Netherland Itinerary
Nov 22nd, 2019, 02:37 AM
#21
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As an American who lived in NL for 7 years and is headed back again in a month, my $.02
Some of the smaller cities will feel similar so maybe you could skip some of them ... I wouldn’t be able to recommend which ones.
Have a great trip!!
- The western part of the Netherlands is horribly congested and driving is a very different experience from the US or other larger, less densely populated countries like Germany. I understand about your luggage, though (who am I to talk ... we are taking a car into Paris - nightmare)
- You are trying to see a TON ... my fear is that it will start running togetehr
- Day 1 will be a nightmare ... the jet lag will have you in a fog. Maybe do outdoor walking around but unless you’re able to get a big nap in, that day could be a wash
- That time of year the museums in the big cities like Amsterdam will be incredibly crowded. My advice is to go to 1 or 2 at most. I’m being very cynical by saying it almost seems like a very American itinerary - you want to do it all just to say you’ve done it. If you’;re able to, slow down so that you enjoy the time you have. That said, if its the only time you will ever get to NL, it’s your trip and not mine so do what you want.
Some of the smaller cities will feel similar so maybe you could skip some of them ... I wouldn’t be able to recommend which ones.
Have a great trip!!
Nov 22nd, 2019, 05:41 AM
#22
https://www.everfest.com/e/koningsdag-amsterdam-nh
Things I wanted to see were closed for the holiday. I did have my pre-purchased Anne Frank House tickets. It was very weird to be in that quiet place with partiers carrying on outside the walls.
Good advice to be ready for crowds. I just checked the dates for Easter 2020 and it will be on the 12th. Easter week last year was very crowded in Amsterdam. Paris was not a problem.
Nov 22nd, 2019, 06:03 AM
#23
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"That is VERY true. I was there this April and the museums were crazy crowded."
All the museums or only the most famous ones?
I was there in May 2014 and visited the maritime museum(Scheepvaartmuseum) and the Allard Pierson Museum(archeology museum).
The maritime museum was not crowded at all, the AP museum was a bit crowded, because there was an exhibition of Crimean treasures, but it was sill enjoyable.
I know there are a lot more tourists in Amsterdam now than 5 years ago, but most of them don't go for the museums.
I haven't been to the Rijksmuseum, but I'm pretty sure most visitors gather in front of the most famous pieces and leave rooms with less hyped artefacts free of really bad crowds, like it happens usually in the most visited museums like the Louvre.
All the museums or only the most famous ones?
I was there in May 2014 and visited the maritime museum(Scheepvaartmuseum) and the Allard Pierson Museum(archeology museum).
The maritime museum was not crowded at all, the AP museum was a bit crowded, because there was an exhibition of Crimean treasures, but it was sill enjoyable.
I know there are a lot more tourists in Amsterdam now than 5 years ago, but most of them don't go for the museums.
I haven't been to the Rijksmuseum, but I'm pretty sure most visitors gather in front of the most famous pieces and leave rooms with less hyped artefacts free of really bad crowds, like it happens usually in the most visited museums like the Louvre.
Nov 22nd, 2019, 07:10 AM
#24
All the museums or only the most famous ones?
I haven't been to the Rijksmuseum, but I'm pretty sure most visitors gather in front of the most famous pieces and leave rooms with less hyped artefacts free of really bad crowds, like it happens usually in the most visited museums like the Louvre.
I haven't been to the Rijksmuseum, but I'm pretty sure most visitors gather in front of the most famous pieces and leave rooms with less hyped artefacts free of really bad crowds, like it happens usually in the most visited museums like the Louvre.
I did not do an analysis of all of the museums in Amsterdam during Easter week. Sorry. But I do agree with the previous poster that April can be very busy. That was my experience this April.
Paris was not a problem that week.
Last edited by starrs; Nov 22nd, 2019 at 07:12 AM.
Nov 22nd, 2019, 07:25 AM
#25
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"My "skip the line" ticket for the Rijksmuseum was a joke. That line was longer than the one to buy tickets."
That's good to know!
Why did you have to queue if you had a skip the line ticket? Security control?
That's good to know!
Why did you have to queue if you had a skip the line ticket? Security control?
Nov 22nd, 2019, 07:29 AM
#26
It was HORRIBLE.
I considered standing in the buy a ticket line (and pay twice) but realized it would be crazy crowded if I ever got INSIDE.
I skipped the Rijks, even though I had a prepurchased ticket.
Worse than Disney on a holiday.
Nov 22nd, 2019, 07:40 AM
#27
Arrival at the museum - April 25, 2019 - Thursday - noon
Shocked at the "Skip the Line" line
I thought I took a photo of the shorter "buy the ticket line" on the opposite side, but evidently didn't.
The "skip the line" line was all the way downhill, almost to the Cobra Cafe. I did not wait. I skipped the museum. Money wasted. Worse than lines at Disney.
Last edited by starrs; Nov 22nd, 2019 at 07:45 AM.
Nov 22nd, 2019, 08:50 AM
#28
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This was probably during the recent Rembrandt exhibition. I am in Amsterdam quite often, and sometimes just go to the Rijksmuseum to wander around. I always go to the 'honour gallery' with the most famous paintings. It's not my experience that it is that crowded. I have always just walked in. We will be there this weekend and have booked a time-slot for the Rembrandt/Velasquez exhibition. We have a museumcard, but for that exhibition had to book a timeslot. I'll see how busy it is.
