TDudette

and St. Petersburg but am considering making Russia a separate trip.

For those of you who don't know me, I'm a fool for art. After seeing Sargent and Sorolla murals, visiting the major museums in the world completes my bucket list.

Questions for you:

How many days to give Amsterdam a good look?

What's nearby that you think I should add (have been to Bruges already)?

Any recent experience with local guides or tour companies for Amsterdam? I usually do DIY, but on my own with only English, French and a smattering of Italian, I'd rather have a guide this time.

Thanks as always, TDude

amyb

Amsterdam would be wonderful for museum-going now as the Rijksmuseum, Mauritshuis and Van Gogh museums have all just recently completed either major renovations or, in the case of VVG museum, a new hang of the entire museum. I've been to Amsterdam before and am considering going over Thanksgiving just for those three. The Mauritshuis is a day trip out of Amsterdam and we're scheduling one day for that, one day for each of Rijksmuseum and VVG, using the balance of those days for other things and possibly the Stedlijk and a return to the Rembrandt house museum, which is just exquisite. So we're planning on 4 days for just museums.

Give St. Petersburg an entire day (or two half days) for the Hermitage and get a local guide, you will not be disappointed. The Rembrandt room there is to die for.

amyb

Oh, and you'll be fine in Amsterdam on your own. Most everyone speaks English and the labels in the museums are in Dutch and English.

TDudette

Wonderful, amyb. Many thanks--just what I asked for!

CharlotteK

Agree with the above re Amsterdam and the Hague, which also has the Gemeentemuseum, a lot of remarkable art there. I also recommend a day trip to Haarlem for the Hals Museum.

I have not had the pleasure of visiting Rotterdam yet, but my understanding is that museums there will blow me away when I do. So you might like that as well.

If you want to go a bit further afield, an overnight in Arnhem puts you in the vicinity of the Kroller-Muller Museum, a lovely collection with lots of Van Gogh, smack dab in the middle of a national park, The Hoge Veluwe.

Antwerp & Ghent of course worth seeing (if you haven't been to those places yet). Ghent's museum are good, and you can see the great Van Eyck altar at the cathedral. Antwerp has a variety to choose from. I love both those cities. Google all these places and make sure the museums are open! You might wind up saving Russia for another trip.

amyb

I've been to the Kroller-Muller and it is wonderful, certainly an excellent collection of VVG, but it is a pain to get to from Amsterdam unless you drive...I recall two trains, a bus and bikes at the very least and a major investment of time, lol!

If you do keep St. P for another trip, be sure to factor in Moscow. One of the nicest smaller museums I've been to is the Pushkin there, and the Tretyakov is also a great experience. But I've been to most of the "major" museums in Europe and the Hermitage is by far the best.

kja

With your love of art, I'd give Amsterdam a bare minimum of 3 days. I'm also a lover of art, gave St. Petersburg full 5 days, and wish I'd had more time there.

And I agree -- Amsterdam should not be a problem for English speakers. It is one of the easiest places to visit as a solo traveler of all the places I've been.

IMDonehere

The Van Gogh is one of the best single subject museums we have visited. And I understand they changed the order of the exhibits for the better. The explanations were complete and directed towards adults.

You must go early to the Rijksmuseum as they have their masterpieces in the same wing and it gets extremely crowded. The rest of the collection is not as impressive.

Rotterdam is a curious and worthwhile city as it was destroyed during WWII and rebuilt with city planning and some whimsical yet practical architecture.

Delft is a quieter version of Brugge.

Unless you spend a lot of money, the food rarely rises about sustenance.

maxima

In Amsterdam there are lots of great museums: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandts House, Stedelijk (modern art)Anne Frank house, as well as several canal side museums.

In The Hague the Mauritshuis has been renovated and expanded .. this is short train ride from Amsterdam and there are signs in English to help you find the way.. besides nearly everyone speaks English.

The Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem can easily be reached by train.

I would allow for at least 5-7 full days not including the day you arrive or leave. I find that you can get museum overload, and will need some time to walk around and take in other sights.

TDudette

Wonderful information. Thanks to all.

There was a big Van Gogh exhibit in DC some years ago. I had been a little lukewarm until seeing a body of different works. Some years later, upon waking up on a train to Arles, I spotted a hay field that made me think of his colors. AND, once in Arles, I sat down the row from the cafe he painted at night. Gave me chills when I recognized it.

menachem

In The Hague, also visit Gemeentemuseum: largest collection of Mondriaan paintings in the world. And pay a visit to Panorama Mesdag which has just been restored to its former glory. Breathtaking.

http://www.gemeentemuseum.nl/tentoon...d-op-zn-mooist

http://www.gemeentemuseum.nl/collection/item/1031

PalenQ

only English, French and a smattering of Italian, I'd rather have a guide this time.>

Nearly all Dutch you will meet in Amsterdam speak fluent English - check out the Hermitage's branch here in an old canal house - some other ideas:

only English, French and a smattering of Italian, I'd rather have a guide this time.


Get the National Museum Card, at any participating museum.

The Kroller-Muller is Hooge Veluwe National Park is a must for Van Gogh fans and has a neat outdoor statue park in a sylvan setting.

Nearbu Haarlem has the Frans hal Museum in an old abbey (I think abbey not sure).

The Hague as mentioned and Rotterdam has a raft of art museums though most are more modern art IME than old.

Michael

Amsterdam can easily be used as a base to visit other towns in the Netherlands. In 1971 we used Amsterdam as a base and visited the museums in The Hague and Haarlem.

Michael

The advice is still valid; which I mentioned only because the Mauritshuis is a major national museum, compared to the museum in Utrecht which we visited this year.

TDudette

Huh? Are you two on the correct post?

Michael

Yes. We are talking about the fact that you can use Amsterdam as a base to visit other locations that have important museums.

lowcountrycarol

Bookmarking

2010

Well, not sure whether you would consider this art BUT the Tassenmuseum Hendrikje (Museum of Bags & Purses) certainly will go on my list of places to visit on my next trip to Amsterdam! I am intrigued by objects from the past for their beauty & their connections to historical times & personal stories.

www.tassenmuseum.nl/en

DH & I were in Amsterdam for 5 nights last Fall. In hindsight, we could have booked 7 nights which may have given us enough time to see & do all things on our list. For us, Amsterdam definitely warrants another visit!

TDudette

Thanks, Michael. I went back and re-read--1971 didn't see that long ago to me! I really appreciated your advice. IMDonehere, please don't bother with such statements in the future.

TDudette

And back to guides. As mentioned above, I've been DIY for many years. I should have also added that I'm tired of schlepping for tickets. SO, can anyone recco city tour?

Thanks!