Originally Posted by
pbiflyer
We just got back from a week in Belgium. Really enjoyed it. I like both Brussels and Ghent over Bruges for more than a day. Train makes it easy to go between cities. We did day trips from Antwerp to Brussels, Bruges and Ghent. YOu can get a 10 card train pass for like 8 euro a one way trip anywhere in Belgium.
Maybe base in Brussels and visit Ghent and/or Bruges? We really liked the walking tour we did of Brussels. Will look up the name if you want.
Bruges is overrun with tourists, but is beautiful.
Those are excellent suggestions. I guess it all depends on what you would like to do during those 5 days: culture, shopping, sight seeing, relax, active (bicycle or hiking)... The region of Maastricht in the southeast of the Netherlands is very nice and you can combine: one day, rent an e-bike, the next shopping in Maastricht, then visiting the three countrypoint at Vaals and visit Aachen in Germany or Liege in Belgium. If you want to relax/hike/cycle, one of the islands north of the Netherlands is a great choice. I would recommend Schiermonnikoog. Berlin is very much worth a visit, it just takes a bit longer to get there.
There is also the region around Alkmaar, with the beach closeby as well as lovely cities like Hoorn and Enkhuizen. I am aiming a bit on giving you some suggestions in the Netherlands, because there is more here than just Amsterdam. Have a great time during your visit!