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Potential itinerary for late March/early April

Forgive my double posting in quick succession! I'm suggesting a new itinerary and looking for feedback. (I also posted in the Netherlands group, so I'm just going to copy/paste it here.)

We (two people, ages 36 and 43) are planning a trip to France, Belgium and the Netherlands for late March/early April. Looking for feedback on this itinerary. We like all the usual stuff: just walking around charming neighborhoods, a touch of museums, a little shopping, sitting in cafes, gardens and parks, a bit of history. We don't need a huge amount of nightlife as we are early to bed types. Plus, I am/will be pregnant, so drinking (or marijuana in Amsterdam) will not factor in much to the trip (alas, I do love a puff of the good stuff). We like a mix of big cities and smaller towns.

March 23-28: Paris
March 28-30: Bruges
March 30-April 1: Delft
April 1-April 4: Amsterdam

Open to any suggestions of side trips, specific sites, restaurants, etc! Thanks!

Posted by
6677 posts

Have you been to Paris before? From Paris, if interested, you could look at going to Versialles or Chartres for a day, or Giverny.
From Bruges I highly recommend Ghent for a day. We went to St. Baarts to see the gorgeous altar piece and then followed the RS guide of the city center. If you want to see the altar piece you must purchase tickets in advance.
From Delft, we went to The Hague, we tasted Genever at a historic shop/production, walked through the city and along a park to the Peace Palace. If you don't/can't get into the palace, there is a small, but very interesting museum.

Posted by
6 posts

Jules, I have been to Paris but it's been about 20 years. My husband has also not been in many years. Thanks for your suggestions!

Posted by
5724 posts

Just a couple of notes. Giverny won't open until April 1 this year. But Versailles is certainly an option for a day trip from Paris. Keep in mind that the 23rd is your arrival day, so you may be jet lagged and tired. And the 28th is a travel day. So you only have 4 full days in Paris.
With both Mar 28 and 30 being travel days, I don't see any time for a day trip from Bruges, if you want to explore Bruges.
With tulip season starting not long before you arrive, now wouldn't be too soon to book your Amsterdam reservations. If you want to see the Anne Frank house, tickets go on sale on Tuesdays for visits 6 weeks later. Once fhey are gone, they're gone.

Posted by
14998 posts

I've been to your locations this time of year. The year I went I was on a RS tour of Belgium and Holland and we had snow on our day transiting from Delft to Keukenhof. I recommend a good waterproof rain jacket with hood that you can layer over a puffy vest or jacket. I also recommend lightweight glove liners.

When I was in Paris at the end of March many locals on the Metro were still wearing heavy wool winter coats. I managed with my puffy vest but I am pretty cold tolerant. OTOH, I was in Paris the beginning of Oct in 2024 and had to go buy a LS shirt because I'd taken mine out at the last minute and just had short sleeve tops. What was I thinking??

I also agree that if you are in Bruges for 2 nights that just gives you 1 full day and there is plenty in Bruges to keep you busy without doing a day trip.

You'll just be in Delft the one night so not time to do a side visit to Den Haag. I'd just stay in Delft and enjoy it, then move to Amsterdam.

I'm glad you are giving your little one the travel experience before they are born, lol! Congrats!

Posted by
6677 posts

I wasn't sure how days/nights were being counted. If you only have one day in Bruges and Delft, you don't have time for anything else. I did verify that Giverny is closed until 4/1, anyone know why? Its my understanding that it is supposed to be open year round. That said, I don't think March would be the best time to go, though fewer people would make for lovely water garden photos.

Posted by
1544 posts

RH, I don't think the gardens were ever open year-round. March to November, meaning lately April 1 through Oct. 31. There wouldn't be much to see in the winter.