Hello, ill be going to europe in may flying into Amsterdam and out of Barcelona. I have been to Holland a few times before, but never to Belgium or Spain. In your opinion, would you rather goto a country you havent been before (belgium) and spain. Or would you rather go from Amsterdam to Madrid and then Barcelona to see more of Spain. I am into food and drink, which i hear is great in Belgium too. The whole trip on the ground is 10 days. Thanks!
Posted by
Chicago
8159 posts
Definitely go to Belgium. I recommend Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels (Grand Place) Dinant (and of course the overly promoted Brugges). Combined with Holland you will experience the most interesting beer, not overly promoted. Then fly to Barcelona it is pretty dynamic compared to Madrid which is more of a museum history of western European painting town and can wait for another time, not unless you like the history of western European paintings.
Posted by
Washington DC
27929 posts
Because your time is so limited and you're already stuck with a mid-trip flight that is going to chew up more than half a day, I'd tend to stick to the areas around Amsterdam and Barcelona. Adding Madrid means another 4-5 hours lost to transportation, and you'd probably want 2 full days for the city itself plus two more for day-trips to Toledo and Segovia. That wouldn't leave much time for Amsterdam and Barcelona unless you have no interest in actual sightseeing and prefer just to wander and absorb the atmosphere. (In which case, I guess adding on either Madrid or something in Belgium would be fine.)
There are lots of good side-trips from Barcelona: Montserrat, Girona, Figueres, Cadaques, Sitges, etc.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6505 posts
I'm with acraven. 10 days will just fly by, and there are plenty of things to see and do in and around both Amsterdam and Barcelona. You could easily spend a week in each place without getting bored.
We loved Belgium, but I'd save it for another trip when you have more time.
Posted by
OP
Chicago, IL
206 posts
if i do Belgium, i was thinking 2 days in Amsterdam (already been there twice), 3 days in Brugge, 1 in Brussels (flying out of Char. airport), Barcelona for 4 days. Or just 3 days in Belgium adding one to Barcelona for 5 days (with day trips)
also, i havent bought anything in between just getting to Amsterdam and Flying out of Barcelona. So its open.
Posted by
3430 posts
I would get to Spain as soon as possible. You have a fairly short trip, and, IMHO, nothing in Belgium compares to what you can eat, drink and see in Barcelona and Madrid, especially if you've never been to Spain.