unaS

If you had about 15 days and wanted to visit the Netherlands, what other country would you choose, to add interest?

I have visited the Scandinavian countries, Italy and Britain, but not the rest of Europe. Have also travelled in Japan, SEA, NZ, OZ, Turkey and Greece.

I am a mature woman travelling solo. Interests include in history, culture and art.

Will be travelling in late March - early April or August, 2007

ira

Hi Una,

6 days in the Netherlands and the rest of the time in Paris.

Fly into AMS and out of CDG, or VV. See www.kayak.com

See www.voyages-sncf.com for train fares.

rex

France? Poland? Portugal?

Your question is a little bit like "What food goes well with Coca-Cola?"

I don't mean to sound condescending or critical. Perhaps you can explain what about Holland attracts you, and whether you seek contrast, ease of logistics (airlines connect almost all city pairs in Europe nowadays, and cheaply - - see the website www.whichbudget.com for example), or similarity. And your two sets of dates don't even lend to one area being superior to another with reference to weather.

It is hardly a stroke of brilliance on my part to suggest France. Certainly a cornerstone for travels to Europe where "history, culture and art" are being sought. But likewise Slovenia... or Spain... or Germany.

Best wishes,

Rex

LoveItaly

Hello unaS, I too was going to suggest Paris. Most women love visiting Paris, and it seems as though women travelling solo are very comfortable in Paris.

MaureenB

We did a two-week trip to London, Paris and Amsterdam, which was a nice mix of cities and easily traveled by train between them.

unaS

Thanks all. Interesting responses. Funnily enough I was wondering about Belgium since it is next door and easy to get to

Paris does seem to be the general consensus though. Thanks for the links. Will check out the trains and such and be back...

jcoplan

Check out info on Belgium--Brussels & Bruge would be great.

MyriamC

Belgium, of course! You will find lots of history, culture and art in the main historical cities (Antwerpen, Brussel, Gent, Brugge).

nessundorma

Well, it was the "consensus" in a two hour time span.

Almost everywhere in easy reach of the Netherlands has "history, culture and art." Is there some particular era of history or type of art which interests you?

unaS

Just saw someone mentioning Ghent and Bruges on the board, so my original idea is still simmering...

Checked back here to see that others think the same.

Somehow Paris doesn't 'pull' me except perhaps for the Louvre.

I prefer smaller cities with character. I like walking around a new city, people watching, identifying sites that I know from history, museums for classical art on inclement weather days, discovering the areas of Jewish remnants, drinking coffee in street cafes and so on. All this on a strict budget mind you...

jcoplan and MyriamC -
Can you - or anyone else - recommend any particular sites to visit for info?

Inter-city within Europe I prefer to travel by train or bus. Are there any special trains or buses that give discounts to over 60's? I'm 64.

Thanks all for your interest and help.

gabrieltraian

Hi Una!

I visited both the Netherlands and Belgium during the same holiday, so
you might want to look at my trip reports to get ideas of what to see and how long it might take.

The one for the Netherlands (Clogs, Windmills and Canals) is here

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34825601

The one for Belgium is here (Manneken Pis, French Fries and Mayonnaise)

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34825183

nessundorma

Since Antwerpen has one of the most vibrant Jewish communities on the planet, you might want to check it out.

unaS

GabrielT

Thank you. Marvelous trip reports. Loved the detail. Very, very helpful.

May I ask why you decided on a hotel in Harlaam rather than in Amsterdam itself? I understand from your report the ease of travelling between the two, but is there really a great price difference?

I understand that the one you chose didn't have the greatest breakfast - is that common, or do you think that other budget places might be better about that?

unaS

Thanks nessundorma - Definitely on my list of must sees.

Bird

una,

This is a variation of Ira's suggestion.

5 days in Amsterdam (take a day trip to Haarlem), 2 days in Belgium, the rest in Paris.

*You might want to adjust your schedule so you can see the tulips in all of their glory while in Holland.

missypie

I'd combine it with Belgium and maybe a few days in Paris. With 15 days, you could do 6 Netherlands - 4 Belgium - 5 Paris.

I actually think we'll combine the Netherlands with London next summer. Spend about 5 nights in London with the kids, then on to the Netherlands.

gabrieltraian

Thank you for your appreciation regarding my trip reports.

I decided on Amadeus Hotel in Haarlem because of the price difference between that and any budget hotel in Amsterdam that I could find.

I remember that we paid 70 euros per day in Haarlem, whereas in Amsterdam I couldn't find anything chheaper than 90 euros. The return train ticket was a few euros and travel time only 15 minutes with trains every 10-15 minutes...

Moreover, Haarlem is a beautiful town, with its own canals, swans and windmill.

Amadeus Hotel is nice, and has a good location, but there were so many activities in the Great Square till late at night...

And the breakfast... There was a table on which were placed several plates with various stuff.

However, there were only a few slices of cheese, a few eggs, a few very small (1 or 2 oz) yoghurts, and it finished very quickly, not enough for all the tourists.

We always had to go to ask the supervisor there to refill the plates, as we couldn't make a decent portion.

I am comparing it with other hotels or B&Bs where we stayed.

I don't think it's common, it was just our bad luck. Even now, maybe it is no longer the same situation there.

You could also have breakfast at some cafe or bakery, as we did many times. We liked the food in the Netherlands.
Try the poffertjies. A kind of doughnut, only small and with many and various flavours.

abram

We did a two week trip that included Belguim and the Netherlands. We spent one week in Amsterdam, with day trips to Hoorn, The Hague, and Rotterdam.

Then we took the train to Brussels, and spent a week there, with day trips to Ghent, Brugge, and Waterloo.

unaS

Abram,

That is just about what I am thinking of doing.

Did you write a trip report? If so, would love to read it!