I've decided to take the plunge and take my first European vacation. I'm planning on a 7-10 day trip and I would love help planning my itinerary. My goal is to visit around 3 countries without feeling too rushed. Is this overly ambitious?

I have friends in Amsterdam and would love to see Paris. Can anyone give some advice on a 3rd location and the amount of days I should devote to each destination? I'm young and would like to stay within a reasonable budget...

Well 10 days is barely enough for Amsterdam and Paris. (I've been to Paris at least a dozen times and NEVER run out of new things to see/do.)

But - assuming you're traveling by train - you could easily do an overnight stop in Brugge - and get the feel for an ancient small town - in contrast to 2 larger cities.

Yes I think 3 countries in that short time is overly ambitious. You will lose at least some of it travelling and not appreciate the European experience - in my opinion anyway. The Brugge suggestion is great but you could also just do Paris with perhaps a day trip or two outside of it. Or split between Amsterdam and Paris but not a 3rd city/country.

I guess it depends on you...do you want a whirlwind tour with lots of travel time, or enjoy a few places and minimize the travel time? I would go for the latter, but that's just me. I want the freedom to explore something/someplace I come across without feeling like I am too rushed. Have a great time!

3 countries is too ambitious, 3 cities in 10 days is doable. Yes you will only hit the high points but if the alternative is to not go I say go for it! I suggest you fly into London, which is a great start and also has the plus that you speak the language. Then take the Chunnel to Paris, then train to, and fly home out of, Amsterdam. Look at the top things to do in each city, pick those that most interst you and have fun. This will give you a great taste of what you can do in the future with perhaps more time and or money. Enjoy the experience!

Hi T,

Stick with Amsterdam and Paris. Fly into one and out the other.

Train from Amsterdam to Brussels and then take the THALYS to Paris.

That way, you will visit 3 countries.

Thanks for all the insight! After mulling it over, I think I will stick with the two city plan: Amsterdam and Paris. My mother will be with me, and while she is young and healthy, I think she would appreciate a slower pace.

Thanks again!

I've visited Amsterdam a couple of times I'd say that 3 days there would be fine, then head to Paris as others have stated.

Plan your flights to land in Amsterdam, leave from Paris (open jaw).

We travel at a pretty fast pace for a lot of people's taste. Since this is your first trip and hopefully not your last I would tag London onto Amsterdam and Paris. You should be able to get enough highlights to show you what you want to come back to on the next trip.

If you are coming from the US keep in mind in your planning that it pretty much takes a full day coming and going so you need to figure out how much time you actually have in Europe. Enjoy the planning and then enjoy your trip.

I recently returned from a 13 night trip to Amsterdam and Paris. I did only half the things I'd hoped to do -- I just ran out of time. Here is my website where you can read my journal and see my photos.
www.travelswithdiane.com/2007Holland1.html

for 10 days, 2 countries is the max. Remember each day between cities shoots most of the day. Getting to airport or train station, transportation, getting to new hotel. You can do some stuff when you get there, but basically you just spent 1/3 of the vacation between destinations.

Some cities can handle a week at the least. Paris is one.

If you like travel to Europe, it has been there for a while and will be there next year. Go back to another place then.