redheads

We are flying into Amsterdam at the end of April and want to spend a few gentle days in The Netherlands, primarily around the Keukenhof and tulip fields. We would like a place that is not too big (we're skipping Amsterdam this time) and that has some character to explore without being too long a drive from the tulip area. We will have a rental car. We have been considering Leiden, Haarlem and Delft. (Lisse would also be a possibility but there doesn't seem to be much accommodation available there for our dates). We are somewhat attracted to Delft, but I don't know how long a drive it would be to the tulip fields. Any comments or advice would be appreciated, including any specific recommendations for B&B or small hotel accommodations.

madamtrashheap

If Delft is calling your names, then by all means stay there - it's a pretty town, lots to walk around and see, good restaurants and I would allow an hour to drive to Lisse/Keukenhof (longer if you're travelling first thing in the morning, although the A4 doesn't get as manic as the A2). Den Haag/The Hague is only just up the road so you could also visit their on one of your free days (by train or car). And the Kinderdijk, a very Dutch landscape scene just south of Rotterdam, is also nearby and best reached by car or bike. One thing to remember if you have a car in Delft is that the old town is fairly pedestrianised, so you'll have to consider parking or check with your accommodation if they have parking facilities.

Leiden is also a good choice, especially if you would also like to visit some of the myriad museums in the city. Plus, if you didn't want to drive you can catch the bus directly from the city centre to Keukenhof (or rent a bike and cycle the paths through the fields and along canals to the Keukenhof.

If you're skipping Amsterdam this time around, I wouldn't stay in Haarlem as it's a good base for access to Amsterdam but might be a little too far from Lisse, Delft, Den Haag, and other countryside you might want to see at that time of year.

bilboburgler

Haarlem is a pretty town with some nice features (don't get me started on the station) and on some the main railway system. You can hire a car in the Netherlands but why bother as the public transport and bike hire is so easy.

annhig

Hi redheads,

we had exactly the same dilemma and have ended up in Delft.

i can't report back, as we are travelling at the same time as you.

see you at the Keukenhof!

spaarne

Keukenhof is an easy bike ride from Haarlem. The route passes through some beautiful tulip fields. See http://tinyurl.com/y8hltjl. Also April 30 features a great party in Holland, Queen's Day. See http://tinyurl.com/yln3hrp. Holland fills up pretty early around tulip time so I would book a room ASAP. If Paula's B&B is booked up her sister Annamiek in Hillegom (almost walking distance to Keukenhof) also has a B&B that might be available. It is called Station 152.

kwren

Thanks for sharing the pix spaarne

spaarne

Tiny URLs for
B&B Paula, http://tinyurl.com/hhdc4 and
Station 152, http://tinyurl.com/88wtp9d.

redheads

Thanks very much for your comments, Fodorites! I think we're leaning towards Leiden or the Lisse area because a primary purpose of our visit is the tulip fields, but we may do a couple of nights there and then a couple in Delft just to experience that area as well.