11-Day Scenic European Journey with Return to Amsterdam: Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, Versailles & Zurich Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 27, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Pancakes Amsterdam

Start with delicious Dutch pancakes at this popular spot, open from 8am, to energize your Amsterdam visit.
EUR12, 1h0m

9:45am

Anne Frank House

Explore this historic museum dedicated to Anne Frank’s life, open daily 9am - 7pm for captivating WWII insights.
EUR14, 2h0m

12:00pm

Canal Cruise

Relax on a 1-hour boat tour through Amsterdam’s canals, showcasing charming architecture and vibrant city life.
EUR18, 1h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at Foodhallen

Savor diverse street food flavors in this indoor food market, open daily from noon to late evening.
EUR20, 1h0m

3:00pm

Rijksmuseum

Discover Dutch art treasures including Rembrandt’s masterpieces; museum hours 9am to 5pm.
EUR20, 2h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at De Silveren Spiegel

Enjoy traditional Dutch cuisine in a historic setting, dinner served from 6pm onwards.
EUR50, 2h0m
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Day 2: Bruges Medieval

Bruges, Belgium on May 28, 2025

7:30am

Train to Bruges

Travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Bruges by train; journey is approximately 3 hours for scenic vistas.
EUR40, 3h0m

11:00am

Breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien

Indulge in organic pastries and coffee at this cozy café, open early to welcome visitors.
EUR15, 1h0m

12:15pm

Belfry of Bruges

Climb the 366 steps of the iconic Belfry tower (open 9:30am-6pm) for panoramic medieval city views.
EUR14, 1h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at De Halve Maan Brewery

Enjoy classic Belgian beer paired with delicious local dishes in this historic brewery open till evening.
EUR30, 1h0m

3:00pm

Boat Tour on Bruges Canals

Take a scenic 30-minute cruise through Bruges’s picturesque canals, boats operate until dusk.
EUR10, 0h30m

4:00pm

Basilica of the Holy Blood

Visit this unique basilica showcasing a sacred relic; open to visitors until 6pm.
Free, 0h45m

6:30pm

Dinner at 't Brugs Beertje

Dine on hearty Belgian cuisine in a lively pub atmosphere, open for dinner till 10pm.
EUR40, 2h0m
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Day 3: Train to Paris & Explore

Paris, France on May 29, 2025

7:30am

Train to Paris

Travel from Bruges to Paris by train (transfer in Brussels), journey takes about 3.5 hours.
EUR50, 3h30m

11:30am

Breakfast at Café de Flore

Enjoy a classic Parisian breakfast with croissants and café au lait, open from early morning.
EUR20, 1h0m

12:45pm

Louvre Museum

Discover world-renowned art works including the Mona Lisa; open 9am to 6pm on weekdays.
EUR17, 3h0m

4:00pm

Walk Along the Seine

Stroll along the riverbanks and enjoy the atmosphere with bouquinistes selling vintage books.
Free, 1h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Le Procope

Dine at one of Paris’s oldest cafés serving classic French cuisine, open till late evening.
EUR60, 2h0m
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Day 4: Versailles Day Trip

Versailles, France on May 30, 2025

8:00am

RER Train to Versailles

Catch the RER C train from Paris to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station in about 1 hour.
EUR7, 1h0m

9:15am

Breakfast at La Petite Venise

Enjoy delightful pastries and coffee near the palace grounds; open from 8am.
EUR15, 1h0m

10:30am

Palace of Versailles Tour

Explore the grand palace and extensive gardens, ticket includes Hall of Mirrors; open 9am-6:30pm.
EUR20, 4h0m

3:00pm

Garden Stroll & Fountain Show

Relax in beautifully manicured gardens; fountain events scheduled on specific days, check in advance.
Free, 1h30m

5:00pm

Return to Paris

Take the RER train back to Paris for the evening.
EUR7, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle

Enjoy hearty French dishes in a lively Parisian bistro, open until 10:30pm.
EUR30, 1h30m
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Day 5: Paris Iconic Sights

Paris, France on May 31, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Angelina Paris

Famous for its rich hot chocolate and pastries; opens at 8am on weekdays.
EUR22, 1h0m

9:30am

Eiffel Tower Visit

Ascend this iconic landmark with pre-booked tickets, open 9:30am to 11pm for spectacular views.
EUR25, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Le Champ de Mars

Relax at this bistro near the Eiffel Tower with lovely terrace seating, open 11:30am to 3pm.
EUR35, 1h0m

