PalenQ

I echoe zeppole's take on Bruges - seek out the less tourist-infested parts of town. Burges is a tourist mecca in season but many of the bused-in bus tour groups stick to the main market square, dominated by the huge belfry- and dotted with lace shops, etc.

But just a few blocks to the north and west (if i recollect correctly) you find ancient Flemish facades extent from days when Bruges was one of the world's largest cities and ports - until its port silted up and was left high and dry and the port action moved to nearby Antwerp, still one of the world's largest ports.

So this part of Bruges stagnated and was left now in mint condition after careful restorations. You will see few tourists on some of what i would call the loveliest streets and canals in Europe.

PalenQ

Here is a bike trip - one day that i have taken several times from Amsterdam

Rent a bike and pedal along the Amstel River upstream - southeast i think until you see a huge windmill and from there take nice bike paths along the Amstel south to Oudekerk/a/Amstel (spellings a guess!) and then bike paths vis Abcoude thru lush country to Breukelen (gave its name to our Brooklyn) - a nice larger town with an old town square, etc. It's perhaps 20 miles from Amsterdam and has a train station you can put your bike on and return to Amsterdam.

All very flat and you see some cute little villages and one larger town - Breukelen. Buy a detailed map from the bike rental place in Amsterdam or the VVV (Tourist Office) opposite Amsterdam Centrall train station or on platform 1 inside the station.

zeppole

If you missed this article from Guardian that includes tips for great food within biking distance of Brugge, it's interesting:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...eaches-secrets

PalenQ

and for great street food in Bruges check out the Frites Wagon that is usually parked in the main square at the foot of the belfry - get them fresh cooked French Fries (Frites) served in paper cones and on which are slatered any of several different concoctions from the usual mayo to curry or peanut sauces - etc - a Belgian icon - frites - Frenc Fries which were invented it seems in Belgium or at least popularized - the 'french' in french fry refering only to the way a potato is cooked - 'frenched'

MyriamC

If you happen to be in Antwerp on a Saturday, there's a very enjoyable exotic market (8 am till 4 pm), on Oude Vaartplaats. When the weather is nice, as it was today, it feels like you're on a market somewhere in southern Europe.

NorCalif

Sounds like a great trip!

We lived in Amsterdam last year for DH's work, and a restaurant we really enjoyed is De Kas.
Some American expats I know there said it was the best food they've ever had anywhere. Not sure I'd go that far, but the quality of the food is exceptional and the ambience and service are great. It's about a 15 minute tram ride (tram 9) from the city-center, situated in the middle of a lovely small park.

http://www.restaurantdekas.nl/the-interior

I can't recommend going on a bike ride highly enough. There are a lot of wonderful choices.

My favorite was a bike ride from Amsterdam to Muiden, a small village at the mouth of the River Vecht. There is an old castle there, Muiderslot, built in 1280 that is now a museum. It has a few small exhibits of armor, etc. The main draw is the castle itself and its setting. The bike ride takes maybe 45 minutes each way. If you want to make a longer excursion, you can then ride along the River Vecht to the town of Breukelen that palenq mentions. Truly a beautiful ride.

Here are some pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfe1/se...075020/detail/

PalenQ

another nice venue for country bike riding right from central Amsterdam is to hop the free bike/pedestrian ferries from behind the main train station and cross the Ij, or harbor, and then head east and north - following the coast on side roads running along and at times on top of dykes - to places like Holyslot - cute little old villages, etc. Get a map from the VVV or tourist office by Centraal Station and head for the country, right from the heart of Amsterdam without having to navigate the really IMO awful bike path congestions at times in Amsterdam itself.

fun4all4

Thanks for the additional information and suggestions - I appreciate it! How am I ever going to choose? It all looks and sounds so great.

Bugler

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