njwanderer

Hello! My wife and I are considering a 4 day trip to Amsterdam over Easter weekend. We love natural beauty, culture, and want to explore the city that we have heard so much about. We are also very keen (from seeing other posts in this forum) on the tulips in Keukenhof and visiting Zaanse Schans. Will it be too early for the tulips? Will the parks, museums and day trips (such as to Zaanse Schans) be operative over the Easter weekend?
Thank you.

Ida101

Easter weekend is a busy weekend, so make hotelreservations as soon as possible!!!
All attractions are open, like Zaanse Schans.
Keukenhof is open, you might be lucky to see the first tulips as spring has been warmer then usual. Expect lots of people during those days there.
Many tourists from Belgium and Germany go over to NL during those days.

ivee

Yes expect it to be crowdy. In Amsterdam - I do not know how expensive it is now, but try the Pulitzer Hotel housed in a series of former private canalhomes. They have 'endless weekend' packages including very beautiful breakfast buffets and your are just in the very center.
I think all day trips can be done over Easter weekend. Everything is very close and can be done very easily by train. (The Hague, Delft etc it's really nothing)

njwanderer

Hi,

Thanks for all the information. I forgot to ask in my post about weather in Amsterdam in early April. Will it be raining?

Thanks!!

lawchick

It probably will rain. April showers and all that.

njwanderer

Will it be worth making this trip, given it may be raining? Will we be able to walk around and make the side trips?

Thanks!!
PS: I am sorry, I am asking too many questions....it is a trip we are hoping to make after a loong time...so, i am just trying to ensure that it is good. Thanks!!

Tulips

You can't book a trip based on the weather; in Holland, it is too unpredictable. It could rain any day of the year. It may rain in April, it may be beautiful and sunny. It will not be hot, and it will not snow (well, it would be very unlikely).

Most tourist attractions will be open, but many shops will be closed Easter Sunday and Monday.

lawchick

I find that I am quite able to walk in the rain, with the aid of that fantastic invention - the umbrella and steered by that much underutilised mode of transport - feet.

Also, side trips are always feasible using public transport, even during rain showers.

Will it be worth making the trip - if there is rain?

If there is some rain wherever you live, perhaps you could practice walking around in it for a few minutes and then decide if it intereferes too much with your enjoyment and then decide whether travelling is worth it or not.

Ida101

Check the reports of the past on www.wunderground.com
It is one big guess..you can be lucky and have sun, but it can be rainy. Donot expect high temps., but chilly.
If you bring a windbreaker, sweater and umbrella you will be fine.

artstuff

One of my husband's and my favorite days spent in Amsterdam was during a drenching rain storm. We were on the Dam Square when it started pouring, so we ducked into the Nieuwe Kerk where they were having a special exhibition, <i>de Weg naar de Hemel</i>. We didn't speak Dutch...and didn't know what we were getting into. Turned out to be <i>The Way to Heaven</i>, an exhibition of reliquaries from all over Europe.

We became enthralled by the ornate boxes and vessels containing pieces of the cross, vials of Jesus's blood, and various body parts from saints, popes and other religious dignitaries. Since then, we have sought out reliquaries whenever we travel.

So a rainy day in Amsterdam is only what you make it. Peace, Robyn &gt;-

njwanderer

artstuff,

Thanks for the post...has made me feel much better!!
Another question, is early April too early for the tulips?? My wife loves tulips and I would be happy if we can see the tulips during this trip.

Thanks!!

Tulips

It would normally be ok, but last year, it was very cold in early spring, and the tulips came out late. This year, we seem to skip winter entirely, so there will probably be tulips (daffodils coming out now).

njwanderer

TTT
Thanks!!
any recommendations for hotels? Our priorities are Keukenhof,Zaanse Schans and walking around town to get a feel of the place. Are there any other must-dos? Given these priorities, what will be a good place for us to stay?

Thanks a lot!!

cmeyer54

We were in Amsterdam over Queen's Day a couple of years back. Due to the late decision to go and ignorance about Queen's Day..we ended up at the Ramada Suites near VondelPark. It was just fine - Amsterdam is very walkable. We did a great deal in 4 days and did not use the tram more than twice. We did a half day to Keukenhof - on our own and early to avoid the crowds and also did a 3/4 day trip to Zaanse Schans with a group (not to our liking much). Even with a break neck pace, there is much left to see.

artstuff

If the tulips aren't quite blooming yet when you are there, you will still get to see a lot of them at the Keukenhof, inside the pavilions. And remember, there are lots of different types of bulbs, including crocuses (sp?) and daffodils, which bloom first.
There are 12 million bulbs planted at the Keukenhof!

For your information, the easiest way to visit the Keukenhof is to take the train to Leiden then get the bus to the Keukenhof. They sell ticket combos at the train station which include the bus fare and entrance to the gardens. The bus drops you off and picks you up right at one of the entrances.

When you stop in Leiden, there is a windmill museum which is worth exploring, Molen de Volk. For a few Euros you can take a self guided tour through the seven floors (the last couple of floors requires climbing steep stairs). You can go outside on the deck of the 4th floor (I think) right below the sails. One of the times when we were there they had the sails turning, which was great! When you leave the train staion, look to the left and you'll see the Molen de Volk. It's just a 5 minute walk from the station.

As far as recommendations for hotels, just do a search here at Fodors.com and you will find lots of suggestions. We stayed at the Hotel Agora on one of our trips, which is a canal house located on the Singel.

http://www.hotelagora.nl/

It was convenient to the tram stop, a little grocery store on the corner, the flower market the next block over, and a coffeeshop just down the street. Peace, Robyn &gt;-

ilovetulips

Unfortunately, I was too late for the tulips! We visited in late May due to my work schedule. But I think even if there is some rain, Amsterdam is still worth the trip. Vondelpark is wonderful and you can really get a good vibe of the local culture. As other posters have mentioned, check out Keukenhof website, I am thinking there would be tulips in early April. We stayed at Maes Bed and Breakfast in the Jordaan area. Fabulous place and for 95 euros per night you get a nice room, breakfast and great hosts, Vlad and Ken. The only thing is, you are in Amsterdam, so the B and B has lots of stairs!

Peepjr

I hope the tulips are out then! I leave for Amsterdam on 4/5 and return on 4/23. This is my first trip to Europe as an adult and I am very excited. A friend lives there and will be taking me all over NL, Belgium, Cologne, Germany and Paris. Hope you have a great trip and see lots of lovely flowers!

Dreamer2

Predicting tulips is like predicting cherry blossoms or fall foliage. Just GO and hope for the best! You are in for a delightful trip; I hope to read a wonderful trip report in a couple months. Please don't write back and say you cancelled for ANY reason. After a &quot;looong wait&quot; - this is the time you MUST go. Go for it!

PatrickLondon

You can keep an eye on the weather in Amsterdam at
http://www.terena.org/webcam/

It's just pointing out of an office window at a not very exciting street junction: the frustrating thing is that just out of shot is the Flower Market..

njwanderer

TTT
We will be needing a Schengen visa to travel to Amsterdam. One of the requirements is to get medical insurance that will cover us during our trip. Any pointers as to where we should start looking for this? I know this question is a little off-topic...We are travelling from the US to Europe for the first time. (We are not US citizens) . Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!