Hi fellow forum-members,

I have a trip planned in the following countries, but needed some expert advice on the itinerary being planned by me:
As of now the plan is to:
May 21: Arrive in Brussels from London.
May 21: roam around in Brussels
May 22: go to Brugges- day trip and back to brussles in the night
May 23: Train from brussels to Paris
May 23 & 24 in Paris
May 25: Train to Nice
May 25-26 & half May 27 in French Riviera
May 27 mid day take train to Italy
Ques I had about the trip details were:
a) Is Belgium worth 2 days? b) What are the places worth seeing in Brussels? c) I have been to amsterdam, so is Brugges really what it is hyped up to be? d) is it cheaper staying the night in Brugges or come back Brussels? e) should I be giving up one day in Belgium for an extra day in the Riviera? so which is better- Belgium (rather Brugges) or Riviera? or d 2-1/2 days in Riviera are good enough? f) what places should I do in the Riviera? Right now plan is half a day in Cannes, a day in Monaco & half a day in Nice? Do these places need more time? g) as it happens I would be in Monaco during the grand prix. not that I am great fan, but is the experience worth taking/ worth the money being spent? & last ques: h) Is Lido worth doing for the cost? or can be given a miss?
Thanks for your patience through my ambling on above. Hope to hear from experienced travellers

Hi capricious,

you say that you've been to Amsterdam before, but have you been to Paris? if not, you are seriously under-estimating the amount of time you may want to spend there.

if that it is the case, I would definitely drop Brussels, [which would mean losing Bruges - a pity, but can't be helped] and get the eurostar straight to Paris.

as you only have 6 nights in total before you are due to travel to Italy, I would spend 3 in Paris, and 3 in Nice. that's it. plenty to see in those two places without going anywhere else. Actually [apart possibly from Brussels] they all "need" much longer than that, but that would be the most efficient use of the time you've got.

if you are stuck with going to Brussels, I would go straight from there to Bruges, stay overnight there, and then go onto Paris the next day.

remember every time you move, you lose at least half a day. in the very short time you have, that's a sizeable chunk of your holiday.

BTW, I've never been in Monaco on race day, but unless you're a real petrol-head, I'd give it a miss unless you like paying €20 for a coffee.

Monaco during the Grand Prix is crazy - if you are not interested in the GP, don't go.

I really can't tell you if 2 days in Belgium are worth it for you.
One day Brussels - one day Brugge - less than 2 days Paris - and maybe 1,5 days Riviera, counting for travel.

I would add the 2 days in Belgium to Paris, if you have not been there before.

And just stay in Nice, for the day and a half that you have there. You will be arriving the afternoon of the 25th, and leaving the 27th. You don't have time for Cannes, Nice and Monaco.

And there's the film festival in Cannes until May 26. It will be busy there as well - although if you take the train, it's quite fun to walk around Cannes during the festival.

I'd skip Brussels and spend that time in Bruges. It is much more charming than Amsterdam.

I agree with Annhig... Skip Brussels if possible... Skip Monaco... Enjoy Paris and Nice. You will be rushed with only 3 days in each.

I was in Nice during the Cannes Film Festival and The Monaco Grand Prix, not a recommended time to visit.

Agree that you are totally skimping Paris unless you ahe been before.

If you think you are doing Monaco at the Grand Prix I hope you have a fortune to spend and already have hotel and viewing tickets. Otherwise I would never consider going there then.

In any case Monaco is a place for the uber wealthy to shop, dine, gamble and park their humongous yachts in the harbor. Very little for the ordinary tourist compared to Nice or the many towns along the coast and in the hills behind - with charming villages, gorges and wonderful museums. We have been twice - spend the evening dining and at the casino - pretending to be in a James Bond movie. You should know the casino is expensive, open only from later afternoon, has only high value slots (business casual dress) and higher value table games (suits/dress minimum but many will be in evening wear). This is not Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

Thanks all for those replies. Really appreciate all your thoughts.
Sorry I forgot to add that I have been to Paris before. Going there coz a friend accompanying wants to go & going there to humor him. He is also only interested in the Effiel Tower & other stuff, not the Louvre or other museums (which I covered extensively in last 3 days I was there . So i guessed 2 days would be enough. I hadnt done Palais Versailles & the Lido show in my last visit. So wanted to do it this time. Is that worth it?
My dillema was only whether I swap a day from Belgium to the Riviera. Isnt there much in Brussels to see? Some knowledgable friends have suggested to dump Brussels & concentrate on Riviera, but I am mindful of the fact that I aint uber-rich & hence I can at max just look around these places . My Plan was to base myself in Nice, coz i think that would be the cheapest option (do correct me if I am wrong) & do half days each in Cannes & Monaco- 1/2 of 25 when i arrive & 1/2 of 27 when i leave & spend 26 in nice.
Do i totally skip Riviera as HappyTrvlr & nytraveler suggest or continue with my plan of 1/2 day trips to these places?

The dates for the Monaco Grand Prix are 23 - 26 May. 25 and 26 May you really cannot visit Monaco if you're not going to the GP.

From Nice you can easily visit Cannes by train and do a half day there. There's plenty to do in Nice for the remainder of your time, but if you want to go somewhere else, stop in Antibes on your way back from Cannes.

Thanks Tulips for that. Just checked, I think there r no races on Fri. You think I wont be able to go to Monaco at all during those days? in the alternative was thinking I would take a 70/100 euro ticket for sat or sun & just see the action. though not sure how worth it is
what bout d villages off Nice- St Pauls de Vence or Nice?