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Netherlands - Order of Cities?

Posted by on

Hi.
I'm deep in trip planning for my trip to Amsterdam, Delft, and Rotterdam in Late April-May 2024. Would like to visit the Kroeller-Muller Museum (K-M) in Otterlo and the Mauritishuis Museum in The Hague... and possibly Bruges.
I have 18 nights including flights from the US. My style of travel to to stay at least 5 days/city to get to know an area - enjoy the art museums, take great photos, and enjoy the culture. (I spent a full day in the Prada Mus. in Spain!)
There are many day trip possibilities: Leiden, Utrecht, Arnhein.
With 6-7 days in Amsterdam (with day trips to the Windmills and maybe the Keukenhof Garden), I can go clockwise to the Otterlo area for the K-M museum, then to Rotterdam, Delft, then Leiden for the Garden. Or the reverse.
While there, I think I should enjoy Bruges as well (or is Delft too similar?). Yes, I want to see it all!
I have not booked flights yet, so I can stay in The Netherlands, flying in and out of AMS, or add Bruges and fly out from Belgium. I will NOT have a car.
I could use some suggestions here from those who have been in the area. I don't want to spend a lot of glorious sightseeing time on trains, so an efficient plan is needed.

Thanks very much!
Lee

Posted by
8145 posts

You could easily reduce your moving around. The Netherlands is small, many of the places you are talking about are within 30-60 minutes by train. So maybe pick a few strategic bases, and go from there.

One possibility would be to base in Haarlem for Amsterdam, Keukenhof, and even to points North, the windmills and Alkmaar. Then go down to the Arnhem area for the K-M museum for a couple days, then to Delft, From Delft, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Leiden are close. Utrecht could be seen on the way to Delft.

If you have time, then sure, head to Bruges for a couple days, You could probably still fly round trip to AMS, maybe spend you last night in Leiden, I have even stayed in Antwerp the night before, but I tend to pick a mid-morning flight.

No need for a car.

Posted by
11636 posts

Save Bruges for a Belgium focused trip.
We have stayed in both Amsterdam and Leiden for extended stays and done lots of day trips by train. We love both cities.
Our absolute favorite day trip was from Leiden to Kinderdijk to see the 19 windmills in their original locations. Train to Rotterdam,then take a tram to the river to board boat to Kinderdijk, easy, inexpensive.
We also enjoyed our day trips to The Hague and Delft.

Posted by
97 posts

Thank you both. I have made changes based on your advice...Amsterdam, Delft, and Rotterdam will be the home bases.
Not sure if The Hague will be an overnight or travel from Delft.
Bruges and Otterlo are out for now.

I appreciate your help!

Happy travels.
Lee

Posted by
34074 posts

Not sure if The Hague will be an overnight or travel from Delft.

They are just a few minutes tram ride apart - closer than an out of town mall. I don't know why you would need to up sticks.

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