[Idyllchat] Amsterdam and surrounding area

[richard paplinski]

Pat,

We went to Holland last October/November with Untours.  We stayed in Leiden and spent several days there.  Leiden is a wonderful little town.  We spent time at their Rikemuseum (very interesting),  a windmill tour, market days, Textile museum, Pilgrim Museum, Botanical Garden and people watched.

We took four day trips to Amsterdam.  While there we went to the Rikesmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.  They are located close together and we did them both in one day. Both are wonderful.  We also went to the Anne Frank House, walked around that neighborhood, took a canal cruise, and a walk through the red light district.  The Anne Frank House is very moving and the canal cruise is interesting if you are fascinated with the unique architecture found here.  I loved it.  We also went to the the Hermitage Museum, and the Dutch Resistance Museum.  We found the Dutch Resistance Museum very touching and worth while.  In addition, we went to the Amstelkring Museum (church in the attic), Rembrandt's House and a diamond house.  All of these were interesting too, but no I didn't come away with any diamonds.

We took a day trip to Harleem and visited the Corrie Ten Boom House, and the Frans Hall Museum.

We took a day trip to the Kroller Muller Museum.  Very interesting and lovely art collection.  

We also took a day trip to Delft where we visited a tile factory and an old mansion museum - don't remember the name.  It was a rainy and chilly day and we got lost walking around the small town, but I think it would be a great little town to wander around in on a pretty day.

We also did an overnight trip to Brugge, Belguim.  Again the weather put a damper on our sightseeing, but it appeared to be a very neat little town.  The Groeninge Museum stands out for me here.  There were many other things to see that we missed.

Besides the Untours information we recieved, we also found Rick Steves' book to be extremely helpful. Please feel free to email me back if you have any other specific questions and I try to help.  

I'm sorry we missed the flower season, but it was well worth it anyway.  Happy travels.

Linda
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Patricia Berube 
  To: idyllchat at lists.untours.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 8:32 PM
  Subject: [Idyllchat] Amsterdam and surrounding area


        Will be in Amsterdam in early August for a few days and  about 5 days the 1st week in September.  I'd like help with:

        1.  Day trips from Amsterdam
        2.  Must see in Amsterdam
        3.  Exploring surrounding country side in Netherlands, perhaps Belgium, perhaps German dutch border.  I expect to take the train.
        4.  Relatively inexpensive clean safe places to stay in Amsterdam and other towns.
        5.  Good eats.

        I appreciate helpful web sites and your personal experience.  Thanks - Pat
       



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