The Hague or Rotterdam?

[everydayis420]

Hi all

I'm planning a cycle tour through Europe this summer, and of course the first stop on my journey is my beloved Amsterdam. However, i'm considering making a detour en route to either The Hague or Rotterdam to enjoy some different vibes and some cheaper Bud!

I'm yet to visit either city so i'm interested to see what peoples experiences of both are like?

I'd like to have a few touristy things to do/see, but most importantly i want to find some nice shops to buy and smoke in, preferably with some great deals on bud as i'm going to need plenty for the road!
So, The Hague or Rotterdam??

Apologies if i'm posting out of place, but i'm a virgin so be nice!

ps. any recommendations on cycle friendly camp sites would be very much welcome

[Colino]

Hi all

I'm planning a cycle tour through Europe this summer, and of course the first stop on my journey is my beloved Amsterdam. However, i'm considering making a detour en route to either The Hague or Rotterdam to enjoy some different vibes and some cheaper Bud!

I'm yet to visit either city so i'm interested to see what peoples experiences of both are like?

I'd like to have a few touristy things to do/see, but most importantly i want to find some nice shops to buy and smoke in, preferably with some great deals on bud as i'm going to need plenty for the road!
So, The Hague or Rotterdam??
Apologies if i'm posting out of place, but i'm a virgin so be nice!

ps. any recommendations on cycle friendly camp sites would be very much welcome

Avoid Rotterdam, really shite. This summer I had a tour around the NL by bike and really enjoyed and visited lot of cities. Den hague is really nice and has a nice coffeeshop scene, Delft too is only few km from den hague and really amazing city. Utrecht too is very nice and has a nice coffeeshop scene

[everydayis420]

Thanks for the recommendations Colino, i've been hearing similar things about Rotterdam today. Plus i've found a great little surf village to camp at near Den Hague ( http://www.fastthehague.com ) So, Den Hague it is.

I'm definatly planning on visiting Utercht already, have you been to Nijmegen out of interest?

[Colino]

Thanks for the recommendations Colino, i've been hearing similar things about Rotterdam today. Plus i've found a great little surf village to camp at near Den Hague ( http://www.fastthehague.com ) So, Den Hague it is.

I'm definatly planning on visiting Utercht already, have you been to Nijmegen out of interest?

not been there, i stopped few hours in gouda on the way to utrecht and gouda too looks nice. if you are having the trip by bike the paths from rotterdam to utrecht is some on the most beautiful part of the NL, highly recomended and the way is easy to find as directions are well visible

[RvanSteensel]

the hague

[Willjay]

Rotterdam has some very interesting post WW2 modern architecture, and a few working mans and woman coffee shops. My favorite, though I haven't been in years, is De Koffieshop, Halstraat 10a. used to have a deal ready for the local fly and buy hanging on the wall behind the counter. If you are to young don't try, if you look young have ID ready it's a "blue collar" shop, and does not get a lot of tourists and that's what I like about it.

[gimmeshelter]

I just came back from Rotterdam on a quick purchase day-trip from Belgium, first time in years. They keep making us go further and further north. There's a non stop direct train from Brussels now so Rotterdam would qualify as a virtual southern border town.
It's definitely not quaint old Dutch and the chaotic construction work around the station is disorienting. I went to two coffeshops, although I had many more on my list. Both are no more than a 15 minute walk from the station and in that walk there were at least 4 others that I passed by. I walked into Pluto and the dealer is right there behind a glass window all modern and techno. I bought some Choco Haze at 11eur/gr and 1.3 gr SuperPolm for 10 eur. I have not smoked any of that yet, but the service was friendly, and it smells and looks good, although the haze buds are smallish. I did not go into the coffeeshop proper.
I then went to a place called Man Camarade, run by very friendly Morrocans, with much better prices. I purchased some White Snow, which they said was a new strain at 8 euros/gram and some Zerozero hash for 8 a gram as well. I have only tried the zerozero for now and it is great kickass hash.
I didn't come acroos DeKoffieshop mentioned by WillJay, will look for it on a next trip. It was just around noon and both places were quite busy.
I was pleasantly surprised by Rotterdam. It seemed more authentically Dutch and people more genuine and friendly. I recommend it, but don't expect tulips and clogs and gouda.

[Jesscass]

I agree with Colino. Haven't been to Rotterdam yet(despite all bad reviews there is a trip planned for 2013 though ). Den Hague is lovely(been there in May and November this year), lots of green spaces, the beach and a nice coffeeshop scene(definately check out Dizzy Duck and Cremers there.). Will go again.

I have been to Nijmegen a couple of times over the years(just have been about a week ago for a mini-break of some days ). Charming place, also lots of green spaces and a nice coffeeshop scene. In general the shops offer ok weed and hash(tend to have better hash). Weedwise they tend to sell no premium buds(smaller ones,leafy, not that appealing)but at very reasonable prices(you will hardly find any coffeeshop there charging more than 10€ for a gram of weed.) Hashish is also very reasonably priced(most expensive is 15€. Not saying this is cheap.).Most places(have been to all of them) are really big in comparison to Amsterdam.

If you're into hashish you have to visit Kruidentuin! Lovely place owned by a moroccan family, it's really hash heaven and one of the very best places nationwide! They offer about 10 sorts of hashish(afghan, gold maroc, huismerk, cristal, top polm(6,5€), twisla(7€/g), paki(8€), manali(8€), caramello(9€), chocolat(10€) and nougat(12,50€ if outstanding(!)15€). The stuff I remember the price I often tried and the quality is at least good. They seem to never change their menu. Weedwise they offer four strains: Shiva(7,5€), Santa Maria(8,5€), Turbo K(9€) and Haze(10€). Tried them all and they were good enough. On top of all there is a lovely house cat(female)and they do serve fresh moroccan mint tea.

I also like Kronkel for atmosphere(huge menu of beverages and soft drinks). Their menu is relatively big, too. Dakota is a great place as well. Good prices as well.

Better stay away from Dreadlock and Jetset(located same small street as Kronkel, more of take away places.). The other coffeeshops are better in my humble opinion and you can't really go wrong there..

If you're going there have fun(where ever you go) and report back if possible !