The Perfect First Trip: Netherlands + Belgium
English spoken everywhere, direct flights from Lagos, beautiful cities
🎯 Why This Trip is Perfect for Nigerian First-Timers
Schengen visa covers both Netherlands and Belgium. Plan smart, see more!
95% of Dutch speak excellent English. No struggling to communicate!
Bijlmer area has Nigerian restaurants, churches, and African shops
KLM flies Lagos-Amsterdam daily. No stressful connections!
💰 Detailed Cost Breakdown (Per Person)
📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary
KLM flight lands. Go through immigration (have hotel booking and return ticket ready). Collect luggage.
Buy ticket at yellow NS machines (€5.40) or tap contactless card. Journey: 15 minutes. Trains every 10 minutes.
Recommended areas: Jordaan (charming), De Pijp (trendy), or near Centraal Station (convenient). Rest and freshen up.
Walk along the canals as the lights come on. Beautiful photo opportunities. The city is magical at dusk!
Traditional Dutch pub. Try bitterballen (meat snacks), stamppot, or just have drinks. Café 't Smalle or Café Papeneiland are classics.
- Don't plan too much — you'll be tired from the flight
- Get Euros from ATM at airport (better rates than bureau de change)
- Buy an OV-chipkaart at the station for all public transport
Dutch breakfast is simple: bread, cheese, ham, eggs. Or try a local bakery for fresh pastries.
⚠️ MUST book 6 weeks in advance! Tickets released at 10am Amsterdam time. Deeply moving experience. Allow 1.5 hours.
Amsterdam's most charming neighborhood. Narrow streets, boutique shops, cozy cafés. Window shop and soak it in.
Indoor food market with 20+ stalls. Try Dutch bitterballen, Vietnamese pho, or Italian pasta. Something for everyone. ~€12-18 per person.
Both world-class! Van Gogh: his life story and famous works. Rijksmuseum: Dutch masters, The Night Watch. Book ahead. ~2-3 hours each.
Amsterdam's main park. Locals picnicking, joggers, families. Beautiful green space. Free!
Trendy neighborhood with lots of restaurants. Indonesian rijsttafel is popular (Dutch colonial history). Or find Italian, Middle Eastern options.
From MacBike or local rental (~€12/day). E-bikes available for older travelers (~€25/day). Staff will explain cycling rules!
Amsterdam's biggest street market. Stroopwafels, cheese, flowers, clothes, everything! Great for souvenirs. Try fresh herring if adventurous.
🇳🇬 "Little Africa"! Leave bike, take metro line 50/54. This is where Nigerians gather. Feels like home!
Finally — proper jollof rice, pounded yam, egusi soup! Try Kilimanjaro Restaurant or ask locals. Stock up on spices at Toko Ramona or Amazing Oriental.
1-hour boat tour through the canals (~€16). See Amsterdam from the water. Very relaxing after cycling!
Evening walk through the famous area. Safe and interesting. Many restaurants nearby. Just observe — photos of workers not allowed!
- Cycling: Stay in bike lanes (red paths), signal turns with your hand
- Bijlmer: Great for Nigerian groceries to cook in your hotel (if you have kitchen)
- Red Light District: Safe to walk, but be respectful
From Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station. 17 minutes, runs every 15 minutes. ~€4 each way.
FREE to walk around! Working windmills, traditional houses, beautiful scenery. This is the Netherlands you imagined!
~€5 to enter. See how windmills grind grain or press oil. Climb to the top for views!
Watch traditional cheese making and wooden shoe (clog) carving. Free demonstrations, products available to buy.
Pancake house or traditional Dutch café. Try Dutch pancakes (pannenkoeken) — they're different from Nigerian pancakes!
Train back. Relax, maybe nap, or explore your hotel neighborhood.
Your last evening in Amsterdam. Treat yourself to a nice restaurant. Dam Square or Leidseplein areas have great options.
Store luggage at Rotterdam Centraal station lockers (~€7). Fast train: 40 minutes, ~€16.
Iconic tilted yellow houses! Free to see outside, €3 to enter the show cube. Amazing architecture!
Spectacular food hall with huge ceiling artwork. Get lunch here — cheese, Dutch bites, international food. Beautiful building!
185m observation tower. €11.50 entry. Panoramic views of the port and city. Clear day = see for miles!
Iconic white bridge, nicknamed "The Swan." Great photos! Waterfront walk with modern buildings.
