Greetings, We are going to Netherlands in September, 5 nights in Amsterdam, 2 in Harlem and 2 in delft. We then want to head to France. We will visit Paris last, 3 nights, a have to, and leave for home. We want to visit 2-3 small towns and villages and stay for a few days so not rushed. We are open to driving, but would prefer trains. Would love some recommendations. Thanks
Don
Tucson, AZ
I respectfully suggest that you visit Haarlem from Amsterdam, and allocate more time to France. This is a very short time span, after a long train trip. We need the time of your flight home departure, and the airport.
Are you saying that you want to sleep one night in each of 3 "villages"? You have not given the number of nights in France NOT allocated to Paris. Do you mean mythical places that look like Band of Brothers just left yesterday, or do you mean modern reinforced-concrete developments for prosperous modern French families? Or do you mean famous, historic cities like Rouen or Chartres?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/recommended-side-trips-in-france-with-no-car
Unless you go into Den Haag (adjacent), Delft is not worth changing hotels for two nights. (Opinion.) I have visited Delft on the train from Amsterdam twice. Had plenty of time there. Have slept three nights in Den Haag. Delft is quite pretty, but it is a tiny "historic center", surrounded by modern post-war urban sprawl.
Thanks for your reply. I understand that I should have provided more information. I know that it is possible to visit multiple towns from Amsterdam. My experience from past trips is that I enjoy being in town for at least a night to be able to wonder at my leisure and not have to worry about catching a train back to a home base. As for France, looking at about 10 to 14 days, of which 3 would be in Paris. I like small quaint towns where you can wonder around see the sights and absorb the local culture. Since my initial question, I have ordered Rick's book on France which I am sure will have travel suggestions.
Thanks
I will add that I have visited Delft twice. The first time was a day trip from Amsterdam that included a stop in The Hague (I was on a Johannes Vermeer quest). The second time I spent two nights to explore the town more fully. I loved it! The old town is relatively small, but there is so much to see there, and you can stay in one place and walk to everything—including the train station. Great for a laid back stay in a very cute Dutch village. I can't speak of getting from there to Paris however.