frist time going to paris
 

we are planning a trip to paris,amsterdam and brussels can anyone help us we are going for two weeks .is it a good ideal to see amsterdam and brussels before we go to paris thank you PS i have a lot more to ask

I think it is a great idea to travel this way: Amsterdam, Brussels, then Paris. Why?
1. Schiphol airport in Amsterdam is much easier to navigate than Paris' two terminals, and taxi fare to AMS center is around 30Euro.
2. Everyone speaks some or a lot of English, so very easy to 'transition' yourself into Europe (not that it wouldn't be nice for you to use Dutch for 'please and thank you', at least).
3. Although Amsterdam is a city, it has more of a 'town' feel to it, and perhaps is a bit less overwhelming.
4. It is easier to get train tickets and you will always (mostly)use the main train station, Centraal. (Paris has about 6 'main' train stations).
5. End your visit in Paris, a beautiful and grand city with surprises around every corner. You may be smitten and dream all the way home of returning some day.

p.s. in your research, look up the town of Bruges (or Brugge) which is about a 1-hour train ride from Brussels, very picturesque.

Also, you can get good basic sightseeing information by using the "Destinations" sections of both this website and Frommer's. Buy a couple of guidebooks, or at least start out with some from the library.

Get the tourist office locations and request free brochures, maps, etc for each city (sometimes there is a small mailing fee).

I agree with travelnut. A'dam is a great "start" city in Europe. Most people you meet will speak English, often better than it's spoken on this side of the pond, and A'dam is very humanly-scaled. It's got all the world class museums, restaurants and attractions a big city should, but it's compact size, trams and canals give it the feel of a smaller city. At the same time, it looks and feels very European.
And that will warm you up for Paris, the city to me that is Europe more than any other. It's a multisensory overload that will have you begging for more.
Brussels, and others may disagree, I found fairly uninteresting.

We started our Vacation in Amsterdam and like the other poster said, Most of
the people we encountered did speak Engish very well and were also very friendly to us. We were there for only 3
day and 2 nights but we wished we had more time there since it is a wonderful
and fun European city. We rented a car at the airport however, as soon as we found our hotel (Le Meridien Apollo) it stayed parked! until we left for Paris.

Hi holly,

Good plan.

Fly into AMS, fly out of CDG.

Get your ticket from Amsterdam to Brussels when you arrive in Amsterdam.

No need to pay extra for the THLYS since it is not a high-speed train on that route.

Book your ticket from Brussels to Paris at http://www.voyages-sncf.com/ 60 days in advance. Look for deeply discounted PREM fare.

I suggest a daytrip to Brugge (Bruges) from Brussels.

((I))

OOPS,

Look for SMILYS round trip tickets on the THALYS.

SMILYS is 25E each way, while one-way will be 70E.

There is a commuter train that goes from the airport to the central train station in Amsterdam. No need for a taxi. On the other hand, it might be more convenient to take a taxi directly to the hotel. For a three cities tour I would not rent a car. The main attractions in the Netherlands and Belgium can easily be reached by train. And you surely do not need a car in Amsterdam, Brussels or Paris.

Thank you for your help. We decided on Amsterdam 3-4 days, Brussels with one day trip Bruges and Paris one week or so.
Our concern is, should we book the hotels through a travel agency or do it our own.

Is it really better to start a trip to Europe in a country where English is spoken?

Why is that?

It is an opinion, Robespierre... I mentioned my reason.

Hi, I am planning a very similar itineray for late May and we are starting in Amsterdam and ending in Paris for the reasons mentioned above. I definately recommend booking everything yourself. This message board has a wealth of information by people who have visited Europe so many times. Also try Frommers and Ricksteves.com. More hotels than not will take reservations via email and there are excellent websites out there to show you the rooms and their locations. I think a travel agent would tend to steer you towards big American owned hotels who probably charge more and have less charm.

Sorry for the obscurity - I was referring to a thread of some weeks past when I suggested that it is easier to acclimate to foreign cultures in a country where English is spoken.

Several extremely obnoxious posters lambasted me mercilessly for even suggesting such a stupid thing.

I'm planning the same trip but backward. I plan on starting in Paris and in Amsterdam. I speak fluent French, so the language isn't an issue. My reason for starting in Paris is that I can get a direct flight from San Francisco to Paris but not to Amsterdam. I like to have direct flights at the start of my vacation. It reduces the chances of missing a connection and/or luggage being lost due to the connection.

Hollywood5,
I'm also planning on 2 weeks and do intend to visit Bruges & Brussels. I am going in October. I look forward to hearing about your planning and your trip.

THANK you everyone for there help we are going to see what happens buy booking it our self can anyone give some good advice on hotels thay stay at in amsterdam and paris PS can i prearange train tickets to be mail to me in toronto

For heaven's sake, Robespierre, you really must insert one of those Smiley faces next time >:)

AMSTERDAM:

Hotel Brouwer** - 85E incl brkf, no TV; not sure but probably no elevator
http://www.hotelbrouwer.nl/hoteleng.html

Hotel Nadia** - 70-90E incl brkf; no elevator
http://www.nadia.nl/

Hotel Kap is a popular budget lodging-currently or recently been renovated
http://www.kaphotel.nl/

Hotel de Munck **
http://www.hoteldemunck.com/
88 - 98E

Hotel Fita ***
http://www.fita.nl/
115-120E

Hotel Filosoof ***
http://www.hotelfilosoof.nl/
125 - 138E

PARIS: (from other posts)

Hotel Residence Monge on rue Monge in the 5th is a good location. Very clean, comfortable and good AC. It will be in your pice range easily. www.hotelmonge.com

Inexpensive hotels:
<>7th (near Eiffel)
http://www.hotel-du-champ-de-mars.com/
http://www.hotelmuguet.com/index.html
http://www.hoteldefrance.com/

<>5th (Latin Qtr)
http://www.hotel-collegedefrance.com/
http://www.hotelsorbonne.com/
http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75005stjacques.htm

It's funny but I feel just the opposite about the order. We spent a few days in Amsterdam and a week in Paris. I live in the suburbs and the noise of the big city got to me. Amsterdam was such a beautiful, peaceful place I wished that I had finished my trip there. I could have gone home a little more refreshed.
We stayed at a bed and breakfast in amsterdam called Op de Gracht on Prinsengracht canal. The electric tram would drop you off maybe 30 feet from the door. The only caveat is that there is a skinny, steep staircase to a very charming and large room.