I am planning a trip to the Netherlands, Belgium and Normandy for the summer of 2012. Does this make sense? Fly into Amsterdam, stay a week or so traveling within the Netherlands and Belgium (by train) Can I take a train from Brussels to Caen or some other area in Normandy? rent a car and spend 5 days or so traveling throughout Normandy. Would I train into Paris to fly home? or take the chunnel to London and fly home from there..is that possible?
Posted by
aberdeen, scotland & london, uk
241 posts
Trains very easy in that area. Schipol (? Spl) in Amsterdam is brilliant airport with tons to do (I find Paris c de g bit boring). Avoid Chunnel and trek to h'row unless specifically coming to uk.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
The train from Brussels to Caen goes through Paris where you have to scoot across town to change stations. It probably takes ten or twelve hours. You can drive it in about six, even with a quick lunch stop. Often the second-country drop-off fee from Belgium to France is minor - - it'd be worth checking. You can take the car back to Paris and drop it at the airport (three hour drive) or you can take the train back to Paris, make the cross-town station change again, and the RER out to the airport. Driving will be faster and it's easy. Going to London to fly home makes no sense and costs more. Do that only if you want to spen time in London.
Posted by
Gilbert, AZ, USA
4 posts
I can't help you with the transportation question or about Normandy, but in Sept 2010 I was in Amsterdam for 4 awesome days and Bruges for 3 lovely days. The public transportation in Amsterdam is amazing! Their train, bus, and tram system is everywhere. We took the bus out to Volendam and Edam which was worth every second of it to see 'the country' of The Netherlands. Stayed at the Hotel Fita in Amsterdam, right next to the Van Gogh and super close to a tram stop. In Bruges we stayed at Hotel Heritage which was perfect location and very nice. If you go to Bruges, you have to have dinner at Cookies (on the smallest street in Bruges). The tapas and drinks were great and the bartender owner was lots of fun. We also spent 2 days in the often overlooked country of Luxembourg. It was incredible!!!! I highly recommend it. Clean, friendly people, beautiful country.
Posted by
Finkle
195 posts
We took a very similar trip last year. Flew into Amsterdam, rented car and went to Bruges and then drove to Normandy and home based in Bayeux-which I really recommend. Drove car back to Amsterdam for return flight. Loved ther trip. Only slight downer was navigating car in car unfriendly Bruges, but once we we able to garage the sucker in a public garage very close to our Hotel, Jan Brito, we really enjoyed our two day stay in that lovely and fun city. Driving back to Amsterdam from Bayeux, 7-8 hours or so, was a bit of a haul, but every trip has a least one big travel day. We loved the location, services, breakfast at our hotels in Amsterdam -Hotel Aalders, and in Bayeux-Hotel Lion D`Orr