Hello!<BR>My brother and his family recently moved to Delft. My husband and I are visiting them from the 17 - 25 of May. A few questions:<BR>1. Will we have missed the tulips?<BR><BR>2. Besides just soaking up our surroundings what would you recommend in Delft? In Amsterdam?<BR> <BR>3. Is it unrealistic to expect to see another city (i.e, Paris, Luxembourg, or Dusseldorf)? My sister-in-law said there was a ow cost airline for travel within Eurpoe that may allow us to do that.<BR><BR>Thanks for any suggestions you can offer!

Delft is actually a great day trip from Amsterdam but a day is probably all you will need. I would suggest Leiden, Maastricht, Brugges &amp; even Paris. There should still be tulips. Don't waste your time on Brussels.

See Tom's post on Leiden. All places I mentioned are easily reached by train. Paris &amp; Maastricht being the farthest. I think about 4 hours to Paris if I recall correctly.

Keukenhof gardens has posted a closing date of May 18; the last tulips usually peter out in Mid-May. If you could move your trip up to the beginning of May, you would see a lot more flowers. If the spring is colder and later than usual, the flowers may hang on a bit longer - no one can say.

Shaya, I think Delft would be a great place to spend a week. Just about anywhere in Holland is a short train trip away. Spend some time in The Hague, which is about 15 minutes away. Eindhoven is a cool place to spend some time - as is Maastricht. Some of the best food I've eaten in Europe was in Maastricht. Of course, Amsterdam is one of Europe's great cities. So even if you don't leave the Netherlands you can still see a lot. Have fun. (I think you'll miss most of the tulips - and then - the crowds.)

Thanks for all your advice! I guess we'd better high tail it to Keukenhof the day we get there and see what we can see. <BR>How long is the train ride from Amsterdam to Delft?

shaya - I beleive it is a 45 minute train ride - and the fares were about $15 one way(approx as last time I was there I paid in guilders).<BR><BR>The train ride takes you right through the enourmous bulb fields - if there are any left you'll see plenty from the train. Have fun - I envy you.

Hi Shaya,<BR>I live in Delft and agree that it is a great base for exploring the Netherlands. You can get to Paris by train in 3 hours, 11 minutes from Rotterdam (10 min. by train from Delft), which is actually more convenient than flying if you figure in airport time. Luxembourg is also possible. Check out easyjet or basiqair for other possibilities; also check which flights leave from Rotterdam airport.<BR><BR>Definitely get to the Keukenhof right away!<BR><BR>In Delft, you can visit:<BR>- one of the Delft Blue factories<BR>- the Princenhof Museum (paintings, artifacts, history)<BR>- the Lambert van Meerten Museum (fabulous collection of Delftware and tiles)<BR>- the Tetar van Elven house (restored canal house with period furnishings, paintings, etc.)<BR>- the Nusantara Museum (Indonesian culture)<BR>- the Technology Museum<BR>- the Military Museum<BR>- the New Church (burial vault of the Dutch Royal family) and the Old Church (tombs of Vermeer, van Leeuwenhoek, and some Dutch maritime heroes)<BR>- Take a canal boat trip<BR>- Rent bikes<BR>- Have a medieval banquet at Stadsherberg De Mol, or a really terrific dinner at the Prinsenkelder<BR>- Go to the Thursday &amp; Saturday outdoor markets (especially the flower market on Thursdays!)<BR>- Go to the antique &amp; curiosa market on Saturday<BR>- Take the self-guided walking tour &quot;Vermeer's Footsteps&quot; and then go to the Mauritshuis in The Hague to see Vermeer's paintings<BR><BR>The tourist office in Delft is having a bit of trouble right now but a new and improved one should be opening in April. There is a series of brochures &quot;Discover the other colors of Delft&quot; which should give you more ideas. Let me know if you need more help.