8 Days, Two Home Bases - Which One Would You Prefer & Why?

It's really a question of what you want to see most and transport between the two cities. Paris is on both your lists, so I assume it's a top priority. Good choice, both because Paris is awesome and because it has good transportation to plenty of other cities. Paris-Amsterdam is a fairly short train ride (3-4 hours, if I recall correctly) which helps - you want to spend more time visiting, less time on the train. Paris-Munich appears to be a longer train, but it's overnight. I haven't taken it, but there is the advantage of saving a night of hotel expense and travel at the same time. I've done Paris-London, which is another idea. A 3 hour express train, super easy. One thing I would suggest is flying into one city and out of the other - may cost a little more, but less than doubling back to the starting city, and leaves more time to explore.

Miranda, yes I think Paris is an option we are very interested in, but you are right too in that easy transport between cities is important. Thanks for your input!

Steve... have you been to any of these locations before? or any European travel? I would suggest, just for diversity, to do Paris and Munich... two completely different cities with lots to do in each. I have been to Amsterdam, but only for a few days, so I am not as familiar. Have you thought about possibly Paris and maybe a village or smaller town in France, os possibly a rural area in Germany? Otherwise you have two big cities and nothing more (not that they aren't great, but so are the smaller areas) You could do Paris and then take the fast train to Avignon, get a car and travel Provence for a few days before flying out of Marsailles.

With only 8 days I would chose Amsterdam for second city, unless Munich really calls to you. It's just easier logistically. Amsterdam is also a great destination.

I second Paris and Amsterdam. I love the small feeling of Amsterdam and Paris but I am from NYC so every place is small to me. I liked Amsterdam as we could easily take day or half day trips, especially we loved Haarlem, only maybe half hour from town. No kids eh? Be sure to do picnics in the great parks in Paris, bottle of wine, cheese, etc. Sit outside in cafes and people watch. Good for you, enjoy whatever you do.

So many great comments and suggestions! Thanks to all!

With only 8 days, of your two posted choices, I'd choose Paris and Amsterdam, just because the travel between them is so much shorter and easier. Otherwise, you won't know how you feel about each place until you go, and you will read positive and negative views of every place on Earth. Sometimes, the positive and negative are from the same person. I've been to Amsterdam twice. In September 1990, I hated it. In April 2012, I loved it. I've always loved Paris (I've been about 6 times - yes, I've actually lost count). I've only been to Munich once and it was only OK. I don't feel inspired to go back - yet. Who knows how I'll feel in 10 or 20 years <g>. As said, from Paris you can easily go to London instead of Amsterdam. You can also follow Rick's suggestion of stopping off for a few hours in Brussels (the train from Paris to Amsterdam stops there anyway). I'm not a fan of Brussels, but a few hours in the Grand Place (with time to buy Leonidas chocolate) is certainly not a waste. If Belgium draws you, you can spend your time there instead of Amsterdam. With only 8 days, you will have to be brutally ive. You've already done this by focusing on two cities - good job! Whatever you do, don't try to squeeze a 3 or 4 week trip into 8 days. And yes, you want open jaw (multi-city) flights - into one city and out of another. The time and money you save by not backtracking will more than make up for any "extra money" this ticket costs (and it may not even cost extra). EDIT: the sentence should read, "With only 8 days, you will have to be brutally s-e-l-e-c-t-i-v-e." For some reason, the first part of the word is automatically deleted every time I tried to post it!

Here's my two cents worth: If you do chose Munich, look into European carriers like airberlin.com rather than taking the train from Paris. Pay attention to the baggage allowances and pack light. (Airberlin flies out of CDG.) Both Munich and Amsterdam are easy and cheap airports to reach from downtown. Both cities have a lot to offer and are picturesque. I'd pick the best transportation option (you're going to lose at least half a day of your eight in the transfer) and save the loser for the next trip. You can't go wrong, all are great destinations.

Paris and Amsterdam,, and personally I am not overly fond of Amsterdam, its pleasant ,, but most importantly, its 3 hours by Thaly to Paris. I am in fact doing taking Thaly to Paris from Am. this summer, cost me 35 euros advanced buy.. .I am doing 2 days in Amsterdam, 11 in Paris( split into two visits) 3 in Nice and 6 in Spain . Amsterdam was included but not for a longer visit. I have been twice before but long ago. .Paris I go often ( usually every other year or three) and I never tire of it Munich would be nice but too far for onlya 8 day visit.

We just got back from 11 days in Paris, and it wasn't enough.