Holland, Germany, Belgium
Apr 16th, 2015, 06:30 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Holland, Germany, Belgium
I'm starting to plan the family trip for Holland, Germany, and Belgium for April 2016 for around 10 days. I've been reading that the end of April is the best time for the flowers in Amaterdam so that's what we're shooting for. We are all more interested in the scenery and culture aspect more so than museums. There will be four 27-30 year olds and two 70+ year olds. Does anyone have suggestions on what cities to stay in and what day trips we can take from there? Also best form of travel between countries. Any tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Also, has anyone been in Amsterdam during Queens Day? I've read it gets pretty crowded that day and I know the older ones in the group probably wouldn't want to be there if its crazy like that.
Also, has anyone been in Amsterdam during Queens Day? I've read it gets pretty crowded that day and I know the older ones in the group probably wouldn't want to be there if its crazy like that.
Apr 16th, 2015, 07:50 AM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The information you are giving is too limited to give more than general advice: stick to two countries for the ten days, perhaps just the Netherlands and Belgium. You might be interested in my trip report on Amsterdam and Antwerp; click on my name to find it. I also wrote one that starts in Ghent.
Apr 16th, 2015, 09:49 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also best form of travel between countries. Any tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!>
Trains are great and go everywhere in those countries - for scenery head for the Rhine Gorge (Rusesheim/Bingen to Koblenz) or even better IME Cochem and the Mosel - Cochem is easily reached by train and is a good base for taking trains, buses, bikes (esily rented) and boats on what to me is the most scenic of any European river valley - Cochem is a picture postcard town of your dreams - ensonce yourself in a cozy family-run guesthouse and you'll have the highlight of your trip.
Cochem: https://www.google.com/search?q=coch...=1600&bih=1075
The Mosel Valley
https://www.google.com/search?q=mose...=1600&bih=1075
One nice way to Cochem from Belgium is via Luxembourg - easy by train or trains from Amsterdam via Cologne.
For lots of great info on German and Benelux trains: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.
www.bahn.de/en is the official schedule site of the Geramn Railways and you can nab nifty discounts if you book far in advance. Like from Amsterdam to Cologne - pay 29 euros for a discounted ticket or about 40 euros more if you just walk up.
Trains are great and go everywhere in those countries - for scenery head for the Rhine Gorge (Rusesheim/Bingen to Koblenz) or even better IME Cochem and the Mosel - Cochem is easily reached by train and is a good base for taking trains, buses, bikes (esily rented) and boats on what to me is the most scenic of any European river valley - Cochem is a picture postcard town of your dreams - ensonce yourself in a cozy family-run guesthouse and you'll have the highlight of your trip.
Cochem: https://www.google.com/search?q=coch...=1600&bih=1075
The Mosel Valley
https://www.google.com/search?q=mose...=1600&bih=1075
One nice way to Cochem from Belgium is via Luxembourg - easy by train or trains from Amsterdam via Cologne.
For lots of great info on German and Benelux trains: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.
www.bahn.de/en is the official schedule site of the Geramn Railways and you can nab nifty discounts if you book far in advance. Like from Amsterdam to Cologne - pay 29 euros for a discounted ticket or about 40 euros more if you just walk up.
Apr 16th, 2015, 02:52 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
. I've been reading that the end of April is the best time for the flowers in Amaterdam so that's what we're shooting for>
IME there are realtively few tulips in Amsterdam - the famous Keukenhof is one of the world's premier floral shows - showcasing the Dutch flower industry - much much more than tulips - take a train to Leiden then constant shuttle buses to the Keukenhof Gardens. The gardens are in the midst of Holland's renown tulip and flower fields - take a short walk to the north of the gardens and you'll literally be tiptoeing thru the tulips.
https://www.google.com/search?q=keuk...=1600&bih=1075
a few pictures of the Keukenhof show the real commercial flower fields right next door!
IME there are realtively few tulips in Amsterdam - the famous Keukenhof is one of the world's premier floral shows - showcasing the Dutch flower industry - much much more than tulips - take a train to Leiden then constant shuttle buses to the Keukenhof Gardens. The gardens are in the midst of Holland's renown tulip and flower fields - take a short walk to the north of the gardens and you'll literally be tiptoeing thru the tulips.
https://www.google.com/search?q=keuk...=1600&bih=1075
a few pictures of the Keukenhof show the real commercial flower fields right next door!
Apr 17th, 2015, 03:41 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also, has anyone been in Amsterdam during Queens Day? I've read it gets pretty crowded that day and I know the older ones in the group probably wouldn't want to be there if its crazy like that.>
Now called King's Day later in the day it can get crazy - in the morning IME a nice time to stroll around - a giant flea market where anyone can stake out a place on the sidewalks and many do the night before and sell anything they want - plus bands on boats in the canals - it seemed to be a nice craziness to me but it can get very congested later in the day and young folk start getting drunk, etc.
Now called King's Day later in the day it can get crazy - in the morning IME a nice time to stroll around - a giant flea market where anyone can stake out a place on the sidewalks and many do the night before and sell anything they want - plus bands on boats in the canals - it seemed to be a nice craziness to me but it can get very congested later in the day and young folk start getting drunk, etc.
Apr 17th, 2015, 04:14 AM
#8
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just returned from the Netherlands late March. Stayed in Haarlem which we enjoyed very much. Weather was quite brisk but very manageable. Visited Keukenhof (our second time) two days after opening for the season. While the tulip plantings outside had not fully emerged, the other flower varieties were spectular. The various pavilions had the most wonderful floral exhibits.
I agree with Pal's comment on transportation to the grounds. We bussed from Haarlem but had quite a walk from the bus stop.
I agree with Pal's comment on transportation to the grounds. We bussed from Haarlem but had quite a walk from the bus stop.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Lannistergold
Europe
14
Feb 7th, 2016 08:41 AM
