The entire city is divided into 8 districts, each of which has its own neighbourhood divisions. My favorite time to go is in the evening when the crowds are smaller and the buildings are nicely lit. I paid around SGD150 for a 17-meter square room in Brussels per night. As the train pulls into the station, a local guide will meet your group on the platform and lead it to the hotel by private coach. Day 1 of your Amsterdam itinerary - The historic centre. Here, you will board a boat that will take you through the canals of medieval Ghent. In principle, the driest months in Belgium are between April and September. List down all the rides you need to take, check the prices of the tickets and calculate the sum of all the tickets. From the city of canals to the Belgian capital is 210 kilometers on the fastest road route and takes about 2.5 hours. Were not done seeing this city from the sky yet! I wouldn't do any backtracking though. It is a 5 minutes walk from the train station. Europe - Itinerary Help! and then return and do walking tour The average price of accommodation in the city area is SGD240. 8 years ago Save Hi. Visiting Belgium for the first time and are not sure where to start with planning your trip? Not only will you be able to enjoy 360-degree views of the city, but youll get your heart pumping and adrenaline flowing with this (literal) over the edge swing! The only way to reach the platform is by climbing a winding spiral staircase, and then a set of ladder-like steps! But Kinderdijk is special: nowhere else in the Netherlands can you see so many windmills together, all in such good condition. For Brussels, we also have this guide to the best areas to stay. Afterwards, pay a visit to the Genever Room, and learn more about the history of Genever itself. You have to pay a lot if you want to stay in the central area. With so many things to do in Amsterdam, you should be sure to stay somewhere where you can get to all the sights easily and quickly. Re: Itinerary Recommendations - Belgium, Germany and Amsterdam. I read quite a number of negative reviews that if you booked through third party agencies, you might not even get your tickets or refunds. Trains go from early morning until late at night. You'll also find masterpieces by Georges Seurat and Pablo Picasso. The weather in Amsterdam and Belgium are equally pleasant in spring. 61 reviews 37 helpful votes My Amsterdam/Belgium Itinerary 11 years ago Save We have 9 days in total. All Rights Reserved. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Netherlands and Belgium? 10 days in Amsterdam and Belgium. Itinerary help. - Tripadvisor After breakfast, catch a train to the fairytale-like city of Ghent. From Brussels you can easily visit Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp without changing accomadation, From Brussels head to Luxembourg and from there travel to either Cologne or Dusseldorf. On the way, you'll stop at the famous area of Kinderdijk. The region features no fewer than 16 windmills from the 18th century. Close to the Grote Markt is the enormous Cathedral of Our Lady. A few of my friends recommended that I could visit Belgium too. But the majority of tourists never even consider it. Depending on the season, youll need shorts & t-shirts or warm things to cover up. The village offers a delightful break away from human chattering and car motors and lets you sit in wonder while listening to the birds sing. This vacation itinerary allows your group to experience two distinctly different European capital cities and their respective charms. Grand Tour of the Netherlands & Belgium - 14 Days | kimkim You can take a 20-minute cycle from the ADam Lookout, alternatively, hop on public transport or order an Uber. Day 5: Travel back to Amsterdam and tour around the area Need help narrowing down an itinerary with your clients? You can buy the train tickets at the train stations. Share this post with your family and friends. Amsterdam is quite small but full of diverse and interesting neighbourhoods. Conspiracy theories persist about the theft and the whereabouts of the missing panel. Day 1: Amsterdam to Groningen. The Dutch have allowed this district to keep running, with soft laws, and it works! Since I know that many people dont have a lot of time to explore Belgium deeper, here are my very best recommendations for a short first trip to Belgium. Follow narrow medieval streets past countless Renaissance buildings. Then this post is for you. Afterward, do as the Belgians do and stop to enjoy a cold Belgian beer on one of the many open-air terraces in the city center. Take as many trains as you want on each travel day. Blooms here at their peak- have a short but glorious season. Then we'll pick up a rental car for the remainder of the vacation. For those who are into betting, theres a casino in the area as well. The weather will be fair, the tourists havent arrived in force yet, and prices will be reasonable. After a slightly sobering visit to the Anne Frank House, cheer yourself up a bit with some exercise and extraordinary views of Amsterdam! The square is also close to the Red Light District and offers many cannabis coffeeshops along its streets. Split the work, so you have less research to do. 6 Days 5 Nights Itinerary in Amsterdam and Belgium - Overview You can book a self-guided tour through the distillery, which will give you a detailed history of Lucas Bols himself. There are just too many options and everything depends on your interests and the time that you have. Its my very best tip for anyone visiting Bruges for the first time. The Jordaan district is a culturally-rich area of the city is possibly the best place to start your Amsterdam travel adventure. If youre in town during one of the festivals or special days, youll see the square light up with excitement and transform into what seems like another world! When youre in Northern Europe its always best to pack a waterproof jacket too! Also of particular interest is the 16th-century Weeping Tower, which according to legend derived its name from the sailors' wives who used to bid their husbands an emotional farewell from here. Continue on to Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland. Bas from Beat The Dutch did such a great job matching expectations to our budget. Once youve had enough of beer, head to dinner at one of the fabulous restaurants in Amsterdam and recharge so youre ready for the last stop of the day. The city is home to many wonderful monuments and museums, including S.M.A.K. Curiously enough, a tiny statue of a peeing boy (Manneken Pis) is massively popular with tourists, too. