Just booked a flight for my sister and I into and out of Copenhagen, arriving 25 April and leaving 18 May, and wanted to comb the minds of you Fodorites for some itinerary guidance!

I'm the more seasoned Eurotripper, having been to all the areas we're considering (except Copenhagen). She's the artsy one who has only been to Paris (spent a week there years ago), and has to go back. She's wanting to do the low countries rather than Scandinavia. Also, there's more interest in the cities, but open to sights in the countryside as well.

This is my first very rough attempt at an itinerary, not knowing much about Denmark and northern Germany (hence the choice to fly rather than overground it, so if I'm missing anything, let me know)...critique away!

25-27 April: Copenhagen
28 Apr-1 May: Fly to Amsterdam
2-5 May: Train to Brussels
6-11 May: Train to Paris
12-16 May: Train to London
17 May: Fly back to CPH
18 May: Fly back to US

Thanks in advance!

If you already booked your flights, then consider putting ALL of your time in Copenhagen at the end of your trip so you can cut one hotel stay from your itinerary. That might mean shifting the order of your other stops -- see what works for you.

I'm a bit surprised to see so much time in Brussels. I haven't been there yet, so I could easily be mistaken, but it doesn't seem to garner much attention on "highlights" itineraries. You might want to consider (say) 2 nights in Bruges or another place in the Low Countries instead.

If the guidebooks with which you are working don't give you good transit information, consider getting the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet guidebooks for these areas, or consult them in your local library.

I'm sure you'll find much to enjoy!

I like your idea of saving Copenhagen for last. Flight gets there at 4:30 pm and there's an SAS flight to the Netherlands later that night.

Agreed on Brussels...I think I kind of just put that in as a placeholder for other spots in Belgium (like Bruges, as you mentioned).

Thanks!

I, too, would cut some time from Brussels and add it elsewhere in your itinerary. The city is compact; I visited this past spring and found that the highlights, sans museums, could easily be enjoyed in two nights/one day.

You may want to get to Amsterdam on 27th April for Koningsdag.
You'll be in Copenhagen anyway for your flight back, so get to Amsterdam on the 26th.

Stay in Antwerp for a day or two. Then maybe Gent, with a day trip to Brugge.

I second Antwerp and most of all Gent. Such a pleasant city. Lots going on too, locally