Amsterdam

I'd say 3-4 days minimum, especially if you want to spend a worthwhile amount of time at the Van Gogh or Rijks museums. I took a 3/4 escorted day trip that included the Delft factory, the Hague and Madurodam, a miniature city located in Scheveningen.

You can easily do Delft by train, gives you time to see the factory and wander around the town (and its canals) at your own pace. Tours: windmills, Fishing villages where they still wear the old style dress; you can also do the cheese market at Alkmaar and possibly the flowers (i am not sure what time of year you will be there) 3 days in Amsterdam itself should be fine, that includes time to see some museums and wander around the canals on your own

I think Amsterdam accomodations are more expensive than other Netherlands cities/towns. If you are doing side trips, you might save money, and travel time, by staying there rather than in the big city.

3-4 days for Amsterdam is a good number. I took a daytrip to The Hague (about an hour by train) to visit the Mauritshuis (museum), which has some beautiful Dutch and Flemish art (including Vermeer's "View of Delft" and "Girl with a Pearl Earring", if you're a Vermeer fan).

Thanks so much for the great advice. We will be getting off of a cruise ship in Amsterdam, and since we haven't been in this country before, will want to get acquainted with it before moving on. Thanks for the side trip ideas!

We loved Amsterdam. Lots to do in the city and lots of variety too. I would suggest at least three days for the city itself. Reserve ahead for the Anne Frank house (online). If you've not been there, consider Bruge.

Where you stay can make a big difference in how long you want to stay in Amsterdam. I have stayed up to a week at a time and loved every minute of it, but I have had friends who stayed near the central train station, and they were sick of the city the first day, which was also their last. They could not understand why I love Amsterdam so much. Most large cities have a redlight district and drug dens, but few others are identified by them as much as Amsterdam. Visit those, if you wish. But, if you spend a few days in the Jordaan, around Liedseplein (sp?) and the museum district, you may never want to leave.

I stayed 5 and used 2.5 to see Delft, Haarlem, &Einhoven. I could have stayedl onger since we were on the canal in a lovely , quiet local spot but within walking distance to alot of sights. Great city but have your mind open as it can be a bit gritty in parts.

Hi Marla You say you're landing in Amsterdam. There is a cruise terminal down from the Centraal Station, but its possible you will actually land elsewhere, perhaps Ijmuiden or Rotterdam. Before you arrive it might be good to be sure so that you can easily use the public transport options and plan your day........ Or, of course, you may be three steps ahead of me in which case ignore the above.

Take a day trip to Haarlem, only about half hour train ride from 'amsterdam, lovely city. see the Ten boom museum, look up the history on internet before you go.

I second the Jordaan neighborhood as a place to stay and hang out. I stayed there every time I was in Amsterdam and it's beautiful and convenient. Depending on where your hotel is there, it's a 5-10 minute walk to the train station where you can catch trams or buses to points south and west.

We usually stay along one of the ring canals- usually there are large trees along the canals- very different from other major Cities and the essence of Amsterdam. Usually easy to walk from there anywhere in the City center