My husband and I are traveling to London in September staying five nites and than on to Paris for 12 nites. I would like to do a day trip to Amsterdam and Brussels while in Paris via the train. Is it possible to do Amsterdam in a day and Brussels the next day? What type of train ticket would I purchase? I've purchased the airline tickets and I've rented an apartment Paris so overnite in any of these cities is not an option.

You could easily do a day trip to Brussels as it's only 1 1/2 hours by train. There are special train deals, best to check up on the Thalys website(high-speed train that you'd take). Find the postings about buying train tickets on this forum...very complete details. However, Amsterdam is too far...you'd spend over 4 hours each way and wouldn't have time to do the city justice.

INMO - Amsterdam is a whole trip in itself, and deserves much than a rushed half a day. Too many museums, restaurants, sights etc... Brussels can be seen in one day, but why?

If you have 12 days in Paris there is so much to see, do, and eat. That is more time then most people spend there, take advantage of it and hopefully the nice warm weather.

If you want to do day trips, do them them closer to Paris. If you aren't familiar with the area, check this board or a guide book. So many day trips can be made on the RER and take about an hour each way, or several hours on the train.

Hopefully you will find that you don't want to leave Paris and you will cherish the luxury of having those 12 wonderful days. I guarantee you, Paris will never bore you. There is always so much more to see, no matter how long your stay is.

Enjoy,

Nina

IMO you should not even try to Amsterdam in a day trip, especially from Paris; the fastest train will take about four hours one way.

I agree that you could spend 12 days in Paris and for that matter, depending on your interests, you could spend 12 days anywhere.

IMO you will not be giving Paris short shrift if you took a couple of days and spent them elsewhere which might really give you a whole new perspective on "Europe."

Thanks to each and every one of you. I will probably stay in Paris and enjoy those twelve precious days and perhaps one or two day trips.