SShprints

We are a 30yr old couple and we have tickets booked from NY to Dusseldorf Dec 28-Jan 5. We have no interest in staying in Dusseldorf as we have already been there and Köln. Planning to hop in a train from the airport and head to Amsterdam but the itinerary is rather unplanned after that. We would definitely want to spend New Years in Amsterdam and we have no interest of going to Brussels. As of right now, I am thinking 5 days in Amsterdam and 2 days in Antwerp with a visit to Brugge. Is this adequate? of should I do 4 and 3? Seems like 5 days is too much for Amsterdam? 3 days for Antwerp/Brugge is way too much too. Should I add on Hamburg to this itinerary? anywhere else? Luxembourg?

Thank You!

SShprints

nothing?

lavandula

Had you thought of 5 days in Amsterdam, using it as a base - If you think 5 days is too much for Amsterdam, you could do day trips to Haarlem, Delft, Den Haag, Leiden, Rotterdam ... (take your pick). You would want at least 4 days to make it past NYE in Amsterdam (28, 29, 30, 31, then leave on 1 Jan for Antwerp). Similarly, if you give yourself a few days in Antwerp you can take side trips not only to Bruges but also to Ghent (closer to Antwerp), and if time, Ieper (Ypres). Hamburg is an outlier - although it is an interesting city and architecturally very different to your other destinations you would waste time getting there if you only have a limited number of days. Tack Luxembourg on the end only if you find you have a day free. It's 3 - 4 hours by train from Antwerp, starting to be a little far for a day trip.

So
28 - transit from Düsseldorf - Amsterdam, jet lag
29 - Amsterdam
30 - Amsterdam
31 - Amsterdam (side trip to say Haarlem / Delft if bored with Amsterdam)
1 - transit from Amsterdam - Antwerp
2 - Antwerp
3 - Bruges
4 - Ghent
5 - transit Antwerp - Düsseldorf

That fills up your days quite well. I am sure other people will chip in with good advice but here is a starting point for you. Obviously your transit days are not only transit but you won't have all that much time to play with.

Lavandula

ribeirasacra

I would not waste my time travelling too much. Stay in Amsterdam and visit local sights and cities.
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/n...m_alpha:a.html
http://www.holland.com/us/tourism/ci...tineraries.htm
http://www.guideholland.com/whatdaytrips.html

Michael

5 days is not too much for Amsterdam. One can also take day trips to other locations from Amsterdam. You might want to take a look at my trip report from this past May-June; click on my name to find it.

SShprints

We fly from NYC, so we don't arrive Into Dusseldorf until morning of 29th (7am). Once we arrive, we catch the first train up to Amsterdam (about 2hrs)..so assuming we get to Amsterdam by noon. No sure if we will be up for any exploring. That leaves 30th, 31st, 1st and 2nd for Amsterdam. Possibly with a side trip to Haarlem or Delft. On the morning of the 3rd, I think we will rent a car and go to Brugge. Spend the day here and visit the ice sculpture festival. On the 4th we head to Antwerp for a full day (or with stopover in Ghent). On the morning of Jan 5th, we drive to Dusseldorf, return the car and fly home (1pm flight).

How does this sound?

lavandula

Your plan sounds fine *except* for the car - did you know there are hefty drop-off fees for returning the car to another country? Better investigate that and decide if you are willing to swallow that charge or not. Otherwise I am sure you will have a lovely time.

Lavandula

SShprints

I looked it up and the price seems not bad for renting in Ams and returning in Dus. I think because of the proximity of these places, they have a deal or something where there are no fines. Maybe.

ribeirasacra

If you hire a non German car ensure you can drive into a lot of German towns and cities you have a Umweltplakette. This is a small green sticker placed on the windscreen.
These are the locations where you need one.
http://www.umwelt-plakette.de/int_england.php
This is how you purchase it.
http://www.umwelt-plakette.de/foreig...297f72fddfaa90
You car must also be fitted with winter tires.
If you do not have either of these it will amount to you having to pay fines.