London..Paris..Amsterdam

We just visited the newly reopened Heineken Experience in Amsterdam - It was a nice way to spend a few hours in Amsterdam.

The most efficient and cheapest way to do this is by train.
From London to Paris you should take the Eurostar train. Book tickets at www.eurostar.com

From Paris to Amsterdam, the Thalys high-speed train goes for Paris Nord Sation direct/nonstop to Amsterdam. You can book tickets at:

www.thalys.com

If you book early enough you might be able to get a non-refundable/non-changeable ticket for around 25 euros. When the Thalys site asks you where your live or where you will be picking up your tickets, say "France".

"Traveling to Europe mid July 1009." First, you'll need a good time machine.

After London, we are planning to fly Easy Jet from London to Amsterdam for our visit there and then plan to take the train (Thalys) to Paris, and then fly home nonstop from Paris.

Thanks to all that replied with a special recognition the time machine buddy! I always end up with at least one typo regardless of spell check!
Anyways, the Thalys tip was the great thanks. FYI There are special rates for Summer 2009 prior to 6.30.09 and also before August 09. Big savings.

While I have been to London and Paris before(although many years ago. But it is my son's first trip so we will do many of the typical highlights.) I am interested in any "special" tips for things to do. The internet and travel books have offered up the most popular but if you have any really special excursions, or things to see or do please let me know. I love art, history, art fairs, street festivals, music, antiques, modern furniture etc. I am an art, film, fashion and history buff but also traveling with my husband (who may not share all those interests and our 16 yr old son(who is very much looking forward to the "red light district" in Amsterdam) based on his personal travel research! Any sporting events, MTV type events, places with pretty girls etc to recommend are appreciated.
Also possibly bike tours, or small motor bikes tours etc things my son(and me) might get a kick out of.
Finally we have some time in both Paris and Amsterdam to take a day/out of town type excursion. So if you have a nice town etc to recommend pls let us know.
London 7 days
Paris 3 nights , 2.5 days
Amsterdam 3 nights, 2.5 days
Thanks again Barbara

You're welcome. When in Amsterdam be sure to check out the recently reopened Hermitage Museum. It's now the city's largest art museum:
www.hermitage.nl

My favorite daytrip out of Amsterdam is the Delft/Hague combo trip described in Rick's Amsterdam guidebook...best on the weekend.

Took this same itinerary May 09 with my 19 y/o daughter. Do not drive due to tolls, hassle factor, additional liability etc. You leave from the city and get right into Amsterdam. One suggestion if you are too late for cheap Thalys fares Paris-Amsterdam check the fares from Paris-Brussels; then another Thalys from Brussels to Amsterdam. We took the Paris-Brussels (25E); 855-1027 then waited about 20 minutes for the train Brussels to Amsterdam (35 E). ( BTW; you need to book in Thalys-Belgium for this travel and it is a little more complicated. You need to establish a user ID and password. To use a local address just get a hotel in Brussels address and use it for you home address) It was easy because you are right there for the next train. If Brussels-Amsterdam leg runs over 35E and you don't have lots of luggage you can take the IC trains, more city stops but almost the same time. Thalys is slow through the Netherlands. The bike tour in Paris is Fat Tire Tours and Yellow Bike Tours in Amsterdam. Suggestions for guy stuff in Paris are Arc de Triomphe, Les Invalides Museums/Napoleon's Tomb Pantheon, Notre-Dame Towers and Dali Museum. I am sure you know you your son is free in many museums being under 18y/o. Also, you do realize at 16 y/o he is legal and allowed to drink beer and wine; a family decision. In Amsterdam there was a vending machine with Coke, Fanta and Heineken. In Amsterdam "coffee shops' is a strict 18 and driving too. I would take the Heineken Tour with him. Rick Steves books are great for ideas for the best time of day to visit places. Invest in all the city books you mentioned. Feel free to contact me if you like since we are both from Illinois. I have been to Paris and Amsterdam over a dozen times.

Question Re purchasing Thalys tickets from Paris to Amsterdam.
Do I want ticketless or do I want to pick up my ticket in France?
Why does earlier post indicate I should say that I am picking up ticket in France?
Is it a pricing issue?
Isn't it safer/easier to go paperless/ticketless?(no fear of loss of ticket or having to find location in Paris for picking up ticket?)
Pls explain for this newbie.

thanks!

The reason I said to tell the website you are "picking up your tickets in France", is because when you do this you won't be redirected to the Rail Europe site. RE overcharges on on ticket prices. Even though you say your picking up your tickets in France, you will still be given the option to print out your tickets at home with the discount "Smoove" fares.

if i book the train from paris to amsterdam through thalys.com, does that automatically include the reservation? If so then even at 55 euro it is much cheaper than raileurope.com. they charge $98 just for the reservation. seems too good to be true!!

Yes Henry, it does include the reservation. And yes, it's an object lesson in how much RailEurope can mark up prices.

Thanks, all. Got a lot of Q's answered before I even began. Trying to figure how to get it all in there next early May for 2 weeks: Paris, Barcelona, Brussels, Amsterdam. Thinking of driving from Paris to Barcelona for the scenery and flexibility to stop where we want(My husband wants to drive the tour de France route). We know we want to take a train from Paris to the rest. On way back to Paris from Barcelona is where I need some help. Not sure we want to drive back. We have some friends we want to visit on the way, and in Barcelona. It's just my husband and me. We love meeting new people, outdoor activities, blues and jazz, castles, art, great food, etc. Any great advice on pulling it all together? Any must see concerts, shows, festivals? We are flexible with time frame within 2 weeks. Thanks