Leiden, Netherlands

I went to Leiden first to get the bus to Keukenhof Gardens. But the town itself was lovely. Of the three "college towns" in Holland that I saw (Delft, Utrecht, Leiden), Leiden was the only one with a visible student presence and feel. I took a canal cruise, and went to the science and medicine museum (where I learned that EKG's and renal dialysis come from the Netherlands). I'd like to stay there overnight on a subsequent trip; it's got good train connections to many other places, and I didn't enjoy overnighting in Delft (contrary to Rick's recommendation). I don't remember if there are lockers at the station, but Leiden's train station was the only one not being renovated on my trip (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Delft were all undergoing multi-year renovations, causing me varying degrees of hassle). And, the Leiden tourist office is right across the way from the station, so it's very handy. I used Lonely Planet and Rough Guide for info about Dutch towns not covered by RS (or covered poorly, like Utrecht).

Leiden is a sweet little city with more than you can see in a day. I though Rick mentioned their "pride and joy" as a little Greek temple in the Antiquities Museum, which has European paintings too and a lot more. In Utrecht, don't miss the captivating and worthwhile Museum Speelklok, with rooms and rooms of musical automatons. I was surprised to find that a little German allowed me to just get enough from the Dutch tour I took - the only way to go through the museum, because the guide turns on the machines.

In Netherland (Arnhem) right now...local family urged us to visit Leiden as one of their favorites...George, PGH