Top sites to see- Belgium, Amsterdam,
 

We're planning a 8-10 day trip to Northern France, Belgium and Amsterdam. What are you opinions on the top sites to see, activities, restaurants?

We spent 3 days in Bruges, Belguim over Christmas and just loved it! Its small, beautiful and charming

Brugge in Belgium is beautiful, we had 4 nights there last Easter and would go back tomorrow.

In Amsterdam, wander away from the main centre and admire the canal scenery. The Anne Frank House Museum was incredibly moving - a must in our opinion.

We are not into art that much but thought Rembrandt's paintings at the Rijksmuseum were staggering in their detail.

Kay

Why only Amsterdam but all of Belgium? The Netherlands has so much more to offer than only Amsterdam.
I honestly can't imagine spending 4 nights in Brugge, or even 3. It is very small, and one night would be plenty. A day trip was enough for me I'm afraid.

hbonner:

This (past) mid-October my husband and I visited Belgium and Holland. We fell in love with Brugge. The Markt Square is lively and is picturesque Also, there is wonderful shopping on the streets that spin off the Markt Square.

We spent 2 days there exploring the town, the Minnewater Park and shopping without being rushed. We did not go out to the Damme.

After Brugge, we took a train up to Amsterdam where we did sightseeing both on foot, and in a canal tour boat. One morning we visited the Anne Frank House.

Our day trips from Amsterdam were to Delft, Madurodam, Haarlem, The Zaane Schans. With four full days based in Amsterdam we never felt rushed seeing all these sights.

Bruges Restaurants:
Lunch: "Quatre Mains," Philipstockstraat, 8, where we ate broccoli soup with crusty bread and a glass of wine.
"Sweet Bruges," Wollenstraat, 31, where we both ordered freshly-cooked Belgian waffles. I ordered the waffles with powdered sugar, fresh strawberries and light shipped cream. DH had his wih powered sugar and syrup. Mine were better!

Dinner Restaurants:
"Carlito's Italian Restaurant," don't have the address. It's a cozy restaurant, and every table was full. Food was very good.

"Bistro de Pompe," Klein St. Armandsstraat. Our meals were out of this world - both of us had pork tenderloin medallions, a halved, grilled seasoned tomato, thin string beans wrapped in lean bacon and diced carrots. A bearnaise-type sauce was spread over the pork. Dessert was chocolate mousse cake with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. DH had gingerbread ice cream balls with whipped cream.

If you want to know the remainder of the restaurants, let me know because I have to get off the computer right now. I'll do it later.

I loved my time in Brugge. If you can walk up about 376 stairs, the Belfry (center of town) offers excellent views of the city.
The Church of Our Lady has Michelangelo's Madonna and Child.

Iin Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank Haus are not to miss. Amstelkring, the hidden church, made an impression on me as well.