IMO, that is a lot to fit into ten days, especially if those days include travel. But if you must include Germany, fly open jaw to save time.

We are planning a ten night trip to Belgium and Amsterdam next May. We will fly into London since we have an option for a non stop and then make a cheap connection to Amsterdam - 3 nights. Then to Bruges for 2-3 nights followed by Antwerp or Brussels. We will overnight in London on the way home.

Berlin is fabulous but merits a minimum of 4 days IMO. Munich is also an interesting city but to visit for only a day or two IMO is not worth it.

You need to research the travel time between cities. From Brussels to Berlin by train is nine hours. Same for Munich. You will lose a day in transit. You could fly but that still eats up a chunk of time.

I would focus on Belgium and Amterdam this trip - more than enough to see in such a short time.

Read some trip reports to get some insight on what the area has to offer. Check out guide books.

We love Germany and will be back there later this year. It will be my 7th time and my husband's third and we have not scratched the surface.

Less is more IMO.

You planned schedule leaves no time for Germany, let alone Luxembourg.
You have 10 days - so presumably 9 nights?
Night one on Brussels, nights 2-4 in Brugge, then Den Haag, Staying there? then 3 nights in Amsterdam = 7 or 8 nights already.
Drop Germany and concentrate on Belgium and the Netherlands. There is plenty to see in both for the time you are in Europe.
Fly into Brussels and out of Amsterdam. Spend your jetlag day and part of day 2 in Brussels, then go to Brugge. From there visit Gent, and maybe the coast too. Visit Antwerp even.
Train to Amsterdam, and bas yourself there. You can do day trips to Den Haag and elsewhere from there.

I have no idea whether a train pass is worthwhile. If you visit the Belgian and Dutch railway sites you can see how much trips coast and weigh up whether a pass is cheaper.

If you do visit Germany, I wouldn't go to Frankfurt with the limited time you have. There's nothing particularly wrong with Frankfurt, but there are many destinations in Germany of more interest to most people than Frankfurt.

We drove through this area a few years ago as we wanted to visit some areas that are not as convenient to visit by public transport. But we enjoyed Amsterdam, Delft, Vianden (Luxembourg), Brugge, Trier, and Cologne very much.

This would be my suggestion:

Day 1 - Brussel
Day 2 - Brugge
Day 3,4,5 - Amsterdam
Day 6 - via Maastricht, Aachen to Köln
Day 7 - Köln
Day 8, 9 - Rhein/Mosel
Day 10 - flying back from Frankfurt or Cologne

Thanks guys... I'm getting a clearer idea of it, guess I'll have to open my availability 'cause I would love to visit at least one German city, in your experience if I would like to visit Amsterdam, Brugge, maybe Brussels and one German city how many days would you suggest? And what means of transportation? Thanks a lot again!

Surely there is a specific reason for wanting to visit "one German city" - what is it that is important to you about Germany this trip?

Echnaton and Paul both suggest Cologne and it would be one of the most convenient to the rest of your itinerary so if any German city will do (since you do not say what it is about Germany that you wish to experience) then Cologne may be a good option.

We take the trains but you could rent a car for part of the trip if so inclined. The mode of transport is dependent upon your itinerary IMO. If you have a long leg and there is an inexpensive flight option, that saves a lot of time.

You should read the trip reports on Amsterdam and Brugge to get an idea of what each offers to decide what YOU want to see while there. That will help you decide the length of your stay. And definitely plan to fly open jaw - into one city and out another - to save backtracking.

I agree that Frankfurt would not be on my list of cities to spend time in but you might find convenient flights from there as the airport is significant and offers many flights back to the USA.

Get a map and some guidebooks, check the routing, look at the train schedules to estimate travel time between cities and then use whichbudget.com to check for cheap flights within Europe.

Thanks a lot guys!So if for any reason I should choose between two countries (because of time) how about Germany and The Netherlands... to be more specific Berlin and Amsterdam, and I know that it might take me 6 to 8 hours by train to reach one city to another but for I know, friends experience and research those cities might promise a lot for what our taste is.

