Itinerary help for 2 weeks vacation
 

Hi there. I'm planing a Europe trip for my wife's bday. First off, we are fast paced people and don't mind the rush. I was planing on doing Paris (3) Brussels (1) Brugges (1 1/2) Amsterdam (2) and the rest on Germany (6). I don't know if I'm been to aggressive on the trip, specially with Germany. I would like to know your opinions on it and suggestion (what to see or skip). I'm flexible on the places to visit, except Paris. Would skip Brussels and Brugges for two German cities, but I just don't know. All your input will be of great help. Going on November 15th to 29th. Thanks guys!!!

So you're going to be in Europe for 2 weeks? Let me translate your plans into on-the-ground reality.

"Brussels (1)" means you leave Paris on the train in the morning. This means checking out of your hotel, getting yourselves and your bags to the Gare du Nord, taking a train to Brussels, getting yourself and your bags to your hotel in Brussels, leaving the bags with the front desk (as it will be too early to check in) ... and basically have the afternoon to see Brussels. Return to the hotel after your quick trip, check-in, go to your room and get settled, go out to dinner, come back and go to bed.

"Brugges (1 1/2)" means you essentially do the same thing the next day.

"Amsterdam (2)" at least gives you a full day to explore the city.


Why the rush? "Doing Paris" in 3 days means you spend your first day jet-lagged, then have two full days to explore a city that could easily provide 5-7 days of experiences.

Slow down! Don't "do" Paris; "savor" Paris.

Pick four cities, max, and enjoy the uniqueness of each!

Thx for the quick reply travelhorizons. I was arriving at Paris @ 5pm and was gona rest because of the jetlag and then have 3 days to see Paris and travel at night to Brussels. I get what you're saying on Paris. I would skip Brussels and Burgges for extra day in Paris. So would I be crazy in doing this instead: Paris (4-5) Amsterdam (2) and Berlin (4)? That with having the half day for jetlag. Thx for the advise.

Trains? Yes figure travel time between places. I'd drop Brussels at least -many underwhelmed by it (though it has its pluses too) - add a day to Amsterdam

take train to Cologne - few-hour stop to see great Gothic cathedral plump next to main train station-

then train to Berlin

then onto Munich

fly out of Munich.

for lots on trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. Book train tickets early for nice discounts - www.thalys.com Paris to Bruges and Bruges to Amsterdam; www.bahn.de/en - German railways site for any train involving Germany.

Not sure what kind of German cities you want but if Paris and Amsterdam tourist meccas Berlin and Munich - 3 days each would be great or all the time in say Bavaria with so many wondrous day trips from Munich.

Thx for the advise PalenQ. Was gona do trains for all except to Berlin from Amsterdam (6hrs on train vs 1hr in plane). I've read alot on the Brussels topic, not been that much of a big deal. Thats why I would consider skiping those two and add days to Paris and Germany. I cant fly out of Munich, it has to be via Berlin. I wouldn't mind stopping at Cologne or Bremen before Berlin. Just don't know if I should do Munich as well been that its further down. I might leave it for a Prague-Vienna-Munich-Switzerland trip later on. What would you recommend if I skiped Munich-Brussels-Brugges??

Yeah skip Bruxelles. Nothing there.

Hardly more in Koeln (actually less imho but ok, Bxl is underwhelming), Bremen is not much better and Berlin deserves 5 days at least. So does Paris.

Btw it is Brugge (flemish spelling) or Bruges (french and english spelling) not a mix of both. Tourists love it and buy lace. Probably made in China now.

You also have Gent or Antwerpen.