I recently added our Amsterdam experience in this thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/belgium-holland-tour-report
Haarlem, Netherlands
Our 11 day RS tour ended in Amsterdam where we said goodbye to our new friends & made our way to Haarlem for 2 more nights. We chose Carlton Square based on opinions in these forums. It didn't disappoint! Highly recommend! Our room was lovely w a balcony overlooking a quiet little park. The restaurant was also so v nice w/o being fru-fru.
Our main reason for Haarlem was to tour the Corrie Ten Boom Haus. Our reserved time was for the next day, 10am. We opted to walk around the town, shop a little & visit The St. Bavo Church at Grote Market. It's a very small fee for entrance & just a lovely experience w perhaps only 4 other people in the whole place. There's a wonderful little gift shop there, too. Unfortunately, there was a loud, obnoxious carnival set up in Grote market square. It certainly seemed out of place in that town. We had a lovely lunch in an eatery on a side street. Enjoyed our big anniversary dinner at the hotel restaurant that night. Our reservations didn't show up in their computer but the maitre d himself took us to a lovely table & served us all night. Fabulous evening. Great night's sleep. Good breakfast buffet the next morning. We walked to the CTB haus tour. It's a max of 14 people. DH & I both believe this experience was the most impactful of our entire trip. Not 1 of us had a dry eye an hour later. I highly recommend watching The Hiding Place movie and/or reading the book. Even if you don't do either, the guide was excellent in giving a thorough account of the families' story. Reservations are free. Just book ahead but if you're unable to get tix, they often have no shows & will accept walk ups if there's space. On our day, 4 spaces were available for those waiting in line w/out a ticket. We hired a car the next morning to get us to the Amsterdam airport for our flight home. DH discovered that we could register online for a time slot to go thru the security line. With a ressie, you bypass the queue. Extremely helpful!
Closing thoughts:
1.The people of both Belgium & Holland were some of the most courteous, kind people as a whole that we've ever encountered. Their work ethic was incredibly strong & it was often evident that those serving us wanted to do their best, whether a store, a restaurant, the hotels, museums. Great people.
2.Don't be a 'Mitzi' & overpack. Just don't. I should've known by now with this being my 3rd RS European tour that those heavy bags are just 100% a gigantic pain & I began wishing I could go back in time & grab those stupid items out of my hand while glaring & wagging my finger. If it's a maybe- then it's a NO. Period. If an item has even the slightest chance of being unnecessary on your trip, leave it at home. Stores have absolutely everything you could want. The only things I will pack that are not pivotal to my survival are OTC meds that I've not seen in EU. I'm going to Frankenstein my guidebooks, get official little pouches from the pharmacists & purchase 3 Merino wool tops, 2 merino pants for our September RS tour. DH & I are both committed to packing early & v little.
3.We're glad that we opted out of some items on the tour agenda. We made the right decision- for us. Yes, there was the part of my brain saying 'but you paid for this or that'. Poo. I'm tired & would rather go look at windmills w puffy white clouds on a beautiful day. I'm not sorry. Follow your desires whilst in that foreign country. You paid a bundle to get there. Allow yourself freedom.
4.We're all afraid of complaining & being that person that's dissatisfied. But, if something on the tour is bothering you, tell your guide in private with honey instead of vinegar. They really do want to help you have the best time possible.
5.Be kind while living your life to its fullest!
Thanks for reading!
Prost!
~Mitzi
Posted by
OP
183 posts
~Me again. No more space up there and I really wanted to add something...
I've been home for a month (ish) and I still recall a lot of the information the RS guide told us. Because they really were interesting facts and observations!
The issues I wrote about in my first part of the TR were my issues. The RS guide was really very good. The tour was good! We learned about the best style of touring for us. If you are a traditional tour type of person, Belgium & Holland are wonderful countries. I don't regret doing our tour. Someone said they'd reconsidered going on it based on my TR. I really would hate for someone to not go because of my personal experiences. Crowds can be avoided by picking a different month other than spring and tulip season.
that's it.
