The wife and I are celebrating our 15th anniversary and decided on a Euro trip. We've only been to Italy (Rome/Venice) but this time we liked the idea of London or Paris. Once it was getting close to booking/planning I realized there was a high probability we could catch a F1 race if we played our cards right. Sure enough, the stars aligned and we are going to the Dutch GP in Amsterdam. Flights and hotels have been booked, but we are now wondering if we bit off a little too much.

Wanting only non stop flights narrowed out destinations from Houston, but we decided to fly into London. Then the train for a few days in Paris and then a train to Amsterdam to catch the race. We will get a full day in each city as well as two half days as we arrive/depart (so maybe a total of 48 hrs). At first we had the mindset of well, a day or two is better than not visiting, but now we are wondering if we are going to regret it and wish we spent more intent time in one or two cities.

My immediate thought was to axe London and just fly straight into Paris, but part of us still thinks going to see the sights and at least experience London will still be worth it. We just have to set our expectations and understand we won't see everything but can still enjoy the time in another country.

What do y'all think? Any tips for short stays in these cities is recommended. (Typed this out on my phone so excuse any grammar/typos)

I'd just do Paris and Amsterdam. You will come back exhausted if you try to do 3 cities in 8 days. College to 30s me would feel other wise but I'd take in both cities and enjoy your anniversary.

I would stick to two cities, personally would choose London and Amsterdam but regardless I'm sure you'll love what you do.

Those days traveling to the next city will take up more time than you think (packing up luggage, getting the train station or airport, getting to new hotel, etc). Definitely just stick to 2 cities!

If you're flying to London out of IAH, are you on United? If you want nonstop flights, your only nonstop option to Paris is Air France (who partners with Delta).

I personally wouldn't want the additional hassle/expense of changing my flights.

The best thing to do would be to pick two cities and do an open jaw itinerary. That eliminates a travel day.

If that's not a possibility, then fly into either Paris or Amsterdam, and I say that because you could catch a train to the other city in that pairing directly from the airport on arrival day (when you are going to be too tired to do any serious sight seeing), which you can't do from Heathrow (have to get to St. Pancras from Heathrow, which will take an hour or more no matter how you do it).

Correct. I forgot to mention that in the OP, but we booked our flights over there with United miles, which really left London as the only non-stop destination. I don't mind having a connection on the way to Europe, so I might look into flying into CDG with a stop in Newark or Chicago.. I'd also need to check if our London hotel has any cancellation fees.

Thanks for the all the suggestions!

Life is short and you'll never know if or when you'll be back. Do as much as you can. It's better to die exhausted than with regrets.

2 cities I think are wildly overrated in Europethat I've visited. One is Dublin and the other Amsterdam. I found Amsterdam dirty, not that friendly, super expensive (as is London and Paris) meh architecture and has all the tourist elements a lot of the major European cities has without much of the really cool non tourist elements most of the cities have too.

I lived in London so I'm biased, but don't skip it. It's worth visiting and so much to do and see there. Paris is great too. If it were me, I'd go to the Grand Prix and make that the short leg of your visit. Presumably you are going to Eurostar between the cities… if so, I'll say it's comfortable, quick and convenient so 3 cities is doable without too onerous a travel experience.

I like the open jaw itinerary idea but, did you not consider KLM if you're flying from Houston to Amsterdam?
https://www.klm.com/en-us/flights-from-houston-to-amsterdam

I flew into LHR in May to connect to Frankfurt because I was redeeming AA miles. I was not too impressed with Heathrow.

I would stick to London and then Amsterdam for your race. There is so much to see and do in London that will be new to you and relatable.

France is a difficult place to be during late summer as well. Everyone stops working and goes on vacation, or believes there's a heat wave, or goes on strike, etc.

To the extent you can get a direct flight, do so. For the short amount if time you will be traveling, the last thing you need is complications that can arise from lost luggage or missing a connecting flight.

As I have said a million times before, travel with the intention of returning. That keeps you from shotgunning too many cities in a small amount of time.

No matter what, enjoy the experience.

There's a ferry that goes from Hull / Newcastle to Amsterdam. They do an overnight so you get a cabin in the ticket. Leaves around 8pm and gets into Rotterdam around dawn.get back on the train and you can be in Den Haag or Amsterdam in a less than an hour. Paris probably 3.5 hrs from Amsterdam. Going to and from airports can blast a whole day. Would do this ferry again. Was overall low stress.

If you do Paris, I would do it first. Chaotic city with unfriendly people.

Typing this while sitting in London for a few days and just exploring the city / non - tourist areas (aka pub hopping).

Stat Monitor Repairman said:

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There's a ferry that goes from Hull / Newcastle to Amsterdam. They do an overnight so you get a cabin in the ticket. Leaves around 8pm and gets into Rotterdam around dawn.get back on the train and you can be in Den Haag or Amsterdam in a less than an hour. Paris probably 3.5 hrs from Amsterdam. Going to and from airports can blast a whole day. Would do this ferry again. Was overall low stress.

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Don't do this if you can simply do the Eurostar. The train rides alone between London and Hull and then Rotterdam to Amsterdam to accommodate a ferry ride definitely would take more time than simply taking the Eurostar from London and probably cost just as much if not more.