Planning Trip Advice - Starting in London Ending in Paris

I did an overnight ferry to cross over from Netherlands to England. I highly recommend the trip in reverse if you want to skip the flight. You can read about the options on seat61.com if you're interested.

Thanks we will look into the overnight ferry option - it is something I would have never thought of great idea!

You can fly on EasyJet from Gatwick Airport to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport in an hour for around $55. It'd be nice to take a ferry over there, but it's just not efficient, and Amsterdam is certainly worthy of 3 full days' time.
You could also fly from Gatwick to many, many cities in Europe and take a flight back into Paris after 3 days. I like Budapest or Prague as lively places to go.

You actually have 6 nights ...
28+29 Apr YORK
30,1,2 May AMSTERDAM
3 May BRUGES

Saturday, 30 April 2016
KL1546 Operated by KLM Cityhopper
10:15 LBA Leeds Bradford
12:30 AMS Amsterdam

Leeds Bradford Airport is 32 miles (approx 1 hour drive) from the centre of York.

Posted by djp_syd
David in Brisbane, Australia
12/07/15 09:52 PM
2206 posts
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You actually have 6 nights ...
28+29 Apr YORK
30,1,2 May AMSTERDAM
3 May BRUGES

This looks good - Bruges for 1 night, correct? I was thinking about staying there - why do you like it?

This is what RS says ... https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/belgium/bruges

Other links
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/great-war-flanders/10973342/48-hours-bruges-flanders-fields.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/48-hours-in/48-hours-in-bruges-1633910.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/travel/a-weekend-in-bruges-beyond-cobbled-lanes-and-medieval-canals.html?_r=0
http://www.arrivalguides.com/en/Travelguides/Europe/Belgium/Bruges

Mussels, chips, beer, chocolate ... and lace !!!

You have less than 2 weeks, so visit three or four places maximum, otherwise you loose too much of your holiday in transit. Your question where to stay is too broad, as you could cover anywhere in Europe in your allotted time.

UK trains are usually cheaper if travel to after 9.30 for departures. Book 12 weeks ahead for the best prices. That will get you into York at lunchtime. York doesn't have an airport, so you would have to go to Leeds/Bradford or head north to Newcastle airport if you are flying elsewhere in Europe. So you will loose another half day in transit minimum. Scrap the overnight boat idea. Good if you have more time and not easy from York without a car.

Amsterdam will certainly keep you occupied for several days. Although Bruges is worth a visit, as has been suggested, you would loose too much time in transit to make this worthwhile.

Your main issue as I see it is that York doesn't lend itself to then moving elsewhere in Europe. My advice would be to then stay in the UK after York, such as Northumberland then Edinburgh then fly to Paris OR to scrap York and go straight from London to somewhere else in Europe, as the options are more varied. Better airports and the Tunnel option to France, Belgium or Holland.

28th April
Morning train from London to York
Afternoon in historic centre of York

29th April
9am Rent a car for 24hrs
Visit Castle Howard & Fountains Abbey

30th April
9am Return rental car at Leeds Bradford Airport
10:15am KL1546 KLM Cityhopper to Amsterdam

I'd add on to djp-syd's recommendation and suggest you go to the Yorkshire Dales NP also, after York and before Leeds, for a couple of full days, at least, and take some lovely walks from village to hamlet, (pub to tavern) etc. Grassington is a lovely old village in this beautiful area and could be a possible base. It will give you a bit of a change from the big cities. Fly out of Leeds or take the overnight ferry from Hull, which is accessible by public transit, but if you have a rental car that would be a little easier.