A Spring Road Trip to Paris

Road Trip

With spring around the corner you might be ready for the perfect little getaway. And what’s a better way to spend it then on the road, discovering the beautiful Europe. The road trip starts in the lively Amsterdam and finishes in the mesmerizing Paris. Europe, with all its historical buildings and breathtaking nature, is one of the best continents for a cross-country road trip. Enjoy all the blooming flowers and the first rays of sunshine in the Northwest of Europe. 

Stop 1: Buzzing Amsterdam

We start the road trip in buzzing Amsterdam. Leaving Amsterdam might be difficult because there’s so much fun to be had. The beautiful canals and wonky buildings are endless, a real pleasure for the eye. And for culture lovers, there are museums dedicated to everything from Van Gogh to modern art. 

When you are in the city, hire a bike to explore the old town or hop aboard canal cruises to see the city from a whole new angle. And when the night falls? Explore the bars and drink some Dutch beers. 

Stop 2: Fashionable Antwerp

Next on is the super stylish and sophisticated Antwerp. This city is perfect for fashion lovers and party people. Enjoy innovative meals in extremely good and modern restaurants. Shop in elegant boutiques, or admire all the sparkles in the Diamond District. And when the night falls in Antwerp? Catch a show at de Singel arts centre.

Stop 3: Picturesque Ghent

Let’s move up to Ghent. Why is it that this city with all of the picturesque streets hasn’t got more tourists? Ghent has the most beautiful historic architecture, a big student population, and last but not least: the highest concentration of top-quality beer bars in all of Belgium.

Stroll along the mostly car-free city-centre and admire the Graffiti Street. This is a canvas for the city’s artists to make their mark. Don’t forget to walk through the Gravensteen area. Here you will find galleries, antique shops, and amazing restaurants.

Stop 4: Tasteful Bruges

Next stop: the dreamy Bruges. This is the last stop in Belgium on your Netherlands to France road trip. In the city you will find cute cobbled lanes and impressive Gothic churches. Explore the UNESCO-listed city centre, surrounded by a moat. Sounds like a city from the middle ages right? Check out the great views and visit the Belfry in Market Square. Tired of walking? Then it’s time to eat the famous crispy and salty fries. Thirsty? Wash it away with a special beer.

Stop 5: Enchanting Paris

We have arrived at your final destination: Paris! We can’t deny it, all the stories about Paris hold true: this city is magical. It’s super romantic and extremely fashionable. The food is outstanding and the bistros and restaurants are on every corner of the street. The museums are impressive and there are hidden galleries on every corner. The city is divided in ‘arrondissements’. These neighborhoods are counting upwards where one is the city centre and the higher numbers are the outer districts. Find the neighborhood that suits you best. From village-like Montmartre to the mansions of the Marais. When the night falls, find a seat outside a cafe and watch life go past. Paris is made for people-watching.

What’s your ride?

Are you lucky and living in the Netherlands? Then it is best to drive your own car. But most likely you are just visiting Europe. When your journey starts in Amsterdam it is easiest to rent your car or van in the city, there are a lot of options. The roads in Europe are very safe, so when you are over 18 and in possession of a driver’s license, you are good to go. Going for a road trip with a lot of friends? Then renting a van is necessary. Consider the mercedes vito (in Dutch: mercedes vito huren) of the mercedes v classe (in Dutch: mercedes v klasse huren)

Have fun during this amazing spring adventure through Europe. We can assure you that you will love it. Enjoy!

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of The World Financial Review.