WHERE TO START / END 2 WK TRIP PARIS OR NETHERLANDS?
 

First time two week trip to Europe. Three key places to visit:
Paris
Strasbourg
Netherlands
We first thought of a week in Paris and then split the 2nd week b/t Strasbourg and Netherlands.
Here are our questions:
1. Could it make sense to start out in Netherlands for a few days and then to Paris or Strasbourg?
My wife thought it may be a good way to ease into the Paris experience.
2. Might it cost more to arrive in one country and leave from the other?
3. Any other ideas?

Many thanks,
LB

I would indeed start in A'dam, take the Thalys to Paris and from Paris take the Thalys to Strassbourg and back to Paris.
It is much easier to travel between Paris-Strassbourg, than it is between Amsterdam/Strassbourg. You probably always pass Paris anyway.

Any specifiec ideas on places to visit in the Netherlands?

Lots of people fly in to Amsterdam and out of Paris (and vice versa). For Air France/KLM, both Paris and Amsterdam are international hubs. Just try and find a good air fare!

But the trip can also be very well be done the other way around: arrive in Paris, take a side trip to Strassbourg and then go to Amsterdam (via Paris).

Amsterdam (and other places in the Netherlands) probably are a little less overwhelming to start with than Paris.

Ji L,

I don't see how visiting the Netherlands will help you ease into the pParis experience - different culture, language, etc.

2. Not usually.

If it were me, I would spend 2 weeks in France and do the Low Countries with Scandinavia or Germany.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

For round-trip versus open jaw costs, just go to Kayak.com, enter each possibility and compare prices.

What is it you want to see in the Netherlands? Countryside, cute little windmills, Amsterdam? My companies headquartered in the Netherlands, initially in Amsterdam and now in a suburb 2 train rides away. If AMS is on the list no matter what, I suggest you go there first, then everything will only get better.JMO