I am planning a trip to Holland for 2 weeks with a freind and would like to know where the best places to go would be. We both have (distant) family in Groningen and wonder if that is a worthwhile place to visit. We do not want to spend too much time coffee kletzen (sp) we just want to see where our ancestors are from. Also, can you rent a bike that is equiped with panniers or, has the brackets attached so we could bring our own if we decided to take a 3 day bike trip? any/all information would be helpful as we have never travelled before....actually the thought of getting on a plane.....oh oh...gotta run....<BR>thanks!

Correct spelling is "koffie kletsen"! Bikes can be rented at all larger railway stations in the Netherlands. <BR>For a two weeks' stay I would recommend:<BR>* 3 days in Amsterdam;<BR>* one day each in The Hague and Rotterdam; <BR>* shorter trips to (select from) Utrecht, Delft, Leiden, Haarlem, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Alkmaar (total two days)<BR>* one day in Groningen, which is a nice city but has few "tourist" things to do; <BR>* two days on one of the "Wadden Islands", my favourite is Terschelling;<BR>* two days in Maastricht and South part of Limburg province (very un-Dutch (hilly!) scenery;<BR>* one day in Weerribben area (NW Overijssel province, Giethoorn village)<BR>* one day Nationaal Park De Hoge Veluwe and The Kroller Muller Museum (www.kmm.nl)<BR>Goeie reis! <BR>

<BR>Carol,<BR>Holland has so much to do and see that your two weeks will be over before you know it. Get a copy of Michelin's Green Guide "Netherlands" and make some plans before you go. I lived in Haarlem and recommend it. My correspondent in Groningen is not enthusiastic about the city, at all, and Michelin calls it "a large industrial centre." Sjoerd offers too much for 2 weeks; stick to the Amsterdam-Hague axis for your first trip.<BR>www.enjoy-europe.com

Don't agree with you, John. Groningen is a very nice city. It is a college and University town (not an industrial city), and has the youngest population in the Netherlands. The Groninger Museum (www.groninger-museum.nl) is very nice, great architecture. <BR>If you only do the Amsterdam - The Hague axis you miss some of the most interesting areas of the country.

Hi Carol,<BR>About bike rental: you can rent a bike at any (larger) train station for a half-day, day, week, you name it. They do not have panniers. You could bring your own (almost all rental bikes will have a back rack, some sturdier than others). What is easier, though, is if you leave most of your luggage at a hotel, rent a bike in that city, and strap or tie a duffel bag on the bike rack. If you can travel really light, carry it in a backpack. That way, if you want to park your bikes somewhere and explore, you don't have to carry your duffel around. Bring your bikes back to the same rental point when you're done and pick up your other luggage.<BR>A couple of good 3-day trips might be (hope you get good weather!): From Amsterdam north (Marken, Volendam, Monnikendam, Hoorn); Haarlem - Lisse (Keukenhof) - Sassenheim - Hoofdorp (Floriade) the flower route; The Hague - Delft - Rotterdam - Kinderdijk. I don't recommend riding your bike extensively in the bigger cities if you don't have to. You can also get information on individual bike tours at any tourist information office (VVV), where you can buy a package that includes hotel, route, and maps. Have a great time!

Hey Carol - bike everywhere!!!<BR><BR>http://www.salon.com/wlust/feature/1998/10/14feature.html<BR><BR>http://www2.holland.com/us/<BR>(Holland by Bike section)<BR><BR>Utrecht and Leiden are nice and 'worth the detour,' as Michelin would say . . . great itinerary Sjoerd!<BR>Have fun & let us know how it goes!!<BR>= )

you definitely wanna do the floriade<BR>www.floriade.nl<BR>

Try to get to Maastricht - in the south of Holland. I did a driving tour of Holland last fall and this was my favorite city. It's a lovely old city, different from much of the rest of the country, with wonderful medieval architecture. Here is a photo/video gallery of Maastricht:<BR>http://www.amsterdam-holland-travel....aastricht.html

ttt

Topping for Carol.