Itinerary planning for Europe trip

i should say, we are wanting to pick 3 cities, out of those 4, to visit

Jake - London ,Paris, and Amsterdam makes for a great 12 days itinerary. You can do 4 days in each city. You can flew into Heathrow in London and flew out of Shiphol airport in Amsterdam. Do you want to choose only one of the countries listed to explore or do a combination ?

Personal travel style preference, but with 12 days and the major cities you have listed, I would recommend picking two of them. There is so much to keep you occupied in any of these cities, not to mention the day trip options. Unless you don’t plan to come back to Europe (and it sounds like you’ve got the travel bug and you will), I wouldn’t recommend rushing your trip. You will lose a half day traveling between places, on average.

Thanks @RJean! I think @Julie also has a fair point as well, Don’t want to get too crazy.

My wife and I both agree that while Paris is a “must see” place for us, its not very high on list. Really as long as we see the Arc de Tiromphe, the gardens, the eiffel, and the lourve...we would be happy. Whereas London and Amsterdam are places we have always wanted to visit. Londons culture and sheer history along with Amersterdams art, architecture, and general beauty.

So for a 12 day trip might look like…arrive on a Monday, spend 4 nights in London, train to Paris, 3 nights in Paris, train to Amsterdam, 4 nights in Amsterdam, Fly out.

Thoughts?

I like how you have divided the days to cover the cities that you are interested in. That gives you 11 days though. You mentioned 12 total days on the original post. Will you be adding another day to London or Amsterdam?

yes, 1 more day london. Math is hard lol

I agree with Julie having been to all those cities. Good combos are London/Paris or Amsterdam/Brussels. Each city has more the. Enough to keep you busy. We spent 9 days in Amsterdam (second trip) and would still go back. We did days trips to Edam, Haarlem, and Delft. Brussels would be Bruges and Ghent. London and Paris have many, many sights to see. Each set is of cities is just a train ride apart. We have a trip to London planned for 9 days end of April and I have to seriously cut the sights we want to visit.

I find that I get less out of a trip if I visit multiple countries. I try to concentrate on one at a time.

I would do London and a short trip to Paris. Lots of great destinations to visit by train from London-York, maybe Bath. Since you want to see the Louvre, I'm guessing you're interested in art and/or museums and London has some outstanding ones. I've been to Amsterdam twice and I'm glad I went, but have no desire to go back. On the other hand I've been to London 7 times(but some were just overnight layovers) and still have a list of things to do there when I go again in Spring of 2020.

I appreciate all the responses! I think what sounds best, off the cuff, is Fly into Amsterdam (do that for 5 days), Brussels (5 days), paris ( 2days), fly out. That way we can "see paris" and its cheaper!

London and Paris, with shorter (daytrips) out from each. There's plenty to see and do (more than you think) just with that. France is one of the greatest countries in the world to visit. You may be thinking "Paris, meh..." but honestly you will discover that France deserves its longstanding reputation as a wonderful place to visit. Just give it a chance, I think you will see. London can keep you interested for a long time, too, of course. Many, many options for short excursions out of each, too, of course/

I'd save Amsterdam/Brussels for another trip. They work very well together, and with the surrounding areas.

Is this in addition to your 2021 Spain trip? Or are you looking for other potential trip ideas to throw into the mix? - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/spain/trip-to-spain-a8f76a74-2da4-4105-8a3f-fc314189c92d

Correct @Carlos. You busted me lol...just getting ideas between the 2 options. Thanks @David! Good thought

I think if you want to "get the most" out of an experience, it sounds like Paris & London could meet your travel wishes. I too would consider saving Amsterdam & Brussels for another journey. We were recently in Amsterdam and enjoyed 5 fabulous nights. We have found that "less is more."

No problem, always good to have options ;-)

Just to throw an idea out there... consider Poland, it's a pretty hot up-and-coming destination right now, 1000 years of history, great food, good tourist infrastructure, new high speed trains, very inexpensive, and relatively less tourists than most of Western Europe.

