Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Brugge

We are on the Century next year that leaves from Rotterdam. Would it be reasonable to fly into Amsterdam for a day ahead and when returning go to Brugge for a night and then leave from Brussels. How far is it by train? Is Brugge something we could do as a day trip from Amsterdam and stay there an extra day? Would this all be too much traveling? Should we just go in and out of Amsterdam and forget Brugge? Thanks for any thoughts.

We are on the Century next year that leaves from Rotterdam. Would it be reasonable to fly into Amsterdam for a day ahead ...

I would arrive two or three days in advance if you want to explore Amsterdam. If you've got time come a week early to see more of the Netherlands (Rotterdam, Utrecht, Edam, Alkmaar ...;*http://www2.holland.com/us/).

...and when returning go to Brugge for a night and then leave from Brussels. How far is it by train? Is Brugge something we could do as a day trip from Amsterdam and stay there an extra day?

It takes about 3 1/2 hours to get from Amsterdam CS to Brugge (and about 2 1/2 hours from Rotterdam) so it's too far for a daytrip (http://www.b-rail.be/nat/E/index.php). But it certainly isn't a problem to go there for a day or two and then leave from Brussels.

Would this all be too much traveling? Should we just go in and out of Amsterdam and forget Brugge?

Well, that's for you to decide: how much time can you spend in the Netherlands and Belguim, how badly do you want to go to Brugge. ;)

There is probably enough to see and do in and around Amsterdam.

Various museums incl. Ann Frank's house, make a boattrip through the canals, visit Zaanse Schans with still working renovated windmills, go to Volendam and Marken, Flowerauction in Aalsmeer etc.

check :

http://www.vvvamsterdam.nl/

http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=1&lid=1&setlanguage=2

http://www.zaanseschans.nl/EN.html

Or on your way to Rotterdam, the nice old city of Delft with "Delft Blue".

http://www.delft.nl/webEN/

I flew into Amsterdam last year, and back home from Brussels...

I spent about 1.5 days in Amsterdam, and had to make a schedule beforehand so I could go to all the museums and places I wanted to visit. I wouldn't recommend less than two days in there.

Brugge is easily accessible from Brussels, so I would recommend you to spend at least three days in those two cities combined... I felt somewhat hurried to go to Brugge for just the nine hour trip, and could have easily spent another day in there.

The best plan would be to go to all of the cities for a few days, but I realise that might not be possible... :D

It would be a real shame to miss out Bruges / Brugge though, it is so beautiful.

Jane

x

How far is it between Brugge and Brussels? Are there frequent trains between them both?

The distance is around 80 miles, and there are trains to take you every half hour all through the week according to www.b-rail.be . The trip will take just under an hour.

Does anyone know if we can see windmills without leaving the Amsterdam city center? I really want to see the windmills but don't want to have to take an excursion just for that.

Thank you for any information.

Does anyone know if we can see windmills without leaving the Amsterdam city center? I really want to see the windmills but don't want to have to take an excursion just for that.

If you really want to see the windmills, it's worth taking an excursion to Zaanse Schans (from Amsterdam) or Kinderdijk (from Rotterdam).

There are a few options inside Amsterdam: http://www.amsterdam.info/windmills/

To get to Zaanse Schans is easy from Amsterdam. Take bus 391 from Centraal Station, it stops close to Zaanse Schans.

Or take a train to Koog-Zaandijk, walk for about 15 minutes.

Entrance to Zaanse Schans is free, you only pay if you want to see the inside of the windmills.

http://www.zaanseschans-museum.nl/eng/home.php