I am planning a 3 week retirement trip in September. I want to visit the following areas:
Black Forest (with side trips)
Alsace region (with side trips)
Normandy
Bastogne area/Huertgen Forest
Bruges (with side trips)
Amsterdam (with side trips)
I am concerned about the "order" I should do this. Rental cars being returned in the same country is also a factor. I don't mind driving, It allows the opportunity to "discover" small towns, etc and get the feel for the area. Does this make sense?
Fly to Frankfurt..rent a car
Use car to travel in Black Forest and Alscase (1 week at least)
Drive north to Bastogne/ Huertgen Forest
(2 days)
Drive to Normandy stopping in Roen and Bayeuax (1 weeks)
Drive to Aachen and return the car
Train from Aachen to Bruge . Use train for the rest of the trip 3 days Belgium (Bruges/Ghent )
3 days in Amsterdan with side trips
Fly home from Amsterdam
I guess I could swallow the large surcharge and return the car in Lille and take a train from there to Bruges. Any and all help would be appreciated