With 12 days one can do a pretty good "Best of Poland" tour:
-Warsaw (3 days) - day trip to the medieval town of Torun
-Gdansk (3 days) - day trip to Malbork Castle
-Wroclaw (3 days) - day trip to the Churches of Peace in Świdnica
-Kraków (4 days) - day trip to the Tatra Mountains

I appreciate all the responses! I think what sounds best, off the
cuff, is Fly into Amsterdam (do that for 5 days), Brussels (5 days),
paris ( 2days), fly out. That way we can "see paris" and its cheaper!

You seem to be weighing A'dam and Brussels more heavily than either London or Paris. So let me add my 2¢. Of the 4 places you originally mentioned, and within a 12 day span, I think these fall into a natural pairing that gives a decent amount of time in each: London/Paris, OR A'dam/Brussels.

However I would amend the second pairing to the Netherlands/Belgium. While you can easily spend all of those 12 days in London and Paris ( or in just one of them), this pairing especially lends itself to day trips because if the short distances to other very worthwhile places. Personally I'd not stay in Brussels at all, but somewhere more interesting like Ghent.

Of course it's all personal preference, but the more I travel, the fewer places I see (on any given trip). I'd much rather spend several days experiencing as much as possible in one place than just glimpsing a couple of things in a bunch of places.

If you’re leaning towards Amsterdam and Brussels, I personally wouldn’t stay in Brussels for 5 nights. We were in Belgium for 9 nights and stayed in Brussels itself for 3. I liked Brussels - but if you’re going to Belgium I’d say you should check out Ghent, Bruges, or Dinant (haven’t been to Antwerp yet so can’t advise on it). They’re some fabulous cities and worth the time, especially those 2 nights that you’re talking about using for Paris.

Don’t get me wrong - I love Paris! And France (it’s my favorite country we’ve visited). But I wouldn’t go for just 2 nights. It’s worth so much more and you’ll barely start getting acquainted before you have to leave. Save your travel expense and time unless you stay for at least another night there.

What's in Brussels that interests you for 5 nights? Personally, if I'd never been there I wouldn't feel I had missed anything.

Near the top you said that you really wanted to go to London and Amsterdam. 🏰🌷

Really, all the other cities will still be there later. It's simply not possible to go everywhere all at once.

They're all worth as much time as you want to give them.

But seriously, this is your trip. Go to the places that call you the most first. The others will pull you in when it's time. It sounds like you're probably a little younger than some of the very knowledgeable people on this forum which means you've got more time to get everywhere you want to go over the next few decades.

There's plenty to do in both even if you just stay put and don't do any day trips. Longer amount of time in London will make it easier to fit in Harry Potter if it's on your list and still do other things.

Fewer locations also means it's easier to plan and research in depth to make a more meaningful trip for your interests and not just check off the Instagram photo list. (Bo-o-ring!)

So first as always...thanks @Julie, @Cala and @ Wanderbug.

Second, I dont think i really ever had Brussels on my list of places to visit in Europe, it was more just "well ill be near there and it looks cool..." I truly know nothing about it other than its the unofficial capital of Europe and the primary business zone of Europe.

If I go to England then Ill want to take several day trips and likely to see Ireland. Additionally, the UK is one my in-laws have always wanted to do, so that would be for another time.

I think what im focusing on ( as @Carlos knows from my other thread)...is either Barcelona and Madrid or make Paris and Amsterdam work for 2021.

Appreciate all of your assistance

Just to follow up regarding Brussels...

I truly know nothing about it other than its the unofficial capital of Europe and the primary business zone of Europe.

One thing to know: many travelers find Brussels falls far short of other European capitols, in terms of touristic appeal. I would tend to agree. That's not to say there's nothing good to see there, it's not worth a visit, etc. Just keep expectations calibrated.

It's a grand old city with some good stuff (I enjoyed the comic book museum), but IMHO not in the same league with Paris, London, etc. Some good museums, a famous square with impressive architecture, I'm sure one could enjoy time there but for most of us, time in Europe is limited. I've spent a day-and-a-half there on a previous trip, and that seemed like the right amount of time for me (there's plenty of equally interesting things to see in other cities and towns nearby).

