Amsterdam, Belgium, Paris and London Itinerary/ Transportation help

1) I think you can have a satisfying introduction to these cities in the time you allocate. Some of the side trips are really overnights and might benefit from more time. Do these times reflect your priorities?

2) A rail pass is probably not the cheapest if you (a) buy 90 days out, (b) travel second class (c) buy direct from national rail sites. But, it depends.

3) You can travel by train or rent a car, or there are bus tours from Paris. If you are on your own you will need wheels to visit the chateaux. You could not hope to see all the chateaux even if you spent your entire trip doing it. You could visit 2 or 3 in a single day of you were very well organized.

4) Similarly, you could travel by train or rent a car. You might take a taxi to MSM from the train station if you do not drive. It is a long trip. Overnight is better.

5) Nothing to add.

6) Probably not, but it depends on your plans.

7) Guidebooks are a good source of day itineraries.

I'll only anwser a few questions.

2) Third party rail passes (ie, Eurail, RailEurope), almost never cheaper. Belgian rail sells their own pass, however, that is quite a deal for domestic travel. More than one person can use it simultaneously, and last time I checked, it cost about €62. No need to purchase any rail tickets in advanced for Belgium, including the pass, except as follows... For Amsterdam to Brussels and Brussels to Paris, purchase your tickets directly in advanced from Thalys.com for the best discounts.

5) Possible, yes, but not desirable. You'll end up short-changing one or both of the cities.

Thanks for the wonderful advices.

Partial answer to #3: "Is one day enough for visiting all the chateaus in Loire Valley?" Not even if you have a teleporter, because there are several dozen châteaux. When I visited, I based myself out of Amboise, and with a car, I found visiting two per day was a comfortable pace. I'll let others who have visited as a day trip from Paris comment further.

I think your general schedule of places to stay is OK, but you've got too many day trips planned. Especially in London, you'll have no time to actually see the city. Of the ones you've picked, I'd say to stick to the closer destinations to the cities (one out of the Belgian trips, Versailles, Disneyland Paris, and Windsor Castle) and leave the others until later.

It's possible to see Bruges and Ghent in one day from Brussels (Ghent is about two-thirds of the way from Brussels to Bruges) but you'd only have time for a stroll around both town centres without visiting any buildings. If you only have one day I'd pick Bruges, but some people prefer Ghent because the centre is less completely dominated by tourists and tourist attractions/businesses.

Don't bother with a Paris Pass, it's rarely good value for money. As far as transport goes, there is a weekly bus/metro pass that can only be purchased for a calendar week from Monday to Sunday, which will be worth getting if you arrive early in the week. Otherwise get "carnets" of ten single-journey tickets at discount prices. If you want to see a lot of museums in Paris, it is worth getting the Paris Museum Pass (different from the Paris Pass, it only covers museums and historical sites), which is available in 2, 4, or 6 day versions that are better value for money the longer you get. Note that the Paris Museum Pass also includes Versailles.

I'm puzzled by your reference to "Westminster Castle", there's no such place. Do you mean Westminster Abbey? Tower of London? The Houses of Parliament?

Hi all thanks for the advice... Hi Philip, I actually mean Warwick castle not Westminster castle got it mixup. But I really love to visit mont saint Michel and Stonehenge. Between Warwick and Windsor castle which do you recommend?

Welcome,

Amsterdam in 4 nights = youre Good to Go (GTG). depending on what you like to do/see, it maybe too much time. you dont mention any side trips here, but others you do.

Brussels in 4 nights. . But i dont know about side trips. I spent my 3 days in Brussels only and didnt feel rushed in what went to see/do. I believe Bruge is about a 15 minute train ride. I was looking into going there as a whim, but changed my mind. Cost wasnt even a factor.

Paris in 7 nights. as far as the sight seeing in Paris. I spent 4 full days there and could have spent more but thats for another time. I went to Normandy for 3 full days too. In my opinion, going to Mont Saint Michel (MSM) is going to be a full day for you anyway you do it. I took the train up to Bayeux and stayed there. I then took the MSM shuttle from Bayeux. I think it was about 2 hour ride from Bayeux to MSM. The train i took to Bayeux from Paris took about 2 hours one way too. So if you take that route, its about 4 hours just to get there. Im not sure about driving so will let others that love to sit behind the wheel give their experience.

