first trip to europe
Jan 11th, 2005, 04:06 PM
#1
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first trip to europe
Thank you for all your help. We are planning our first trip to Europe in September flaying from Canada to Amsterdam and rent a car there. The first week we are thinking on visiting Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Bruges, Brussels, Luxemburg and around by car. Do you think renting a car is a good idea? Do you have any sugestion on hotels around the main attraction areas? Do you think one week will be enough for these places?
The second week we are going to Paris, drop off the car there and walk the remaining 5-7 days in Paris. Fly back to Canada.
The second week we are going to Paris, drop off the car there and walk the remaining 5-7 days in Paris. Fly back to Canada.
Jan 11th, 2005, 04:10 PM
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Hi holly,
I suggest that you check train schedules between these places.
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
You can enter your itinerary at www.railsaver.com to get prices.
You might find it more convenient and less costly to base in Amsterdam and take the trains.
I suggest that you check train schedules between these places.
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
You can enter your itinerary at www.railsaver.com to get prices.
You might find it more convenient and less costly to base in Amsterdam and take the trains.
Jan 11th, 2005, 04:19 PM
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Well. first - a car in Amsterdam is useless. Don;t get one until you're leaving.
Second, I think you should pick just a couple of places to stay and do day trips - for instance, Bruges is less than an hour from Brussels - no need to change hotels.
Third - I think you have too many different places in your fist week - Amsterdam alone is good for at least 3 days. If you want to do all of them take a couple of days off Paris. Or else simplify the first portion of your trip.
Suggest you do a list of what you want to see in each place and then a realistic timetable for doing it - that will help you make decisions. For instance - what are you going to do in Luxembourg - do you want to see a lot of small towns/museums that are WWII sites? Or just the city? Or?
Second, I think you should pick just a couple of places to stay and do day trips - for instance, Bruges is less than an hour from Brussels - no need to change hotels.
Third - I think you have too many different places in your fist week - Amsterdam alone is good for at least 3 days. If you want to do all of them take a couple of days off Paris. Or else simplify the first portion of your trip.
Suggest you do a list of what you want to see in each place and then a realistic timetable for doing it - that will help you make decisions. For instance - what are you going to do in Luxembourg - do you want to see a lot of small towns/museums that are WWII sites? Or just the city? Or?
Jan 16th, 2005, 06:24 PM
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The trains are excellent in Holland. You can stay in Amsterdam and do a day trip to Rotterdam, then move on to Brussels by train and do a day trip to Bruges. Perhaps then you could rent a car to tour Luxembourg, about which I know nothing.
You absolutely do NOT want to drive IN Amsterdam or Brussels, and parking the car while you're there will be inconvenient, expensive and a waste of car rental dollars.
It is only 1.25 hours to Paris by train from Brussels and you do not need or want a car there either, but you have already indicated that you will turn it in by then. You did ask if renting a car was a good idea, and we are answering your question.
We would be glad to suggest hotels if you will help by stating how many of you are traveling (2? 3? need a double? a triple? a quad or two doubles?), and what you hope to spend for a room (100€? 150€?).
You absolutely do NOT want to drive IN Amsterdam or Brussels, and parking the car while you're there will be inconvenient, expensive and a waste of car rental dollars.
It is only 1.25 hours to Paris by train from Brussels and you do not need or want a car there either, but you have already indicated that you will turn it in by then. You did ask if renting a car was a good idea, and we are answering your question.
We would be glad to suggest hotels if you will help by stating how many of you are traveling (2? 3? need a double? a triple? a quad or two doubles?), and what you hope to spend for a room (100€? 150€?).
Jan 16th, 2005, 06:43 PM
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I don't think that a car is entirely useless in Amsterdam, though I think you won't want it for the first 48 hours or so in Amsterdam. You might even want to consider relocating after two or three days to a small(-ish) town where your options by car are more easily carried out.
Maybe even relocate to Belgium for your desired Belgium destinations. Or somewhere near the Dutch-Belgian border.
And whether you are thinking to return the car in Belgium or in France, you need to see what kind of drop charge you might incur with this. I'm not sure if there are "free drops" with the three BeNeLux countries, but I'd be surprised if you can return a Dutch car in France without a substantial drop charge.
Best wishes,
Rex
Maybe even relocate to Belgium for your desired Belgium destinations. Or somewhere near the Dutch-Belgian border.
And whether you are thinking to return the car in Belgium or in France, you need to see what kind of drop charge you might incur with this. I'm not sure if there are "free drops" with the three BeNeLux countries, but I'd be surprised if you can return a Dutch car in France without a substantial drop charge.
Best wishes,
Rex
