We've got 4+ days for The Netherlands and 3+ days for Brugge/Ghent. With one extra day, which area should we add it to? We've visited BRU and not interested in going back. Add the day for a car tour of northern Holland or day trip to Antwerp? Any recommendations?
Posted by
OP
New Berlin, WI, US
156 posts
We've got 5 nights and 4 full days for AMS and 4 nights and 3 full days for Brugge. Since we're "chronologically challenged" we're going to avoid dragging bags around any more than absolutely necessary so visiting areas outside of the two cities will most likely be attempted with day trips. Any other opinions on Delft?
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
When you say "4+ days for the Netherlands," do you mean you are staying in Amsterdam for 4 nights, or are you planning on staying in other places for part of that time? From Amsterdam, you can see many places as easy daytrips. Or, of course, you can spend an overnight somewhere else. Rick Steves' book Amsterdam, Bruges & Brussels has full details, including step-by-step transportation. Have a look to see what appeals to you. The one thing I disagreed with him about is Delft. He says it's a worthwhile daytrip, and the best overnight in Holland besides Amsterdam; I was just there in April 2012, and don't agree with either statement. However, I loved Utrecht and Leiden, and also found Rotterdam fascinating. The Hague wasn't as enticing, but if the museums there are of interest, go (be aware that the Mauritshaus is now closed). I was in Antwerp in 2002 and loved it - my favorite place in Belgium. I don't drive, but if a driving tour of northern Holland is what you want to do, go for it. Of course, these two are apples and oranges. You could also see less famous Belgian towns (I enjoyed my day in Tournai, and other people like Mechelen or Leuven or Lier...) In short, you have lots of options and can't really go wrong, but only you know what appeals to you and what doesn't.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
How about a day at the beach? The Belgian North Sea coast is easy to reach from Brugge. Oostende is the largest town, but my favorite is De Haan. I also enjoyed Domburg on the Dutch coast in Zeeland, but it's hard to reach without a car.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
141 posts
We were recently in Brugge and took the Quasimodo tour of Flanders Field. It was an informative, interesting and moving tour of the WW I area around Ypres. I would highly recommend it. http://www.quasimodo.be/