Museums like the Tropen Museum, and Amsterdam Museum are often very quiet.
Museums like the Tropen Museum, and Amsterdam Museum are often very quiet.
Nov 22nd, 2019, 07:42 PM
#29
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Because more people bought "skip the lines" ticket than people who didn't.
It was HORRIBLE.
I considered standing in the buy a ticket line (and pay twice) but realized it would be crazy crowded if I ever got INSIDE.
I skipped the Rijks, even though I had a prepurchased ticket.
Worse than Disney on a holiday.
It was HORRIBLE.
I considered standing in the buy a ticket line (and pay twice) but realized it would be crazy crowded if I ever got INSIDE.
I skipped the Rijks, even though I had a prepurchased ticket.
Worse than Disney on a holiday.
Nov 23rd, 2019, 04:14 AM
#30
I just wanted to get in the museum.
Not going happen on that weekday in April without a LONG wait in the "skip the line" line.
Nov 23rd, 2019, 08:23 AM
#31
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Nov 23rd, 2019, 08:53 AM
#32
I was told it was normal Easter week crowds.
Keukenhof was crowded because it was the last week of good blooms.
I drove up north to Harlingen and it was not crowded at all.
King's Day was crazy. I wish I had moved to Delft for that day instead of Amsterdam.
Keukenhof was crowded because it was the last week of good blooms.
I drove up north to Harlingen and it was not crowded at all.
King's Day was crazy. I wish I had moved to Delft for that day instead of Amsterdam.
Last edited by starrs; Nov 23rd, 2019 at 08:57 AM.
Nov 30th, 2019, 06:26 AM
#33
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This morning (Saturday) there was no queue at all at the Rijksmuseum at 10 am. We walked right in. Just a few people in line at the ticket desks, but no queues outside.
The Rembrandt/Velazquez exhibition is stunning. Busy not not excessive; it was easy to view the paintings at leisure.
Hermitage exhibition of jewels also no queue, 2 people ahead of us at ticket desk (Hermitage requires you to buy a 2,50 ticket even with Museumcard)
So it's not always crazy crowded.
The Rembrandt/Velazquez exhibition is stunning. Busy not not excessive; it was easy to view the paintings at leisure.
Hermitage exhibition of jewels also no queue, 2 people ahead of us at ticket desk (Hermitage requires you to buy a 2,50 ticket even with Museumcard)
So it's not always crazy crowded.
Nov 30th, 2019, 06:54 AM
#34
I think the OP's trip is in April. It was crazy crowded when I was there in April. It may have been a combination of Easter week holiday and the days before King's Day.
Weespxx shared (in post #21) that it can be crowded in April and I shared my April experience in agreement.
"As an American who lived in NL for 7 years and is headed back again in a month, my $.02...
- That time of year the museums in the big cities like Amsterdam will be incredibly crowded"
Last edited by starrs; Nov 30th, 2019 at 06:58 AM.
Nov 30th, 2019, 07:20 AM
#36
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good itinerary
Planning a trip to Netherlands in April 2020 (17-26) and this is the current itinerary. Looking for feedback on the schedule, hotels and any other recommendations:
Day 1: Arrive at Schiphol around 10 am. Museums, Canal boat ride, walk around city
Day 2: Anne Franke's attic, Hidden church, more museums
Day 3: Pick up car, Zanse Schans, tulip fields, beach
Day 4: Leave Haarlem, Go to Hague, Delft, then drive to Kinderdijk - spend night in this area, need recommendation.
Day 5: Leave Kinderdijk drive to Brugges, Belgium
Day 6: Stay in Brugges
Day 7: Leave Brugges, drive to Ghent have lunch and sightsee, then drive to Dordrecht spend night there
Day 8: Leave Dordrecht drive to Geithoorn, spend night in area
Day 9: Return to Amsterdam area, return car, train to Haarlem to see Flower parade.
Day 10: Fly out that afternoon
Day 1: Arrive at Schiphol around 10 am. Museums, Canal boat ride, walk around city
Day 2: Anne Franke's attic, Hidden church, more museums
Day 3: Pick up car, Zanse Schans, tulip fields, beach
Day 4: Leave Haarlem, Go to Hague, Delft, then drive to Kinderdijk - spend night in this area, need recommendation.
Day 5: Leave Kinderdijk drive to Brugges, Belgium
Day 6: Stay in Brugges
Day 7: Leave Brugges, drive to Ghent have lunch and sightsee, then drive to Dordrecht spend night there
Day 8: Leave Dordrecht drive to Geithoorn, spend night in area
Day 9: Return to Amsterdam area, return car, train to Haarlem to see Flower parade.
Day 10: Fly out that afternoon
for the Hague day the pier walk is lovely and a must see for nature lovers is the (google it as a url is not allowed) opens in April
Clingendael’s Japanese garden
Dec 5th, 2019, 11:57 PM
#39
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kimbohannon I think you will be surprised at how small Amsterdam is, size wise. I tried to find a comparison to Paris but think of NYC and Cambridge, Mass. The central area is very small and yet Amsterdam sees millions of tourists a year. The Amsterdam Museum has never been busy when I was there and I love it! I’m glad someone else brought that up. The biggies will be packed - I’m going in a couple of weeks and dread the Van Gogh lines inside and out. April is crazy time.
It is a lovely city- try to get out of the fray if you can.
It is a lovely city- try to get out of the fray if you can.