Thalys high-speed train: 1 hour 10 minutes. ~€35-60 depending on booking. Check into Brussels hotel.
One of Europe's most beautiful squares! Stunning at night when lit up. Have Belgian waffles, walk around.
Return to see the gorgeous guild houses in sunlight. UNESCO World Heritage site. Coffee at one of the terrace cafés.
The famous little peeing boy statue. It's tiny! But iconic. Nearby: Jeanneke Pis (girl version) and Zinneke Pis (dog).
Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus, Leonidas — sample and buy! Belgian chocolate makes perfect gifts. Budget €30-50 for gifts.
Belgian mussels with fries! National dish. Chez Léon is famous (tourist-friendly) or ask locals for recommendations.
Giant atom structure from 1958 World's Fair. Metro to Heysel. €16 entry. Futuristic views from the spheres!
🇳🇬 Brussels' African neighborhood (near Porte de Namur). Congolese, Nigerian, and African shops & restaurants. Feels familiar!
Belgium has 1,500+ beers! Try Delirium Café (2,000+ beers) or Mort Subite (historic). Even non-drinkers can try Belgian hot chocolate.
Brussels to Bruges: 1 hour, ~€15. Leave luggage in Brussels or check into Bruges hotel (recommended: stay overnight!).
Bruges is like a fairytale! Medieval buildings, cobblestone streets, canals. The whole center is UNESCO World Heritage.
Main square with colorful guild houses. Climb the Belfry (€14, 366 steps!) for stunning views. Not for those afraid of heights!
Flemish stew (stoofvlees) with fries. Visit The Chocolate Line or Dumon for amazing pralines. This is Belgium's chocolate capital!
30-minute boat ride through Bruges canals (~€12). See the city from the water. "Venice of the North" nickname makes sense!
See Michelangelo's Madonna and Child sculpture. One of the few Michelangelo works outside Italy! Church is free, museum €6.
Many restaurants around the squares. Try Flemish cuisine or find cozy bistros on smaller streets (usually better value!).
- Bruges is small — everything is walkable
- Buy Belgian lace if looking for special souvenirs (but expensive!)
- Evening Bruges is magical and less crowded than daytime
Bruges to Ghent: only 25 minutes! Leave bags at Ghent station or carry small bag.
See the famous Ghent Altarpiece by Van Eyck — one of the most important paintings in art history! €16 entry to see the masterpiece.
Ghent's beautiful waterfront with medieval guild houses. Sit at a terrace café, have coffee, watch the boats.
More affordable than Bruges! University city with good cheap eats. Try a local beer café.
"Castle of the Counts" — medieval fortress in the city center. €12 entry. Great views from the top!
Ghent to The Hague: ~2 hours with one change in Antwerp. Check into hotel near the beach or city center.
The Hague's beach resort area! Seafood restaurants, pier, casino. Walk on the beach after dinner.
Small but world-class museum. See Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" and Rembrandt works. €19 entry, ~2 hours.
Dutch parliament buildings. Beautiful architecture around a courtyard. Can view exterior freely.
Only 15 minutes! Charming university town famous for blue-and-white pottery (Delftware). Much less touristy than Amsterdam.
Explore the market square, canals, and charming streets. Visit a Delft pottery shop (Royal Delft has factory tours, €15).
Beach time! Walk on the pier, enjoy the sea breeze. If warm, take your shoes off and feel the sand!
Celebrate your trip! Nice restaurant, reflect on amazing memories, maybe write postcards.
If afternoon flight: Last-minute shopping in The Hague or quick return to Amsterdam for souvenirs (9 Streets area is great!).
The Hague to Schiphol: ~30 minutes. Arrive 3 hours before international flight. Check VAT refund if you spent €50+ at single stores.
Schiphol has great shops! Duty-free cheese, stroopwafels, tulip bulbs (seasonal), Delft pottery. Final chance!
- Keep receipts for VAT refund (non-EU residents can claim back ~15% on purchases over €50)
- Schiphol is huge — allow time to find your gate
- Tulip bulbs: seasonal (Sept-May) and must be certified for import
📊 Trip Summary
📋 What to Book in Advance
Tickets release at 10:00 AM Amsterdam time, exactly 6 weeks ahead. Set an alarm!
Timed entry slots. Book on official websites. Don't buy from resellers!
Book on Booking.com (often free cancellation). Look for "free cancellation" option.
Rotterdam-Brussels train. Book early for cheaper prices. NS International or Thalys website.
