Brussels/Bruges and Berlin in April
 

Will have 8 days/ 8 nights (arriving on a Saturday morning and leaving on a Sunday). Will fly in to one and home from the other.

Will go to Bruges; not sure if we will do a day trip from Brussels or spend a night there as well - any recommendations?

Best way to go from Berlin - Brussels (or vice versa) - air? Airline?

Any recommendations on which city to do first or any particular itinerary suggestions/ how many nights in each?

You can fly into/out of Brussels airport and train directly to/from Bruges (perhaps with one train change) and not even leave the train station in Brussels. You could day trip from Brussels to Bruges pretty easily by train too, but I'd recommend staying in Bruges over Brussels if you simply want a picturesque city to explore. Brussels isn't bad but I prefer Bruges.

I'd check Kayak for open jaw prices into Brussels/out of Berlin and vice versa to see which fares/times/flights are best, then sort by preferred airline. Your preference may be different from mine, because we may live in different places so airline choices and connections are probably different.

I don't see that it matters whether you start in Berlin or Belgium.

To get from one to the other? Flying is almost certainly faster, perhaps cheaper too if you can fly one of the budget airlines. Again, check Kayak. A train will take longer but may be more pleasant. Check train times on www.bahn.de, the German rail website. (There's an English option.)

Train from Brussels to Berlin takes about 7 hours with 2 changes. This seems reasonable if you prefer train to flying (more comfy and better sightseeing) but flying will be somewhat faster.

Here are some pix to lightly "familiarize" you with your chosen locat1ions. Brugge is the Flemish name, Bruges the French. I'm more comfortable using Brugge. I further suggest, as

I'd suggest trains between Brussels and Brugge...and fly to Berlin unless you'd like a comfortable but long ride by train. IMO two nights in Brugge is called for, two in Brussels and the rest in Berlin. Have a fun trip!

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...russelsAntwerp


https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...lin2005Edited#

Split your time between Brugge and Berlin. Do a daytrip to Brussels. And certainly one to Ghent!

Brugge is wonderful! Especially after the day trippers leave.

I again agree with joannyc -- Bruges is magical after day trippers leave! Depending on your interests, you might give it 2 or even 3 nights. (I spent 1.5 days very busy days there and did not see everything I wanted to see.)

As for the order, check when things will be closed to see if it makes a difference (e.g., if you give Bruges only 1 or 2 days, make sure that the things you want to see are open on those days).

Both are wonderful -- enjoy!