Any tips or suggestions for 4-6 days in the Netherlands.

[p--and--t]

Very early days, but planning a cruise departing Rottadam in late July 2026 and thinking we would have a pre cruise mini break in the Netherlands.

Been there once before a looong time ago but only 36 hours, we were hand held, and mainly in Amsterdam.

Getting there, things to do, getting about, organised tours?, where to stay are all on the explore options list if AFFers have some suggestions they would like to make.

 

[Cruise Luxury]

Very early days, but planning a cruise departing Rottadam in late July 2026 and thinking we would have a pre cruise mini break in the Netherlands.

Been there once before a looong time ago but only 36 hours, we were hand held, and mainly in Amsterdam.

Getting there, things to do, getting about, organised tours?, where to stay are all on the explore options list if AFFers have some suggestions they would like to make.

Would you consider Belgium instead?

Perhaps fly into Brussels, head straight to Bruges, followed by Ghent, then Antwerp, then onto Rotterdam. All doable by train.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Rather than a long reply here, you can check out my notes on Netherlands (and Belgium) in this trip report, starting at post 66.

 

[p--and--t]

Would you consider Belgium instead?

Perhaps fly into Brussels, head straight to Bruges, followed by Ghent, then Antwerp, then onto Rotterdam. All doable by train.

I have an open mind.

Not booked or committed to anything yet. If we take the cruise then that is an anchor of depart Rottadam July 25th.

Spent a full day on organised tour in Bruges before, not been to Antwerp or Ghent.

Only effectively had a day in Amsterdam previously and didn't manage a single museum due to other commitments (& lack of prebooked tickets)

Train or organised tours would be fine /preferred and planning to do that for the whole of our journeys in Switzerland and France this year.

(Renting a car is a two edged sword as generally I want to be relaxing looking around, but a car provides a heap of flexibility.)

 

[Captain Halliday]

Train or organised tours would be fine /preferred and planning to do that for the whole of our journeys in Switzerland and France this year.

Paris and parts of Switzerland Via train also covered in the TR I linked if that of use to you.

 

[p--and--t]

Paris and parts of Switzerland Via train also covered in the TR I linked if that of use to you.

Thanks

 

[RooFlyer]

The Begijnhof, close to the Amsterdam Museum, a lovely green square lined with quaint houses and several churches going back to the 1600s. A bit hard to find - the square (totally enclosed) is entered by one of two doorways through outside buildings.

Rijksmuseum - obviously. It reopened in 2013 after a 10 year upgrade and restoration job.