Although I will be in visiting in December, I absolutely love history, and have a particular fondness for medieval and/or renaissance architecture. In addition to Amsterdam, I plan on visiting Haarlem and Utrecht. So I will brave the cold, and try to see as much architecture as I can. I'd like to visit a castle too, but since its off season, I don't know how feasible that is.
Amsterdam, Haarlem and Utrecht aside, are there any other beautiful, and historic places I should visit?
Most Beautiful City in the Netherlands
Haarlem is awesome, got alot of great pics there, i think i prefer it to Amsterdam and would love to spend a few months++ there.
Amazing outdoor market there, i believe twice a week right below the old church ( sat and monday maybe, bit foggy ).
Best CS there imo is Empire Coffeeshop ( near market ).
The Haugue is worth a day trip as well, really cool looking city, both old and new.
Cafe Creamers is a nice CS in the Haugue and pretty uniquely setup .
Amazing outdoor market there, i believe twice a week right below the old church ( sat and monday maybe, bit foggy ).
Best CS there imo is Empire Coffeeshop ( near market ).
The Haugue is worth a day trip as well, really cool looking city, both old and new.
Cafe Creamers is a nice CS in the Haugue and pretty uniquely setup .
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Yes, Delft is a very nice small city, I lived there for 2 years so I know it well. Some parts are like a mini-Amsterdam, like you can see the same kinds of bridges, canals etc. but everything is smaller.
There is a medieval restaurant there called 'De Mol', worth looking up for dinner if you're with a few people. Its placed in a very old stone building and they serve some delicious roast meats there, like rabbit, chicken, wild boar, ribs etc. They also have non-meat options, and desserts.
There is a medieval restaurant there called 'De Mol', worth looking up for dinner if you're with a few people. Its placed in a very old stone building and they serve some delicious roast meats there, like rabbit, chicken, wild boar, ribs etc. They also have non-meat options, and desserts.
Zutphen - in Gelderland-take the cars out its a medeaval movie set
http://www.kijkopzutphen.nl/ check it out .
A few decent CSes .
Middelburg - in Zeeland - Unfortunately , no CSes open at the moment .Probably the most beautiful centrum we've come across.
's-Hertogenbosch - wacky ,cheerful,place . Decent CS scene.
Leeuwarden -not most beautiful ,nice enough though , and an awesome CS scene...historically as nice as ...
Delft ,which would be WAY down on our list , as a Golden Agey town ,a few blocks of touristy blue glass and yucky green canals .Nice main square ,but once you get away from that not very inspiring . Lousy CS scene. Would go back to Alkmaar, Zwolle, Breda, Maastricht, Groningen,Hoorn ,Deventer,Leiden,Haarlem, Harlingen, Amersfoort ...before Delft...
see pix in sig
Wherever you choose (well except Delft ) you'll see a mostly true Nederlands scene generally free of tourists ...happy trails
http://www.kijkopzutphen.nl/ check it out .
A few decent CSes .
Middelburg - in Zeeland - Unfortunately , no CSes open at the moment .Probably the most beautiful centrum we've come across.
's-Hertogenbosch - wacky ,cheerful,place . Decent CS scene.
Leeuwarden -not most beautiful ,nice enough though , and an awesome CS scene...historically as nice as ...
Delft ,which would be WAY down on our list , as a Golden Agey town ,a few blocks of touristy blue glass and yucky green canals .Nice main square ,but once you get away from that not very inspiring . Lousy CS scene. Would go back to Alkmaar, Zwolle, Breda, Maastricht, Groningen,Hoorn ,Deventer,Leiden,Haarlem, Harlingen, Amersfoort ...before Delft...
see pix in sig
Wherever you choose (well except Delft ) you'll see a mostly true Nederlands scene generally free of tourists ...happy trails
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99013904@N00/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Willjay
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An answer to your question, Muiderslot Castle.
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/placestogo ... 9a2efd1dec
Rotterdam has some very interesting post WW2 architecture
http://rotterdamholland.ca/ tourist info Rotterdam
You will not be disappointed by any of the mentioned cities and towns, enjoy your trip.
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/placestogo ... 9a2efd1dec
Rotterdam has some very interesting post WW2 architecture
http://rotterdamholland.ca/ tourist info Rotterdam
You will not be disappointed by any of the mentioned cities and towns, enjoy your trip.
