Reddit mentions: The best belgium travel guides

Well, you can't mask your accent. I would maybe watch your slang terms and contractions? Try to limit your y'alls...? I just got back from Paris and my best advice would be to learn enough conversational french to at least get past greetings and up to "I'm sorry, I don't speak French." Most everybody in Paris speaks some English, almost all the places have English menus printed out, but it's a show of respect to them that you try. It is France, after all. Most places we went to the people were very polite and hospitable to us, switching to perfect English after we'd politely reached the end of what French we knew. Several times we were sitting near other Americans who didn't try to speak French and the difference in the reception they got was huge. Just remember they put a lot more stock manners than we do. Not just "Bonjour", but "Bonjour, monsieur/madam." Where we would think someone was a fucking pod person if they walked into a GAP and said, "Good morning, sir/madam!" the French tend to find our casualness rude.

Also, you can never say "Merci" enough times to a waiter/waitress.

Also, Also This. This goddamned thing was a life saver. His rome book was also a lifesaver for us and I can only assume his Amsterdam book would be just as helpful.

> We are artists so galleries are heaven for us as well as cafes. We love art and food and I'm just happy to be in a different city.

I think you will be fine in Brussels then, even in the rain. [This blog] (http://www.smarksthespots.com/best-of-brussels/) and [this one] (http://onfoodandwine.com/category/best-of-brussels/) plus [this book] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/500-Hidden-Secrets-Brussels/dp/9460580920) are good starting places if you want to eat well, drink well, and do a bit of picture and people watching.

Bruge and Ghent are far prettier, no question, and Brussels is more obviously a working city which can feel a bit soulless up around the parliament, but I have a real soft spot for it, and I'm not sure why it gets so little love.

That's really only enough time to walk around town, possibly get a beer at Bierbrasserie Cambrinus or the Half Moon Brewery, and fondle the blood of Christ at the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

I highly recommend:

http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-Snapshot-Bruges-Brussels/dp/1598804847/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274972043&sr=1-2

I planned my weekend in Bruges 4 days in advance. Rick Steves' book was very helpful.

There's a book series called "Top Ten" by DK Press that is sort of like that.

Top Ten Amsterdam:

https://www.amazon.com/Top-Amsterdam-Eyewitness-Travel-Guide/dp/1465445757/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498736205&sr=8-1&keywords=top+ten+amsterdam

Most of the things you mention can be found in a Wikipedia entry about the country or city.