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Itinerary suggestions -- Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg

Hi all,

I have been planning my own trips to Europe since 2012 (France). Since then I have planned a long trip to Europe (Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece -- 33 days in 2022) and London 2023. I am currently working on a 2026 trip to Spain. For all of those trips I have researched extensively using forums, guidebooks, videos, etc., and only come to forums for suggestions when I have a semi solid itinerary. But, this Saturday, the possibility of a trip to The Netherlands came up. We need to make a decision pretty quick whether it's something we can do, and obviously that is influenced by itinerary. The problem is that I am stumped as to how long, what to see, etc. So I am hoping that maybe some of you can share successful itineraries. Or can guide me by answering some questions.

We have 8 - 10 nights. How many should we spend in Amsterdam? What are the must do day trips?
Have any of you combined a trip with Luxembourg and or Cologne?
Ideally we would do Amsterdam and other places in Netherlands, visit Antwerp (already visited Brussels, Bruges and Ghent), Luxembourg and maybe Cologne before returning home. I understand this is ambitious. If I go, there is a high probability that my parents will go too, and because of natural aging, their traveling days are dwindling, so if we include other cities/places is so that they can see a few more spots in that area of the world. On my previous trips we have travelled by train so I am familiar with that. What I need help is with what places should be priority and for how long, also best day trips. If you have been before and have an itinerary that includes the cities I have mentioned and care to share it I would greatly appreciate it. We love nature, historical sites, architecture, art and food.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Posted by
2278 posts

Can you be more specific about your interests. There are a whole lot of historical sites from different periods, the same for architecture and art. Is for instance the modern architecture of Rotterdam of interest or the Art Nouveau and Fin-de-Siècle style you can find in Antwerp?

Posted by
144 posts

Can you be more specific about your interests.

Wow so many things. Historical sites, important churches, government buildings (like capitol buildings, parliaments, etc), important museums. Also interested in local food and drink (like breweries).

The thing about this trip is that for example when I went to Paris the first time I knew I had four nights and that I had to see the Eiffel Tower, Arc du Triumph, the Louvre and Versailles . And then I read up all the information there was to be had on Paris and added things to fill up the time. Now my time is more flexible, and apart from the canals and the Ann Frank House, I am not sure what else to see, which cities I might add, is it worth it to go Luxembourg and maybe Cologne, etc. Should I spend 7 days or 11. That's the bit of guidance that I need. I want to have a rough idea of the time I am going to need to snatch good plane tickets as soon as possible.

Thanks again.