:)
Posted by
The Netherlands
2226 posts
Hi Mitzi, thanks for your report.
Please do mind though that the Dutch word for house is huis, not haus. Haus is German, not Dutch.
I hesitated to write this, but I’m honestly rather intrigued about this use of “haus” because you’re certainly not the first person on this forum to do so. Does RS write “Haus” in his guidebook by any chance?
Posted by
Arlington TX
1040 posts
Thanks for coming back for a wrap up. I so agree with your impressions of the people I met while in the Netherlands. So consistently friendly and helpful when needed and just real, never rote or automated from dealing with hundreds of tourists all day. I was lucky to be there in February. Many folks wouldn’t think February was lucky but after reading about your crowds during tulip season I’m very happy I’m choosing to be a winter visitor. The Rijksmuseum was just the right level of busy when I was there several times during my 10 days.
And we learn as we go when it comes to packing and travel so don’t be so hard on yourself. I recently weighed the suitcase I first took to Europe about 20 years ago. Suitcase alone is 12 lbs! Unbelievable. Next time I took less in the same suitcase; the next time new very small bag was 5lbs 3 ounces. Once you get there you never look back.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
17222 posts
Thanks for the ending to your trip! I think Saint Bavo's in Haarlem is a wonderful church. You may have seen this bit of trivia but Mozart played there when he was on a tour at age 10. That just blew me away when I heard that.
I'm glad you made it your trip instead of someone else's. It took me a few tours to realize I could do that. Mostly I opt out of stuff at the end of the day, hahaha as I am an early-bird!
Did you have a paper (or computer) packing list for this trip? I've gone thru mine after trips and written myself notes on what I did not use and why not to take it again. OR if unused why I SHOULD pack it anyway. Start your Fall packing list now when it's fresh!
On guidebooks, even though you get the free one when you are on a tour, I go ahead and buy the Kindle version so I have it on my phone and at my fingertips if needed. It doesn't bother me to spend $20 or whatever if I think it might be useful.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write up your TR and post! I've loved reading all of it!
@Lyndash - Oh my word! 12# for your suitcase? Yikes. I shudder to think what that suitcase weighed that I had which was like a trunk on wheels....long gone to the charity shop.
Posted by
1861 posts
Glad it so memorable. We took the tour in April 2024. We too extended our stay a couple of days and spent our last at the Corrie ten Boom huis, which we too considered a wonderful highlight. Haarlem is so charming. Along with spectacular weather throughout the entire trip. Keukenhof on a warm, sunny spring day was fantastic! Thanks for the report, and for bringing back fond memories for me.
Posted by
Haarlem, Netherlands
221 posts
The fun fair in Haarlem on the Grote Markt (two weeks in April) goes back well into the 19th century and even earlier. It could come across as out of place but it is well engrained into local traditions and something quite a few locals look forward to.
The fun fair tradition in North Holland—locally known as kermis—is a centuries-old cultural institution deeply rooted in medieval market gatherings and neighborhood celebrations. Far from being just temporary amusement parks, these fairs are protected pieces of Dutch cultural heritage.
And do live your live to the fullest!!!!
Posted by
Lexington, KY (formerly Southeast US)
4685 posts
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I was in Amsterdam for a week in late April. The Corrie Ten Boom House (I'll just go English!) was the highlight of the trip for me. I loved it.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
17222 posts
@Barney_NL, that is an interesting bit of historic trivia about the fun fair!
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2630 posts
Yes, thank you for the explanation Barney. I was in Haarlem during one of the weeks the fair was up and was wondering about it. I will just have to return to Haarlem to experience the Grote Markt at a calmer time! On the other hand, I saw the flower floats when they were in town.
Posted by
SF Bay Area
1389 posts
Great report, Mitzi. I really want to get to the Netherlands. What tour are you taking in September?