My husband and I are planning a trip to Europe this fall with our 14 year old daughter. We have 2 weeks to spend and would like to see Amsterdam, Paris, Bruges and the Rhine Valley. Is this feasible in 2 weeks without running ourselves ragged? I figured we could fly into Amsterdam and out of Paris, or vice versa but am wondering if the trip to Bruges will eat up too much time in just getting there? Any ideas?
Posted by
Maryland, USA
533 posts
I think that's a reasonable scope for a two-week vacation. Your destinations are all fairly close together and (mostly) linked by high-speed trains, so including all four should be very doable. And Bruges is only an hour by train outside of Brussels, so not too far out of the way at all.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Going to Germany is the longer detour than Bruges, but I agree that the plan will work. How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
It's about 4 hours from Belgium (Gent) to the Rhine so that involves some travelling a bit out of the way. Perhaps stick to Amsterdam >> Belgium >> Paris.
Visit Haarlem plus The Hague from Amsterdam, and Bruges, Antwerp, Brussels from Gent. Look at up to a week in Paris for an in depth visit.
Posted by
Maryland, USA
533 posts
Or consider Rhine >> Amsterdam >> Bruges >> Paris, or the reverse. Cologne to Amsterdam on a high-speed ICE train is around 2 hours 45 minutes.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9055 posts
. . . or fly into Frankfurt? end in Paris.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4311 posts
I agree with David. Stick with Amsterdam, Belgium, Paris. there is enough to see to keep you busy for 2 weeks plus.