Hi,

I'm planning my first ever trip to Europe after touring a few cities in Canada and the USA. I'm planning to travel during 3 weeks, but in the case I can't get 3 weeks from my employer, I will simply go for 2 weeks. Therefore, consider this is a 3 week itinerary. Since Paris is the only destination I can fly to from my hometown (Quebec City, Canada), I need to return back to Paris to get my return flight.


- Paris (4 days including a daytrip to Versailles)

- Bruges OR Ghent (2 days)

- Amsterdam (3 days)

- Berlin (4-5 day including a daytrip to Potsdam)


If I had only two weeks, I would pick 4 days in Paris, 2 days in Bruges (or Ghent) and 4-5 days in Berlin.

I want your comments. Are these itineraries realist ? Is the small detour to Belgium is too much ? What city would you recommend between Bruges or Ghent ?

I think the small detour to Bruges or Ghent is OK - just expect it to be pretty quick and a lot of train travel. Because you'll slow it down after in Amsterdam, maybe it's not so bad to have a quick few days of travel. My only concern would be that this is your first trip. If you are experienced at taking trains, maybe it's not a big worry.

I don't think it's a mistake to choose either Ghent or Bruges. Both are lovely towns. Bruges is a lot more touristy, and some people hate that. I stayed in Bruges and day tripped to Ghent - liked both, but loved Bruges and was glad to have stayed there.

You might consider flying from Paris directly to Berlin the day you arrive and doing your proposed itinerary backwards. That way, you won't split your time in Paris. Or, plan on taking a very early flight from Berlin to Paris to catch your flight home the last day - something I have done once but I am an experienced traveler.

If I had two weeks, I'd leave out Brugge: that's a day trip, at most. And add Amsterdam.

And in your 3 week itinerary I'd scrap Brugge or Gent as well.

I always plan to sleep in the same city from which I will fly home, and I am an experienced traveler...

Better to do an open jaw itinerary, even though you can't fly into Montreal. Do Montreal to Paris and Berlin to Toronto to Montreal (plane or train for the last leg).

Yes, don't limit your traveling to places with nonstop flights to/from Montreal. That wastes travel time and money -- always having to get back to Paris.

The OP lives in Quebec City, not Montreal!

Right, same answer though.