The Netherlands travel mid April

I must have missed the question, Carolyn. What is it please?

Most good guidebooks, include Steves, cover the question of "must sees" very well. Steves uses the 1, 2, and 3 diamonds. Try to see all the 3 diamonds and some of the twos as time permits. Also check out his DVDs for that area. Bring a rain jacket, long underwear, and an umbrella, it can be very cool and rainy at that time.

Just wondered if any must sees that Rick Steves doesn't mention. We are really interested in seeing the flowers. Anyone that has done the tours to these do they suggest a specific one to go on or go on your own....rent a car possibly. Not a lot in Rick Steves about this. We are using Rick Steves but there is not a lot on this area and places to stay. Wondered if Haarlem was a good choice for a base.

Haarlem is cute, less expensive than Amsterdam; depends on what you want to see as to whether it is a better base. When I research a trip I go to the library and read several guidebooks, noting what sounds interesting to me. I then try to narrow the sightseeing to just a few days activities. I usually book RS hotels and use his books for transportation tips,but make sure I'm not missing other things by reading other guidebooks. Then I buy the ones that have the most useful information. The above post mentioning the diamond rating in the RS book would be a great start. If it is your first trip to the Netherlands I'd stay in Amsterdam instead, take the train out to Markendam or Volendam or Haarlem or Delft for some contrast to the city.

If renting a car remember that Dutch traffic can move slowly sometimes and that the speed limit on Snelwegs and Motorways is relatively low. Also understand that in addition to automobile roads and sidewalks there is usually another bicycle road on one or both sides of the road with its own traffic lights. >>Bicycles have the ultimate right of way over motorized traffic and if you hear the bell move out of the way. Same for pedestrians on the bicycle roads. Broms, little mopeds also can use the bicycle roads. Trams have the right of way over cars. Don't, don't don't try to park in Amsterdam. Especially near canals - which are everywhere.

Not going to drive. Use mopeds, tours, trains, buses. T
hanks for the advice. Really interested in the flowers...so will stay in Haarlem and take train, etc into Amsterdam for visits. Thanks to everyone of the advice.

Didn't read through all the answers but just want to tell you that you can get to Keukenhof from Haarlem via public transportation. No need to take a tour, save your money. (Been twice, loved it.) However, do go really early, right at opening time; the tour buses start rolling in pretty soon thereafter. Right when they open it's not so crowded. The park is beautiful, huge, mature trees just leafing out and the flowers planted beneath.

Planning on Haarlem, flowers and Amsterdam in about the same time. Keukenhof has a great web site. We got tickets on line but I assume there is no problem when you get there. April 20th there is the annual flower parade. Keukenhof mentions that you can leave the gardens to go to the parade and come back in.

The on thing I would add is that even if you were not planning on using mopeds, I would warn you that the Netherlands in April will not only be on the cool side, it will be wiiindy. So dress appropraitely for a course in wind chill factor. Have a good time.

The statement about the wind isn't wrong. But we have also been in Haarlem for the Bloemencorso in t-shirts and shorts, even went paddling at Zandfort.

Hi Carolyn, I'm envious! We did this several years ago - stayed right on the square in Haarlem (Saturday morning market was nice!) and took the train into Amsterdam. It was December, so we did not go to see flowers so I cannot help you there, but I loved the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. We also saw the Anne Frank house and Rijksmuseum. We just took the city buses from the train station and then took the train back to Haarlem and used the Rick Steves guide book. Have fun! Be sure and see St. Bavo's organ (the huge church on the square in Haarlem). Susan

Great information. I appreciate all of your tips. Carolyn

Just for an incidental comment: bicycle traffic DOES NOT have automatically r.o.w. over cars here in The Netherlands. That is a common misconception that gets tourists venturing off the major areas in trouble from time to time. Bikes are subject to specific signaling. In many cities, they have their own traffic lights. In many crossings, they must give way (this is signed with a yield sign placed on the bike path). In some, they have r.o.w. and that is signed as well. Automatic r.o.w. for bikes is applicable only in "Zone 30" areas. Parking in central Amsterdam can cost as little as € 20/day if you pay in advance. No big deal (except the cost) actually. Except for obnoxious tourists ignoring all traffic laws on their bikes sometimes (I drive there often, it is the only place where I've had close calls with cyclists ignoring MY r.o.w. or open light). ========== Flower fields: the flower fields of the Prumerand area (north of Amsterdam) are more interesting for me because you can get closer to them on back roads. Cars are a must, though. Then, there is Keukenhof where you see all flowers organized in a giant garden park.