PBH

My husband and I are going to London, Paris, and Amsterdam for the first time for two weeks in April. We have a total of 14 days (12 in Europe) but we can't decide how to split up our time in the three cities. Our original plan was 5 nights London, 4 nights Paris, and 3 nights Amsterdam. We, of course, want to see all the major museums and usual tourist attractions and some free time just to roam. How would you split up this trip for first timers?

Travelnut

London - 4
Paris - 5
Amsterdam 3

mamc

I suggest London 5, Paris 5 and Amsterdam 2. You could easily spend a week each in London and Paris and still not begin to see everything.

Flyboy

I like Travelnut's breakdown of 4, 5 and 3 days each for London, Paris and Amsterdam, respectively. Regardless, you have three wonderful cities that you are sure to enjoy and April is a great time to go.

Catbert

The split recommendation is going to vary by London lovers and Paris lovers. Please do spend at least 3 nights in Amsterdam so that you have 2 full days.

isabel

I think I would do London and Paris 5 nights each and Amsterdam 2 nights. Even in that amount of time you'll only scratch the surface of all of them but given the limited amount of time you have that's how I would split it up.

Mimar

Will you arrive after a long flight? If so, put an extra day or so in your arrival city to accomodate jet lag.

My first trip to Europe we flew from LA to London and stayed there two whole days. That whole time is a blur of tiredness. We've made up for it since.

ira

Hi PB,

Are you flying or training between cities?

Are you flying into one and out another?

aggiemom

I'm with Travelnut on this one. Four nights in the first place after a long flight is a good way to recover.

PBH

Hello Ira. We are flying into London and out of Amsterdam and training between cities.

KidsToLondon

My answer is: "Don't"

It it tempting to see as many places as possible in a limited first time trip, but you often end up not seeing very much of the wonderful cities as you travel from place-to-place, settle in to new hotels, get oriented, etc.

Could you consider taking one of the three off this first trip and split your time equally between the two? Six days in London and 6 in Paris would give you time to explore in a bit of depth.

bardo1

I would also suggest 5 nights in London, 5 nights in Paris and 2 nights in Amsterdam (arriving early to allow 3 full days in Amsterdam).

Don't wait much longer to reserve rooms. Are you aware that many of the more popular hotels in the best, central locations are are ready filling up (if not already sold out) for April 2006?

You might want to go on and make reservsations per you original dates - you can then try and adjust them a day here or there in the next week or so.

While true for all three cities, this is especially true for tulip season in Amsterdam (April).

Travelnut

"..2 nights in Amsterdam, arriving early to allow 3 full days in Amsterdam.."

2 nights gives one 2 days at best; after the 2nd night, one goes to the airport.

janisj

It appears you already have your tickets so you are sort of stuck w/ the general itinerary. (If not, I agree that just London/Paris is a better division of time)

I'd load a bit more time to London for a couple of reasons: 1) - after a jet-lagged and sleepless flight over, your first day will be a blur and EXHAUSTING. It may take you 2 or 3 days to feel "normal" again. And 2) - Central, tourist site-heavy London is HUGE and it takes a lot of time to get ones bearings and make way around to the various locations. Whereas, the tourist-centric parts of Paris are MUCH more compact. Almost everything except Varsailles and Sacre Coeur are w/i walking distance of each other.

If you are set on all three cities I'd do 6 days London, 4 or 5 days Paris, and 1 or 2 days Amsterdam. (and whatever you decide, 5 days in London at the very least)

suze

I'd stick with your original plan of 5, 4, 3. As others have mentioned depending on how time change and jet lag affects you, there goes the first day or two. Personally I stagger around for at least 2 full days and the time is a blur when I look back on it (therefore the longest time in your first city is my suggestion). I would either cut A'dam or give it 3 days because IMO any less is hardly worth the stop.

Nikki

I agree that your original plan sounds good. An extra day in London to account for jet lag, two full days in Amsterdam so you don't feel like you're just passing through. Sounds like a great trip to me.

PBH

Thank you all for your input. You all have excellent points of view but I will most likely stick with my original plan of 5 nights London because we wanted to take a side trip to Bath. I know seasoned travelers take a more relaxed mode of travel but my husband and I are over 50 (ok, over 60) and don't know how much longer we will be able to travel. We were not able to see Europe when most people do in their 20's so we have to see as much as we can now while the knees hold up.