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Expert Advisors,
We are thinking of a "spontaneous" trip to either Netherlands, Beligum or Luxembourg for the holidays and was wondering from you all which countries/cities therin has the most festive holiday atmosphere and activities. We are looking for all of the traditional "old world" trappings of Christmas so any insights/suggestions into where to go, stay and do would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
SBS
X-mas in Benelux Countries
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Christmas in the Netherlands is a low key family affair. Some families do go out for a meal together but most stay at home, often attending church for midnight mass or a service on Christmas day.
The museums in Amsterdam are nearly all open on both 25 an 26 December. The shops will probably be open on 26th.
There will almost certainly be an ice rink somewhere in Amsterdam over Christmas. The bridges and street will be decorated.
Maastricht may be a nicer pace for Christmas, as there will be more going on around the centre but there are fewer museums and things to do there if the festive events disappoint. They do have a Christmas Market, ice rink, carousel, and Ferris wheel on the Vrijthof.
There are usually similar things in Amsterdam, but more spread out through the city.
You will nee to book a restaurant for Christmas day, and probably for the 26th too to be sure of finding somewhere to eat.
You will miss Sinterklaas as he landed yesterday in Schiedam.
And he leaves on his birthday, 6 December. He's one reason why Christmas is low key in the Netherlands. In spite of efforts to make Christmas the main December gift giving event the majority of Dutch people prefer Sinterklaas.
In Bruges there are different activities during the winter. Check them on this page: http://www.pandhotel.com/eventse.htm