Hi All,
I'm planning a two week trip in late April. One son is studying abroad in London until I arrive. Second son will be joining us in London for the last week. I'll spend 2 days in London when I arrive to help son move out of his dorm. Then we have 7 days to fill before other son joins us. For those seven days, I would like to travel to The Netherlands. Keukenhof Gardens and Kinderdijk Windmills are a must-see for me. I would like your feedback on how much time to allow, where to stay, best budget-friendly way to get from London. Should I be looking at Rotterdam or Amsterdam? What other places should I consider nearby or on the way? This is my first time traveling to Europe and I am so excited. Thanks so much!
Posted by
Chicago
7828 posts
I would fly London to Amsterdam.
Stay in Amsterdam 4 nights include the day trip to Keukenof.
Take the train Amsterdam to Rotterdam
Stay in Rotterdam 2 nights include a day trip to Kinderdijk, there is a boat from Rotterdam to Kinderdijk.
Then take a train from Rotterdam back to London.
Posted by
Main Line PA, USA
107 posts
When we went to Keukenhof a few years back, we did it as a day trip from Amsterdam. If you are able to stay nearby for at least one night, it might be a more pleasant experience but as a day trip was fine.
Another option to consider instead of or in addition to Kinderdijk, is Zaanse Schans (https://www.dezaanseschans.nl/en/). It is an easy day trip from Amsterdam.
Posted by
Truro, NS, Canada
3941 posts
Our experience with Keukenhof as a day trip from Amsterdam went like this - everyone says to try and arrive first thing, as it gets crowded really quickly. Well, I have a husband who is NOT a morning person, so I knew that was not going to happen. We arrived around lunch time (via the bus from Schiphol), grabbed some fries from the set up in the parking lot, rented a bike in the parking lot and drove past beautiful fields of tulips for a few hours (got slightly lost) and arrived back at Keukenhof prob around 3pm or so. You could see the cars had really diminished in the parking lot and there was no line up to get in. The flower pavilions - which I'd heard can be packed to the gills - were practically empty - so if you can't arrive first thing, plan to get there mid afternoon.
We quite enjoyed Kinderdijk as well - we spent a few nights in Dordrecht after leaving Ams. I would recommend to take some light gloves with you and wear layers - I had 3 layers on the day we went (tshirt, fleece and spring jacket), and I still almost froze as the wind was very brisk. I was cursing not having light gloves.
Posted by
Chicago
7828 posts
Having been to Keukenof 2 times I agree that the after 3:30 pm is the time to go .
Posted by
11153 posts
Do ot substituteKindersijk with Zaanse Schans which an array of old buildings brought to the site. Kinderdijk’s 19 windmills are in their original locations.