Easter in Netherlands / Belgium
 

D'oh! I was just about to book my flight to Amsterdam when I realized my trip would take place during Easter Week (April 2 - 11).

Is this a bad idea? Will Bruges be overwhelmed with schoolkids on break? Will I be packed like a sardine in the Van Gogh museum? Or is actually an interesting time to be in the low countries -- special festivals, etc?

I live in NYC so I'm fairly crowd-tolerant. I'm just a bit concerned all the major sites will be overwhelmed with people since it's a holiday week.

Any advice would be great. If you think I should reschedule, please let me know -- the sooner, the better!

Brugge will be pretty mobbed on the week-end itself. If you could go the following week, it would be much more relaxed. But once spring kicks in, expect crowds in Brugge on week-ends, especially if the weather is nice. The museums won't be too crowded (in Brugge), but the streets can be frustratingly mobbed. Try to schedule your Brugge visit during the week if possible.
BTilke (Brussels)

In Belgium schools are out the week before and after Easter.
This is not the same in Holland; they have only a short break at Easter. Friday 9th is Good Friday; check opening hours if you want to visit anything in The Netherlands.

Tulips is right, most Dutch schools will only have Friday 9 & Monday 12th off. Some things might be closed on Sunday 11 and Monday 12 (it's a holiday, too, called 'second day of Easter'), but there are big advantages to this time of year: the Keukenhof is open, the flowers are blooming, the cafes are beginning to open their terraces, and the weather might be great! If you can get to the Van Gogh museum right when it opens, you can enjoy a few minutes of peace, whatever happens later.

Thanks, everyone. We've decided to stick with our April 2 - 10 (actually, the day before Easter) visit. Bring on the crowds -- more people to watch, right?

You'll be fine. I was in the Low Countries at Easter a couple of years ago and while things were fairly busy there was nothing a New Yorker would call a madhouse.

I will likewise be visiting the week
prior to Easter....and eagerly await
our trip.