We dinosaurs no longer rent autos in Europe. Following our cruise, we would like to spend a week or so in Benelux or neighboring areas, readily accessible by train. We have had good trips previously to Brugges/Brussels and the Normandy area. Any suggestions? Thank you. George, Pgh
Posted by
Mandeville, LA, USA
565 posts
George, in what port does your cruise end?
Posted by
OP
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
207 posts
We end in Amsterdam.
Posted by
Mandeville, LA, USA
565 posts
George, I do not know how much help I can offer, but given the somewhat focused nature of your cruise, I am curious as to what cruise line you will be sailing on. If you are interested in limiting your travel to the Netherlands and Belgium, you already have an idea as to what Belgium offers and others on this forum can offer better advice as to what to see in the Netherlands. Except for time in Luxembourg decades ago, this is a part of Europe I have not travelled in. One year, I would love to spend time in Bruges, Ghent, Amsterdam, Delft and The Hague. You may wish to check out RS's suggested itineraries for Belgium and the Netherlands.
Posted by
Tucson
4183 posts
It sounds like you will be in the Benelux area about the same time we are. Our trip is timed for our anniversary in April and the tulips, naturally. Is Amsterdam itself not an option for that extra week? We have three nights in the Dutch town of Arnhem on our schedule. We plan to go to the Kroller-Muller Museum, the Airborne Museum and the Open Air Museum. It's about an hour by train from Amsterdam. Our last two trips we have rented cars and driven for at least part of the time. This one we will not due to the short distances and reasonable train fares.
Posted by
Demotte, IN, USA
29 posts
I'd highly suggest the Keukenhof Gardens, just a bit north of Amsterdam and accessable by train. The flowers are incrediable! We were there the last day of the season last May and they were still great. Also Harlaam is a great little town, also accessible by train. If you go, be sure to see the church as well as the Corrie Ten Boom house. She and her family hid jews and resistance fighters during WWII and were caught. the tour of this house is great!
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2450 posts
Totally agree with previous poster about Haarlem, think about half hour by train from Amsterdam. Only reason we went there was Ten Boom museum and we were delighted! Lovely canal,windmill, church with great courtyard for glass of wine and people watching but
Ten Boom Museum was highlight. If you do go, look them up on website about visiting and if you are interested, watch movie The Hiding Place. To us as impressive as Anne Franks house.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33832 posts
To elaborate on Sheri's post - Keukenhof is actually several miles south of Amsterdam, near the village of Lisse. While the train goes relatively close to Keukenhof you need to take a connecting bus from Haarlem, the airport, or Leiden (or some cities south).