💡 Essential Tips for This Trip
- OV-chipkaart: Get this card at any station for all Dutch public transport. Load €50-70 for the whole trip.
- Wise Card: Best exchange rates. Order before you travel and load Euros.
- Google Maps: Download offline maps for all cities before leaving Nigeria
- Power adapter: Europe uses Type C/F plugs (two round pins). Bring 2-3 adapters.
- Cash: Cards widely accepted, but carry €100-200 cash for small purchases and markets
- WhatsApp: Works everywhere on WiFi. Get a local SIM or use roaming for emergencies.
🗓️ 7-Day Itineraries
Perfect for a quick getaway. Focus on one country or region.
Best of Netherlands
Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague & beyond
Arrive at Schiphol, train to city (15 min). Hotel check-in in Jordaan or De Pijp. Evening canal walk, dinner at brown café.
Morning: Anne Frank House (book ahead!). Afternoon: Van Gogh Museum or Rijksmuseum. Evening: Red Light District walk.
Rent a bike! Vondelpark, Albert Cuyp Market. Metro to Bijlmer for Nigerian lunch! Canal boat tour in afternoon.
Famous windmills, cheese-making demos, clog workshop. 30 min from Amsterdam. Back for evening in Amsterdam.
Train (40 min). Cube Houses, Markthal food hall, Erasmus Bridge. Modern architecture heaven!
Mauritshuis (Girl with Pearl Earring!), Binnenhof. Tram to Delft for pottery. Beach at Scheveningen for sunset.
Last shopping in Amsterdam (9 Streets area). Train to Schiphol.
💡 Tips
- Get OV-chipkaart for all public transport
- Book Anne Frank House 6 weeks in advance
- Nigerian food: Bijlmer (Amsterdam Zuidoost)
- Best value: April-May or September
London Highlights
The best of Britain's capital + Nigerian community
Heathrow to central London (Elizabeth Line/Tube). South Bank walk, Borough Market dinner.
Buckingham Palace, Changing of Guard (11am). Westminster Abbey, Big Ben. Hyde Park afternoon stroll.
British Museum (morning). Covent Garden lunch. National Gallery. West End show (evening).
Tower of London (Crown Jewels!). Tower Bridge. Afternoon: Camden Market or Notting Hill.
Windsor Castle (1 hour train) OR Oxford University city. Both stunning!
Morning: Shoreditch. Lunch: PECKHAM for Nigerian food! Explore Brixton. Dinner in Soho.
Last shopping at Oxford Street or Westfield. Head to airport.
💡 Tips
- ⚠️ UK requires SEPARATE visa (not Schengen)
- Get Oyster card or use contactless for Tube
- Nigerian areas: Peckham (Rye Lane!), Woolwich, Barking
- Most museums are FREE!
Swiss Highlights (Most Organized!)
Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken
Fly in, train to city center (10 min). Walk Old Town, Lake Zurich views. Fondue dinner!
Bahnhofstrasse shopping, Grossmünster church, Swiss National Museum. Evening: Rhine Falls day trip (optional).
Scenic 45-min train ride. Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument. Lake cruise. Stay in Lucerne.
Take cogwheel train up a mountain! Breathtaking views. Golden Round Trip to Pilatus is unforgettable.
Train to Interlaken (2 hrs). Between two lakes! Adventure capital but also just stunning scenery.
Train to 3,454m! Snow, glaciers, incredible. Expensive (CHF 200+) but once-in-a-lifetime.
Morning train back. Last chocolate shopping. Fly home with amazing memories!
💡 Tips
- 🏆 Switzerland — safe, organized, stunning scenery!
- Get Swiss Travel Pass — covers most transport
- EXPENSIVE! Budget CHF 200-300/day
- Eat at Coop/Migros supermarkets to save money
- Currency: Swiss Francs (CHF), not Euros
🗓️ 10-Day Itineraries
Enough time to explore 2 countries comfortably.
Classic Italy
Rome, Florence, Venice — the essential trio
Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican (Sistine Chapel!), Trevi Fountain, Trastevere. Pasta and gelato everywhere!
Fast train (1.5 hours). Evening walk to Ponte Vecchio. Sunset views from Piazzale Michelangelo!
Uffizi Gallery, Duomo climb, Accademia (David!), leather markets. Day trip to Tuscan hill towns possible.
Train (2 hours). Water bus to hotel. Evening: Get lost in the alleys, find cicchetti bars!
