Day trips from Amsterdam
 

I will be going to Amsterdam the middle of April and want to visit the Hague and Delft. Can I do them on the same day since they are so close or do I need more time to do both places justice? Also want to go to Haarlem and the Keukenhof Gardens, do I have enough time to do them together or is better to dedicate a day to each place? I don't want to crowd too much into one day otherwise it is not enjoyable.
Thanks

My advice would be to get a car and drive north of Amsterdam in the friesland area. Near Ams. there is the lovely Zaansche Schans, tiny characteristic dutch village museum. When I was in Holland in 2000 I drove up to Volendam, driving along the picturesque dijkes roads, what a great day trip. It was september and no crowds at all.

Yes easy to do both Delft and Hague in one day though preferable to spend a day in each. Delft is a short few-minute train ride from the Hague, or to see the lay of the land even better, tram 1 goes from the Hague all the way to Delft. For Haarlem and Keukenhof, go to Haarlem, a few hours is enough to see this lovely city, and hop bus CS 100, not sure of number, that goes right to the Keukenhof entrance about twice hourly. Not much to really see in Hague but lovely city itself and Mauritshuis, a major art museum. Just wander around. Delft is small but with lovely Amsterdam-like canals is to me the cutest Dutch regional town.

If physically active, rent a bike at the Haarlem train station, get an area map and advice at the VVV at the station and pedal the about 12 miles from Haarlem and the Keukenhof; you'll be cycling through the heart of the famous flower fields - in summer sure to be a riot of color as miles of blooms will be seen; especially in tulip season - a mesmerizing site of tulips everywhere. Either bike back to Haarlem or go the a train station near the Keukenhof, buy a ticket for your bike (fiets ticket) and take it back to Haarlem. Or take a train to the station near the Keuekenhof and walk there from the station - i did this once, it's about 2.5 miles i think and i was walking right through acres and acres of tulips, hyacinths and other blooms - almost as great as the Keukenhof Gardens, where the Dutch flower growers host their annual flower extravaganza each spring - a stupendous sight. Tip avoid weekends when the affair can be too mobbed to fully enjoy.

Thanks for the advice. How long do you need to spend in the Keukenhof gardens?

Keukenhof will take you several hours to appreciate. Choose a sunny day, if there is one while you are there. Haarlem is worth at least a full day, rain or shine. If you stay until the end of April stay in Amsterdam for Queen's Day on April 30. It is the greatest party I've ever attended.

any suggestions on a tour company to take us outside of amsterdam?
my sister and i will be going dec 29-jan2 and would like to take one tour.
if you could only take one, where would you go?
thanks for your help
:0) joanna

Can anyone give me their suggestion as to where to stay for 2-3 nights. We would like to visit both towns The Hague and Delft but are undecided as which to use as a base. I hear that Delft is very picturesque and i love that but also that the Hague offers lots of museums. Which would be a better choice for a young married couple looking for medieval romance? Also, which one offers better restuarants? Thanks!

For coach tours, you can sign up with Lindberg Excursions - office is on Damrak. They do several "tours", incl. 1/2 day tours that would be easy to fit into your schedule.
NOTE: DO NOT BE LATE returning to the bus as they will leave you.
<u>http://www.channels.nl/amsterdam/lindberg.html</u>

A nice trip is to go to Zuiderzee outdoor museum, although that could be pretty cold depending on when you go (it's off a body of water, cool if the windsurfers and tall ships are out and about). Just take the train from Centraal to Enkhuizen, exit train station veering to your right, go into the Tourist Office to buy a ticket for the museum, and then walk on past to board the ferry. The Outdoor Museum is a recreated village using houses from other areas, furnished with the tools of the trades from earlier times, and sometimes demonstrations by folks in costume.
<u>http://www.zuiderzeemuseum.nl/language/engels/index.htm</u>

For romance can't top Delft. Hague is a large modern and very pleasant city but though exciting and no doubt 'better' restaurants since it's Holland's capital and an international business center and much much bigger. But Delft and its canals and neat old quarter much more romantic. the two are only a few minutes apart by train. I'd think a small hotel on a canal in Delft beats any hotel in Den Haag for romance.

I would do Keukenhof on a weekday; it can be very crowded on week-ends. But don't miss it, it really is worth the trip.