10-Day City Experience in Paris, Lille, Belgium, and Amsterdam

  • Day 1: Paris
    Estimated time and distance from previous location: 0 minutes (0 miles)

    Start your trip in the romantic city of Paris, and take a stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries. This iconic park is located near the Louvre Museum and offers a lovely view of the Eiffel Tower. For a taste of Parisian culture, head to the Centre Pompidou, and experience modern and contemporary art.

  • Day 2: Paris
    Estimated time and distance from previous location: 20 minutes (1.5 miles)

    Start the day at the Notre Dame cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece and one of the most visited sites in Paris. Afterwards, stop for lunch at Le 404, a traditional Moroccan restaurant in the Marais district. In the afternoon, visit the Musée Rodin and stroll around the beautiful sculpture garden.

  • Day 3: Lille
    Estimated time and distance from previous location: 2.5 hours by train (120 miles)

    Take a train to Lille and discover its rich history and culture. Start at the Lille Palace of Fine Arts, which houses one of the largest art collections in France. For a taste of the local cuisine, head to the Estaminet Au Vieux de la Vieille and try some traditional dishes such as carbonade and pâté.

  • Day 4: Belgium
    Estimated time and distance from previous location: 1 hour by train (20 miles)

    Visit beautiful Belgium and start at the Ghent Altarpiece, a masterpiece of Flemish painting located in the Saint Bavo Cathedral. For beer lovers, head to the Brussels Beer Project and try some of the best beers in the city. End the day in Grand Place, the main square of Brussels, and marvel at its stunning architecture.

  • Day 5: Belgium
    Estimated time and distance from previous location: 1.5 hours by train (50 miles)

    Start the day at the Antwerp Zoo, one of the oldest and best-known zoos in Europe. For a taste of Belgian food, head to the Pot au Feu and try some Flemish beef stew. In the evening, experience the vibrant nightlife scene at the Belgian Beer Cafe.

  • Day 6: Amsterdam
    Estimated time and distance from previous location: 2 hours by train (120 miles)

    Arrive in the beautiful city of Amsterdam and take a boat tour of the Canal Ring, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a different perspective, visit the EYE Film Museum, dedicated to the history and art of film. End the day with a visit to the Rijksmuseum, which houses some of the most important art pieces in the world.

  • Day 7: Amsterdam
    Estimated time and distance from previous location: 15 minutes (1.5 miles)

    Start the day at the Anne Frank House, which offers a sobering yet enlightening glimpse into the life of Anne Frank and her family during the Nazi occupation. For lunch, head to the Pancake Bakery and try some traditional Dutch pancakes. In the afternoon, explore the Vondelpark, the largest and most popular park in Amsterdam.

  • Day 8: Amsterdam
    Estimated time and distance from previous location: 30 minutes by train (15 miles)

    Take a train to the charming town of Zandvoort, and spend the day relaxing on the beach and soaking up the sun. For a taste of fresh seafood, head to the Beach Club Far Out, and try some local dishes such as Dutch shrimp croquettes and seafood platters.

  • Day 9: Paris
    Estimated time and distance from previous location: 4 hours by train (300 miles)

    Return to Paris for the last leg of your trip and spend the day at the Palace of Versailles, a must-see attraction located just outside the city. In the evening, experience the nightlife scene at the iconic Moulin Rouge cabaret.

  • Day 10: Paris
    Estimated time and distance from previous location: 20 minutes (5 miles)

    End your trip in the city of love with a visit to the Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Paris and one of the most popular attractions in the world. Spend the afternoon at the Palais Garnier, the opera house that inspired The Phantom of the Opera. Finally, indulge in some French cuisine at the Le Jules Verne restaurant, located on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Jardin des Tuileries (1-2 hours, free)
  • Centre Pompidou (2-3 hours, €14)
  • Notre Dame (1-2 hours, free)
  • Le 404 (1-2 hours, €20)
  • Musée Rodin (2-3 hours, €12)
  • Lille Palace of Fine Arts (2-3 hours, €8)
  • Estaminet Au Vieux de la Vieille (1-2 hours, €15)
  • Ghent Altarpiece (1-2 hours, €6)
  • Brussels Beer Project (1-2 hours, €15)
  • Grand Place (1-2 hours, free)
  • Antwerp Zoo (2-3 hours, €25)
  • Pot au Feu (1-2 hours, €25)
  • Belgian Beer Cafe (1-2 hours, €20)
  • Canal Ring Boat Tour (1-2 hours, €16)
  • EYE Film Museum (2-3 hours, €11)
  • Rijksmuseum (2-3 hours, €20)
  • Anne Frank House (1-2 hours, €14)
  • Pancake Bakery (1-2 hours, €15)
  • Vondelpark (1-2 hours, free)
  • Zandvoort Beach (4-6 hours, free)
  • Beach Club Far Out (1-2 hours, €20)
  • Palace of Versailles (4-6 hours, €20)
  • Moulin Rouge (1-2 hours, €99)
  • Eiffel Tower (2-3 hours, €16)
  • Palais Garnier (2-3 hours, €14)
  • Le Jules Verne (1-2 hours, €100)
  • Total Estimated Costs: €822

Transportation

To get around the cities, use public transportation such as trains, buses, and metro systems. Purchase tickets in advance to save money on transit. The estimated transportation cost for this trip is around €250. Travel times may vary depending on traffic and distance between locations.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, add a day trip to Bruges, Belgium, and explore its charming cobblestone streets and picturesque canals. If you have less time, consider skipping Lille and spending more time in Paris and Amsterdam. Make sure to book tickets for popular attractions in advance to avoid long lines and save time.

Airports

The main airport in Paris is Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). It is located 14 miles from the city center. The main airport in Amsterdam is Schiphol Airport (AMS), located about 9 miles from the city center. The airport in Lille is Lille Airport (LIL), located about 4 miles from the city center.

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