Seeking suggestions/advice for late June

I think you will probably enjoy anything on the Mediterranean. My personal favourite is Greece. If you have five days you could split that between Athens and one of the Argo-Saronic islands. Amazing food, nice walking, and of course if you love history in my opinion Greece is hard to beat.

One thing to keep in mind is we are potentially experiencing jet fuel shortages here in Europe. It's hard to say exactly what will happen as we don't know when the Strait of Hormuz will reopen but just be prepared that flights, particularly, internal flights, may be cancelled. We are really hoping this is resolved soon so I hope you are able to enjoy Amsterdam and the Mediterranean.

My first thought was our favorite getaway on the Mediterranean coast of Tuscany, Chicca’s house just south of Bolgheri, Italy. It’s not in southern Italy, being a bit south of Pisa, but it’s a relaxing location, with the opportunity to explore nearby. She used to be a bike racer, and moved from Naples to her Tuscan home where she rents out 2 apartments on the second floor of her house. She also does in-person cooking classes, and we’ve also been doing Online classes from her for more than 5 years. She and her French husband do lots of hiking/walking and biking around there, including to the ocean, which is 3 miles away, in Donoratico. Donoratico’s where you can rent bikes, and also where we picked up a rental car the last time, from LuMaTos, which Chicca had recommended. Her website is https://cookingintuscany.cc/casa-toscana/

My second thought was Marseille or Arles, France. Third thought was Nice, France, followed by somewhere in southern Spain, but that would be a decidedly longer trip from Amsterdam.

Before posting all this, I checked the Rome2Rio Website to get an idea of transportation options coming from Amsterdam. To my surprise, any direct flights were way too expensive for my tastes, before even starting to look at lodging or other expenses. Cheaper flights involved flying elsewhere and then connecting to Pisa, Rome, or Marseille. Counterintuitively, the first flight went to somewhere in England, Ireland, Sweden, or Germany, before catching a second flight to the ultimate destination … not exactly relaxing in my experience (although I’ve never flown from Amsterdam itself to elsewhere in Europe).

But Nice has a direct, not-too-expensive flight from Amsterdam on EasyJet. They’re a low-cost airline with the potential issues that come with low-cost airlines, but would get you to Nice relatively quickly, relatively inexpensively (if that matters), and you’d be in a historic old-town location on the Mediterranean, with fantastic walking, the Tour de France ended there in 2024, and there are many nearby towns and historic sights if you wanted to venture just a bit outside of Nice. For 4-5 days, I’d enjoy Nice.

You have a great idea. Mykonos of course. Or Crete ot Corfu or Malta. Pretty sure they all havr bike rentals, and bike tours. Mykonos is famous for its food. Malta is famous for its low cost. All have remarkable history.

Another idea. Ryanair flies Amsterdam to Malaga, Spain.

Another idea. Ryanair flies Amsterdam to Malaga, Spain.

Assuming they can get the gas in June.

The 2 week cease fire that was supposed to open the Strait allowed only 'a handful' of ships through before Iran closed it after a couple (?) days.

The 60 day clock on EU jet fuel supply hits 'empty' in mid June.

Assuming the business trip does not get cancelled, I think I would be planning to be sure I got home, rather than looking for some area that might be problematic to leave.

Thank you all, I’ve been watching the news but had not connected the dots on flight issues. I will definitely be considering this and watching out for more info

Someone, what does EU law require for a canceled flight? Refund? Get rooms with free cancelation. You have nothing to lose and if the straight isn't open in time for June to be normal then holiday disruption will be the last of your worries. Don't fret what you cant control. Just make contingencies.

I have seen differing opinions. Under normal circumstances, the airline is responsible for booking you on another flight and providing, or reimbursing, accommodation. Plus statutory compensation.
Many sources are saying that because of the circumstances causing the cancellation, the airlines are not liable.
And some insurances my not cover it either. Although ours looks as thoigh it does.
I bet that come the day, there are going to be plenty of arguments/legal disputes.

I took a quick look at Ryan and I am not too thrilled about their terms. Their flights are so cheap that the cancelation fee is nearly as much as the flight ticket or in some instances more. That flights AMS to Malaga is 200 to 250 euro round trip, and the fees for cancelation would be 90 euro. I still wouldn't do much different for a trip right now beyond room bookings that I can cancel.

Hi AnneMarie & welcome to the Forum. Some excellent ideas above, I especially appreciated Cyn's ideas in Tuscany & France, thanks Cyn! However, personally, we're not flying to smaller airports until the jet fuel crisis has passed. I just wouldn't make any non-refundable reservations right now!

Perhaps consider places you can reach by train, even staying in the Netherlands, which is a beautiful, flat country with excellent biking paths? I'm sure if you post your question under 'Netherlands' and also 'Belgium' you will get thoughtful replies from people who live there & can suggest what beachside bike-friendly locations.

Jet fuel shortages - Feel free to read here for lots of opinions, but no conclusions except we simply don't know yet. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/possible-jet-fuel-shortages.

So many choices, and they are all great:

I used to do a lot of cycling, doing about 5,000 miles a year on my bike. One thing to consider, do you want flat land or can you handle hills?

Some of my favorite places in the Mediterranean are, as follows:

1) Seville, Spain- It is loaded with history and you could spend most of your time in that city, although you might want to do a day trip to Cordoba. Not sure about cycling. Biking on busy roads is not so safe. Need a bike trail.
2) Porto, Portugal and the amazing Douro River Valley. Spend a couple of days in Porto then take the train up the river to Pinhao and Regua. It is hilly in northern Portugal.
3) Greece- Only a few days, you can't do all there. Athens is loaded with History, but not real save to bike there. Consider an island. Crete is the largest and lots of places to see there. Santorini is special, but crowded. Mykonos and nearby Delos a great one.

4) Italy- Got to love Tuscany, consider Siena and doing day trips to Voltera, San Giminancio and Lucca.

I cannot believe no one has yet suggested the Amalfi coast.

1. Close to Naples and even Rome for easy access.
2. Great hiking in the area.
3. Great day trips to Capri for stunning beach scene and Pompeii for more history than you can digest in a week.
4. Amazing food.

Perhaps consider places you can reach by train

If in late June your plane crossed the atlantic I wouldnt worry to much about the commutter flight in Europe.

If you book all this and you get rooms with cancelation 24 or 48 prior then you might end up eating 90 euro on the Ryanair ticket, but to be honest, I think not if they are the ones that cancel it. If you dont book this trip, then you miss out on a wonderful holiday. When will the opportunity repeat.

I have trips booked for later this week (Rome) and early June (Montenegro). I am not stressing over either of them. It will work out. I am still planning two trips in July (3 days in Spain to visit relatives), and Moldova / Odesa (just to see one new and one familiar place). That planning will continue and I will book things probalby mid-May.

Here's the Man in Seat 61 information on getting from Amsterdam to other parts of Europe by train:
https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Amsterdam.htm