St Mark's Square & Basilica, Doge's Palace, Rialto Bridge. Gondola ride. Day trip to Murano (glass) or Burano (colorful!).
Fly from Venice Marco Polo or train to Rome for flight home.
💡 Tips
- BOOK Vatican, Uffizi, Last Supper weeks ahead!
- Cover shoulders & knees for churches
- Dinner is late (8-9pm). Lunch is main meal.
- Avoid July-August: extremely hot and crowded
Germany & Austria
Munich, Salzburg, Vienna
Marienplatz, BMW Museum, English Garden beer garden. Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle (fairytale castle!).
Train (1.5 hours). Mozart's birthplace! Sound of Music tour. Stunning Alpine backdrop.
Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Gardens, Old Town. Try Salzburger Nockerl (dessert)!
Train (2.5 hours). Evening coffee house culture — sit, relax, people watch. Sachertorte cake!
Schönbrunn Palace, St Stephen's, Belvedere, Hofburg. Opera or classical concert (€4 standing tickets!). Naschmarkt food market.
Fly from Vienna. Last strudel before you go!
💡 Tips
- September: Oktoberfest in Munich (book EARLY!)
- December: Christmas markets everywhere!
- German/Austrian food is hearty — prepare for schnitzel & dumplings
- German punctuality is real — don't be late!
🗓️ 14-Day Itineraries
Two weeks lets you really explore without rushing.
France & Spain
Paris, Barcelona, Madrid
Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre, Champs-Élysées. Day trip to Versailles. Nigerian food in Château Rouge (18th arrondissement).
Flight (2 hours) or train (6.5 hrs scenic!). Evening tapas on La Rambla.
Sagrada Familia (book!), Park Güell, Gothic Quarter, beach at Barceloneta. Day trip to Montserrat monastery.
Fast train (2.5 hours). Evening at Puerta del Sol. Dinner at 10pm like locals!
Prado Museum, Royal Palace, Retiro Park, Reina Sofia (Picasso's Guernica!). Day trip to Toledo or Segovia.
Fly home from Madrid.
💡 Tips
- 📋 Book Eiffel Tower and Louvre tickets in advance!
- Learn "Bonjour" — essential in France!
- Spanish schedule: lunch 2-4pm, dinner 9-11pm
- Siesta (2-4pm): many shops closed in Spain
Western Europe Classic
Amsterdam, Berlin, Swiss Alps
Museums, canals, bikes, Nigerian food in Bijlmer. Day trip to windmills. Apply visa HERE!
Fly (1.5 hrs) or train (6 hrs). Evening: Brandenburg Gate lit up at night.
Berlin Wall & East Side Gallery, Museum Island, Reichstag. Great nightlife, cheap eats, vibrant culture.
Fly or scenic train through Germany. Evening: Lake Zurich waterfront, Old Town.
Lucerne, Interlaken, Jungfraujoch. Mountains, lakes, chocolate, cheese! Budget CHF 250/day.
Fly from Zurich. Load up on Swiss chocolate!
💡 Tips
- Apply for Schengen through country where you spend most nights
- Berlin is very affordable; Switzerland is expensive — budget balances out!
- Swiss Travel Pass essential for Switzerland portion
🗓️ 21-Day Itineraries
Three weeks for the ultimate European adventure — use your full 90-day allowance wisely!
Grand European Tour
6 countries, countless memories
Fly into Amsterdam (direct KLM from Lagos). Museums, canals, Nigerian food in Bijlmer. Day trip to windmills.
Train to Brussels (2 hrs). Grand Place, waffles, chocolate. Day in fairy-tale Bruges.
Fly or train. History, culture, nightlife, incredible food. Very affordable!
Train through beautiful countryside. Fairytale city, great beer, very affordable! Charles Bridge at sunset.
Imperial grandeur, classical music, coffee house culture. Schönbrunn Palace is stunning.
Train through Alps (stunning!). Canals, gondolas, romance. Expensive but unique!
Renaissance art, Tuscan food, leather shopping. Climb the Duomo!
Ancient history, Vatican, farewell to Europe. Fly home from Rome.
💡 Tips for 3-Week Trips
- Consider Eurail Pass — flexible train travel across countries
- Pack LIGHT — you'll thank yourself. One carry-on if possible!
- Build in rest days — travel fatigue is real at week 2
- Mix expensive & affordable — Prague & Berlin balance Venice & Switzerland
- Laundry — find laundromats or hotels with laundry service mid-trip
🎨 Build Your Own Custom Itinerary!
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