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Is this realistic itinerary for 3/21-3/30 trip?

We will be based in Rotterdam for husbands work and I will be on my own on weekdays. I am not huge museum fan so have not planned a lot of time in AMS. I like to take lots of pictures, try new foods, see pretty old buildings, and maybe some history learned on a walking tour.

March 21 - fly in/train to Rotterdam
March 22- jetlag day Gouda - 20 min train Cheese experience & Rotterdam
March 23 -1.5 hr train to Ghent Belgium - Chocolate tour & sightseeing
March 24 - watertaxi to Kinderdijk and The Hague
March 25 - 40 min train Utrecht/Castle DeHaar
March 26 - 30 min train Delft
March 27 - Gorinchem 50 min train or Dordrecht 20 min train
March 28 - Keukenhof Gardens tulips 1.5 hrs train
and bus - need tickets
March 29 -35 min train Amsterdam/30 min train from AMS Zaanse Schans
March 30 - Haarlem 30 min from AMS 1 hr from Rott
March 31- fly home

Posted by
6298 posts

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/the-netherlands-belgium-april-2024-brought-the-rain-pants-needed-the-rain-pants

Above is my Trip Report from spring, 2024. I'm jealous, and want to return.
My only comment is that you need a slow down day in the middle somewhere, but not sure what to suggest cutting. For me, after a week of day tripping, I need a break. Also, the weather is very fickle this time of year, so you need some flexibility. In addition, the wind is quite strong in the spring. Umbrellas take a beating. A raincoat with a snug hood is invaluable.
Keukenhof and Kinderdijk are incredible, and were the highlights of our trip, but obviously are much more enjoyable when it's not raining.
I prefer Brugge to Ghent, but that's personal.
Have a great trip. Safe travels.

Posted by
1798 posts

“ I am not huge museum fan so have not planned a lot of time in AMS”

I’m not sure I understand this reasoning. Amsterdam has so much more to offer than museums. In fact, for many people its main attraction is the old buildings, the beautiful canals, the new foods at the Albert Cuyp market etc etc. As much as I like a city like Dordrecht or Gorinchem, given your interests it makes little sense to visit them and skip Amsterdam.

Posted by
2199 posts

More efficient is combining Delft with The Haque and Dordrecht with Kinderdijk. You can take the waterbus from the latter to Dordrecht and from there the train back to Rotterdam. Or do the whole trip the other way around. Fun to do is the ferry from Gorinchem, also known as Gorkum to charming Woudrichem and an additional one to Loevestein Castle. Which has an intriguing story btw.

Posted by
29 posts

Thanks so much. Tweaking a bit based on comments and can switch days around for weather of needed too. I was in Scotland last year in March and got a hip length water proof jacket that was perfect for wind and rain so plan to bring that again for weather shifts.

March 21 - fly in/maybe canal boat ride before train to Rotterdam, need luggage storage spot
March 22- Gouda - 20 min train Cheese experience & Rotterdam (Gouda also on way to/from Utrecht so can move this)
March 23 -1.5 hr train to Ghent or 2 hrs to Bruges Belgium - Choco tour and sightseeing. Or go to AMS and do day tour to Goethoorn and Zaanse Schans
March 24 - watertaxi to Kinderdijk and Dordrecht
March 25 - 40 min train Utrecht/then 30 min bus to Castle DeHaar
March 26 - 30 min train Delft (several churches with inside tours if its raining) and The Hague
March 27 -rest and maybe couple hours in AMS
March 28 - Keukenhof Gardens tulips 1.5 hrs train to Leiden then 854 bus - tickets can be for gardens & bus then maybe Leiden sightseeing
March 29 -35 min train Amsterdam/30 min train from AMS Zaanse Schans
March 30 - waterland north of AMS/ Haarlem 30 min from AMS 1 hr from Rott
March 31- fly home

Posted by
2199 posts

With the public transport in the Netherlands you can, once staying in Rotterdam be very flexible with scheduling your daytrips .

Visiting Giethoorn (note spelling) and Zaanse Schans the same day is not going to work. The daytour to the first will take 8 hours and end at around 5PM back in Amsterdam, the time Zaanse Schans closes.

Leiden is for many a favorite place to visit, for it’s charm, it’s vibe and the museums. I know you are not interested in museums, maybe you can make an exception for the one about the Pilgrim Fathers and the nearby church. Or not? If so a tram ride from Rotterdam to nearby Delfshaven is worth to consider too. It was the place they set sail to England for embarking the Mayflower.

There are direct trains from Rotterdam to Haarlem, so easy to visit on the way to Amsterdam. For planning you can use the website of our national carrier: https://www.ns.nl/en/journeyplanner/#/

Posted by
3056 posts

In Delft, do not miss the Delft Royal Factory and Museum. My daughter and I went last year and thought we would just spend a little bit of time there, but wow, it was so good that we were there for a long time! There is a small restaurant there that is quite good for a light lunch.

In Gouda, as you walk from the train station into town, there is a small shop on a corner on the right called Flossy. They have a small cafe there and the rest is a beautiful gift shop. We stopped for coffee and shared a little fancy cake.

Posted by
123 posts

you will have to hustle to see March 25 - 40 min train Utrecht/Castle DeHaar, the city is beautiful, and takes time, then getting to the kastel and seeing it and back is a lot in 1 day, It is possible but 2 days would be better, de haar takes about 3 hrs to see, don't miss out on it, stunning!
Bruges is nice then Ghent, if you like BBQ( the best is at Restaurant De Wijngaert, RES required