HAARLEM AS BASE FOR AMSTERDAM
 

I am planning to visit Holland for 4 or 5 days. Some say Haarlem makes a good home base. I want to see the main sights in Amsterdam especially the museums as well as enjoy the City itself. If I stayed in Amsterdam, I would probably make a day trip to Haarlem and maybe one other smaller town.<BR><BR>I would appreciate any suggestions and would love to hear from anyone who has actually used Haarlem as a home base.

Haarlem is a pleasant small city and the train to Amsterdam takes only 15 minutes. But: if your main destination is Amsterdam I would recommend getting a hotel in downtown Amsterdam. it is just so much more convenient to be able to go back to your hotel at 5 PM, rest a bit, take a shower, change clothes and then hit the road again for dinner and nightlife. Also, the last train from Amsterdam to Haarlem leaves at around 1 AM, so if you want to party late it is inconvenient.

I prefer Haarlem as a refuge from the somewhat more chaotic, rowdy, and expensive A'dam. There are some nice restaurants in town as well. If you'll have a car, Haarlem makes even more sense. Stay within a short walk of the train station so that the trip into A'dam or elsewhere is do-able - you'll be walking enough in A'dam. We stayed at the Amadeus; it was okay, right on the Grote Markte near almost everything, but I think I'll try somewhere else on my nest visit (March). There's a family-run B&B in Rick Steves' book (Dekker) just 2 blocks from the Haarlem station that is on my list to call, but haven't stayed there myself.

My husband has a business trip scheduled in Amsterdam in May and I plan to fly out to meet him. We will have 5 nights/4 full days to travel the region. I have never been to Europe before. My husband has been to A'dam several times, but no where else. What would you suggest? Should we travel to Germany or France? Is there an easy train ride to take to other countries? Any ideas would be appreciated. Cindy

Paris. Do some searches on this fourm and you'll find tons of information and good suggestions. Great food, doesn't have to be expensive, beauty all around. From my experience wonderful people. Enjoy.

Hi Harvey,<BR> Harlem is a very charming place.Nothing much to see there.It has the same network of canals.Less touristy.Most imp.A conv.base for Lisse Tulip Gardens(Take a bicycle and wonder around for a day)Mini Holland,Wind mills at Zaansche Shaans ,Zandvoort beach resort 10 min by train (I made this a base 'cause of RCI RESORT)