Anvers is like 45mn by direct IC train from Bruxelles, I don't see how it's difficult. I think the Eurostar from Paris-nord also stops there.

Sure you have more frequent IC between Bruges and Brussels and it�s shorter by about 20 min, but there are also a direct IC between Bruges and Antwerp (almost) every hour.

However, if Belgium turns out to be where you want to spend more of your time in, Brussels would make total sense if you wanted to see both Flanders and Wallonia. In that case, you could make a rough train itinerary along the line of:
Paris-Brussels (then any of the following places is a direct IC within 1-2 hours away for day trips: Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp*, Leuven, Dinant, Namur, Li�ge*, to name a few)-then onward to NL

*if Antwerp is your last stop in Belgium, you�re on the Rotterdam-(Schiphol)-Amsterdam route.
*If Li�ge is your last stop, you could take the Maastricht-Utrecht route if you don�t want to backtrack and base the NL part of the trip from Utrecht. Utrecht is a train hub and also just as easy to commute to AMS for your departure flight.

Thank you. That is exactly what I was thinking. My wife and I watched youtube videos last night on multiple cities in Belgium and a couple on Paris. We are definitely more excited about Belgium than Paris other than the main attractions on our list which should take about 3 days.

You�re welcome At the end of the day, everyone has what they�re interested in. So you and your wife should follow what you both are excited about. Culinarily speaking, Belgium also has a lot to offer.

Finally getting back around to this and just made an Airbnb reservation in Antwerp. I read a lot of reviews about crime around Brussels and especially the train station. I don't want to mess with any of that.

I don't know much about the crime statistics of Manhattan, Kansas (I assume it's practically nonexistent), but saying that Brussels is a high-crime place reminded me of the "Radio Yerivan" jokes of yesteryear!

Just spotted this thread. I'll be contrary to the group, and say Antwerp was the nastiest, rudest, worse price gouging city I've been to in over 40+ years of travel on 3 continents.

On the other hand, I love Brugge, stayed there for multiple days on 3 different trips. If you're the active sort, consider one of the bicycle tours of the city, and a canal boat ride is a delight. Only been to Ghent for 48 hours, and would love to spend more time there. Brussels is pleasant, but unexciting (seriously, that statue of a kid peeing is probably the most overrated tourist attraction in western Europe.)

Rotterdam, if you're interested in 20th century history and urban design with a sprinkling of awe-inspiring gothic churches, is fascinating. Leiden - a lot like what Amsterdam was like 20+ years ago (top tier museums, great food, scenic, very walkable) , only smaller and more compact, and minus the soft drug scene. Amsterdam, sadly, these days struggles with excessive tourists and prices lodging accordingly. It's still an amazing place to visit, but overall less pleasant.