Planning our bucket list trip to Paris, Belgium and the Netherlands.
 

We have 3 to 4 weeks to play on our trip from mid to late September til early October. this fall. We would like to spend at least two weeks in Paris (maybe 2 1/2) with a day trip somewhere, 1 week in London (with a day trip or two) and the rest divided between Belgium and Amsterdam.

We have read several tour books, this forum postings and surfed the net for tourism info.

We are foodies who love art, museums, cathedrals and exploring local attractions. We love all cuisines (adventurous eaters) and taking photos. We will be relying on public transportation.

For a day trip from Paris, we are thinking Dijon. Any other suggestions to check out?

In Belgium, we are torn between Brussels or Bruges. Both? Which is more picturesque? Best chocolate and beer:)

Is it worth a train ride on to Amsterdam for a couple of days? Any other suggestions?

This will be our first and quite likely only trip to these regions. Are we overlooking anything?

Are point to point train trips usually reasonable and the way to go? Do we need to buy tickets ahead or can you just show up and buy one the day of the trip other than the Eurostar?

Any suggestions will be very appreciated.
Thank you for your help.

For a day trip from Paris, we are thinking Dijon. Any other suggestions to check out?
Loire Valley, Mt San Michel, Versailles

In Belgium, we are torn between Brussels or Bruges. Both? Which is more picturesque? Best chocolate and beer:)
Brugge is totally charming and yummy food and chocolate (and beer I am told, but I did not try it) Given that you have up to 4 weeks, you could do both

Is it worth a train ride on to Amsterdam for a couple of days? Any other suggestions?
Yes! at least 2 nights there

Are point to point train trips usually reasonable and the way to go? Do we need to buy tickets ahead or can you just show up and buy one the day of the trip other than the Eurostar?
Book in advance for Thalys TGV High Speed train to get Prems fares I think 90 days in advance. Gets real expensive if you don't book in advance.

Have a great trip!

Thanks so much for your advice!

While I love Paris and usually encourage people to spend more time there, I think given what else you want to do that maybe two and a half weeks is a bit much. I would cut that back a bit and give more time to Belgium and Holland.

How about something like this:
Paris 10-12 days or so

Dijon (or where ever else you choose) 2-3 days

Belgium (3-4 days - you can see Brugge, Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp in that amount of time, and pick any of them as a base, I really loved Antwerp and Brugge)

Netherlands (3-5 days - you can see Amsterdam, Haarlem, Delft and Leiden all from one base; both Amsterdam and Haarlem make good bases)

London (7 days)

We took a similar trip last November.
Flew from Australia to London where we had 9nights - day trips to Cambridge and Windsor

Took the Eurostar to Paris staying for 7 nights

Train to Brugge for 3 nights - day trip to Ghent

Train to Brussels for 3 nights - day trip to Antwerp

Train to Amsterdam for 4 nights then a flight home

Had a fantastic time - enjoy your holiday!

Thanks for the ideas and help.

For me, Amsterdam has some of the nicest museums in Europe... I would try to spend 3 days there.

How about Chartres as a day out from Paris. Wonderful cathedral. Try to take at least 1 Malcolm Miller tour.

Definitely Bruges - try to get there during the week to avoid mobs of tourists. Definitely take the canal boat tour, see the Memling Museum, Beguinage (delightfully tranquil), Basilica of the Holy Blood, Church of Our Lady (Michelangelo sculpture).

I hope you won't limit your church visiting to cathedrals and miss the other lovely churches, especially in Paris.

Your suggestions are great! We were thinking Chartres to see the cathedral. We really like checking out the different architecture of churches and buildings too.