We're a metropolis/big city lovers couple, we so love Tokyo its one of our favorites cities so far! We go there every opportunity we have, we love also NYC, San Francisco, LA of course, Buenos Aires and Mexico City, they are so rich in culture, folklore and unique lifestyle and also they had gave us a vision of the contemporary psychosocial dynamic of their nationals, we love color and traditions mixed with urban landscapes, yes, we like shopping, nightlife, food, drinking and to do some observation of the people's behaviour... We do enjoy natural landscape, pristine fields, hiking, we appreciate the beauty of nature (actually my father in law has dedicated his entire life to ecoturism and environment protection awareness in Baja California, so any one interested feel free to contact me )but big cities are our thing, we like to get involved with locals, we actually had made lots of friends that way, yet, almost everyone who has visited Belgium talks wonders about Brugge...

Well it's clear that I had an unrealistic idea of how short or easy was to connect between countries and obviously the fact that you could spent a lifetime in a great city and never get to know it completely.

My suggestion, especially since you like big cities would be to skip conveniently located Cologne and trade it in for Berlin, which is arguably more exciting and undoubtedly cheap:

Day 1: arrive in Brussels
Day 2: Brussels, in the afternoon leave for Bruges.
Day 3: In the afternoon leave for Amsterdam.
Days 4-6: Amsterdam, evening flight to Berlin.
Days 7-10: Berlin and surroundings (good combination of big city life, lots of history and laid-back countryside around the lakes in the Potsdam area for example, all within easy reach on public transport), flight out of Berlin.

I would advise against an incredibly dull and long train journey from Amsterdam to Berlin and rather opt for a cheap flight.
Check Transavia airlines and KLM for prices.

It was helpful to read your last post. My husband and I also love big cities and Berlin is exciting, diverse, steeped in history yet has some of the most amazing modern architecture we have seen. I have been three times and my husband went with me last year and also fell in love with Berlin. We spent 4 nights and hated to leave. We are headed back later this year as since we returned, we knew we had to spend more time there.

Here is my trip report from last November: http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/trip-report-4-fabulous-days-in-berlin.cfm

We have not been to Amsterdam but we are planning on doing so next year with Belgium.

Two cities sound much more realistic and I completely agree that it is much better to fly than drive. Check Air Berlin for good prices and also whichbudget.com.

Air Berlin doesn't have a nonstop connection between Amsterdam and Berlin. Neither (surprisingly) does Lufthansa.
Air Berlin also has some questionable customer service practices.

I am sorry to hear that as we have two flights with them later this year. I use Flyertalk as a tool for airline reviews and they are generally pretty positive. I know they have been very courteous on the phone as I have had to call with special requests (my mom needs assistance to and from the plane).

We flew KLM nonstop from Berlin to Amsterdam a couple of years ago. Small aircraft, but a nice flight.

kfusto, as long as you do not expect too much legroom, Air Berlin's inflight service should not pose any problems.

Both flights are under an hour so we can manage.

The best way to travel around the mentioned countries is the Euro rail Pass (the Benelux-Germany Pass) but we don't know if this is true and, if it is, for how many "days" we should purchase it.>

Well IMO for what you outlined in the OP it is the best thing for you - you are traveling quite a bit and the more days you travel on this pass the cheaper per day the pass becomes as extra days above the base are really cheap.

Now you can also look at www.bahn.de - the German Rail site and if you want to lock yourself into non-changeable non-refundable trains weeks in advance you can get the limited number of deep discounted tickets sold online - for 29 or 39 euros regardless of distance. But you lose flexibility and the neat thing about the pass IMO - to be able to just show up at any train station in these countries and hop on any train anytime (except Thalys trains which you do not have to take in your OP itinerary).
And as this pass costs basically very little more in first class than second class i'd go first class and then compared to first class tickets the pass is an absolute bargain - again from what you prevision in your OP, or original post.
For loads on trains and the railpass in these countries i always spotlight these tremendous sites - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com - be sure to download the latter's free and superb IMO European Planning & Rail Guide's sections on Germany and Benelux and this is one agency that you can call and talk to an expert (i have bought railpasses from them for years - even if not buying anything IME they will answer all your questions). You can check www.ns.nl - the Dutch rail site for fares as well as bahn.de and well as the Belgian rail site - www.b-tourrail.com (not sure of this exact site name).

as you are taking really short and cheap trips in Belgium and Netherlands you may also want to consider the German Railpass - good in Germany only and pay regular ticket elsewhere - the German pass is significantly cheaper i believe than the Germany-Benelus Pass though i have not checked.

Thanks guys! All your opinions had been very helpful! I am getting a clearer vision of what we might choose to do and what we should considerer!

