Brussels vs zurich vs london vs amsterdam
#1
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Brussels vs zurich vs london vs amsterdam
Hi
I am flying to India end of November and have a week from Nov 27 onwards to sepnd in either of above.
What would be best to go to in end nov-dec weatherwise and which would you prefer..
We are a couple in 30s with almost an year old baby.
Thanks a ton
I am flying to India end of November and have a week from Nov 27 onwards to sepnd in either of above.
What would be best to go to in end nov-dec weatherwise and which would you prefer..
We are a couple in 30s with almost an year old baby.
Thanks a ton
#3
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Hi
thanks for the reply..is it weatherwise or ur personal preference..
I loved Paris ...which would be more like it among the cities I mentioned.
again most imp really is which would be warmer..
How is Greece in end november?
thanks for the reply..is it weatherwise or ur personal preference..
I loved Paris ...which would be more like it among the cities I mentioned.
again most imp really is which would be warmer..
How is Greece in end november?
#4
They are all going to be cold at that time of year, you can check the previous years weather (historical weather) on www.wunderground.com
If you have a week, what about London for 3 or 4 days then Eurostar to Brussels and connect to Brugge. Brugge is gorgeous, very walkable with beautiful buildings and good food. It takes about an hour from Brussels to Brugge by train and cost is included in the Eurostar ticket if you travel within 24 hours of arriving in Belgium.
Or alternatively, combine London with Amsterdam, 3 or 4 nights in each. The canals are very picturesque and we like the markets there.
Where are you flying to India from? This may make a difference to where you would want to go. I don't think anywhere in Europe is going to be warm in late November, maybe Madeira or Morocco could be OK?
Kay
If you have a week, what about London for 3 or 4 days then Eurostar to Brussels and connect to Brugge. Brugge is gorgeous, very walkable with beautiful buildings and good food. It takes about an hour from Brussels to Brugge by train and cost is included in the Eurostar ticket if you travel within 24 hours of arriving in Belgium.
Or alternatively, combine London with Amsterdam, 3 or 4 nights in each. The canals are very picturesque and we like the markets there.
Where are you flying to India from? This may make a difference to where you would want to go. I don't think anywhere in Europe is going to be warm in late November, maybe Madeira or Morocco could be OK?
Kay
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If you love canals...then do Amsterdam and Brugge. Brugge is "the Venice of the north" and a great little city to spend a few nights in. I prefer staying in Brugge for a week at a time when I go, but I find that most people here only prefer a shorter stay.
#7
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Hi Kay..
I am flying from new york to Inida in end november and these were the stopovers I could take ..have to book flight soon..maybe in a day or so..having hard time deciding where to go as most places in Europe are cold then.
I am flying from new york to Inida in end november and these were the stopovers I could take ..have to book flight soon..maybe in a day or so..having hard time deciding where to go as most places in Europe are cold then.
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My order of preference would be:
Amsterdam
Brussels
London
Zürich
I'm leaving for India in 10 days, going through Zürich because I have no choice (using FF miles). I really don't like Zürich, but I'm planning to make the best of it. There's a ton of good advice here on Fodors about how to enjoy it.
I went through Amsterdam on the way to Africa last winter and just loved it. And Brussels is wonderful because, IMO, it has the best food in all of Europe. London's great, too, but sooooo expensive, IMO.
Amsterdam
Brussels
London
Zürich
I'm leaving for India in 10 days, going through Zürich because I have no choice (using FF miles). I really don't like Zürich, but I'm planning to make the best of it. There's a ton of good advice here on Fodors about how to enjoy it.
I went through Amsterdam on the way to Africa last winter and just loved it. And Brussels is wonderful because, IMO, it has the best food in all of Europe. London's great, too, but sooooo expensive, IMO.
#10
Thanks for the info re where you are coming from. I'd choose either Amsterdam or Brussels but I wouldn't stay in Brussels the whole time. Brussels is quite nice with a beautiful Grand Place (main square) but I would head to Brugge.
Amsterdam has more of a city feel but Brugge has more of a town feel - not really small or anything but comfortable (that probably doesn't make sense, I suppose WE felt comfortable there).
Thinking about it, you could investigate the train cost/time from Amsterdam to Brugge and maybe daytrip between them, though with a baby that might be hard.
Kay
Amsterdam has more of a city feel but Brugge has more of a town feel - not really small or anything but comfortable (that probably doesn't make sense, I suppose WE felt comfortable there).
Thinking about it, you could investigate the train cost/time from Amsterdam to Brugge and maybe daytrip between them, though with a baby that might be hard.
Kay
#12
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Don't think there will bemuch difference in weather. All wil be chilly.
London has by far the most to do and see.
After that I would choose:
Amsterdam w day trips
Brussels with day trips
Zurich as a place to land and head off to the smaller cities/towns
London has by far the most to do and see.
