I believe in Rick's advise to get off the beaten path but am curious how I can do this in cities like Amsterdam/Haarlem, Lucerne and Zurich when I have no car. I expect crowds but I'd love to get away from them at times. A lost cause? Any suggestions?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7331 posts
Both the Netherlands and Switzerland are well known for their very extensive train systems. Also buses to smaller towns.With a little research it shouldn't be difficult to travel to smaller, less crowded places.
Posted by
Franklin, TN, USA
1073 posts
We were in Zurich and took a train to Stein Am Rhein for the day, a delightful village that looks like a movie set…..if you do your homework you can find a train that will get you to more places than you realize.
Posted by
Chicagoland
2350 posts
One way is to think beyond the Rick Steves' guidebooks. Search out restaurants, bakeries, museums, gardens and other attractions that are not in his books. There are many places he doesn't include. With a bit of effort, you'll find towns and villages a train or bus ride away that offers just as much as some of the places he covers.
Posted by
Chicago
1370 posts
In addition to trains, buses are much more local and will get you to much more obscure
places. If you are versed in reading Google Maps for transit information, you can almost
get on a random bus and just get off anyplace, knowing you can figure out your way back
eventually.