Seeking trip planning advice for the Netherlands and Belgium

How many days do you have starting from the day you arrive and the day before you depart from Brussels?

If you can, I’d recommend staying 2 or 3 nights in Delft, which is so charming. It is easy to take day trips to Den Haag, Rotterdam or Keukenhof, but we found plenty to see and do in Delft. We stayed there 4 nights (3 full days). Much more relaxing and less frenetic than Amsterdam, which we also loved.

From Delft, it’s a short train ride to Rotterdam, where you can take the high-speed Thalys train to Brussels. No need to backtrack to Amsterdam. Train travel throughout the Netherlands is excellent.

You’ll need to reserve your Thalys tickets once you’ve nailed down your itinerary.

Haven’t traveled to Belgium, but my sense is that Bruges is to Delft as Ghent is to Amsterdam. Both of the larger cities have a lot to offer, but you’ll find a more charming small-town vibe in Bruges and Delft. I’d stay in Bruges and day trip to Ghent. Bruges is crowded during the day, but magical at night.

Aside from the Thalys, you can also take regular Intercity trains from Rotterdam to Belgium. A bit slower but much cheaper.

My reply to Jazz+Travels - approximately 10 full days.

I was just there...same time...April/May and went to all the places you mentioned. I would go straight from Delft to Ghent. With two changes (Rotterdam and Antwerp), you'll be in Ghent in 90 mins. I would make Ghent your base. Much less crowded, and, as you say, easy access to Bruges and Brussels. If you have an early flight back home, then I would spend the night before in Brussels. If not, you could just stay in Ghent the whole time. It was my fave city in Belgium. Oh...before I forget: Be prepared for cool temps. I arrived in mid April and it was chilly. But I did get to see the tulips.

Greetings,

I just did a 5 day trip to Belgium, spent 3 days in Bruges, 1 in Ghent, 1 in Brussels. My suggestion is to set up a home base (or book your hotel) out of Bruges. Downtown Ghent is a taxi/bus ride to the train station, so that would be annoying to do every travel day. Bruges hotels appeared cheaper than Brussels, is a very easy walk from station to Markt, and is only 25 mins to Ghent and an hour to Brussels. Plus, Bruges is so lovely and the more time to soak up the atmosphere the better.

No need to backtrack to Amsterdam, Delft to Rotterdam is a slam dunk.

I love both Ghent and Bruges (Gent/Brugge). I have had excellent times basing in both. Whichever has the things you want to see more, or where you find the place sleep you prefer is what I would use to decide. Hard to go wrong.