Amsterdam and ???

Hi John. What are you and your wife interested in (i.e. museums, outdoor activities, etc.?) Have you been to Europe before? If so, which countries and cities? It's difficult to recommend places if we don't know more about your interests and travel background.

Hi Good questions. We have been to Europe a couple of times - we have been to Paris and Southern France, Italy, Greece, and a small bit in Switzerland and Southern Germany quite a while ago. We enjoy everything including museums, sites, food, beaches, and mostly local culture.
Any insight would be great. Thanks

Belgium would be easy. If it were me, I would go from Amsterdam to Belgium for 4-5 days, then head to Paris for the remainder and fly out from there. But, that depends on whether or not you want to return to Paris. You could also go to London from Brussels via Eurostar for a few days at the end of the trip, if you're trying to squeeze in multiple locations.

Thanks! Is Belgium "worth it" or should we head straight to Paris or somewhere into Germany I guess is what I am wondering...

7 additional days, or 4? With 7, I'd go to Paris, maybe with 2 night in Brugges. But you know what you like. Do that.

Thanks
Just 7 days total with 3 in AMS...

I think Belgium is worth it. Great waffles, frites, chocolates...and to me, it feels quaintly European. Google image search Brussels or Bruges and see what you think.

Paris.Train between the two is 3 hours.

7-8 days for "Europe etc."? That's fairly broad. You can get anywhere with cheap airlines these days. Istanbul.

2 days in Ghent, 2 in Bruges, and 4 in Paris. Enjoy!

First, yes Belgium is well worth visiting. Brussels is much underrated. Ghent and Bruges are wonderful. However, since you are asking for personal opinions, I would do London. You don't mention it as a place you have been. It will take roughly 6 hours travel time by train. Of the two continents on which I have traveled extensively, North America and Europe, for me, London is the number 1 city. You may be able to fly inexpensively. Amsterdam airport is very convenient from downtown. Particularly attractive if you can fly into City in London. If you haven't already purchased tickets, fly open jaw; into Amsterdam, out of London.

Since you have 4 days after AMS, either Belgium (Ghent and Bruges) or Paris are good suggestions. Consider travel time also - when you change locations, you lose time. An hour on the train also includes checking out of the hotel, getting to the train station, getting to your new hotel in a new city, and orienting yourself in general.

Amsterdam is one of the greats. Brugge is awesome for a 1 or two night stay. I would choose Brugge over Brussels. Go to www.fickr.com and type in Brugge. Also search Brugge Night. This city is even more beautiful at night when all the monuments are lite up and the daytrippers leave. I would see Amsterdam, train to Brugge, and then train to Paris. Flying into Amsterdam and out of Paris.

Go to Berlin. Easy to fly into and out of. If you enjoy museums and history in a big modern city, you'll enjoy Berlin.

There are also other cities in the Netherlands . . . Delft, The Hague, Rotterdam

Budget air carrier to Stockholm. Then take a ferry over to Helsinki and back. Stockholm is truly one of the great cities of the world, and one of the most underrated places to visit.