If you go to Disneyland, it will probably eat up a full day or more. just something to think about. Versailles will take a day also.

London for 7 nights. I stayed in London for 4 full days and saw just about all i planned to see, with a few exceptions. I didnt take any side trips either.

Q6.

as far a passes go, you will have to do the math to determine if its worth it to you. I bought the museum pass in Amsterdam and Paris. London, i didnt since most museums are free. I did buy an oyster card to use the tube in london and i still have it and use it when i return. Amsterdam has trams/buses/trains and you can buy a ticket for one trip or 1 or 3 day pass. Its up to you. I did buy the Brussels card since it worked for me $$ wise.

im like you in that i love the trains over in europe and will use it most of the times when possible.

there are several hotels/places to stay in the Normandy area or if you choose, there are places to stay on MSM. that would be the cats meow.

Q7.

Rick Steves books has some itineraries in his book. some of the others do too.

Everyone is an individual and what works for one wont or may not work for others. Its up to you to figure out what you like to do or see. the people on here can help with the details, but you have to provide more info.

I like to plan for about 6~8 hours/day at most of sight seeing and the rest of the time is reflection, people watching and extra time at an attraction if i choose to. Its not the best way or the right way, its how i do it and want to do my travels. Some may feel i waste valuable time, but it works for me and i dont feel rushed at the end of my day or trip.

If this is your first trip, consider it a learning experience. Once you get this under your belt, you will have a better idea on your next trip.

happy trails.

"I believe Bruge is about a 15 minute train ride." It's a little longer from Brussels. About an hour.

Belgium I recommend basing yourself in Ghent, then taking day trips to Bruges, Antwerp and Brussels, because it is midway between Bruges and Brussels and accommodations are cheaper overall than in either of those 2 places.

EuroDisney is great for kids who haven't been and aren't going to the U.S. Disneys. On the other hand, whatever floats your boat. . .

Suggested itineraries You can find them in the Rick Steves guides, the Frommer's guides (and destination websites), the DK Eyewitness guides and Michelin guides. Most of them will also include walking tours. Try your public library or used book stores to start.

Lastly, allow for travel time in your itinerary. It takes time to pack/unpack, check in/out of hotels, get to/from train stations. It also takes time to get oriented to new places, learn to use public transportation, etc.

The best advice I can give is - you can't see and do everything, so relax and enjoy everything you see and do.

One good thing about your itinerary is that it allows lots of flexibility. With lots of day trips that do not require hotel reservations, you will not be locked into a definite plan. You can always change your mind once you are there. You might get to Paris and say, "This is so nice, I think I'll skip the Loire." Who knows, maybe a better plan will occur to you once you are there on the ground.

I thinking of skipping Ghent as Bruges seem more attractive to me. I thinking of joining a day tour to loire valley to visit just three famous chateaus to remove all the unwanted hassle of trying to find my way around, the tour from viator look tempting.

Decided to stay one night in mount saint Michel.

Trying to squeeze amsterdam visit into two days plus one day trip to Zaase windmill and Kleu? Garden.

Paris disneyland feel like going hopefully it not a wasted trip as the last time I went to Disney in Tokyo is quite disappointing as the rides is very kiddy and super long waiting hrs and the fast pass all reserved up

@koh

you don't say when your trip will be. you don't say where you are coming from, nor where you are landing and leaving from. These would help. If you are landing in Amsterdam, will you be dealing with any jetlag there?

Viator don't provide any tours, they subcontract to the people providing the actual tour and your contract and experience is with the actual tour company.

Most first time visitors do choose Brugge. Read your guidebooks for specifics, but most people like the Grote Markt, the tower, the friteurs, the horse drawn carriages (ride or watch), the chocolate, the ancient buildings, the mussels, the cobblestones, the atmosphere, the chocolate, the windmills, the beer, the chocolate, the winding lanes, the boat trip through the canals, and the chocolate.

