lindygirl

I agree with others that 3 nights in Bruges is too much! We went as a day trip from Brussels and it was plenty of time for us. Paris deserves at a minimum 4 nights. Amsterdam is really nice but I found that restaurants closed early. We stayed near Jordaan. Maybe I wasn't in the right part of town? If you're up for it, I highly recommend going on free walking tours in all the major cities you visit. It's an excellent way to learn some history and get oriented.

I also really enjoyed Germany - especially Munich and Dresden. But it's a lot of ground to cover in one trip.

Here's a trip blog post I wrote about our trip to Amsterdam, Belgium, and South Africa (it was for our honeymoon). I posted about our itinerary along with photos and recommendations.
http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2014/...th-africa.html

Enjoy trip planning!

PalenQ

Assume you are going by train - if not should be for those type of places-

Paris to Brussels is via high-speed Thalys trains where you can pay as little as 29 euros if you book in stone months in advance or about 4 times that much if you wait until Paris - same seat same train. www.thalys.com.

Get the ABS fare with Thalys to Bruges - yes stay the night - like janis and others say much nicer - surrealistically nicer at night when day mobs have left.

Take either IC trains with a fairly flat fare or Thalys with varying fares to Amsterdam.

Take German ICE train to Cologne - www.bahn.de/en again for greatly discounted tickets.

Fly home from Cologne.

For lots on trains and ticketing check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

You are not nearly traveling enough to look at any railpass.

frencharmoire

Thermynx,

You have excellent reasons for visiting Germany and I don't think other people's preferences for other parts of Europe should influence you greatly. Cologne is an easy city to include in your mix, transportation wise, and not only has beautiful architecture and fascinating history, it's got lots for people under 40 to enjoy.

suze

I wouldn't bother with apartment rentals when you are staying only a few nights in each city. It will be a lot easier and smoother just going with hotels.

Do you have a particular and special interest in Bruges or Cologne?

For myself I would probably prefer 6-7 in Paris, 4-5 in Amsterdam, and only 1-2 in Bruge and Cologne.

PalenQ

For myself I would probably prefer 6-7 in Paris, 4-5 in Amsterdam, and only 1-2 in Bruge and Cologne.>

sounds good to me

and do a day trip or two from Paris to a more real France- like to Chartres and its famous Gothic cathedral and sweet regional town and or to Reims to tour its several famed Champagne Houses and caves and exquisite cathedral and again lively regional town.

Amsterdam - take a day trip to any of several cool quaint Dutch regional cities like Delft, Haarlem, Leiden, etc.

StCirq

<<For myself I would probably prefer 6-7 in Paris, 4-5 in Amsterdam, and only 1-2 in Bruge and Cologne>>

Yup, me too.

suze

Nope, no day trips. I'd spend the entire week right in the heart of Paris. Same with Amsterdam, there's plenty to do to fill 4-5 days time without adding "day trips".

PalenQ

Not even Versailles, a short metro/RER ride-I'd say they'd see lots of Paris in 4-5 days and then also see a bit of a more real France.

But this is subjective I agree- I think for the average first-time traveler 4 days would be enough for Paris -in many ways a large busy city with long lines at major sights.

Versailles I consider to be one of the must sights in Paris even though it is about 20 miles west of it- again a short metro/RER ride.

StCirq

Well, you could do daytrips from either city, but it's not necessary. Also seems like TMI to know that they've been together for a decade. what does that have to do with anything?

StuDudley

Since we retired early in 1999 so we could travel more, we've spent 15 weeks in Paris. They have been as short as a 1 week trip (once), and as long as a 3 week trip. I've always had several day-trips to "elsewhere" planned. We've only taken one - to Versailles.

Stay in Paris.

Stu Dudley

suze

<what does that have to do with anything?>

It's not their honeymoon?

PalenQ

Without debating whether one should stay all the time in Paris or do a day trip -day trips do not have to be planned - play it by ear- spend all your time in Paris or wherever and if you then feel like it do a day trip. No train reservations needed - flat fare just hop on train with ticket bought the same day.

Themynx12

After looking at airfare prices and reading over this we decided:

Fly into London (3 nights)
Train to Paris (4 nights)
Train to Brugge (2 nights)
Train to Cologne ( 2 nights)
Fly out of Amsterdam (4 nights)

Staying at all hotels.

I hear great things about Brugge and with the other big cities, would like to explore something smaller.

I really want to see Germany so we kept Cologne in there as well and I'm actually really excited to see the Rhine.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll be back with questions on trains I am sure =)

janisj

I would add a night or 2 to London. Your arrival city is always harder due to the jet lag and it is best to add at least a day to give you one 'down/relax' day. Plus London has much more to see/do than any of the other cities on your itinerary.

mjs

I agree with Janisj. There is so much to see and do in London. Add 2 nights if you want to visit London for the first time or cut either Brugge or Cologne. Your itinerary gives you less than 2 full days in London and less than 3 full days in Paris etc as you have not accounted for travel time. You lose at least a half day every time you move.

menachem

I'd cut both Brugge and Cologne, personally.

WoinParis

Brugge is a must see for a lot of people.
(and it brings taxes to our country, and not too close from the Hellhole according to Donald...).

Scootoir

Although I love Brugge I agree with Menachem and would cut both Brugge and Cologne on this trip. Two weeks is not enough time for 5 stops if you want to see anything in each place.

joannyc

I would not cut Brugge or reduce my time there. It is well worth seeing and very charming after the daytrippers leave. I had 3 nights there and could have used longer!

I would consider dropping the luggage at Cologne's train station for a couple of hours while seeing the Cathedral. Then, continue by train 1-1/2 - 2 hours south to a small town along the Rhine, Boppard maybe, for a couple of nights.

mjs

Since you want to do some partying and relaxing I would also cut out both Brugge and Cologne. Your itinerary is a rush job. London/Paris/Amsterdam in two weeks is plenty and a nice trip. You are young enough to return to Europe and explore other places in the future.