Hello all, and thank you in advance for any advice you can give! My adult son and I are hoping to travel late next May, and I’m trying to limit the trip the ten days in Europe. I have been to Bruges before, and he and I went to Amsterdam for four days last year. We both like museums, gardens, and sketching in beautiful places. I’ll be 77, he’s 49, both in good walking shape. All travel by train, no car rental.

The plan so far is this: Los Angeles to Brussels via Amsterdam. Four nights in Brussels; three Bruges; three Amsterdam. Fly home from Amsterdam.

I have read some and investigated Brussels, and think one full day and two afternoons will be enough there. We are thinking of taking day trips to Antwerp and Ghent. Do you agree? I think three nights in Bruges would be wonderful, and though we just went to Amsterdam, there’s lots to revisit there.

Thanks for sharing your own experiences!

If you ask me, Gent is more interesting than Brughes from a historical point of view but that's my personal opinion of course. I would definitely include Gent and would advise you to book a private tour guide. https://www.withlocals.com and ask for Benedict.
As for Amsterdam. There is lots to discover in Amsterdam of course. If you'd like to venture out and do something completely different: take a bus from the Amsterdam Central Station (20. minute ride) to the historic town of Monnickendam on the former Zuyderzee. There you can visit the oldest still functioning carillon De Speeltoren and it's museum. https://www.despeeltoren.nl
(in May open six days a week). Try some locally smoked eel and mackerel. Wonderful! Happy planning!

Last year we spent two nights (one full day) in Brussels, three nights in Bruges (with a day trip to Ghent), and two nights in Antwerp. Loved therm all. Trip report below (should give you some good ideas on what to see), as well as a little write-up I did on our favorite restaurant of the trip, Restaurant ‘t Hofke in Antwerp. We dined at some great restaurants on the trip. Bruges at night is magical.
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/belgium-france-2024/
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/res...twerp-belgium/

We spent three nights in Ghent last July and it wasn't enough for us. We had tours and spent a half a day in St Bavos. It's one of the most beautiful cathedrals I've ever been in and that's saying a lot after many trips to Italy! But Ghent is a relaxing city with a small-town feeling. It's a lovely town to visit. We only spent a short time in Brugge and a week in Amsterdam. But Ghent was my favorite.

Personally I would skip Brussels for Gent if you have to fly into Amsterdam, but if you can fly to Brussels instead skip Amsterdam. May will be peak time there.

If there’s interest in history, politics and government, Den Haag might be considered…… The Peace Palace, also the Mauritshuis housing “Girl With a Pearl Earring” and “View of Delft.”
Under one hour from Amsterdam.

Thanks all!! Great information. I’ll look into things further based on your suggestions!

Ok, I’m thinking this as an option (it adds one day to the trip, which of course my son is pushing for….😎
I am just hoping it’s not too many days in what look like very similar towns):

Brussels 3 nights
Ghent/Gent 2 nights
Bruges/ Brugge 3 nights
Amsterdam 3 nights

I usually don’t like two night stays, but maybe this is worth it. I know that moving means losing time - but we would be “losing time” anyway, taking the train. Especially if we find one day trip is insufficient to see Ghent (also, I found a great hotel in Ghent…). 😬

Thoughts?

I have just discovered that there’s a direct train (30minutes) from the Brussels airport to Antwerp. That’s another option - go to Antwerp for three nights instead of Brussels, and side trip a day to Brussels instead.

I haven’t yet researched Antwerp much - and will do so this morning - but wanted to post early in case anyone had thoughts about that option.

thank you so much for any feedback!

I don't usually pick favourites amongst the Belgian cities - they are all good, but I have to say that Antwerp is probably easier to get a handle on in a day than Brussels. Brussels is a bigger city and its charms are spread out. You will have to take a couple of days over it. Otherwise you will see just the pocket of attractions that are in the middle of the city and then say there was nothing of value in Brussels, which is not the case. I have also heard Brussels described as a lifestyle city - for me that means having a long lunch at one of its fabulous restaurants, trying a beer of some kind in one of its watering holes or an apéro at the Châtelain markets in the late afternoon before going on for dinner at the establishments around the market. That is part of the city's atmosphere and you should give it its dues. I have lived in Brussels and return often (the next time will be in December, so very soon), so I can give some tips if you have questions.

Antwerp is a charming, interesting city with much to do. It could also fill several days, and many people prefer it to Brussels, but it is easier to see in a short time and at least get a sense of what the city is about. So I won't pick one city over the other in terms of charm, just saying they are different and you can understand Antwerp much more quickly with limited time.

And Ghent? Yes, 2 days is OK in Ghent. Again not picking favourites but you could even spend a third night there and be happy with your choice.

Lavandula

Going to add a wild card and suggest Rotterdam instead of Amsterdam (If you fly into Brussels). The new Eurocity Direct service gets you to Brussels in an hour, Antwerp in 30 minutes by train. As hetismij wrote, Amsterdam in May is peak time. But not in Rotterdam! Also from Rotterdam, Schiphol is 20 minutes by Intercity Direct service, Amsterdam Centraal 30, Delft is 15 minutes, The Hague 30 minutes by train and a light rail connection will get you to Hook of Holland and the beach in 40 minutes.

One of the things we appreciate is short travel times to Belgium and Paris, which is nearer to us in train minutes than the northern Dutch city of Groningen (or Maastricht for that matter). We often do Paris on a day trip, if we want to see a specific exhibition for instance. Its also very doable to visit Antwerp from Rotterdam: 30 minutes by train.

Basically, the entire Randstad with the Big Four Cities is one agglomeration, with frequent and fast public transport between cities.

Rotterdam has a vibe all its own and if you were in Amsterdam already, it'll be an interesting contrast to the general shape of "a Dutch city". Rotterdam is as historic as any of the others but in a very different way.

Disclaimer, I'm biased because I've been living in Rotterdam for 25 years.

The fairly tongue in cheek "what not to do in Rotterdam" by Wolter's World

Brussels is not as popular here as it should be for some reason but it is a beautidul and vibrant city. We loved it. I would skip Amsterdam all together, since you have been there, and just focus on Belgium.