If you are going to Keukenhof (click on your preferred language flag on their webpage) can we assume that you will be there sometime from the end of March to the start of May?

All the places you would want to see is great, but there are too many day trips. As others state, you must consider jet lag and leaving the day you go home. Also look at the RS week long tours and that will outline what there is to do in London and Paris ( been on both tours) and there are tons to see and do. Going to Winsor Castle is fine as you can take a short train ride to tour the castle. Not a whole day needed, small town to tour. Warwick Castle is too far. Loire Valley is huge, many towns and castles to tour and will only have time for one castle and town, but I would make that a separate trip. I took the 13 day France tour and there are lots to see. There is tons of wonderful places to visit in Paris, I would only do Versailles which can take one day or at least 2/3 day and only a short train ride to the castle. Take a look at the RS videos and look at the scrapbooks of people that went on the tours and you will see what there is to see an do. Bath is fine for a day but better an over nite trip. I would drop the Coltwolds, Salisbury and Stonehenge. Again separate trips. You are not giving yourself time to really see Paris and London which are loaded with wonderful streets, shops, museums, pubs and churches. Brussels needs a few days and one day trip is fine. Remember you are traveling and it cuts into the time you are in each city and leaving each city and getting to each hotel. Look at all the RS tours and that will give you a good idea how to plan your days. Paris museum is excellent if you plan to see several museums. Have a great time.

I flying in from Singapore to Amsterdam and fly out from London to Singapore.

I travel to Europe before and nv encounter Jetlag, I think maybe because I take night flight and always reach the destination in the morning.

Also need to seek advice in should I travel from brussels to Mont Saint Michel immediately then after one night stay travel to paris and from paris to london?

or should I travel from brussels to paris first then travel to Mont Saint Michel then travel to London from Mont Saint Michel?

After some of the advices, below is my amsterdam and belgium rough itinerary still working on paris and london. Wonder the bruges itinerary is it too packed and should I split to 2 days.

Amsterdam
Day 1:
Reach Amsterdam @ 06:55
Pickup the 48hrs iamsterdam card @ Schiphol Airport Arrivals Hall 2: Holland Tourist Information
Reach Hotel @ 08:00
Reach Damrak @ 09:00
Breakfast
Join the 3hrs Amsterdam Walking Tour(€3) @ 11:15 @ National Monument @ Damrak
Lunch @ 2:30
Walk & Shop around Damrak(approx. 3hrs)
-Royal Palace(Koninklijk Paleis) - €7.50
-Hotel Krasnapolsky @ opp Royal Palace
-National Memorial Status
-Nieuwe Kerk(New Church) – Daily 10am – 6pm
-Bijenkorf(Shopping)
-Magna Plaza(Shopping)
-Bonneterie(Shopping)
Dinner
Back to Hotel
 
Day 2:
Breakfast
Albert Cuyp Market – Daily 9-5pm
The Jordaan District(approx. 3-4hrs)
-Bloemenmarkt(Floating Flower Market) - Mon – Sat 9 - 5:30pm, Sun 11 - 5:30pm
-Prinsengracht(Prince’s Canal)
-Westerkerk(Western Church)
-Noodermarkt Flea Market
-Nooderkerk(North Church)
Lunch
Shopping around De Negen Straatjes(Nine little street)
Rijksmuseum – Daily 9 – 7pm @ €12.50
Dinner
Canal Cruise
Back to Hotel

Day 3:
Breakfast
Zaanse Schans Windmills, Volendam and Marken Half-Day Tour plus Keukenhof Gardens Tours via Viator
Dinner
Back to Hotel
 
Belgium
Day 1 – Brussels
Train from Amsterdam to Brussels
Breakfast on train
Reach Hotel
Grand Place/ Town Hall
Notre Dame de Bon Secours – located south of Grand Place
Notre Dame du Finistere – located north of Grand Place
St. Nicolas Church
Manneken Pis(little man pee)
The Cathedral of Saints Michel and Gudule
The Royal Palace of Brussels
Back to Hotel

Day 2 – Antwerp
Breakfast
Train to Antwerp
Cityhall
Grote Markt
Cathedral of Our Lady
Train back to Brussels
Shop & Walk around Brussels
Dinner
Back to Hotel