Perhaps not a fair way to measure, but I believe the city's #1 tourist attraction is a small metal statue of a boy urinating, which might be indicative of something (perhaps the tastes of tourists?). Let's just say that it's not exactly Rome.

(No offense intended to Brussels lovers, just trying to set expectations.)

I agree. Time in Europe is so short, there is absolutely no reason to spend time and money somewhere that you are not really interested in and that doesn’t have as much to offer (Brussels).

I like your initial idea of London-Paris-Amsterdam. It gives you three different flavors, with easy travel between each segment.

Thanks to all of the additional reply’s! Very helpful in making decisions for what to do

I don't think Brussels is that interesting compared to other places in Belgium. Yes, there are places of interest, but only if you have the time to explore. I'd fly into Amsterdam, take the train to Paris and then the Eurostar to Paris. 12 days is short, but if you feel you have time I would stop in either Bruges or Ghent on your way to Paris. If you want to see the countryside then you will need to venture outside the cities, in which case, I would suggest flying into a city, spending a few days and then renting a car. Driving is Europe is the best way to see the countryside.

I, personally prefer to fly the farther distance on my departure and fly back from the closest point of departure back to the US.

Skip Brussels nothing to see. You don't mention your age which is important- still into late party scenes or not?
Amsterdam is lovely - we just spent a month there- but it is so crowded it is overwhelming and pretty ruined unless moving in a slow moving shambles of humans is your idea of fun. Utrecht is lovely, peaceful and such a better experience imho. Or Haarlem or Delft both with local markets and art museums.

Paris is way too big for a short visit and it can be very overwhelming as well. Look at Rick Steve's show on Loire Valley- it is spectacular and the food is amazing. Much more French experience than the international frenzy that Paris can be. Or perhaps St Tropez in the spring/summer/fall or anywhere on the southern coast.
London is very expensive! Meals are double the price in France and are very depressing imho. So while there's things to see for sure- if keeping to a budget or interest in dining is on your list I would perhaps revisit. Though a trip through the chunnel is very cool and you can see plenty in 2 days.
What about Greece? Transavia flies for about $200 rt out of Amsterdam and it is very cheap and the friendliness of the people and the beaches and archeology will amaze you.
My personal plan would be 4 days urban city time in Amsterdam/Utrecht then 4 days go to Greek beach in Crete (say Rethymno and Chania) then 4 days back to the city Paris or Nice or Marseille. I am a very energetic sightseeer and going to the beach forces me to slow down to an archeological site in the morning and beach in the afternoon. Otherwise I kill myself haha. I'm 54 and my husband and I lived in England, he lived in Ireland and we travel at least a month every year with and now without kids. If you have an RV you can swap!
There are so many ways to travel including camping - full amenities, bar, restaurant and fresh croissants in France.
Most important is to buy the plane ticket.

Research will be your best friend. My wife and I usually pick a location a year in advance and then immerse ourselves in research so we are able to target our must-see sites. You're mentioning some impressive cities and all worth visiting, but remember not to rush it. Maybe cut down to 1 or 2 locations and experience more by travelling less. We spent a week in London last Fall and can't wait to go back to see the stuff we missed, our 2nd week was spent meandering around Bath and the Cotswolds. There is a lot to see outside of the major cities and as you gain more experience in Europe you'll gain even more confidence to set out by train or rental car and discover some of the less traveled locations.

OMG do NOT spend five nights in Brussels. Trust us on that one.

Even though you are talking about three different countries, they are all geographically very close together and connected by super easy and super fast trains. I would do four nights London, four nights Paris, one night Bruges (good “vacation from your vacation spot”) and three nights Amsterdam.

I have been to Brussels, it deserves one day at the most. Brugges deserves a day as well.

For your first European trip at 12 days, I would not recommend Brussels. Paris is a must see, London is great and a must. Why not do both and add some day trips from each.

For London, you could day trip to Windsor Castle, Oxford, Cambridge, Canterbury, Winchester, Bath, Stonehenge and more.
For Paris do Versailles and perhaps a trip to Normandy for a couple of days.