Netherlands and Belgium

I am meeting a friend in Amsterdam at the end of May and flying out of Paris a week later. Our proposed schedule is as follows:

Day 1: Night in Amsterdam
Day 2: Amsterdam
Day 3: Morning Country Bike Tour (in Amsterdam) and train to Scheveningen
Day 4: Train to Rotterdam/Kinderdijk- stop in Delft for lunch
Day 5: Early train from Rotterdam to Brussels
Day 6: Brussels to Paris
Day 7/8: Paris
Day 9: Fly out of Paris (AM)

I really don't want to try to cram too many places into one trip and feel rushed, although all of the places above are very close together and train travel will not be too lengthy.

Our schedule is flexible and I am looking for suggestions and tips on the Netherlands and Belgium since I have never been to Belgium and haven't been anywhere but Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks!

It looks ok. I would have cut out Delft or Brussels for an extra day in Paris. 2 days there will go way too fast, and you'll want more. Brussels has a nice town center and lots of lawyers, Delft,, they've got typical dutch architecture and expensive blue pottery.

Rotterdam is the modern face of Holland, and well worth a look for a day.

Also, instead of the bike tour, you could go to Haarlem, and see the Rembrandt museum, well worth a gander. It too has some nice typical dutch 17th century architecture.

Rotterdam and Brussels aren't really highlights of their respective countries for a tourist. I would replace the former by Utrecht and the latter by Antwerp (though as that's home for me, of course I'm biased).

Tbh, if you don't want to rush, I would just divide my time between Amsterdam and Paris and maybe take some daytrips, or add one city inbetween.

i agree with the above post, Antwerp is great and switch Rotterdam for Utrecht (which is where i live, so yeah i'm biased too). I would also suggest The Hague, but seeing as you are taking the train to Scheveningen (which is actually entails taking a train to The Hague and then a tram to Scheveningen) you can easily check it out.

Rotterdam is basically Hollands shot at a modern city (due to the fact that barely any buildings survived WW2) which is great if you're from Holland and have had more then enough dutch architecture and kanals etc. If, however, you are used to big modern cities and are interested in kanals and dutch arhitecture etc. Rotterdam will be a let down.

I would also choose Antwerp over Brussels. If you're into a pretty cathedral, old cobbled streets, a student town and a place with a historic feel to it, you're better off going to Utrecht. By the way, Kinderdijk can't be reached by train. You have to take a bus, for more info: http://www.kinderdijk.com/hoekomiker.htm. I'm not sure Kinderdijk is worth your precious time, it's basically flat grasslands with scattered windmills. If you want to see a windmill, you'll probably find one in Amsterdam within closer reach.

In Belgium, visit one of the bars with thousands of special beers from all over the country. If you're in Brussels try the Delerium Cafe, or if you go to Brugge try the t'Brugs Beertje - seriously can't beat ordering delicious and strong beers from a menu the size of a big atlas!

I like both nations because they have great allies with cultural similarities and close cooperation between both governments.

I have visited Paris two years back. It is really an amazing city and I think two days in Paris is a very less time to enjoy this place. So you need to plan your visit to various attractions very carefully so as to well utilize the whole time.

I respectful

ly disagree that Rotterdam is not as interesting as other places. I'm not saying that other cities are not just as rewarding, mind you.

I find it interesting because I like art, and Rotterdam is the center of the modern art scene in Holland, and I stayed in Amsterdam for a month. After a month of red bricks and four story condo's, one longs for some taller buildings. Quaint towns become just that, quaint towns, especially after a very quaint Haarlem.

Besides, it holds one of the most fascinating Museums I've ever been to, the Rotterdam City History museum, which covers both the largest port city in Europe(or one of them), and the intriquing social-economic history of a very interesting town. It is dynamic.

Only problem is, when I was there, after 5 o clock the docks got a bit sketchy, and we were glad to get out of there.

I'd have to give another vote for Antwerp over Brussels. If you were to go from Amsterdam to Antwerp then Eindhoven would be a nice place to stop over. It's not a very big city but it would be a nice pause between Amsterdam and Paris especially as the surrounding countryside is easily accessible.