After that I would choose:
Amsterdam w day trips
Brussels with day trips
Zurich as a place to land and head off to the smaller cities/towns
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Hi insearchofheaven,
Have you thought of Dubai?
Never been or thought I'd ever recommend such a destination, but given when you're travellling and the fact that you'll have a baby to deal with, a nice relaxing week in one of the resorts there is probably ideal...
If you like canals, check this place out:
http://www.madinatjumeirah.com/
Emirates flies nonstop to Dubai from JFK, IAH, LAX, SFO & YYZ and its coverage of India is unrivalled among foreign carriers.
Hope this helps,
Andre
Have you thought of Dubai?
Never been or thought I'd ever recommend such a destination, but given when you're travellling and the fact that you'll have a baby to deal with, a nice relaxing week in one of the resorts there is probably ideal...
If you like canals, check this place out:
http://www.madinatjumeirah.com/
Emirates flies nonstop to Dubai from JFK, IAH, LAX, SFO & YYZ and its coverage of India is unrivalled among foreign carriers.
Hope this helps,
Andre
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How are you carrying your one year-old baby?
If you're thinking of a stroller, I'd stay away from Brussels and Amsterdam. We were just in Brussels 2 weeks ago - all streets are cobbledstone which made it hard for us to wheel out luggage. I don't think it'd be pleasant for your child. Amsterdam has plenty of bridges, and I believe many has steps (though can't be 100% sure).
I think London has overall the most fun things to do, even with cold weather.
If you're thinking of a stroller, I'd stay away from Brussels and Amsterdam. We were just in Brussels 2 weeks ago - all streets are cobbledstone which made it hard for us to wheel out luggage. I don't think it'd be pleasant for your child. Amsterdam has plenty of bridges, and I believe many has steps (though can't be 100% sure).
I think London has overall the most fun things to do, even with cold weather.
#17
In November, with an entire week, I'd choose either Amsterdam or London. Zurich will not entertain you for a week - it's rather small - and it will likely be cool and gray (not that London won't be worse but there is more to do).
I personally vote for Amsterdam just because I love the city, the people and the food. You can rent a bike with a kiddie seat to get around. There is a ton to do - I spent a rainy 4 days there and had a fabulous time.
gruezi
I personally vote for Amsterdam just because I love the city, the people and the food. You can rent a bike with a kiddie seat to get around. There is a ton to do - I spent a rainy 4 days there and had a fabulous time.
gruezi
#18
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2 more unorthodox choices that are culturally relevant ;-)
- Israel: El Al flies from EWR, JFK, LAX, MIA and ORD gateways to TLV and from there 3x weekly to BOM.
- Istanbul: Turkish Airlines flies to Istanbul nonstop from JFK and ORD, onward connections to BOM 3x weekly (horrible flight times though)
Hope this helps,
Andre
- Israel: El Al flies from EWR, JFK, LAX, MIA and ORD gateways to TLV and from there 3x weekly to BOM.
- Istanbul: Turkish Airlines flies to Istanbul nonstop from JFK and ORD, onward connections to BOM 3x weekly (horrible flight times though)
Hope this helps,
Andre
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yk surprisingly enough people in Amsterdam have babies too, and push them around in buggies/strollers with no ill effects to them or their children. Some of the streets are cobbled, but mostly they are brick with tiled pavements. Really to compare towing wheeled luggage, with silly mini wheels, to pushing a buggy/stroller with bigger wheels and probably some suspension is just silly.
#20
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Some thoughts. I used to live in Switzerland and now live in Hong Kong and travel frequently to India:
1. If I were going with a baby, I would not take a week somewhere else first. I would go right to India and start the time adjustment. Going to Europe will mean just about getting the baby adjusted to the time difference, and then starting all over again when you get to India. I would do it in once fell swoop. Take a non-stop to Delhi or Mumbai from the closest US airport (Continental and AA both offer them) and be happy that with an infant they will sleep for most of the flight and not be up and wanting to be entertained.
2. If I had to make a stop, it would <i>not</i> be in Europe in winter, unless you could go to the mountains (but your time is really good in the mountains, too early. And hard with an infant IMO). First of all, in November and December it will be dark by 3 pm in many of the places on your list, and by 4 in others, and conversely it will not be light until later in the morning. See sunrisesunset.com. Makes it harder to do sightseeing, makes for long nights and short days (esp with a baby, not like you can go hit the jazz clubs in the evenings….). Also, you will need winter clothing for these climates in November. However, for virtually all of India in November, unless you are going to the high Himalaya, the most you will need is a shawl and some layers. If you are going to south India, it will be hot and humid and you won’t need any winter clothing. If I had to make a stop for a week, I would do it in Asia, someplace like Hong Kong (weather is perfectly marvelous in November lots to see and do), or Singapore or Bangkok (a bit hot and humid) or the beaches of Phuket (just getting out of rainy season but should be OK), or a place like Bali (magical, wonderful, just coming into the rainy season but not an issue IMO with so much culture on offer to see).
