Mimar

I like the idea of dropping Antwerp and Brussels and substituting Amsterdam for 3 nights. However, I'd add the extra day to Rome -- if you're arriving after a long, overnight flight. In that case you're likely to be sleepy and jet lagged, which slows down your sightseeing for a day or 2.

sandralist

I really enjoy Antwerp over Amsterdam so I would probably do 3 nights in Antwerp, and just visit Brussels from there, along with Ghent and other places. If that leaves with you with an extra day, it might be good to add it to Rome just because of jet lag if you are arriving from far away, and Rome is fun and unusual.

PalenQ

99% of people will enjoy a 3-day stay in Amsterdam over one in Antwerp, nice as Antwerp is IMO of having spent days there - but Amsterdam is so so exceptional in so so many ways - something for everyone and more.

PalenQ

If passing thru Antwerp to get to Amsterdam and you almost have to consider at least breaking your journey here for a few hours - shove your bags in a station locker and head for the nearby town centre.

From Antwerp you can get flat-fare IC trains to Amsterdam and can board any of them with a valid ticket - no reservations even possible.

ssander

For a Europe first-timer, I suggest paring your trip down to:

Rome (w/ day-trip to Ostia Antica) - 5 nights
Florence (w/ day-trip to Siena) - 3 nights
Paris (w/ a day trip...there are many choices) - 6 nights
Amsterdam - 4 nights

You might want to take the sleeper train to Paris and save a day used for travel. It's less than 2 hrs from Florence to Milan (as little as 19€); then Thello train overnight to Paris.

SS

PalenQ

Thello night train tickets can be as cheap as 59 euros including sleeping berth - save on the cost of a hotel and money too probably over flhying at those rates.

vanxzc

Thanks once again for the replies! After much consideration, yes I think we will prefer Amsterdam over Belgium, with the vibrant culture and all. This is currently what we have now:

Rome and Vatican: 5 nights
Florence (Day trip to Pisa): 3 nights
Milan: 2 nights
Paris: 5 nights
Amsterdam: 4 nights

Within Italy, we figured that even as youths, it probably will not make sense to purchase Eurail passes, and thanks so much for the suggestion for Trenitalia! We will be looking into that.

As for Milan to Paris, I have googled some options, including overnight sleeper trains, as well as easyjet flights. It seems like the flight option is cheaper, but we do have luggages to check in, so the prices might go up. Do you guys think the sleeper train or the flight will be a better idea? (In terms of comfort and prices)

Thanks once again!!!

sandralist

I would fly, but 99 percent of tourists would take the train.

Just for the ethereal record, Antwerp has one of the most dynamic urban cultures and nightlife scenes in that part of Europe. Belgians are just looser than the Dutch, and with better alcohol (and food). No dope though.

Tulips

Thank you Sandralist. Not that I mind if people don't want to visit Antwerp (can do without the Brugge hordes), but the recommendations on this board are always the same.

PalenQ

, I have googled some options, including overnight sleeper trains, as well as easyjet flights. It seems like the flight option is cheaper>

But you do save on a night's cost in a hotel by taking the overnight train. Factor in costs of getting out and in from airports as well.

tom_mn

Cutting Nice by either flying or training is a smart way to add days elsewhere. It also gets you out of the hotter part of Europe sooner. Easyjet offers flights Pisa to Paris which could really work for you if you have the right luggage.

Also try http://www.italotreno.it/EN/Pages/default.aspx for Italian trains (this is a private company). Trenitalo's cheapest seats seem to sell out more quickly, although they also have more trains running.

I would choose to spend time in Belgium over time in Milan, unless you are going to Milan for the expo, which may make accommodation really pricy.

kybourbon

>>>>Do you guys think the sleeper train or the flight will be a better idea? (In terms of comfort and prices)<<<<

There have been some poor reviews of the Thello overnight train. YMMV.

>>>Milan: 2 nights<<<

Unless you have a must see in Milan, I would drop it and add the time elsewhere. Most people would prefer two nights in Venice over two nights in Milan. You can fly Easy Jet Venice/Paris.

If you keep Milan, be aware that Italo doesn't use the same stations as Trenitalia in Milan.

PalenQ

There have been many poor reviews of discount airlines too - if you get a private compartment on that train everything should be peachy keen - company has been responding to failing points - some folks here on Fodor's have recently said it was nice enough.

Gretchen

Drop Milan for anywhere else.

PalenQ

don't agree with dropping Milan for anywhere else - Milan has many pluses and if folks would take time to ferret them out they may actually like Milan - yes a big big rather chaotic city but for anywhere else - that's a bit too critical in light of reality IMO.

pariswat

' yes I think we will prefer Amsterdam over Belgium, with the vibrant culture and all '

What vibrant culture ? Karnemelk and half cut sandwiches ?

Just kidding. You're of course wrong to choose Amsterdam over Belgium but right to cut nr of stops..

Enjoy your trip.

PalenQ

Bruges to many is the absolute highlight of Belgium - you can go directly there from Paris vis Lille or Brussels - you'll love Bruges much much MUCH more than Brussels and Antwerp - at least the average tourist will.

PalenQ

About overnight trains in general - there is always IME of taking literally hundreds of them a modicum or at times more than a modicum of noise - from steel wheels on iron tracks to station loudspeaker announcements to noise in the hallways - light sleepers may well arrive wasted - so if a light sleeper think three times about taking night trains but otherwise you say daytime travel time and the cost of a night in a hotel.