I want to see the flower fields, windmills and Delft. While biking would be great, it looks to be too far to see it all. Are trains a possibility? Or do I have to rent a car? If I rent a car, will driving and parking within Amsterdam be difficult?
2006-09-27 17:08:20 · 10 answers · asked by nisa004 2 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Netherlands
Biking is a great option... If a certain place you want to visit is too far to cycle to you can just take your bike on the train... Holland has excellent bicycle paths and touristic bicycle routes to ride... In fact, you can book all kinds of bicycle tours with all kinds of facilities...
This is the site of the Dutch Automobile Club which does a lot for cyclists too, unfortunately it's only in Dutch but if you contact them they'll definitely help you find your way ... http://www.anwb.nl/published/anwbcms/content/pagina/nieuws/fietsnieuws.nl.html
This is the site of the Dutch Railroads (they have special cycling trip arrangements too, again, not in English though, but I'm sure they'll send you info in English if you request it, there IS a (limited) English site too) http://www.ns.nl
And this is a commercial site, in English though... http://www.cycletours.com/indexuk.html
Have fun
2006-09-27 23:18:52 · answer #1 · answered by Vince has left the building... 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went to Holland by myself (as a woman) and it is a very easy place to get around and safe too. Everyone speaks English well too. Biking is not an option from Amsterdam - it is way too far. Don't rent a car in Amsterdam, the public trams are a great and cheap way to see the city.
For the flower fields, windmills & Delft (all of which I've been to), you can simply go to the Tourist Information Centre near the main train station and book a coach (bus) tour. The bus tours are great, easy, affordable and you get an English guide that will tell you all kinds of interesting things along the way. It is really worth it. Sorry, I can't remember the tour company so I can't recommend any but the tourist information is really helpful.
2006-09-27 17:53:00 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Public transport in Holland is so good, actually I think taking it is even more convenient and definitely more affordable than renting a car. If you're gonna stay in one city for a week, the cheapest option is to get a weekabonnement. Otherwise, get a "strippenkaart" at the newsagents (you'll know what it is when you get there). You can also get around with a bike--it's definitely more convenient than driving a car. There should be plenty of bike rentals in A'dam.
While in Amsterdam there is a year-long flowermarket (Bloemenmarkt) somewhere in Centrum along Tramline 2 & 5, the best place to see flowers is the Keukenhof botanical garden in Lisse. April is a great time to visit Keukenhof, but do bear in mind that it's open seasonally, so go to their website http://www.keukenhof.nl to check their opening dates and special events, and plan your visit accordingly. To get to Lisse, get a train to Leiden and catch a bus from there.
Assuming you departure point is Amsterdam, the train service to Leiden is the same one that will take you to Delft. The train service goes Amsterdam-Haarlem-Heemstede Aerdenhout-Leiden-Den Haag-Delft-Rotterdam-Dordrecht. If you take a sneltrein, the train should take you exactly to Delft station; some intercities do this as well. Otherwise, get off at Den Haag (either Hollands Spoor or Centraal Station) and take a stoptrein, or exit the train station and take Tramline 1 to Delft if you prefer doing it the long way. Go to http://www.ns.nl (Dutch Railway) and http://www.9292ov.nl (all public transport) for more information.
Another place in Holland that's worthy of a visit is the Marina at Volendam. There are busses from Amsterdam.
2006-09-28 05:18:41 · answer #3 · answered by Mizz G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Trains will take you relatively close but not enough. Car is the best option but you will not be able to park easily in Amsterdam. I would rent a car by the day and go to see the flower. Or take a train and rent a bike (some station rent bikes). otherwise, book a tour to the keukenhof which is the flower garden.
Advantage of a car: you could get up early and go to a flower auction: they artart at 5 or 6 am. visit the local VVV (tourist office) to get info.
2006-10-01 12:51:26 · answer #4 · answered by panda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went with a group of friends to Amsterdam few months ago and what we did was that we booked a bus tour to the tulip gardens, and a separate one to Delft (which also brought me to Madurodam and The Hague) from the Visitors' Centre opposite the Central Train Station (Centraal Station). The tours are really good and informative but if you like free and easy, you can also go to these places on your own by train but the train tickets might actually turn out to be more expensive than the bus tours.
As for the windmills, we went there on our own - just take a train to Zaanse Schans from the Centraal Station.
Have fun in Holland! Remember if you want to see the tulips, I'd recommend that you don't go too early in April cos they won't be in full bloom yet.
2006-09-27 19:06:13 · answer #5 · answered by rhys 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, i'm Dutch and often receive forreign guests who wish to travel around the country.
By all means: rent bikes and use the trains as often as you can. Parking and one-way-streets are a problem in most cities. Bikes are welcome everywhere.
There are good and cheap maps and travel brochures at the tourist info, just across the main entrance of the Amsterdam Central Train Station.
A special all-day-ticket for bringing your bike on the train is only 6 euro per bike (on top of your fare).
The Keukenhof is open from the third week of March until late May. April is a good time for visit!
Kinderdijk and Zaanse Schans are the best windmill areas.
Delft is good, and I suggest Alkmaar is nice to take your mother to as this is the traditional place for cheese and a huge outdoor cheese market.
Enjoy!
2006-09-28 13:30:05 · answer #6 · answered by Endie vB 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trains are definately a possibility! I can think of some good train lines that run through nederlands... One i can think starts at Maastricht and ends up a little farther then Amsterdam. You pay a little extra to store the bikes on the train but not much, then when you want to get off at any stop you feel like and just pick up the next train down the line. Id stick with train/ bikes , but i dont know much about driving in nederlands ( i dont think many people do it).
I have seen many people do these bike trips at train stations and love it.
Thats nice of you to take your mother... good luck!
2006-09-28 07:57:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are staying in Amsterdam, public transport is the best option. If you really want to go by car, rent a car for a day. No parking problem or try to inform if the rental company can make a drop off at your hotel.
2006-09-28 07:12:53 · answer #8 · answered by vineto 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Roses of any shade are awesome, and performance an impressive aroma- i'm the kind who would accidently kill a cactus. ANY FLOWER is massive, beats this danged snow we've had all wintry climate!!! Spring is right here- inspite of the reality that, we've SNOW envisioned again- mom Nature's April fool shaggy dog tale on the Midwest!!
2016-11-24 23:49:39 · answer #9 · answered by fullem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how about a mo-ped or a scooter? amsterdam has plenty of rental places for those.
2006-09-27 17:17:24 · answer #10 · answered by Gent Of Style 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