3. If you can work out good flight times, the Maldives would be an excellent place for a week. It is easy to get to India from there, but a long flight in the first place from the US. Again, a little bit rainy, but warm and still beautiful and 12 hours of sunlight. Glorious sunsets and sunrises, white sandy beaches.
4. Much as I dislike Dubai (talk about nothing to do for a week), November and esp December is actually good weather there and beaches are pleasant (provided you don’t try to swim). It is a good stopover point for many flights. A week may be pushing it there in terms of boredom, but it is possible.
5. For India, go to the beaches of Goa or Kerala before you have to be wherever it is you need to be at the end of the week. Great weather at that time. Or even a good hotel with pool in Delhi for the baby would be perfectly doable, and lots to see and do there. I would not hang out in Mumbai for a week, but you can get from Mumbai to other places very easily so a non-stop flight in there and an overnight at the airport is fine. Or go to a place like Ananda in the Himalaya just above Rikisesh (this is not high Himalayas, is in the foothills, so is pleasantly temperate in November, see weatherbase.com, not completely sure they take children but see the website. There are other very good resort options not in Rikisesh but in other areas if you don’t want a beach.).
6. If you really believe you need to stick with a one-week layover in Europe, my preferences would be:
London (but would have the shortest days)
Zurich (I used to live there and there is a ton to see and do, plus the countryside and Christmas markets in town and nearby)
Amsterdam (close tie with Zurich, countryside would be pretty, I think it would be rainier here)
Brussels (would run out of things to do in a week I would say)
1. If I were going with a baby, I would not take a week somewhere else first. I would go right to India and start the time adjustment. Going to Europe will mean just about getting the baby adjusted to the time difference, and then starting all over again when you get to India. I would do it in once fell swoop. Take a non-stop to Delhi or Mumbai from the closest US airport (Continental and AA both offer them) and be happy that with an infant they will sleep for most of the flight and not be up and wanting to be entertained.
2. If I had to make a stop, it would <i>not</i> be in Europe in winter, unless you could go to the mountains (but your time is really good in the mountains, too early. And hard with an infant IMO). First of all, in November and December it will be dark by 3 pm in many of the places on your list, and by 4 in others, and conversely it will not be light until later in the morning. See sunrisesunset.com. Makes it harder to do sightseeing, makes for long nights and short days (esp with a baby, not like you can go hit the jazz clubs in the evenings….). Also, you will need winter clothing for these climates in November. However, for virtually all of India in November, unless you are going to the high Himalaya, the most you will need is a shawl and some layers. If you are going to south India, it will be hot and humid and you won’t need any winter clothing. If I had to make a stop for a week, I would do it in Asia, someplace like Hong Kong (weather is perfectly marvelous in November lots to see and do), or Singapore or Bangkok (a bit hot and humid) or the beaches of Phuket (just getting out of rainy season but should be OK), or a place like Bali (magical, wonderful, just coming into the rainy season but not an issue IMO with so much culture on offer to see).
3. If you can work out good flight times, the Maldives would be an excellent place for a week. It is easy to get to India from there, but a long flight in the first place from the US. Again, a little bit rainy, but warm and still beautiful and 12 hours of sunlight. Glorious sunsets and sunrises, white sandy beaches.
4. Much as I dislike Dubai (talk about nothing to do for a week), November and esp December is actually good weather there and beaches are pleasant (provided you don’t try to swim). It is a good stopover point for many flights. A week may be pushing it there in terms of boredom, but it is possible.
5. For India, go to the beaches of Goa or Kerala before you have to be wherever it is you need to be at the end of the week. Great weather at that time. Or even a good hotel with pool in Delhi for the baby would be perfectly doable, and lots to see and do there. I would not hang out in Mumbai for a week, but you can get from Mumbai to other places very easily so a non-stop flight in there and an overnight at the airport is fine. Or go to a place like Ananda in the Himalaya just above Rikisesh (this is not high Himalayas, is in the foothills, so is pleasantly temperate in November, see weatherbase.com, not completely sure they take children but see the website. There are other very good resort options not in Rikisesh but in other areas if you don’t want a beach.).
6. If you really believe you need to stick with a one-week layover in Europe, my preferences would be:
London (but would have the shortest days)
Zurich (I used to live there and there is a ton to see and do, plus the countryside and Christmas markets in town and nearby)
Amsterdam (close tie with Zurich, countryside would be pretty, I think it would be rainier here)
Brussels (would run out of things to do in a week I would say)