<Arrive from the US to Brussels (maybe at morning) stay there for the rest of the day then travel the next day (maybe at the evening) to Bruges and stay there for 2 nights, next stop Den Haag (don't know if this is a good decision)

I would do Den Hague as a day trip from Amsterdam - just about 45 mins by constant trains - you could twin it with nearby Delft, one of the finest old Dutch regional towns - Hague is basically modern except the area around the Mauritshuis Museum. I would suggest that there are better day trips than Den Hague - like Haarlem right on the doorstep of Amsterdam where you could spend a half day - Amsterdam has so so much to see and do three days there will be three full days so doing a whole day trip may not be the best use of your time?

I did this this January - took train to Den Hague - walked to Mauritshuis and thru the lovely old town square and back to the station and went to Delft.

then travel to Amsterdam (we were considering 3 nights perhaps? in Amsterdam)

Three days in Amsterdam is about what you will need to see the major sights but you may want to stay here longer and do day trips like to Den Hague, Haarlem, etc.

finally, leave The Netherlands to travel to Germany (over there we just don't know what would be the best places to visit and for how long since we will basically have only 10 days to move around once in Europe. We only have a vague idea of what we might find in Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich)>

Ten days is not much but here is a possible scenario -

1- Brussels
2- Bruges
3- Amsterdam
4- Amsterdam
5- Amsterdam (day trip to nearb Haarlem to see a 'real' Dutch town
6- Train to the Rhine/Mosel area - stay in Cochem -
7- Cochem base - take train to Rudesheim and hop the K-D boats thru the fabled Rhine Gorge to Koblenz and take a train from there to Cochem
8- Cochem base - take train (or rent bike) to Moselkern and either trek up to Burg Eltz or take a cab or mini-bus there - one of Germany's most splendid and famous castles
9- Luxembourg
10 - Brussels

This gives you a taste of Germany but in 10 days you just cannot do Brussels, Bruges, Den Hague, Amsterdam, Berlin, etc.

Or you could take the train from Amsterdam to Berlin or Munich (overnight trains possible to each) and spend a few days there and then return to Brussels via Cologne.

Different strokes, Stefka. There are some that really enjoy the big cities and all they have to offer culturally and others who stick mostly to smaller towns. We prefer to base in cities and make day trips as we enjoy the diversity, amenities and energy large cities have to offer.

And larger cities have far more interesting choices than McDonalds (I personally do not understand why they are popular here in the states or abroad) with a broad range of cuisines, much more so than most any smaller towns.

We are all different after all.

McDonalds (I personally do not understand why they are popular here in the states or abroad)>

let's see they are much cheaper than restaurants - dining don't take two hours - no surly waiters to deal with - can sit all day and most of all have pretty nice toilets and cheap coffee - nice place to rest when it starts raining, etc.

How many ways do folks love the Golden Arches - zillions and McDs in France especially are booming as they are everywhere.

Different strokes for sure. I can eat well and healthily without spending a lot or taking two hours and without having to deal with surly waiters.

I have not been in a fast food joint except to use a bathroom in over 30 years.

Well for those on limited budgets Fast Food places are a God Send - i'd love to linger over dinner at a formal restaurant but just cannot afford to pay the $40-50 minimum it seems to do so in Europe - and i do respect your opinion.

Palenque, one of the things we really enjoy about Germany and Austria is the quality of the inexpensive prepared foods available in the various stands, bakeries, etc. We can get a tasty and fresh sandwich at any number of shops for a low price. We often do this when heading out for a day trip and the range of options at the train stations is generally pretty impressive.

This German version of fast food is something we do enjoy and I wish we had something similar here in the states.

We have also been pleased with some of the local chains like Vapiano where we can get a cooked to order entree, a salad and a glass of wine in a nice setting for about 15 Euro.

While we also enjoy the sit down 2 hour dinner, practicality and budget call for alternatives and we have especially pleased with our options when traveling in this part of Europe.

Thank you all for your advices, it helped me a lot to get a better picture of it! Now my plans are different, I'll focus on Berlin and Amsterdam and also gonna add some extra days to my vacation plan! ^_^

This German version of fast food is something we do enjoy and I wish we had something similar here in the states.>

Ya vole (sp?) yes to German snack stand food - i rarely eat meat but once in Germany i hit the Wurst stands all the time - a huge weiner on a too small bun slathered with mustard and Frites stands in Holland and Belgium, etc.

Department stores often also have cafeterias featuring good local foods and are a good deal.

And yes i do think going out to a formal meal is a part of the European experience - if i were not a single traveler i would do it more.

Cheers