The Route
We flew into Brussels, took the train to Amsterdam for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, then looped back through Belgium and ended in Paris before flying home. Ten days, three countries, all by train. The Eurostar and Thalys connections between these cities are fast, cheap if booked early, and infinitely better than flying.
Brussels
Brussels gets overlooked between Paris and Amsterdam, and that is a mistake. We spent two nights here and could have used a third.
The Grand Place is one of the most impressive squares in Europe — ornate guild houses on every side, lit up at night. We visited during the Flower Carpet festival, which happens every other August, when the entire square is covered in a massive floral design. Even without the carpet, the square is worth multiple visits.
Belgian chocolate is the real deal. We hit Neuhaus, Pierre Marcolini, and Mary for tastings. Neuhaus is the classic choice, Marcolini is the luxury option, and Mary has been around since 1919. For waffles, Maison Dandoy near the Grand Place does them right — crisp on the outside, light inside, none of the tourist-trap toppings.
The Manneken-Pis statue is tiny and underwhelming, but you walk past it anyway since it is two minutes from the Grand Place.
Day Trip to Ghent
Ghent is a 30-minute train from Brussels and was our favorite surprise of the trip. The medieval center along the Graslei and Korenlei waterfront is stunning. St. Bavo’s Cathedral houses the Ghent Altarpiece, one of the most important paintings in European art history.
We climbed the Ghent Belfry for panoramic views — last admission is 5:30 PM, and unlike many towers, there is no mesh fencing blocking photos. The walk along the canals at golden hour is worth planning your day around.
Amsterdam
We took the Thalys from Brussels to Amsterdam — about two hours, smooth and comfortable. Amsterdam was our base for four nights, including the Dutch Grand Prix weekend.
The city itself needs no introduction. The canal ring is a UNESCO site and the best way to experience it is by boat or on foot. We rented bikes one day, which is the local way to get around, but be warned — Amsterdam cyclists do not slow down for tourists.
The Anne Frank House requires advance tickets booked weeks ahead. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are both excellent and less crowded on weekday mornings. The Jordaan neighborhood is where we ate most of our meals — cozy brown cafes, Indonesian rijsttafel, and some of the best apple pie in the country at Winkel 43.
The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort
Circuit Zandvoort is about 30 minutes west of Amsterdam by train, right on the North Sea coast. The atmosphere here is unlike any other F1 race — Max Verstappen’s home crowd turns the entire beach town orange.
Getting There
Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Zandvoort aan Zee. On race days, NS runs extra services and the trains are packed but move efficiently. Do not drive — parking is extremely limited and traffic is brutal. The walk from the station to the circuit is about 15 minutes through the town.
The Race Experience
Zandvoort is a proper old-school circuit built into the sand dunes. The banked final turn is dramatic, and because the circuit is compact, you can see a lot of the track from most grandstands. The crowd energy when Verstappen leads is deafening.
The beach is right next to the circuit, and fans set up camp on the sand between sessions. We grabbed fresh herring and fries from the beachfront stalls between qualifying and the race.
Tips for Zandvoort
- Book Amsterdam hotels months in advance — the city fills up for race weekend
- Take the train, not a car. It is faster and the race-day service is well organized
- Bring layers — the North Sea wind can be cold even in August
- The beach bars and restaurants in Zandvoort town are excellent for pre-race meals
- General admission areas in the dunes offer surprisingly good views
Paris
We took the Thalys from Amsterdam to Paris — about 3.5 hours — and spent our last three days here. Since we had visited Paris before, this time we focused on the things we missed.
The Catacombs are fascinating and eerie — underground tunnels lined with the bones of six million people. Book timed tickets online because the line can stretch for hours. Montmartre for lunch with views of the city from the Sacre-Coeur steps. The Marais for vintage shopping and the best falafel in Paris at L’As du Fallafel.
We timed our Eiffel Tower visit for sunset. Going up around 8 PM means you get daylight views and then the tower lights up at 9 PM while you are still at the top. It is the single best way to experience it.
Train Travel Tips
- Book early: Thalys and Eurostar tickets are cheapest 2-3 months out. We paid about 35 euros per person for Brussels to Amsterdam
- Seat reservations: Required on Thalys and Eurostar, included in the ticket price
- Luggage: No weight limits on European trains. Just bring what you can carry up stairs
- Stations: Brussels Midi, Amsterdam Centraal, and Paris Gare du Nord are all city-center stations with metro connections
- Rail passes: For this specific route, point-to-point tickets were cheaper than a Eurail pass
What It Cost (Two People, 10 Nights)
- Flights: ~$800 round trip from NYC
- Hotels: ~$1,800 total (mix of Marriott points and paid nights)
- Trains: ~$400 total for all legs
- Dutch GP tickets: ~$500 per person (grandstand, Sat+Sun)
- Food and activities: ~$1,200 total
- Total for two: ~$5,200
Would We Do It Again?
This was one of our best trips. The train connections between Brussels, Amsterdam, and Paris are so fast and easy that you barely notice you are crossing borders. The Dutch Grand Prix added an incredible energy to the Amsterdam portion, and having Ghent and the Belgian chocolate scene as a bonus made it feel like we packed three trips into one.