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Paris, Brussels/Bruges, Amsterdam Schedule .... feedback please

Posted by (Zionsville, IN, USA) on

Hello everyone.. would love your feedback on the below itinerary... specifically Paris and whether or not we are missing something major. We don't have Versailles in there because neither one of us is compelled to go see it.. though my husband may go while our 12 year old son and myself are at the French Open.

For anyone who has actually gone to the French Open... curious about the safety of the neighborhood at night if I end up getting tickets for the evening matches... though I don't think they sell a split ticket like the US Open.

For context... I have traveled to Brussels, Belgium and Amsterdam for business but got to see quite a bit of each. That part of the trip is more for my husband and my son. It was 2009 and I don't recall that much to do in Brussels outside of the main square, or going up to the Royal Palace. Anything else we shouldn't miss?

What are we missing in Amsterdam? Anything neat outside of Amsterdam.... that we could day trip to and worth the time.

Day 1 Arrive in Paris --- Walking tour

Day 2 - Paris -- Montmartre, Sacre Cour, Notre Dame
Day 3 - Paris --- French Open

Day 4 - Paris --- French Open

Day 5 - Paris --- Latin Quarter, Orsay
Day 6 - Paris --- Arch, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, River Cruise

Day 7 - Paris --- Late train to Brussels. ... say 4 PM
Day 8 - Belgium --- Early train to Bruges
Day 9 - Belgium --- See Brussels, late train to Amsterdam
Day 10 - Amsterdam --- ???
Day 11 - Amsterdam --- Ann Frank House, Van Gogh Museum
Day 12 - Amsterdam --- Heineken Experience, Rijksmuseum
Day 13 - Fly Home

Thanks!

Posted by
11577 posts

Take a canal boat tour in Amsterdam.
Day trip to The Hague, Delft or Leiden by train. Can be combined.

Posted by
7894 posts

Since you've been to Brussels before, you know how frequent are the trains to Bruges. I guess you want to include Belgium because you know some places, but this part of your trip is so rushed and disorganized (Days 7-9) I'd consider omitting it. Or maybe taking one of the (fewer) direct trains Paris to Antwerp, and not seeing Brussels or Bruges at all. Antwerp would appeal more to a 12-year old than Brussels. It's not really "like" Bruges, but has plenty of older buildings, and a lovely medieval square and Cathedral.

The art museums in Brussels are almost as famous as the art museums in Amsterdam. Unfortunately the very fine but smaller "main" art museum in Antwerp is closed for renovation until 2020. There are several very enjoyable museums still open there, for special interests of every kind. The newish Antwerp MAS is almost ... designed for people who don't like endless paintings on the wall. And has a free roof viewing platform with extended hours.

I'm astonished that you've been to Amsterdam and have to ask about places outside to visit. There are splendid daytrips, closer than Bruges is from Brussels, like Haarlem, Leiden, Alkmaar, Utrecht, and Amersfoort. A little farther are Delft, Den Haag, and Rotterdam. I particularly mention Delft, not only because of the art and porcelain history, but because the medieval center is a (weak) substitute for sleeping in Bruges. Don't forget to buy Anne Frank tickets months in advance.

Posted by
653 posts

You may find Day 6 is rushed - I'm not sure what day of the week you are going but remember that the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.

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