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Need advice on spending 9 days in Europe in April

Posted by on

I'm planning to visit Europe solo in April and I know that I'd like to spend 4 nights in Belfast, exploring the city and doing a tour or two outside of the city.

After Belfast, I'm not sure where I'd like to go. I enjoy photography so beautiful buildings and scenery are high up on my list. I've explored parts of Ireland, such as the Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerry and I'm not too keen on exploring more of Ireland since I'm not a fan of renting a car without someone to help me navigate. As much as I love Edinburgh and the Scottish highlands, I've been 4 times. I've been to London but not any other part of England.

Ruled out Berlin because it seems overwhelming.

Other areas that I am considering: Ghent & Bruges, Lucerne & Bern in Switzlerand, Florence? Any thoughts or suggestions? Budget isn't too much of a concern for me.

If it helps, I am leaving from Amsterdam. Needed to book airfare and got a good deal and there are a lot of flights in/out of Amsterdam. I've visited the city before and I have to say that it's not my favorite place, although I didn't hate it. Could also be that I received a bit of a jolt due to the crowds after 2 weeks in the Scottish highlands :)

Posted by
3 posts

Oh and if it helps with giving advice on location, I am in my mid-30s and I don't get exhausted by being on the go while traveling :)

Posted by
8412 posts

If all you have is 9 days and four in Belfast, that only leaves five days.

First, I have been to Belfast twice, on two different cruises and did a city tour once and a great tour of the Giant's Causeway and Rope Bridge north of Belfast the second time.

In my opinion, two days is plenty for Belfast.

If you insist on flying somewhere there are many options, IF you are leaving from Amsterdam, Ghent and Bruges are close. What about Paris?

Posted by
6113 posts

When in April are you travelling? Easter holidays are in the middle of the month, when places will be busier, with children on holiday.

Berlin is a marvellous city, rich in modern history that is easy to navigate by public transport.

Nine days usually means 8 nights and you mention spending 4 nights in Belfast, so does that leave 4 nights or should your heading read 9 nights?

If you are flying out of Amsterdam, why not spend time in Holland? There are many places that are quieter than Amsterdam - Haarlem, Utrecht, the old windmills of Kinderdijk or Delft. If you are travelling mid/late April, it will be tulip time, so spend a day in Keukenhof, a mass of colour and very photogenic.

Texel island is the opposite of Amsterdam - few people and picturesque seascapes around the lighthouse. A third of the island is a nature reserve. Cover as a day trip or spend the night.

Ghent and Bruges/Holland will involve far less travel time than Switzerland or Italy and are very photogenic.

Posted by
3 posts

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll reduce the amount of time I'm spending in Belfast.

I didn't even think about Keukenhof; seeing the tulips in the Netherlands sounds perfect. How long do you recommend for Ghent/Bruges?

Posted by
29 posts

I spent 2 nights in Bruges and thought that was enough to see that city. If taking a day trip to Ghent, I would add a night.

Posted by
1412 posts

If London didn't overwhelm you then Berlin won't either - you should reconsider since it's close to Amsterdam. I've never been to Hamburg but have read good things. Spending your 5 extra days between Berlin and Hamburg would be exciting and easy.

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