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. Afterwards, the group will undergo the Heineken Experience, a self-guided tour at its former brewery. You could also opt for an early morning cycle, and then go back to the city in an open boat weather permitting! Each night costs around SGD180 instead. In the late afternoon, head to the Leie River near the Grasbrug Bridge. The windmills were used to grind spices, produce paint and oil, and cut wood. As the train pulls into the station, a local guide will meet your group on the platform and lead it to the hotel by private coach. It was a great add-on. The Anne Frank House is the very place where they hid away and lived for almost 4 years before being captured and tragically dying at a concentration camp! Then, finally, its time for one of the skilled bartenders to create your choice of cocktails. Its not as big as Brussels, not as touristic as Bruges or Ghent, and therefore has a more authentic feeling. This is one neighbourhood where the darker (or more fun) side of humanity is allowed to roam free. It has always been her wish to visit the place, so I brought her along for this trip. Belgium has a reputation for being a rainy country. Apart from that, dressing casual and packing the essentials is plenty enough for your Amsterdam trip. This is an overview of this cross-country trip which I would like to share with you before I mentioned my trip. The Dampoort Railway Station is the one closest to the old historic town center. Travel first class by train to Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Enjoy it slowly with your group in the mirror bar. the timing of all activities, tours, adventures worked great with plenty of free time to explore. This is the ideal place to find accommodation if youd like to immerse yourself in the life of locals. Luckily, most of Amsterdams epic hostels are located in the ideal neighbourhood to explore the city. This quaint little village sits just outside Amsterdam. In summer, Belgium hosts lots of festivals and events. Dont be one of those tourists! Insider Tip:If its raining especially during the weekend the museum is bound to be extra busy, so avoid visiting over this time, or come prepared to deal with the crowds! See the 'Tickets & Railcards' section on their website for more info (for some reason, I can't link directly to it). Take a tour through the different rooms in the house. From mid-November until January, you can visit Belgian Christmas markets. Visit the Lakenhal Museum, offering a collection of paintings from the past four centuries, including several works by Rembrandt. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Today, you will experience the beauty of the countryside north of Amsterdam. Im flying in and out of Paris from USA and I have 14 days total and I was thinking of doing Paris to Belgium to Switzerland in October. If youve booked 3 days in Amsterdam (or perhaps even more!) Let your feet touch the ground and guide you straight to Brouwerij t IJ. A travel specialist will contact you within 48 business hours. about me, my family, and our trips all over the world top 10 of the most popular hotels in Brussels center, beautiful places to visit near Luxembourg, What Its Like to Travel in Belgium in Winter, Algarve in November: Weather, What to Expect & Seasonal Tips, Where to Stay in Amsterdam (2023): 8 Best Areas for First Visit (+Map & Tips), 4 Days in Amsterdam: Detailed Itinerary, Map & Tips (Perfect for 1st Trip), Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (2023): How to Visit, Tips, Tickets & Tours, Amsterdam Canal Cruise (2023): 10 Tips for a Better Experience, 6 BEST Museums in Amsterdam (+2023 Info & Tips). Highlights of Belgium & the Netherlands - 10 Days | kimkim Take your appetite and go from stall to stall in this area. Here is my suggested itinerary for Brussels in one day: In the morning, take a walk in the town center and dont miss the following places: In the afternoon take a metro to the Heysel area and visitAtomium. Trust us, though, you should see the Northern districts if youre staying for longer than a day or two. Its full of exciting sights, beautiful architecture, and classic European charm. Free WIFI, comfy rooms, and all necessary amenities will ensure you experience a pleasant, but affordable stay. But if you have the time, I recommend spending at least 3 or 4 days in Belgium. All rights reserved. Here in Dam Square lies the historic heart of Amsterdam. Day 4: Day Tour to Bruges. The construction of this Roman Catholic cathedral started in 1352. (Unless you want to.). Traveled to The Netherlands as a couple in May, 2023, "Great trip plan by Mieke - especially getting us into Anne Frank and Vermeer when I know tix were very tight! Now, this is the tough one. Between the natural beauty, the spectacular architecture, and the great cultural vibes, its a city that everyone should see at least once. financing available at checkout. To some people, WWI battlefields are the main reason to visit Belgium. You wont find joints on sale in an ordinary cafe or koffiehuis. The convenient location makes this one of the best hotels in Amsterdam to enjoy the best of your visit.
