Luxembourg's Findel Airport is a major international airport - Brussels and Frankfurt may have more flights no doubt but are at least a few hours away by train. Bruges is the consensus, almost, of a don't miss town. If you are traveling a lot by train in these countries investigate the Benelux Railpass that allows you to hop on at will most trains in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg - for lots of great info on Benelux trains and the ferry check out these fab IMO sites - www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com.

As usual I strongly recommend, after decades of incessant rail travel in those countries going first class - basically most trains in one of the world's most densely populated areas (I believe Holland has a density rate exceeding that even of India!) can at rush hours act as commuter trains and can be SRO in 2nd class but there will still be always IME lots of empty seats in first class and seat are bigger and if luggage easier to store right next to you in an empty seat rather in a possible already full overhead luggage rack in 2nd class.

Apart from the ferry you may find some real cheap fares on Eurostar trains London to Brussels if you book early - check out www.eurostar.com for fares in pounds that you can book online. There can be advance discounts on the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferries too, that include rail travel to Harwich from London and from Hook of H to Amsterdam.

www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com.

I did a Benelux trip (plus London and Rhineland) back in 2003 and enjoyed it. I rode second class on the trains quite happily. Trip report here: http://www.wilhelmswords.com/faq/index.html

If you go by ferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland and back, make sure you take nightboats. Otherwise you will spend a day traveling on the ferry. Eurostar is better IMO, especially if you make Brussels a stop and Bruges.

We have toured that area a couple of times by car and really think that's the way to go. there are a lot of sights in smaller towns and villages and being stuck with train schedules can be a PIA. That way we found some enchanting small towns, beautiful churches, quaint castles and incredible small museums that would have been very difficult by train.

If you aren't comfortable driving you can see quite a few places by train - but this will make some places difficult and cut down on the total number of places you will get to.

Are there still overnight ferries on the hariwch to Hook route? I know the new fast day boats only take a few hours.