Traveling to Holland and Belgium

Parent Cafe
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<p>Well, a lot of what I got from you guys was lost, but now that I have a more specific focus I can learn more. This is a continuation of my Traveling in Europe thread.</p>

<p>I’m traveling in Europe the second half of this May for about 12 days and I’m looking for any advice or stories that you have. I’m going with one other person, we are both 18. Money isn’t too tight, but we definetly need to be reasonable and frugal. We are flying into Amsterdam then taking the train to Belgium, we will set up in Bruges as a hub for about 6 nights. We will then go back to Amsterdam and set up there for about 6 nights, then we’ll fly back to the states.</p>

<p>We are going to get a Eurail pass that covers Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemborg, and Germany and I would appreciate any advice on day trips in those areas. In Amsterdam we are following the advice of a poster to the original thread and hopefully staying at the Bulldog Hostel (thanks for the suggestion). </p>

<p>We know of a few things we want to do, like see Boom Chicago, the Heineken Experience, and the bigger museums, but we need some help. Where else should we go? What places have rich histories and/or good art and architecture? What’s just a cool city? What travel books should we use (following another tip on here I looked at Rick Steve’s, it was really good). Where should we eat? Any general travel tips? This is our first time traveling abroad without family or school. Anything else? Thanks.</p>

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<p>I shouldn’t say this but when in Rome . . . At least have a cold brew at a brown bar (you are an adult there) and at least have a coffee (real coffee) at a coffee shop, and in terms of the 2 Red Light Districts I suggest at least a stroll (however be advised that in some areas the girl is really a boy and don’t take pictures or you may end up being thrown into the canal). Go early to Boom Chicago as they fill the tables in the order you arrive (reservations necessary). I think that it is at least the 1 and 2 trolly to Leidsplein (this is where Boom Chicago is). Don’t waste your money on the wax museum at Dam square.</p>

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<p>If you visit Brussels, be sure to go to the Rugbyman #2 restaurant and order a Rugbyman Special. It’s the best lobster I’ve ever eaten.</p>

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<p>In Amsterdam, don’t miss the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. These are MUST SEES and are worth half a day each. (I understand the Rijksmuseum is under renovation but major works are still on display.) After that you can pick and choose according to your interest. Many people like the Ann Frank House. This is a good website with museum details:
<a href=“http://www.amsterdammuseums.nl/eng/museums/index.htm[/url]”>http://www.amsterdammuseums.nl/eng/museums/index.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>In Brussels don’t miss the Musee des Beaux Arts for the Bruegel collection and Van Eyck’s altarpiece in Ghent.</p>

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<p>what airline are you flying to amsterdam? my daughter and friends are going in July.</p>

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<p>I want to give you a general tip. A taxi is very expensive in Amsterdam, and you don’t need them. When you get to the main area at Schipol there are kiosks for the train to Central Station, but they are only in dutch. On the far side of the main area there are windows for train tickets and they all speak english. The trains are right there at the airport and leave at regular intervals. They are inexpensive and it is only several stops to Central Station. Once at Central Station (and this will be your hub if you take a train to Brussels, Cologne, Paris, ect.) buy your pass for the trolly’s and find where you want to go on a map. There are internet sites for the train system in Amsterdam.</p>

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<p>

Absolutely agree with momrath on this. Get the earphones for an English description of the paintings. Look for the City of Amsterdam museum. Small but interesting.</p>

<p>Also in Amsterdam take a canal boat tour and go to the Anne Frank house. If you are Jewish there are also a couple of very old, and reconstructed, synagogues to tour. The Nazi’s devastated the Jewish [population of the Netherlands. Finally, sit at a table outside and just look at the passing crowd. Be careful of bicyclists and trolley cars when crossing the street.</p>

<p>Coming in from the airport we were able to take a hotel bus that dropped us right by the Marriott where were staying.</p>

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<p>I suggest reviewing using Bruges as a hub; I think Brussels may be better. Bruges is very charming, but I can’t imagine being there for more than 2 days at most.<br>
When in Belgium, be sure to get your daily dose of beer and chocolate; they have the best. I highly recommend Trappist beer.
I was in Amsterdam this summer, and the Rijksmuseum was being renovated, but they had an exhibit which was essentially the ‘best of Rijksmuseum’, and it was excellent.</p>

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<p>In Brussels take a tour bus to get the lay of the land. Walk around the town square. </p>

<p>As a Federal government employee I enjoyed being in Brussels since I thought it had more governmental organizations, international, military, European, Belgian, and local, than anyplace in the world.</p>

<p>And by the way, Brussels felt a lot more “foreign” than Amsterdam. My guess is that there is a whole lot more English spoken in the latter than the former, which uses French and Flemish.</p>