Amsterdam-Paris-London for 2 weeks

Brussels or Antwerp, all on the same train line as Amsterdam - Paris. You can leave from either AMS or CDG, depending on where you end up. When are you thinking of travelling?

Lavandula

Brussels is not without charm, example, the Grand Plaza, however in my opinion Brugges and Ghent would be great choices.

We were based in Bruges for a week in October, you could also make daytrips from there to Ghent which we loved. Is there any interest in WW1 sites? Bruges is a good base for that as well.

Month of Year? Aside from weather and crowding, there are seasonal issues like Keukenhof and London Proms concerts, and the Chelsea Flower Show.

Are you aware that Amsterdam (if sometimes an expensive hotel market) has 7 to ten possible same-day runout visits by low-cost, unreserved commuter trains? Among the better known are Delft, Leiden, and Utrecht. Delft happens to be a tram ride from the major city of Den Haag, which has some fine art museums, including the famous Lady With A Pearl Earring. There are two or more "cheese boutique" towns, and for engineers, the newer Delta Works coastal barriers.

I agree that two major cities are enough for two weeks, and that leaving out an island-country is a wise decision. ("Fog in Channel; Continent Cut Off" apocryphal newspaper headline.) Our first married trip to Europe (1989, maybe) was a week in Paris and a week in London, and that was before the Eurostar tunnel was available. We've been to London and Paris, each, at least six times since then, for one reason or another.

It is true that people back home will ask you "did you see Bruges?", but it is a fairly long train trip, with at least one change. Typically, Brussels and Antwerp can each be right on the train route between Paris and Amsterdam, and I am particularly fond of Antwerp, where you will find fewer American tourists. It's definitely good for 3 nights, and more if you daytrip to Bruges, Brussels, or Ghent.

Try to be in Amsterdam or Paris for your Mondays, in case of museum closures. But most cities have some variety in closure days to be sure there is something to do.

What is the magic to having to select three destinations?
Your selections offer a wide variety of experiences to be absorbed.
Select two locations and feast on having the time to enjoy creating wonderful travel memories.

Is this your first visit to Europe or to the countries you are thinking about visiting?

Any number of really good possibilities. But I would think of your trip in your number of nights, and you have only 12. Plus, you lose half a day each time you travel.

Given your limited time, especially if this is a first trip to Europe, a possibility would be London and Paris. I see that London was in your original plan. Cuts down on travel time. For my money, the two greatest sights in Europe. A ton of side-trip options. (Admission: l like London exponentially more than I like Amsterdam.)

Another possibility is Amsterdam, Bruges/Ghent, and Paris--3 to 4 nights, 2 to 3 nights, 5 to 6 nights.

Good luck with your trip planning.

London/Paris/Amsterdam is a great choice of 3 cities to visit if you have closer to 3 weeks than 2. All are connected by Eurostar. With just 2 weeks, the logical choice is London/Paris, but for my taste, that's a LOT of big city. Paris/Amsterdam/Bruges (or Antwerp or Ghent or The Hague) is a good combo for your time frame. Make your list for Paris to ensure you book enough nights there (6 or 7, probably). Have fun!

Why are you 2nd guessing London? I'm planning a London/Paris/Amsterdam trip for next year and London is getting the most time. (8/4/4 nights)

Well, if you decide to save London for next time, I'd go with Amsterdam and add a night or 2, then the rest in Paris. Honestly, I am one of the Paris-lovers on this board and I don't even like big cities! With 8 nights in Paris that gives you 7 full days. That is enough for one or 2 day trips and the rest of the time in Paris.

I think some of the questions others are asking are important - first time to all 3 cities? When? What made you pick these three - guidebook recommendations or something about them that makes you want to see them?

Thank you all for your feedback and advise