RS Heart of Holland & Belgium Tour - Have you been ?

We went last year. It was our 3rd tour. We chose it because 1) I wanted to see the tulips in April. 2) I knew little about the Netherlands and Belgium. I think it's a great first group tour; as it's not too long; lots of free time; and not loads of time on a bus with this tour.
it's not super strenuous; so fit and active is good; but it's flat everywhere so you're not exactly challenging yourself in that climbing elevation sense.)

They've changed the itinerary since last year. Instead of Delft you are in Rotterdam which gives you access to various independent day trips. From Delft we used our free afternoon to train to Rotterdam then watertaxi to Kinderdijk; so it's easier access to Kinderdijk or many used their free afternoon to go to The Hague. I didn't love Amsterdam, which surprised me. (And will horrify many Amsterdam fans on this forum.) It could be because we were on the end of a month long trip including the tour and we were ready to go home. It was crowded and I think we were done. Of course visiting the Anne Frank house was incredible and there were many good and interesting things to see in Amsterdam but I like the new itinerary where you stay one less night in Amsterdam and add a stay in North Holland. (But everyone can extend their personal stay in Amsterdam if they desire.) We actually had added an extra night in Amsterdam (maybe that's why I felt it was too long) but used that extra day to visit Haarlem and tour the Corrie ten Boom house which was a really great day.

Loved Ghent and Brugges; Flanders Field and all that WW1 history; the history of the deltaworks and Keukenhof Gardens are a must. So much to see; and so much to learn! I recommend the tour. Enjoy!

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/holland-belgium/belgium-holland
I had to search to find these posted RS Tour Reviews.
I do remember reading somewhere here where the folks liked that there was less bus time in the Holland and Belgium tour.

We went on our own spring, 2024, and one way or the other, I will encourage you to explore these countries during tulip season. We had a fantastic time, and the beauty of Keukenhof, 7 million flower bulbs, and Kinderdijk, 19 still functioning windmills, is hard to describe. The people we met were incredibly friendly, spoke unaccented English, the countries were charming, safe and clean, and prices reasonable. I'll attach my Trip Report. The weather is brisk in April, as you'll be up by the North Sea, pretty far north, compared to US geography .
Have a wonderful adventure!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/the-netherlands-belgium-april-2024-brought-the-rain-pants-needed-the-rain-pants

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/scrapbooks
Scroll down for the Belgium and NL Scrapbooks!

KD and Pat,
Thank you, both, for such wonderful feedback! There's just nothing like hearing directly from someone that has experienced it vs. just viewing it on tv or reading about it in a book. I appreciate every ounce of your honest words! KD, both my husband and I aren't thrilled with the idea of Amsterdam because of the crowds but I'm hopeful to make the best of it :)
~Mitzi

I, also have done it and specifically timed it for Keukenhof. When you are picking your dates do be aware of Easter and also of King's Day which is April 27.

I loved this tour. There was nothing I didn't like. I didn't expect to enjoy the tour of the waterworks/storm surge barrier but it was very interesting! Keukenhof was spectacular.

I do suggest going a day or two or more, lol, early as there is lots other see in Ghent and also some interesting stuff in Brussels if you've never been. Do have waterproof rain jackets (but I say that for every tour, haha) and for my tour in early April, I needed a puffy vest and lightweight gloves a couple of days.

Amsterdam is not my favorite city BUT there is so much interesting stuff there that it is work another night or 2. The Van Gogh Museum is wonderful and the Resistance Museum is very interesting. The Marine Museum is interesting, too. I did a 2nd visit to the Rijksmuseum because it is so huge. Getting around on the trams is very easy and you can just tap in/out with your CC. Because there is so much there, this is why I would want to miss the crowds on King's Day!

Pam made excellent points avoiding Kings Day and Easter (the weeks before and after Easter.) But Easter is early April 2026, so that helps. Also check when the Flower Parade floats will be on display in Haarlem- it will be a Sunday. I'm sorry we flew out that day and missed seeing the floats in the day light.
I enjoyed Leiden and Haarlem so much, that Amsterdam wasn't much of a focus. We had so much rain during our designated Amsterdam time, that we didn't get a feel for the city. But we enjoyed being in Haarlem so much, with its charming canals and windmills, that I felt we really had the Dutch experience.
The only experience I couldn't figure out how to do with public transportation was the Delta Works water project. I would have liked to see that.
You have all great choices.
The public transportation systems are excellent and easy to use, so you could really do this on your own, if you had a little time to plan.
Safe travels!

Such wonderful information! Thank you all so much!

Question: Why am I to avoid Easter ? Crowds ?
We're actually thinking of visiting Vienna before the Holland / Belgium tour and thought Easter would be a grand time to do so. (I know, I know... haha.... not in close proximity, but it's a bucket list wish of mine to spend some time in Vienna)

~Mitzi

Yes...many schools have holidays around Easter so you'll have families traveling and more crowds. Not quite the level of Spring Break in Florida, hahaha, but busier than usual.

I recently returned from this tour, my 13th RS tour.
I really can't think of a downside, it was a very nice mix of things, we had exceptional weather, and I really enjoyed it.

Europeans take their holidays seriously, and many places close on Easter weekend and Easter Monday. What is open will be VERY crowded , so it comes down to how you deal with that situation.
Again, have a great trip!

