gardngrl

Are we (2 seniors) trying to pack in too much for our April trip to Netherlands. Want to spend 4 days in Amsterdam, but also visit Ghent, Brugges, Berlin, and Prague by Eurail. Any suggestions for trains and itinerary welcome. Thank you.

BigRuss

Um, how much total time on the trip? See, the prerequisite to helping with an itinerary is knowing how much time you'll be across the pond.

You only mention 4 days in A'dam. If that's all the time you have in Europe, there's no way you can hack it.

isabel

As Russ says, it totally depends on how long you have for the whole trip. But I'd say Ghent and Brugges are definitely possible as they are only a few hours (about three hours) from amsterdam where as Berlin is more like 6-7 hours and Prague even further. If you have one week I'd stick to Belgium and Netherlands, if you have two weeks, especially if you can fly open jaw home from your furthest destination then you could add one or both Berlin and Prague (both would be rushed).

gardngrl

Thank you. I realized too late I'd omitted time frame. We're thinking 10-12 days. I now think we will limit to Amsterdam, Delft, Ghent, Brugges.

PalenQ

Want to spend 4 days in Amsterdam, but also visit Ghent, Brugges, Berlin, and Prague by Eurail.>

Well for the train part if doing a Eurailpass you would want to look strongly at the Benelux-Germany Eurailpass and then just pay the nominally small fare for the bus from Nurnberg to Prague - this pass is significantly cheaper than a Eurail Select Pass valid in Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg as one country unit for pass purposes) and Germany and Czech Republic.

For lots of great info on European trains and passes - check out these IMo fantastic sites - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.

The alternative to passes are online discounts in Germany that can be really cheap but to get you must book weeks ahead - limited numbers and none on popular trains - and then they are non-changeable nor refundable - you are doing enough train trips to look at the Germany-Benelux Pass or Eurail Select Pass which lets you hop on virtually any train in those countries anytime - even in case of Select Pass including the Nurnberg to Prague bus. The Germany-Benelux Pass comes also in 2nd class so can be cheaper - Eurail Select is always first class if over 25 - IME though there are immense benefits in first class - in years of train riding with a pass in Germany and Benelux I have always found empty seats - usually a lot of them - in first class but 2nd class can always be chock full.

Michael

Bruges is a day's visit from Ghent. Brussels is worthwhile, especially for its art nouveau in addition to the Grand'Place.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...th/4256354538/

PalenQ

Bruges I think is most enjoyable at night after the tour bussed in hoards have departed and the humpbacked white wooden bridges and canals are sublimely illuminated - so romantic by night - base here IMO - the dreamiest city north of the Alps IMO.