BRUGES/PARIS
 

After a river cruise from Budapest to Amstedam in June 2011, we are deciding whether it's worth to have two days in Bruges on our way to Paris.( Info on the speed train would also be helpful.) Our flight leaves Paris on 30th June and our cruise end on the 22nd in Amsterdam. I would appreciate any info or help from experienced travelers if we ( both in our late 50's) should have two days in Bruges before we have 5 days in Paris, or would you have 7 days in and around Paris ( have been to Paris for 4 days 15 years ago) or break our trip in Hong Kong on our way back home to Australia?
Thanks
Pachet

You mean 2012?

2/5 and 0/7 are both perfectly reasonable choices.

If you don't plan to re-visit the major tourists sites (and the resulting long lines) from your previous Paris visit, I would lean toward 2/5. Especially as you are coming from so far away.

Again, however, both are good options.

There are regular trains that run about every hour from Bruges to Brussels (55 min. ride) and high speed trains that run every hour from Brussels to Paris (1 hr-20 min. ride). You buy it as a single ticket and change trains in Brussels. You can wait to buy your ticket until you are in Bruges.

I'd spend all 7 days in Paris if it were up to moi. FWIW, hub and I took a day trip to Bruges from Paris (we based in Paris for 2 weeks-it was wonderful!). The place where the lace is made was closed that day but I don't think we missed much else. I'll find my notes from that trip to confirm but I think it was with a Citirama tour. Train would be cheaper but with tour, things went faster.

I vote for 2 days/mights in Bruges. Bruges is truly magical, but most of the magic happens in the early morning and at night after the daytrippers have left town. It's an amazingly beautiful town.

I also would go to Brugge. I loved the town.

Another vote for Brugge! Loved it! Especially at night!

Bring a small tripod to get the best night pictures! I use this one:

http://joby.com/gorillapod/magnetic/

And you get $5 off your first order so it's only $20.

adrienne wrote "I also would go to Brugge."

Instead of Bruges, or in addition to it?

Hey P,

>Instead of Bruges, or in addition to it?<

You are kidding, right?

((I))

Hi Pach,

Paris is my favorite city in all the world.

I think that you would enjoy 1-2 nights in Bruges/Brugge.

I like the 11:32 from Bruges --> Lille Flandres --> Paris. Others prefer to change trains in Brussels.

You will find schedules at www.bahn.de and http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Poorig - I would do both towns; can't decide between them! LOL

Go to Bruges! We spent two nights there last month and it really is a magical little town. I know a woman who calls it a European fairy tale city, and it really does feel like it.

As others have said, the early mornings and evenings in Bruges are most magical. I'd say it's a must!

There are two rail routes Bruges to Paris - the cheapest one if you do not book far in advance is usually to take a train from Bruges to Lille-Flandres station then a French TGV to Paris Gare du Nord - about 2.5 hours all told.

The other route is tricky for fares - via Brussels to connect with the Thalys train to Paris - Thalys has a Byzantine fare structure where if you do not book far in advance you could pay $100 or more more and much more than the route via Lille. But if you book and can get one of the very limited in number advance discounted tickets the Brussels route could be cheaper - both routes take about 2.5 hours.

If you want to wait to buy ticket in Belgium then the Lille route is more a flat fare and that would be the one to go on if not booking far in advance.

check www.thalys.com for various fares via Brussels

check www.voyages-sncf.com for Lille-flandres to Paris fares and they also have some advance online discounts, though the discrepancy not nearly as great as Thalys.

Thank you all for your very helpful comments, you have made our minds up that we will go to Bruges. I hope I can help you out with info sometime on Australian trips.
Regards
Pachet

I have never been fond of Paris and have visited the city 5 times over a period of 30 years.

We are headed to Bruges in November for 4 nights and I will post a trip report when we return. We have wanted to visit since we saw the movie "In Bruges" and are basing there to explore the area rather than stay in Brussels.

Pachet & KFusto: We are thinking of heading to Brussels and Burges in March, as a side trip from Paris. Please share any suggestions you may have from your trips last year. Thanks!