My 26 year old daughter and myself are planning a trip starting in Amsterdam and ending in Paris in the month of May 2009. We are thinking of 2 days in Amsterdam, 2 days in Belgium and the last 3 days in Paris.

Any help with hotels, sights (no museums), things to do, restaurants, would be appreciated.

IMO that's too many cities to visit in such a short trip. You'll have jet lag the first day and each day you change locations you will miss a half day minimum. So very very little time in each city.

have you been to any of these cities before? If not, your trip is way too short for these 3 places. Each time you move, it takes up 1/2 day, so you'll end up with 1.5 days in Amsterdam, 1.5 days in "Belgium" (where in Belgium are you thinking of? we cannot recommend hotels or sights without knowing which city or town in Belgium you want to visit), and 2.5 days in Paris.

Agree to above. Do-able, but not feasable.

First day, land, get to hotel, jet lag, so really only a few hours.

Every time you switch locations, you'll lose time in the "mechanics" of travel...get to train station, travel, get there, find hotel, check-in....and repeat again.

To have a trip where you'll feel you've experienced, not just seen, a place, I'd at a minimum get down to two, and ideally just one. I found 3 days plenty for Amsterdam, Paris...you can go back again and again.

Carmar, DH and I took a trip to Amsterdam, Belgium and Paris in October. We spent 4 nights in Amsterdam, 1 night in Brussels, 1 night in Bastogne, back to Brussels, same hotel, for 2 nights, and then to Paris for 5 nights, and that was WAY too much moving around. We had both been to Paris, and I'd been to Amsterdam, but neither had been to Belgium. We took the train from Amsterdam to Delft for a day trip, and from Brussels to Bruges for a day trip. I can tell you that all that moving around had us worn out by the time we got to Paris. We collapsed the first night, slept late the next morning and caught up a little on our rest. We did enjoy the rest of our time in Paris, though.
Amsterdam, Rho Hotel, basic but very convenient, breakfast included,
a few steps off Dam Square. Search Amsterdam threads, there are so many things to do there.
Brussels, Welcome Hotel, a unique place close to the Grand Plas
Paris, Marriott Rive Gauche, very nice, pretty expensive, but we used hotel points and found it very convenient and easy to get anywhere easily.
I'd say to reconsider the length of the trip OR the number of cities.

I would consider spending your entire week in Paris.

Too few days and too many countries. Traveling from one place to another takes up time and most likely you're going to lose at least 1/2 day each time you change country. Spend 7 days in Paris and if you MUST, take a day trip to Brussels.

It's a lot to fit in, but if you've never been to Europe before I can see why you want to cram in so much.

At the most, I'd pick two places (Amsterdam and Paris would be my choices) and enjoy those.

You can pack a lot in in both of those cities in a short period of time.

Of course, this means you will have to go back and spend more time, right??

PS: Have fun with your daughter. Ours spent a semester in the Netherlands and fell in love with the country.

I guess I'm going to be the naysayer here.

You might have a great time if you didn't do the trip you've planned, especially if reading these comments gives you second thoughts.

However, so long as you understand that you are basically just taking a jaunt for a week through some capitals, and promise not to take much more than an overnight bag, your target area is well-connected by trains and the cities in them are instantly rewarding and delightful, and you don't have to do the whole town to have fun.

The big attraction in Amstedam is the museums, and since you don't want to see them, then you don't need to spend a lot of time there. I would focus on window-shopping and canal gazing in the canal district and the Jordaan. The canal boat tour is terrific.

For Belgium, I like hip Antwerp, from which it is possible to day trip to both old-fashioned farirytale Gent (my fave) and Brugge. I would skip Brussels -- or if you must see the Grand Place, just do it as a day trip for lunch and bed down someplace else.

Paris is Paris! I would skip anything have to do with waiting on lines to go up the Eiffel Tower. I would make sure I got at least one Batobus ride or other boat ride on the Seine, preferably at sunset. Other than that, where you hang out in Paris should be keyed to your own passions in life, but if you have any interest at all in public life and gardens, don't fail to enjoy a good long sit in one of Paris gorgeous public gardens.

There are self-guided walking tours of paris in books that might help organize your time.

Have a great trip -- whatever you do!

I'm well aware that we are taking in a lot in a short period of time - we are the same people who saw 3 cities in 3 different countries in 5 days! It was fast but one of the best trips we have ever taken. My main attraction to Europe are the people. I like to get up in the morning and say "where do you want to walk today and who can we talk to?"

We have both been to Paris so this city is just a tease. We haven't been to Amsterdam but I'm sure 2 days will be enough. Since the train goes through Belgium we thought, why not spend the night.

The opinions that it is too much are certainly valuable, but maybe you travel much like we do.....and sometimes we just do a lot in a short time.
In Amsterdam, just walking the streets and seeing the people. Eat a "rice table" meal in an Indonesian restaurant. Walk the red light district. Belgium, I would see Brugge if you can. As someone said, skip Brussels unless you just must see the Grand Place.
In Paris, Sacre Couer (spelling?) for a nice view of the city...but the small "square" just a block away with all of the street artists. As you are looking straight at the SC church, if you wander to your left a block or two, you will find that square. There are restaurants all around the edge of the square, and you can find a table ON the square for your meal...and there are often dozens of artists doing portraits or other art. Fun afternoon.
EK