Eurotrip Itinerary: Advise?

Question

I would first of all like to thank the contributors who have responded to my Eurostar questions on this forum; your help has been tremendous and I appreciate it!

In May of 2008, I'm going to backpack with my boyfriend in Europe, albeit only a few countries. Below is my schedule, using a Eurail Pass. (16 day trip)

fly into Madrid
overnight train to Barcelona
train to Avignon (day trips to Arles and Aix en Provence)
train to Paris
train to Amsterdam
train to Brussels (day trip to Bruges)
Eurostar to London
from London, fly home

My hangup is coming in with the Brussels/Bruges part. From what I can figure out, I am going to have to backtrack on the train to go to Bruges. I mean, I wanted to do it logically: Amsterdam to Bruges, then Bruges to Brussels; if I did it that way, I'd be in Brussels the morning I need to leave from Brussels on the Eurostar. However, it looks like I have go Amsterdam to Bruges via Brussels, so either way, I'm going to have to buy a point to point.

How would you approach this leg of the trip? Amsterdam to Brussels, then hop a train to Bruges, overnight Bruges, come back to Brussels the next day, explore Brussels, overnight in Brussels, then Eurostar to London? Or should I even go to Bruges? Rick Steves recommends Bruges over Brussels, but I'd like to see both. However, if one is overrated, I'd like to know. Should I skip one or the other to make it easier and eliminate above problem?

Answer 1

They're both nice cities. Bruges is smaller, quainter, and lots of fun. I think you might feel like you actually got to see lots of a city if you just went there. Brussels has lots more to see and do since it is bigger. You might feel rushed or end up leaving feeling like you didn't see everything you wanted if you just spend one day there.

I'd recommend going to Brussels and skipping Bruges just because there's so much to see in Brussels. Though I personally prefer Bruges. You'll have fun either way.

Answer 2

From Amsterdam you take the train to Antwerp (about half an hour before Brussels,) there you can change to Bruges, spend time there and take the train back to Antwerp to go on to Brussels.
Alternatively, you can spend your time in Antwerp.
Same kind of town but much bigger.

The train trip Antwerp - Bruges takes about 1.15 hour, and while that seems a lot now, it will not be that much when you have done all the other train rides in your trip.

By the way, on your trip between Paris and Amsterdam you also travel through Brussels and Antwerp.
Take a look at a map and see what you want to do about that, if anything.
While I love Amsterdam, seeing your schedule I wonder if going to Amsterdam is a smart move.
Antwerp and Bruges might make up for not going to Amsterdam, or travel on beyond Bruges and see the coast, walk on the beach or something like that.

Answer 3

My advice would be to skip Brussels, ther is nothing there. You would be better off with more time in PAris or London

Answer 4

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