10 nights in The Netherlands & Belgium

What month are you going?

You don't mention wanting to see anything in Haarlem, so I would recommend staying in Amsterdam.

You could easily visit Leiden as a stop on the way from Amsterdam to Delft. As I recall, there's a place to stow luggage at the train station there. That will give you a full day in Delft, and if you decide you don't need that much time there, you could take a short hop to Rotterdam, which is a very different city from all the other places you are visiting.

There's no need to change hotels between Bruges and Ghent. Pick one and stay there. It's an easy day trip to the other. Personally, I'd recommend staying in Ghent and daytripping to Bruges.

But since you say you don't mind changing hotels, that works too.

You know your mother best, but this is a very fast pace. Both Amsterdam and the Brussels area are great for daytrips by cheap, unreserved local trains. You're not really going to see much of Amsterdam, which is good for several days just within the city. I like all these towns, but it's a brutal pace you're setting. Is she okay with walking so much? Note that some historic centers (like Ghent and Brugge) are not right "at" the train station. Of course, you can wait a few minutes for a city bus, but it's a nice enough walk, just not through historic streets.

Just an example, you have research to do on Brussels. "Grand Place walk" is about 10 minutes. If you're not going to see the famous art in Bruges or Ghent, there is less reason to see both of them. I don't think it is necessary to visit both Leiden and Utrecht on a first visit to the Amsterdam area.

Lane- Whoops! I edited it to include that we are going the second half of April 2025.

Re: Haarlem, I feel like Rick, and several posters on this forum, really recommend staying there. It is obviously cheaper than staying right in Amsterdam, and I like the idea of perhaps staying in a less crowded area. But, I'm torn. The Corrie Ten Boom is already booked solid for the entirety of our trip and I am not sure that there is anything else that I would REALLY want to see there.

Re: Ghent, we would only do a day trip there, not change hotels.

Tim- thanks for your reply. To clarify...

---"You know your mother best, but this is a very fast pace"

Our plan is to walk around the cities/towns; taking in the architecture, enjoying good food, popping into local shops, chatting with locals etc. She does not appreciate art, so most of the art museums would be lost on her. I would like to see Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, but won't be terribly upset if I don't. I also hope to return to Amsterdam someday, whereas this will likely be her only trip.

Also, for reference, we visited Scotland in May 2023. We spent 12 nights and I drove just under 800 miles. We both loved it, saw a lot and didn't feel rushed. I do wish we could've had a bit more time on Isle of Skye, but I would rather get to see some of it than none at all.

---"Is she okay with walking so much?"

She and I are both avid walkers. And we will use public transportation of course (definitely from train stations so we don't have to schlep luggage).

---"Just an example, you have research to do on Brussels. "Grand Place walk" is about 10 minutes."
Brussels is mainly to sleep since we fly out of there. But yes, I need to research everything more.

---"If you're not going to see the famous art in Bruges or Ghent, there is less reason to see both of them"
They both look extremely charming, but we may just stay in Bruges. We would be perfectly content to walk around, take a canal boat ride, and eat lots of chocolate.

All of that said, do you think it's still too fast paced? Would you add more time to Amsterdam and cut a night from someplace else? Thanks so much :)

I like your itinerary. Maybe stay in Amsterdam - it's not such an intense city in most areas. Delft is great. Two nights is about right for it. Bruges is lovely. You could stay in Ghent instead, but on the whole six of one, half dozen the other.

I like your itinerary. Maybe stay in Amsterdam - it's not such an intense city in most areas. Delft is great. Two nights is about right for it. Bruges is lovely. You could stay in Ghent instead, but on the whole six of one, half dozen the other.

Poster above is right that Leiden works better on the way to Delft. From Delft I would day trip to Gouda, or better Kinderdijk if it's not heavy rain.

Hi there, sounds like a fun trip! The one day that looks like more than 20,000 steps would be Day 4- Keukenhof & possibly Rijksmuseum. I would do Keukenhof and skip the museum, as you said your mom isn't really keen. OR on Day 2 you could go to the Rijksmuseum first thing in the morning for a few hours, without crimping on a boat tour & Anne Frank Museum. (I understand from friends there are lots of steep stairs inside, FYI.)

There are also some big holidays during 'the second half of April'. Easter Weekend is Friday April 18th through and including what Europeans call 'Easter Monday'. And Netherlands Kings Day is April 26th. Except for that last one, I believe according to what Forum posters have said, many tourist destinations will be open, but given your short trip, I would check every venue. I really liked Delft, stayed 2 nights at the Best Western Museumhotels. Rented a bike nearby on a canal & rode everywhere. The Delftware pottery museum is a walk away from central, was glad to have a bike.

Some of your questions and maybe logistics will be answered by Pat's thread here https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/the-netherlands-belgium-april-2024-brought-the-rain-pants-needed-the-rain-pants. Have a great trip!