandy, Monte St. Michele, and Paris. I don't think you can go wrong here. Bruges, quaint and unique! Have a great trip and happy birthday!
Feb 2nd, 2014, 02:52 AM
#5
jazzcali - a bit off topic, but i'm sure that if the OP hasn't heard of Sacre Coeur [which is in Paris itself of course] he will appreciate your tip.
thrill of adventure, my first question is how you are thinking of travelling? you could of course just hire a car and set off in the direction of amsterdam; with just two of you, you would probably have no trouble finding places to stay, so long as you didn't want to spend your time in the middle of cities. you could look at Reims and the champagne region, the Ardennes, the area of Holland around Maastricht, etc, etc.
if, OTOH you want to use the trains, then it's a matter of where you can go most easily and with least cost, I suppose. For cross border timetables, you can't go far wrong with bahn.de [there's an english version too]. I looked up the trains to Brugge for example [aka Bruges] and found that you can be there in about 3 hours from Paris, with one change. or if you fancy the Rhein, you cna get to Bingen in about 6 hours.
I can't help you with any special events that are on at that time, but our old friend google might be able to.
have a great trip!
thrill of adventure, my first question is how you are thinking of travelling? you could of course just hire a car and set off in the direction of amsterdam; with just two of you, you would probably have no trouble finding places to stay, so long as you didn't want to spend your time in the middle of cities. you could look at Reims and the champagne region, the Ardennes, the area of Holland around Maastricht, etc, etc.
if, OTOH you want to use the trains, then it's a matter of where you can go most easily and with least cost, I suppose. For cross border timetables, you can't go far wrong with bahn.de [there's an english version too]. I looked up the trains to Brugge for example [aka Bruges] and found that you can be there in about 3 hours from Paris, with one change. or if you fancy the Rhein, you cna get to Bingen in about 6 hours.
I can't help you with any special events that are on at that time, but our old friend google might be able to.
have a great trip!
Feb 2nd, 2014, 03:44 AM
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Annhig, thanks for putting me on the right track. Let me revise my answer. 
To complete your advice, I completely agree with stopping by mid-way in the Champagne Ardenne region. Unfortunately, not many people know this region as it is really worth the visit.
Reims would be nice for the winery visit.
The largest castle of Europe is in the Ardennes - in Sedan. It's a must-see. Also there are great hiking place in the forest where the view is stunning.
Renting a car, would be more certainly more convenient as the road is beautiful and calm as soon as you get out of the Paris area.
To complete your advice, I completely agree with stopping by mid-way in the Champagne Ardenne region. Unfortunately, not many people know this region as it is really worth the visit.
Reims would be nice for the winery visit.
The largest castle of Europe is in the Ardennes - in Sedan. It's a must-see. Also there are great hiking place in the forest where the view is stunning.
Renting a car, would be more certainly more convenient as the road is beautiful and calm as soon as you get out of the Paris area.
Feb 2nd, 2014, 04:56 AM
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The Ardennes or Eiffel would be completely different. Or the Mosel. In fact you could combine them. Certainly the Eiffel and Mosel would work.
A car would be useful for any of those.
A Fodor's favourite on the Mosel, and one I can recommend, is www.hotel-haus-lipmann.com .The more nights you stay the cheaper it is. The set evening meals there are good, and not expensive.
A car would be useful for any of those.
A Fodor's favourite on the Mosel, and one I can recommend, is www.hotel-haus-lipmann.com .The more nights you stay the cheaper it is. The set evening meals there are good, and not expensive.
Feb 2nd, 2014, 10:48 AM
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Thank you for the replies!
^^"Please don't kill time; savor it."
Great quote. I will remember that!
Annhig - we would prefer train travel. high speed trains if possible. I would not enjoy anything more than 4 hours personally.
I do like the idea of a winery visit.
^^"Please don't kill time; savor it."
Great quote. I will remember that!
Annhig - we would prefer train travel. high speed trains if possible. I would not enjoy anything more than 4 hours personally.
I do like the idea of a winery visit.
Feb 2nd, 2014, 11:23 AM
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Well, if you take the Thalys - Paris is about 3 hours 15 minutes away from Amsterdam.
Reims is by TGV only about 45 minutes away with very frequent trains.
Sedan is about 1h45 minutes from Paris by TGV.
Thalys leaves only from Paris with a few stops in Belgium (Brussels & Anvers).
I am not sure about the option to go from the Ardennes to the Netherlands other than from Paris. I can't be of any help on this one but just check the SNCF website
@annhig : My pleasure. I take this platform as a contributing, helpful and positive place to share our knowledge with people who have positive mind of set like ourselves.
Reims is by TGV only about 45 minutes away with very frequent trains.
Sedan is about 1h45 minutes from Paris by TGV.
Thalys leaves only from Paris with a few stops in Belgium (Brussels & Anvers).
I am not sure about the option to go from the Ardennes to the Netherlands other than from Paris. I can't be of any help on this one but just check the SNCF website
@annhig : My pleasure. I take this platform as a contributing, helpful and positive place to share our knowledge with people who have positive mind of set like ourselves.
Feb 2nd, 2014, 11:24 AM
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If your girlfriend wants to see Germany, I suggest that you go to Trier and spend a few days traveling along the Mosel. It's a fairly long trip from Trier to Amsterdam, but you could break the journey with a night in Cologne. Both are great cities. Trier has some great Roman remains, and the Mosel valley is truly beautiful.
We traveled by boat part of the way. We took a train the rest of the way to the Rhine, then a Rhine river boat to Koblenz, and got a train from there to Rotterdam, where we lived at the time. To be honest, I thought the Mosel was more scenic than the Rhine.
We traveled by boat part of the way. We took a train the rest of the way to the Rhine, then a Rhine river boat to Koblenz, and got a train from there to Rotterdam, where we lived at the time. To be honest, I thought the Mosel was more scenic than the Rhine.
Feb 2nd, 2014, 11:34 AM
#15
Are you driving? I have made a number of photo reports that might fit into your itinerary:
Ypres: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...ood-wiped-away
Sedan: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...eau-fort-sedan
http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...s-kingdom-dead
Or even just Brussels: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...russels?page=1
Ypres: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...ood-wiped-away
Sedan: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...eau-fort-sedan
http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...s-kingdom-dead
Or even just Brussels: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...russels?page=1