You fellow travelers are so kind to share this extremely useful information! I'm absorbing it all and making notes.

Our tour in 2023 stayed in Delft. Several of us made a pleasant afternoon trip to The Hague to see Vermeer's The Girl with the Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis. It had just been returned to Maurtishuis after being shown for a short time at the Vermeer retrospective.

“ Europeans take their holidays seriously, and many places close on Easter weekend and Easter Monday.”

This may be true for some countries in Europe, it’s not true for the Netherlands. The only things that are closed during Easter are schools, offices and some small shops. Everything else from museums to supermarkets to restaurants to shops to public transport will be open and up and running.

Very thoughtful answers to my question - thank you, all!

Anyone else been on this RS tour ? Would love additional insights :)

Bumping this topic one last time before it gets closed for inactivity. Thanks for your time in giving thoughts and/ or advice.

~Mitzi

I haven't been on your tour but can just add that everything is open on Good Friday in Belgium (shops, etc are open although office workers, public service, and so on have a day off) but most things are closed Easter Monday. The Sunday is like a normal Sunday where there are shops closed but many restaurants and museums open.

Lavandula

So, if you've been on this tour, can you please give me some advice on what I should book or secure tickets for myself ?

Here is a list of what is included with the RS tour:

Ghent canal cruise, Ghent walking tour, St. Bavo's Cathedral, Ghent Museum of Industry, Flanders Fields WWI sites, Bruges walking tour, Church of Our Lady, Chocolate demonstration and tasting, Bruges Museum Pass, Belgian brewery tour and tasting, Deltaworks and Maeslant sea barrier, Rotterdam walking tour, Working windmill, Keukenhof Gardens, Historic Triangle, Amsterdam canal cruise, Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum

Thank you for insights on what we shouldn't miss!

~Mitzi

I got to Ghent early and booked an extra visit to the St Bavo's Cathedral to see the Van Eyck altarpiece. This is included on the tour but I wanted extra time. My RS tour was in 2019 before they moved it to its present location within the cathedral and before they had the Augmented Reality program in the crypt. When I went in 2022 on a Road Scholar tour I booked a visit ahead of that tour with the Augmented Reality. The Road Scholar tour includes the Augmented Reality program so I did it twice and for myself it was worth it. IF you think you might enjoy it, definitely book an extra visit.

I went to the Musee des Beaux Arts in Ghent but this did not need to be purchased ahead of time.

In Amsterdam, I also booked the Van Gogh Museum ahead of time. This venue often sells out and they do not sell tickets at the door so if Van Gogh is of interest to you, I'd also book this in advance.

After we did our guided tour of Rijksmuseum I felt I had not spent enough time there. I skipped the Anne Frank house the next day (I'd been before) and bought a ticket on the Rijksmuseum app to go back there. Check the Rijksmuseum website to see if there are any special exhibitions at the time you are there. The special exhibitions sometimes need a special timed entry and that will likely not be included in the general tour you will have with a guide.

What you shouldn’t miss depends solely on you and your interests. And also on when exactly you are here. If you’re interested in modern art, I would suggest a visit to the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, but if old masters are more to your liking then you might prefer the Mauritshuis in The Hague. My point is that if you want personal recommendations, you need to give us a bit more informations about yourselves, your interests and when you’re here.

Thanks, Pam and Dutch_traveler!
This is a trip with only my husband and I. We're late 50s. Have only done the RS My Way Alpine tour (2X !) and not been on a traditional tour in our lives. In the Alps, we hiked. And walked. And hiked. Few to zero museums, art or city life, really. Did I mention we hiked ? (haha). So, to be honest, I'm not sure what our interests are in these cities, Dutch. We wanted to explore a different part of Europe. We're certainly open to new experiences, like the museums. Like what we've read RS is offering on this tour. Just feeling a bit lost because I've never been to that part of Europe.

One thing many tour members do on the free day in Bruges is to rent bikes and ride along the canal to Damme. You can also walk it if you feel like a hike on a paved trail. Your guide can give you information on bike rentals. I'd say about half my group chose to do this. No need to book this ahead. Wait until you're there and see what the weather is like.

Here's a link and you can zoom in and see the street view for what you'll be looking at.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/adnu1eqxBgouqgT76

“Just feeling a bit lost because I've never been to that part of Europe.

If I understand correctly, your trip isn’t until spring next year. This means that you’ll have plenty of time to read up on the places you’re going to visit. There are lots of good guide books available and there is the internet of course. Please don’t get me wrong, the people on this forum are more than happy to help with details about public transport, restaurant tips etc. But as far as things to visit, I’m a firm believer in doing at least a bit of your own research. We don’t know you, so we don’t know what you like and don’t like. I also find personally that reading about the places I’m going to see is a great way to get in the mood for my trip.

"Just feeling a bit lost because I've never been to that part of Europe." I homed in on that too. I don't think you have to be worried. The Benelux countries are very accessible to people who speak English, particularly the Netherlands, because of the fantastic language skills of the Dutch and Belgians. You have ample time to prepare and plenty of time to ask questions here. I don't find the cultures in that part of the world to be alienating for English speakers - they are closer than the French or Germans. Like cheese? Like mashed potato? Do you drink beer? gin? Like cute architecture? You will feel right at home!

Lavandula