Windmills & Tulips
 

First time in Amsterdam (parents 50's & son 23) not interested in history/castles/museums or red light district. Only have 2 days. Plan on canal & walking tour. What else should we do?

Thanks,

Jo

Keukenhof, Lisse?
Shopping in Haarlem?

Take a bus out to see the Aalsmeer Flower Auction, one of the largest flower wholesalers in Europe. It's fascinating to walk the ramps high above the display floor and then go watch the actual auctions taking place.

When will you be travelling to Amsterdam?

TULIPS - The Keukenhof is the place to go to see tulips, however it is only open for a limited time (closes May or June?). You can buy a Rail Idee Pass which covers the train ticket to/from Leiden and the bus to/from the Keukenhof.

WINDMILLS - In Leiden is the Molen de Valk (windmill), just around the block from the train station. For a couple Euro you can climb the six or seven stories up the windmill. There is a beautiful view of Leiden from the platform at the top. If you're lucky, the sails might be turning.

AMSTERDAM - you can visit the Flea Market at the Waterlooplein, or the Albert Cuyp Market at Van Woustraat & Ferdinand Bolstraat (beautiful fabrics in the stores), or the Bookmarkt at the Oude Manhuispoort. And don't forget the Flower Market on the Singel (perhaps some tulips for the hotel room?) You could take in a movie at the Tuchinski Theatre. Walk/bike around Vonel Park. Or go to the Artis.

Hope this helps with some ideas. Have a great time in Amsterdam and a safe journey. Peace.

Robyn

OOPS!!!

That should be Vondel Park. (Sorry)

Don't miss the Ann Frank house. It's a testament to the human spirit. Maybe rent bikes? It's completely flat and bike friendly. Eat! Great food!

Thanks,

We'll be going in July. What about Rotterdam or the Hague or are they more of the same?

If you have only 2 days, stay in Amsterdam. If you want have more days, go the Den Haag rather than Rotterdam; Den Haag is the seat of parliament and royal family, there's the Mauritshuis to visit, and it is generally a very pleasant place to visit.

jocorum -

ROTTERDAM - Since most of the city was destroyed during WWII, there is some great modern architecture to be found, particularly, the Kijk Kubus (get off the train at Overblaak station). There is a Walk-of-Fame on the Leuvehaven, which is kind of fun to look read the names of different celebrities. You can also pick up the water taxi at the Leuvehaven and take it to the Hotel New York and back (5-6 Euro). You can walk around Delftshaven, take a river cruise or go to the top of the Euromast. Check out the following websites:

www.vvv.rotterdam.nl
www.kubuswoning.nl

DEN HAGUE - I know you're not interested in museums, but I must recommend the M.C. Escher Museum (Escher in het Paleis), located at #74 Palais Lange Voorhout. On the third floor is a virtual reality tour through some of his pieces, which is awesome. If you are in den Hague, you can take the tram out to Scheveningen, walk the promenade, climb the tower, stick your toe in the North Sea. Website for more info:

www.denhaag.com

AMSTERDAM:

Websites to check out are:

www.channels.nl
www.amsterdamhotspots.nl

Happy travels. Peace.

Robyn