1:30pm

Musée d'Orsay

Explore impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in this stunning museum open 9:30am-6pm.
EUR16, 2h0m

4:00pm

Montmartre Walk

Stroll through this historic artist district and visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, open until 10:30pm.
Free, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Le Refuge des Fondus

Experience a fun fondue dinner in Montmartre with a lively atmosphere, open till 10pm.
EUR35, 2h0m
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Day 6: Paris to Zurich

Zurich, Switzerland on June 1, 2025

8:00am

Train to Zurich

Take a scenic 4-hour direct train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Zurich Hauptbahnhof.
EUR70, 4h0m

12:15pm

Lunch at Hiltl Zurich

Dine at the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant serving diverse and flavorful dishes, open from 11:30am.
CHF25, 1h0m

1:30pm

Old Town Walk

Discover Zurich’s charming Altstadt with medieval streets and the Grossmünster church tower.
Free, 2h0m

4:00pm

Lake Zurich Promenade

Relax on a leisurely lakeside walk or short boat cruise, boats operate until early evening.
CHF8, 1h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Zeughauskeller

Enjoy hearty Swiss fare in a historic armory converted into a popular restaurant, dinner from 5pm to 10:30pm.
CHF45, 2h0m
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Day 7: Zurich Museums & Alps

Zurich, Switzerland on June 2, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Babu's Bakery & Coffeehouse

Treat yourself to fresh-baked goods and specialty coffee, open from 8am.
CHF15, 1h0m

9:45am

Kunsthaus Zurich

Visit Switzerland’s premier art museum with a broad collection, open 10am to 6pm.
CHF23, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Sternen Grill

Sample authentic Zurich sausages and Rösti, open till mid-afternoon.
CHF20, 1h0m

1:30pm

Uetliberg Mountain Hiking

Take a 30-minute train to Uetliberg for breathtaking views of Zurich and the Alps, with hiking trails open all day.
CHF10 (train), 3h0m

5:00pm

Return to Zurich Downtown

Relax back in the city center before your evening meal.
Included, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Kronenhalle

Experience fine dining with walls adorned by Picasso and Chagall art, open until 11pm.
CHF70, 2h0m
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Day 8: Zurich Leisure Day

Zurich, Switzerland on June 3, 2025

9:00am

Breakfast at Café Sprüngli

Enjoy famous Luxemburgerli macarons and excellent coffee, café opens at 8am daily.
CHF18, 1h0m

10:30am

Swiss National Museum

Learn about Swiss cultural history in this landmark museum, open 10am to 5pm.
CHF10, 2h0m

12:45pm

Lunch at Markthalle

Experience Zurich’s vibrant market hall with many food vendors, open 11:30am to 3pm.
CHF25, 1h0m

2:00pm

Shopping on Bahnhofstrasse

Explore one of the world’s premier shopping streets with luxury boutiques and designer stores.
Free (shopping extra), 3h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Maison Manesse

Enjoy creative, contemporary Swiss-German cuisine, open from 6pm; reservations recommended.
CHF80, 2h0m
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Day 9: Zurich to Amsterdam

Travel Day on June 4, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Café des Amis

Have a light breakfast and coffee before your departure, open from 8am.
CHF15, 1h0m

8:30am

Train to Amsterdam

Catch an early train from Zurich to Amsterdam, roughly 8 hours with one transfer, providing scenic views en route.
EUR90, 8h0m

4:45pm

Check-in & Relax

Arrive back in Amsterdam and check into your hotel, take time to unwind after your journey.
Varies, Rest of evening

7:00pm

Dinner at Moeders

Enjoy traditional Dutch home-cooked meals in a cozy setting, open for dinner from 5pm to 10pm.
EUR35, 2h0m
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Day 10: Amsterdam Departure

Amsterdam, Netherlands on June 5, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Bakers & Roasters

Elegant brunch spot serving New Zealand-style dishes and coffee, open from 8am to 4pm.
EUR20, 1h0m

9:30am

Last Minute Souvenir Shopping

Explore local shops and markets near your accommodation for last-minute gifts and mementos.
Free (shopping extra), 1h30m

11:00am

Transfer to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Travel to airport for your flight home to Ottawa, Canada. Allow time for check-in and security.
EUR5 (train), 1h0m
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Day 11: Arrive Home

Ottawa, Canada on June 6, 2025

Morning

Arrival in Ottawa

Welcome back home after a memorable European journey filled with culture, history, and scenic beauty.
Varies, N/A
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