OK, am I being unrealistic in trying to stretch a business trip in NL to a brief vacation in Paris or Prague with only 3.5 days to get from Leiden to Amsterdam to Paris/Prague and back to Amsterdam for a 2pm flight back to US on the 4th day? I know there's lots to see in NL, but would like to be able to take in one more country. Thoughts? Thx

Paris can easily be done from Amsterdam by a short train ride, although, my first question is how much of Holland have you seen? I for one, would make my way to Paris. I can not get enough of the city. Enjoy!

Clea

Actually I agree on going to Paris over Prague which is just so far for the time that you would be there. I would fly if possible. Maybe try KLM or Air France for a good deal. I loved Leiden when I went to visit a friend...I got a really good deal to London from Amsterdam with EasyJet (no advance booking even)

When I lived in France, I travelled around and always found the smaller centers the most enjoyable. I like Paris but it's Paris (not France) you know? But then again, it IS Paris right?

Here is another idea...Why not visit 3 countries instead of just 1? It actually isn't as crazy as it sounds:
First head from Leiden to Amsterdam and connect to a train heading to Germany. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, tulips and windmills on the way. Spend the night in either Cologne or Dusseldorf then head to Belgium the next day! Enjoy the quaint little towns, do some sightseeing - ah heck maybe even enjoy a waffle or two before heading to Paris. Do the "what would I most want to do in Paris for the day?" thing. Take it all in before you have to train it back to Schiphol for your flight home!!

Don't worry...you'll be back to enjoy everything over a longer period! You see, "whirlwind" also has it's purposes/merits.

Bonne chance!

Craziness I say...but that's what makes travelling fun.

My personal opinion: Fly from Amsterdam (Schipol is super easy to get to) to Paris. spend 1-2 days in Paris. You can hit a museum for a taste, or do what most do...EAT and ENJOY! I love sitting on the river looking at Notre Dame with all the other people from all walks of life. Pick up a baguette, some cheese, sausage, and a bottle....and you'll fit right in. Easy, no stress.

Hop on the train for a quick trek to Bruges (there are two trains, one goes through Lille, the othe through Bruxelles midi (I like this one). You hop off the Bruxelles line and get on the Bruge line. Total trek time from Paris is 2.5 hours. Get off the train in Bruges and hop on one of many busses headed to the center. Bruges, is absolutely gorgeous. Think...Knights and Kings. Awesome squares, above average shopping, and really nice people. You can get a nice taste of this N. Belgium town in a solid day.

You now banged out three days. Then, hop on the train back to Holland for a 3.5 hour trip (it goes through Bercham and Antwerp...very intersting town Antwerp).

I think this fits your schedule.

As for Prague? Forget it...it is an overnight train or 2.5 hour flight. Why hit one city when you can go to two COMPLETELY different ones?

If you don't mind spending the money, I could see you trying to see another city as long as you're over there.

I don't agree that Paris is better or farther than Prague. Prague is only a 1.5 hour flight from AMS, not 2.5. I just took one. Also, there are a couple super budget airlines flying that route (ie, Smartwings and Skyeurope), as well as Czech Air which is what I took. There aren't any budget airlines from AMS to Paris that I know of, but you can check.

The train from AMS to Paris is about four hours, isn't it?. So Prague is no farther in terms of travel time and can be closer if you fly vs. train, is smaller as a city, the airport is much closer to the city and easier to get into town from than Paris. The Airport is very small, and it will be easier to get in/out of so you need less time there than many other airports (for security, etc.). Also, I think for a short trip, Prague can be less overwhelming.

You could coordinate a flight from Prague to AMS in the morning, that's typical of what someone would do who is flying from PRG to the US.

Both are great cities, of course, but time or distance is no reason to choose Paris over Prague.

All terrific suggestions, grazie! A few more questions - about how long does it take to get from Amsterdam CS to Schiphol, and has anyone flown recently (since London incident) that knows appx how long before int'l intercontinental flights (i.e. AMS to US) one should check in? Trying to see if getting from AMS CS (11am arrival) to Schiphol for 2pm flight allows enough time. Lastly, is leaving main luggage in Schiphol locker to pick up on arrival for outbound flight back home easy/a good idea vs. travelling with it to Paris or Prague?

25 minutes max, if the train runs off schedule (it does not). 20 minutes is how long it takes normally.

I am not traveling until Wed, but I have been told my numerous folks that unless you are going through Heathrow, the standard two hours is ok still.

Your 11am from Schiphol for a 2pm flight should be fine. Unlike Logan, the train station is INSIDE SCHIPHOL...pretty sweet. The dutch system is fast and efficient. Put it this way, you can be in UTRECHT and get to the airport in the same time frame you suggest.

Here is the airport website: www.schiphol.nl. Regular service is between 7.00 and 24.00.

Not sure about the luggage question, though I can say, I pretty much trust everything DUTCH!

www.thalys.com for the train. Why fly when you can take the train? -- so much more civilized, city center to city center, and no luggage problems, liquid or otherwise.