Itinerary Advice (London/Paris/Brussels/Netherlands)

The biggest problem is that you will have to fly from Amsterdam to Bristol the day before your conference, unless you want to devote a whole day to trains and/or overnight boats. I looked on http://www.opodo.co.uk, and there is an EasyJet flight from AMS to Bristol that's under 60 euros; of course, you have to add the various fees, liked for checking baggage, using a credit card (vs a debit card), etc. But that's still going to be the easiest and cheapest way. For the rest: London to Paris - Eurostar train (about 2 hours). Book NOW for best fares, as these only go up. Paris to Brussels - Thalys train (90 minutes). Book NOW for best fares. Or, if this train is already too expensive, you can take a bus http://www.eurolines.com (4 hours, 20-30 euros).
Brussels to Amsterdam - InterCity train, no reservations or advance purchase needed. There is also the Thalys, but this requires reservations, is expensive, and doesn't save that much time. Don't know details of British trains or buses for your remaining cities. You're not "missing" anything. I would spend my Belgium time in Bruges or Antwerp rather than Brussels; many, but certainly not all, others agree. You're emphasizing London over other places; again, that's a personal choice. I, along with Rick Steves, do not care for London, especially compared to Paris; again, lots of people adore it, and there's certainly enough to keep you busy for as long as you want to spend there. That's what I'd do next, in your position: get a few guidebooks, and start looking at each place. Make sure you have enough time to do your personal must sees in each place. If not, cut back (for example, of Brussels, Paris, and Amsterdam, you can skip one and spend more time in the two others, if you wish).

Personally I would add at least a day to Paris, taking the time from London, and substitute Bruges for Brussels. Besides that it looks good.

I second Andrea's suggestion about another day in Paris and staying in Bruges or Ghent instead of Brussels. However wheN u get off train in Brussels, store ur luggage and make a point to see royal museum of fine arts. It's chock full of our favorites (Flemish/Netherlandish primatives), plus newly added Magritte museum ( not as awesome as I thought it would be), and modern art museum. Maybe takes 3 hours for all. Then hop on a train for Bruges 1-1.5 hours away or 45 minutes to Ghent.

I know that others will soon weigh in with differing opinions, but as a single, female traveler, I would opt for something other than Brussels. There really was some beautiful architecture in Brussels, but it remains the only European city I have visited where I felt apprehensive about my safety. You could easily just add a day in Paris and Amsterdam and have a fantastic trip.

Thank you all for the helpful advice! The transportation advice was helpful, and I will likely spend less time in London, more time in Paris. I would have never thought Belgium would be unsafe for a solo traveler, good to know! Thank you again!

Well i am late to the party, but agree, more time in Paris, you can spend endless time there indulging your interests, and personally having visited it solo I have always felt safe there, and very happy lol

Can you rearrange things? If so: Fly into Amsterdam Train to Paris (with stop in Brussels if you like, maybe just for a few hours) Train to UK
Fly home from London. Much better to consolidate all London time together.

I love London and I wouldn't short change it if you are interested in history, art, and architecture. There is a ton to see there, and the major state-owned museums in London (the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, British Museum, etc.) are fantastic and FREE! As a solo traveler suggestion, I've really enjoyed going on evening walks with London Walks (www.walks.com) (I would have done a day walk, but I've never had a chance since I found out about them). They have a huge variety of walks that focus on different parts of the city, different aspects of history, etc. It's a great evening activity, and I've always ended up having fun conversations with other people on the tour. Really informative and fun. I second the museum then head to Bruges or Ghent suggestions for Belgium. Great museum of northern Renaissance art in Ghent!

Ha! James, your note is funny to me. I was with two friends (all of us from Texas) at a hostel in Ghent, and we were amused to find our roommates were also from Texas and were ready to make friends, but they were not! As I recall, they said something rather nasty about being disappointed because they were staying in hostels so they could meet people from other places. Our takeaway from that? There are jacka**es everywhere! And we were disappointed that such people were representing the place where we lived. Me, I'm pleased to meet anyone pleased to meet me, whether they match my expectations of who I thought I'd meet in that place or not. Life is too short to miss an opportunity because of a preconceived idea.

<i>In Brussels, whites are a minority, as you'll see a ton of Africans (Congo?), Moroccans, and assorted non-whites. I haven't given London the tourist's perspective yet, but I'd vote Brussels as the most international city in Europe.</i> Speaking as a Londoner the ethnic mix in Brussels when I've been there didn't strike me as unfamiliar. Yeah there are definite ethnic quarters like the bit around Gare de Midi and northern Ixelles but it's no different to Brick Lane or Brixton in London.