I've arranged house swaps for 3 weeks in Amsterdam followed by 2 weeks in Versailles. I'm looking for itinerary suggestions regarding "must-see" sites in the Benelux and France, excluding the south of France (Nice region) or other areas that would require more than 2 overnight stays. My interests are mostly historic and cultural, not night clubs, partying or haute cuisine. I'm happy with small local restaurants or street food. I will not have a car, but am considering buying a rail pass to economize on train costs. I'm already familiar with Paris, but will appreciate recommendations for some of the lesser known activities there. Chartres is already on the schedule. Love Norman and French history! All suggestions are welcome!
Posted by
Rochelle, IL
263 posts
Hello Brenda, I have some favorite spots.....my tastes may not match yours, but you asked for suggestions: Amsterdam....Anne Frank House, walk the red light district cause you won't believe it otherwise. there is a hidden church in the distrit....but I can't rmember the name off hand. It was hidden because Catholocism was banned, so people built a church on their upper floors. Really neat and close or in the red light district. If you can rent a bink and do some day rides along the dikes, that would be neat. Zaanschans is a group of houses and windmills that are neat to visit. Kinderdijk is also a collection of windmills located outside Amsterdam. If you are in the Hague, Maudorodam is a miniature recreation of famous building sin Holland. Lonely Planet has some tours from Amsterdam that have neat sounding destinations. I love the D Day beaches. You could look for a tour of the beaches or try to work out transportation around the area in Bayeux or Caen. I think the beaches are hard to reach unless you haave a tour or a car. There is also a very moving Jewish Museum in Paris..... Not sure if that helps or not! Have a great time.
terry
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7886 posts
You should look at Rick's online rail travel guide - it's unlikely that a railpass is the cheapest way to go for your plan. But you have to work it out. Are you saying that you want ideas for trips out from Amsterdam or Paris that have a two-night stay in one place? I like that idea, I'm not trying to talk you out of it, it's just an uncommon idea. I do think you may have underestimated the distances involved in this area. But since many posters here (unwisely in my view) cherish the idea of a same-day runout from Paris to Mont St. Michel or the D-Day Beaches, you do have a wiser plan. I would also observe that (for example) if you buy a Mon-Sun Paris metro pass (especially if it goes out to Versailles), you don't want to be out of town much during that 7-day span. Have you already seen Paris?
Posted by
Rochelle, IL
263 posts
I agree with Tim on the railpass issue. You might want to check point to point tickets....I think that may be cheaper overall. Also, the D-Day beaches are not a one day trip from Paris. We tried, once, to do that and did manage to get to Omaha and Pointe du Hoc, but it was not easy and not practical. The next time we went we stayed three nights and explored the area at a leisure pace.