need help - Amsterdam day trips
 

I'll be spending about 4 or 5 days in Amsterdam in July. My must-sees are: Anne Frankhuis, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, a market or two and the Red Light District, as well as a bike castles/windmill bike tour in the countryside. Is it realistic to do all that in 3 days and still do a day trip to somewhere else? If so, where should I go? I was thinking of Delft or Rotterdam . . .

Hi Meagan, Delf is very nice, you could go through the factory. One of my favorite places was Den Hague. There is a full blown miniature village there that traces the architecture of the Netherlands from the middle ages through skyscrapers. The Skyscrapers are about 3 feet tall. There are all kinds of shops showing their products in the windows, a Miniature train running around the area, miniature trees (from Canada), people, an airport etc. The name of it is Madorodam and has been featured on many programs here in the US. <BR>Another option is if you have a car, drive to the outer areas of the country and visit the dykes. It is amazing that most of the country would be under water without them. <BR>Regards, Art

We did most of that in 2 days. Ann Frank house gets a LONG line. You could try arriving early. Museums depend on how long you spend inside; we had certain things we wanted to see and headed right for them. We did drive to see the windmills and we spend a whole morning in Edam, watching the cheese buying. It was wonderful, colorful, nothing like it.

Hi Meagan. I would also suggest Delft. Den Haag is very interesting; some great architecture. The outdoor living museum at Arnhem is very enjoyable. But, the overall ambience of Delft is what I always imagined Holland would look like; great old-world streets and character; neat Cafes; easy to walk. It is an easy, beautiful day-trip by car or train (you will see windmills). The train station in Delft is adjacent to the old city. So, you get off the train, cross the road and plunge into history. Delft would be my choice.

I would second (or third) Delft. Neat square, winding streets. Be forewarned, though, there is a windmill past downtown from the station (along the tracks). We walked down to it, only to find it was a pet supply store! I would recommend, also, Haarlem (St. Bavo's, the square, lots of pedestrian streets, Teyler (sp?) museum and the city gates, an interesting station, and a few museums we did not go to. From Haarlem, a trip to the sea is only 11 minutes, give or take, by train. We enjoyed that (particularly because we do not live near an ocean). There are clubs and restaurants that line the beach. I would not recommend the Den Hague unless you have become comfortable w/city busses or have your own car. It is a large city. Parts of it may be quaint, but it was not the experience we were hoping for. The attractions (as far as we could tell) were not near the train station.

Meagan, my wife and I returned from five days in Amsterdam just last night. We had a great time. <BR> <BR>We got some typically good ideas right on this site that we took advantage of. Wes Fowler suggested a canal house museum on the Keizersgracht that we visited and enjoyed very much. It's listed in many gide books as well. <BR> <BR>We did see the Anne Frank house and although they said it would be an hour and a half wait, it was about 30 minutes and it was worth it. A rather moving experience. There is a small statue of her down the street in the courtyard of the Westerkerk. <BR> <BR>We also chose to take one of the walking tours listed in the Eyewitness Guide on Amsterdam. That was very interesting. <BR> <BR>We took a day-trip to Keukenhof Gardens on Sunday, but unfortunately, it won't be open in July. That was the most beautiful garden I have ever seen! <BR> <BR>We spent a good deal of time around Leidesplein with the museums, actually seeing the Van Gogh museum, but not getting to the others, unfortunately. The many restaurants and bars and side streets are always full of activity. Rembrandtplein is also a great area during a free afternoon. We walked a great deal and used the trolley quite a bit as well. As touristy as it is, the canal boat ride was fun and informative. We did walk the Red Light district which is interesting, but could have better spent the time elsewhere, I think. <BR> <BR>The long bike ride can be done by taking the train from Centraal Station to Haarlem and riding by bicycle down to Leiden and dropping them off there, then taking the snelltrain to Amsterdam by way of Schiphol airport (it's faster). Be forewarned, it's about 20 miles by bicycle (one way). <BR> <BR>Personally, I would forego both Rotterdam and Delft. Too many other great towns to see. You will be very busy in that amount of time, trust me.

Despite comments to the contrary, you may have the time and the inclination to take a day trip to Delft or Rotterdam. There are people who are not enamored w/A'dam. So don't be pursuaded against gathering the info you seek. You may or may not need it depending on the speed of your travels.

We went on a side trip to Voldendam which is a lovely fishing village. It was very pretty, and saw the cheese making and windmills on the way there. It was well worth the time - you might want to try it!

Thanks for your responses! It sounds like Delft is the winner - which is what I was sort of leaning toward anyway as i was thinking that a piece of Delftware might be a nice suovenir for my mother. By the way - how long is the train ride from A'dam and roughly how much does Delftware go for? <BR>

Trains between Amsterdam and Delft take between 55 minutes and 1 hour 10 minutes. See: http://www.ns.nl/reisinfo/ <BR>The best restaurant in Delft (I had dinner there yesterday and we sometimes go to Delft just for that restaurant) is Thai restaurant Mai Thai at Voldersgracht 29. (tel. 015 - 2120781)

Sjoerd - thanks for the restaurant recommendation! There's a Thai restaurant down the street from me here in Toronto by the same name so I'll definitely check it out! <BR> <BR>Anymore suggestions anyone? I'd really like to know how much I should budget for buying a decent piece of Delftware (nothing too big or grandiose . . .) <BR> <BR>Thanks again!

Here's another vote for Delft, quite a little town, with a truely charming little square. "Real" Delft ware ain't cheap, in fact quite the contrary. Be prepared for sticker shock. Anything that seems "reasonable" probably isn't the real thing. We were disappointed. <BR>Another restaurant in Delft is De Waag, (or weigh station) located right behind the Stadhuis, on the square. A really fun place, staffed mostly, apparently, with college kids. Delft is a college town. <BR>On the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, you could obviously spend a lot of time there, but even if you just go see the "Hall of Honor" with about a dozen or so dynamite paintings, including Night Watch, you will feel it worth while. Have fun!

Hello: <BR>Some other beautiful places are Haarlem, <BR>and Leiden which are not far away. <BR> Have Fun.

I am going to be in Amsterdam this month and have heard of a lovely tour called the Canal Garden Walking Tour. Does anyone know anything about this? It is supposed to take you to some of the private gardens around the canals. I have been here before and Anne Frankhuis is definitely a must. I actually stay at a bed and breakfast called the Canal House which is very lovely and inexpensive. It is completely decorated with great antiques. The rooftop is my favorite. <BR> <BR>I am leaving soon if anyone know anything about the tour. <BR> <BR>Thanks!

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