Day 3 – Bruges
Breakfast
Train to Bruges
Canal Cruise – tour leave @ a dock near Burg Square
Burg Square
-Bishop’s Palace
-Town Hall (Stadhuis)
-Old Civil Registry (Paleis van het Brugse Vrije)
-The Holy Blood Basilica (Heiligbloed Basiliek)
Markt Square
-Climb the Belfry Tower (Belfort) – 366 steps????
-Provincial Court Building
Church of our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk)
Prinsenhof
St. Salvator Cathedral

Now, let me play the devil's advocate with your very carefully planned itinerary. What if the weather goes bad? I wouldn't try to pigeon-hole things so firmly.

"Most first time visitors do choose Brugge. Read your guidebooks for specifics, but most people like the Grote Markt, the tower, the friteurs" Allow me to offer a bit of a public health warning. I experienced several days of gastro-intestinal distress after eating fries from one of the frituur stands under the Belfry. I think the sauce I choose may not have been properly stored, but it may have been something else. Plus, the fries weren't even that good. If you want to sample Belgium's famous fries in Brugge, I would go to the frituur just off of the Grote Markt.

Oh, and in Brussels, pay a visit to Mannekin Pis's much-neglected sister, Janneke Pis. I love the cheeky little grin this statue has.

You state your plan is as follows:

"Amsterdam
Day 1:
Reach Amsterdam @ 06:55
Pickup the 48hrs iamsterdam card @ Schiphol Airport Arrivals Hall 2: Holland Tourist Information
Reach Hotel @ 08:00
Reach Damrak @ 09:00
Breakfast
Join the 3hrs Amsterdam Walking Tour(€3) @ 11:15 @ National Monument @ Damrak
Lunch @ 2:30
Walk & Shop around Damrak(approx. 3hrs)
-Royal Palace(Koninklijk Paleis) - €7.50
-Hotel Krasnapolsky @ opp Royal Palace
-National Memorial Status
-Nieuwe Kerk(New Church) – Daily 10am – 6pm
-Bijenkorf(Shopping)
-Magna Plaza(Shopping)
-Bonneterie(Shopping)
Dinner
Back to Hotel"

I think you are being overly ambitious on Day 1. Even if your plane lands on time at 06:55 I don't think there is any way you can clear customs and immigration and arrive at your hotel by 08:00. The rest of your day seems overly scheduled, especially since it is your arrival day.

 

Oh, and in Brussels, pay a visit to Mannekin Pis's much-neglected sister, Janneke Pis. I love the cheeky little grin this statue has.

I just loved this little statue. Its too bad it has to be gated in.

just something to think about.

eating is fine, you need it on your travels, but planning for it i wouldnt. i would eat when convenient. If youre in a middle of a tour or musuem, you may not have the opportunity to eat. On your day train trips if you think your dinner bell will be ringing, then i would try to eat onboard the train that way you dont have to stop your sight seeing. all of the train stations i used had food vendors and many of them tasty in my opinion. on my travels i always carry some type of granola/breakfast bar(s) just in case i need to eat something quick.

i would save the sit down meals for dinner or lunch if its convenient.

happy trails.

I do give extra hrs in case the flight delay etc... this a rough plan I can always switch the itnerary around.

Where Janneke Pis located???

Yup whenever I travel on rail, to save time I always buy andwiches and eat on train.

I love to try local street food, make me feel more local instead of tourist.

Any other good recommendation?

"Where Janneke Pis located???"

In a dead-end alley just off of the Grand Place. I forget exactly where, but I seem to recall there's a small sign that points you in the right direction. It might be a side-street off of Rue Bucher, but my memory may not be correct on this point.

directions and (very small) information at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanneke_Pis

If you wish to complete pissing on Brussels, see the dog at Zinneke Pis.

Some people see them as art, some people see them as a joke, some see them as brilliant commentary on tourist opinions about Brussels.

"Zinneke Pis". I think that may be a play on the Dutch word "zindelijk", which means "house trained" when referring to a dog. Say what you will about Brussels, but it seems they have a sense of humor.