Advice for vacationing in the Netherlands?

Question

I'm taking a 2 week trip to Europe over the holidays at the end of this year and will be spending a week (including New Years) in The Netherlands.

The main trip is to Amsterdam. I have already booked the flight but have not yet booked any hotels. I would also like to see Rotterdam and the Hague. Should I book a few nights in another city besides Amsterdam or should I book all nights in Amsterdam and just take day trips to these other places?

Also, what are some other fun things to do and see in Amsterdam? (And I'm not talking about drugs and prostitutes.)

Answer 1

I don't really like to have to move all my stuff just for a day or two, especially since AMS and NL have such good easy train connections. You can take day trips to most of Holland.
You might also consider going to Ghent and Brugge, two beautiful towns in Flanders (Belgium) and just a couple of hour from AMS.
The best sight in Amsterdam is just the city itself, just wandering around i never got bored there; it's all so beautiful and relaxing. Check out the Albert Cuypstraat and the markets in the center, the flea market, flower market, Rembrandtplein, Muntplein, and walk along all the 3 main canals in the center. Explore the Jordaan neighborhood just west of center. Everywhere you look in AMS there are galleries and museums, restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, etc.so read a good guidebook like Let's Go Europe or Lonely Planet and see what you like.
I went to the museum of torture in AMS, didn't go to Anne Frank House but would like to. The Rijksmuseum is great, and Vondelpark for people watching and concerts.
I love to just rent a bike and explore, I'm happy just being there and so i haven't done many touristic things. I'd like to see the Sea Dikes that keep Holland from flooding, and check out Alkmaar, Delft, and Zeeland.
If you do want to change location, I'd say go get a room in Ghent and vist Brugge and Antwerpen,. All 3 of those cities are nice.
For an idea of train prices and schedules, look at
www.ns.nl
(that's NL)
Have fun. Take your waterproof shoes, jacket and umbrella!

Answer 2

I would agree that you don't need more than a day or two in Amsterdam but like the previous answer said, you can stay there at the same hotel and just take day trips out. I live in the southern part of the Netherlands and I just went to Brugge last weekend. Beautiful place - I highly recommend. If you do go, take a carriage ride first so you can get a feel of the city before you start walking around. Belgium beer is some of the best, in my opinion so definitely try some. I personally like the cherry beer (Kriek as it's called there). St. Louis Premium is my favorite.

I know you said no prostitutes - good for you - but you should walk through the Red Light District. It's interesting just to see it. Go at night though so you can see the lights.

In Amsterdam, I recommend the wine and cheese canal boat ride. It's at night so you can see all the bridges lit up - quite nice.

I also recommend you purchase tram tickets. It's so easy to get around Amsterdam using the tram and it's inexpensive. You can walk but some of the sights are far apart. There are brown signs everywhere showing in what directions different things are.

Answer 3

Tompink really has what I think is the best answer. I agree with him completely. I suggest a nice canal boat tour, the Anne Frank house, a museum or two, and finally eat cake in some little out of the way cafe'- you'll think you've died and gone to heaven. Renting a bike is also a worthwhile idea.

Don't worry about Amsterdam's reputation there is plenty to do in the city without getting involved in sex or drugs. I went with friends three years ago and was very worried about being in a drug filled dirty city and I was COMPLETELY wrong. Amsterdam for the most part was gorgeous, clean, and people were friendly.

As for your accommodations, it really depends on whether you want to lug your stuff around and how much stuff you have. If you travel light, it might be nice to book a place for a day and not worry about getting back "home." But at the same time it's nice to have to have a familiar place when you are traveling a lot. It's up to you! Have a wonderful trip.

Answer 4

Maastricht is a great city with tons to do. It's about a 2-1/2 hour train ride from Amsterdam. There are so many bars, clubs, cafes, parks, etc. My favorite thing was to just wander the streets of Maastricht. I would just walk around. Don't worry, you won't get lost. I would just explore the labyrinth of windy cobblestone streets. I would love to just walk to the bridges and sit by the river

I liked Zaanse Schans:
http://www.zaanseschans.nl/
It is a town that has been recreated to show you what Dutch life was like back in the day. It's neat and they have tons of windmills and little shops that show you how clogs and cheese are made.


I would also try:
Wetlands Safari:
http://www.wetlandssafari.nl/
You get to take little boats through the canals of a city and see nature and all that stuff. It closes in September though.

In Amsterdam I visited the Anne Frank Museum, took a canal tour, Van Gogh Museum, and chilled in Vondel Park. Amsterdam is just a cool place to wander around. It is a visually neat place to visit and you definetly won't get bored.

I wasn't impressed with Rotterdam. If you do go, go to the cube houses. Those are pretty cool.

Answer 5

Amsterdam has enough to keep you occupied for about 2 days.

Rotterdam and the Hague you can most certainly visit from Amsterdam - Rotterdam is about 45 mins by train, and The Hague 40 mins. (when no delays).
These are direct connections.

Also nice to visit are Haarlem, Alkmaar, Hoorn and Enkhuizen - all within 1 train hour from Amsterdam Central, and all with a direct line to them.

Please note that the weather most likely will be chilly and unpredictable - so make sure you are prepared clothing wise.

You could even consider finding a Hotel in one the other cities mentioned. Chances are that in Haarlem and Rotterdam you`ll have cheaper options, and better quality.

If you consider Alkmaar or Hoorn as place to visit - let me know - i know my way around both places and would be happy to guide you around.

Answer 6

To an extent I agree with the previous answers.

Amsterdam is not a city with many tourist sights and even the major art museums can't hold my interest for very long.

It is a nice city to walk around in, the architecture is delightful, the canals picturesque, and there are many pleasant places to stop for a beer. Its the best place to have Indonesian food outside Jakarta and Dutch food is pleasant although not exciting. It has a very good nightlife which is enhanced by the fact that the Dutch are, in my opinion, the friendliest and most pleasant people on Earth.

On the other hand, accomodation in Amsterdam is crushingly expensive and very poor value for money. In Paris I know dozens of excellant hotels in the city center that cost less than 100 euros. In Amsterdam, inexpensive hotels often fail to meet minimum standards of comfort and hygiene.

Further, Amsterdams location on the North Sea means that it can be terribly cold and damp in winter. It certainly would not be my choice for New Year's Eve.

Answer 7

All are very good ideas. But I'd also like to suggest Muiderslot Castle. It's a 13th century castle located in a charming village of Muiden, which is southeast of Amsterdam. It's a museum castle that's packed full of history. I'm one who really gets into seeing how people used to live 'back in the day', so this place is a dream for me. I think they're only open on weekends during the winter months.

Zaanse Schans is another great place. As is Maastricht. I guess Rotterdam never did much for me, but you may like it. And don't forget to get a tour in a windmill!

Answer 8

You can do a canal cruise in Amsterdam. The night life is great. You can visit Madhurodam which is a miniature city. You can also visit Keukenhoff gardens. Try to visit Rotterdam.

Answer 9

Try the chocolate. And the fries. Those two are just amazing. Even if you ever ate "Belgian chocolate", you still need to try the real stuff in the real belgium. I know quite a few Americans who were suprised at how much better the real belgian chocolate tastes. And the beer's the best of the world. Or so I've heard. I prefer Guinness, but many a guy I know prefers Jupiler. That's about all. Hope it helped.

Answer 10

I think a week might be too long in Amsterdam.There are some very interesting bars and historical sights.Rotterdam is
good for shopping,quite normal compared to amsterdam!
I went there 20 years ago with a group of friends and had a really wild time, so I dread to think what it is like now.be careful!!!!my sister had her drink spiked with drugs.....