We are a retired, fit couple who will be taking a Baltic Sea Cruise at the beginning of July. We will be flying into and leaving from Amsterdam and want to spend the week before the cruise doing some exploring in another nearby country.
We are interested in sightseeing, walking/hiking or biking within a reasonable distance from AMS....like 3 hrs or so by train. So, we have thought of Cologne, Ghent, Brussels, France (?) but would love some suggestions of where/ how to spend these days.
Many thanks.
Posted by
OP
BC
3 posts
Nothing at all! We will be doing so after the cruise.
thanks for the Ardennes suggestion.
Posted by
11156 posts
We have done this two times. Our day trips have included The Hague, Delft, Leiden, Rotterdam with Kinderdijk, Haarlem, Kuekenhof Gardens, Eindhoven, Zaanse Schans( too touristy for us). We would gladly return to The Netherlands to do it all again. Last trip we based in beautiful Leiden.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3049 posts
I haven't been to Ghent yet personally but have heard nothing than great things. I liked Brussels but most people here don't. It's a very lively, modern city, reminded me of Paris but is a little short on "sights" in the traditional sense, but if you're into beer it's an exciting place, ditto for comics/graphic novels. My in-laws, probably around your age, though Brugges was the most amazing place ever. I thought it was lovely, it's very historic and beautiful, but would have preferred one night to two, although a daytrip to see WWI sites is a possibility.
I don't know if I'd recommend going all the way to Cologne. The cathedral is awesome, the rest of the city, eh. I've been a few times for concerts and there are aspects I enjoy, as a tourist city it leaves a little to be desired.
If you decide to stay in NL, I really loved staying in Haarlem. It's smallish but there's a lot to explore and the Jans Haals museum was fantastic.
Posted by
OP
BC
3 posts
Thanks, Sarah, love your enthusiasm and concrete suggestions. Will seriously consider this. Ghent is being suggested strongly.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
See and enjoy Brugge. It is locked in time and ready for all to enjoy.d