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Kasteel Wittem about 20 miles outside Maastricht is nice but get the Tower Room if you go...
more info
there's a nice one up in the Gelderland area with a 9-hole golf course but i can't remember the name right now, sorry.
more info
there's a nice one up in the Gelderland area with a 9-hole golf course but i can't remember the name right now, sorry.
Donkey smell.
How you can seriously say that Alkmaar (I lived there near on a year), fucking 'Zwolle', Breda, Groningen, Hoorn of all places, Leiden, Haarlem, Den Bosch, and fuggin 'Amersfoort' are better than Delft, is beyond me...Epsilon wrote:Zutphen - in Gelderland-take the cars out its a medeaval movie set
http://www.kijkopzutphen.nl/ check it out .
A few decent CSes .
Middelburg - in Zeeland - Unfortunately , no CSes open at the moment .Probably the most beautiful centrum we've come across.
's-Hertogenbosch - wacky ,cheerful,place . Decent CS scene.
Leeuwarden -not most beautiful ,nice enough though , and an awesome CS scene...historically as nice as ...
Delft ,which would be WAY down on our list , as a Golden Agey town ,a few blocks of touristy blue glass and yucky green canals .Nice main square ,but once you get away from that not very inspiring . Lousy CS scene. Would go back to Alkmaar, Zwolle, Breda, Maastricht, Groningen,Hoorn ,Deventer,Leiden,Haarlem, Harlingen, Amersfoort ...before Delft...
see pix in sig
Wherever you choose (well except Delft ) you'll see a mostly true Nederlands scene generally free of tourists ...happy trails
It's easy Roker- Because I've been to them ALL,overnighted in them ALL ...and thats my feeling . My opinions are as a Yank ,albeit a hillbilly ,who finds the Netherlands as the perfect counterpoint to my usual pastoral existence...who has visited the NL since the 60s and lived for 7 years right across the border from Enschede (notice that one didn't make my list). Have visited all these towns in this last decade , and was last in Delft for a 3 night stay in July 09... Alkmaar for a 3 nighter in 08. Just liked the centrum area more . Nicer vibe, parkland ,and CSes.
Again - Once you get beyond the Main Squares theres little that I would consider beautiful about Delft anymore.
Since this IS a Coffeeshop site members should be made aware that delft has a piss-poor scene . 2 bona-fide shops where a visitor can buy , and sit and smoke their weed . (the Game and Vlouw, with the Game,during our visit, often being too crowded to sit). Delft is also a 7 day a week tourist town . I prefer a more local scene . Would avoid Alkmaar on Fridays though in the summer. The cheese market thing , but it clears out soon after. I suppose I could go on about the others ad nauseum , but an opinion was asked for , and I gave mine ,and would consider all more "beautiful" as destinations for a visitor than Delft.With Zutphen , Leeuwarden and den Bosch topping the list.
Again - Once you get beyond the Main Squares theres little that I would consider beautiful about Delft anymore.
Since this IS a Coffeeshop site members should be made aware that delft has a piss-poor scene . 2 bona-fide shops where a visitor can buy , and sit and smoke their weed . (the Game and Vlouw, with the Game,during our visit, often being too crowded to sit). Delft is also a 7 day a week tourist town . I prefer a more local scene . Would avoid Alkmaar on Fridays though in the summer. The cheese market thing , but it clears out soon after. I suppose I could go on about the others ad nauseum , but an opinion was asked for , and I gave mine ,and would consider all more "beautiful" as destinations for a visitor than Delft.With Zutphen , Leeuwarden and den Bosch topping the list.
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Thanks guys for all the great responses. Plenty for me to think about for the next 10 weeks until I go! With so many great places to see, and so little time (7 days, 8 nights). I will definitely need to plan a second trip. 
Definitely want to see the old church, and thanks for the heads up about Empire. I've noted that in my travel book.Iko wrote:Haarlem is awesome, got alot of great pics there, i think i prefer it to Amsterdam and would love to spend a few months++ there.
Amazing outdoor market there, i believe twice a week right below the old church ( sat and monday maybe, bit foggy ).
Best CS there imo is Empire Coffeeshop ( near market ).
The Haugue is worth a day trip as well, really cool looking city, both old and new. Cafe Creamers is a nice CS in the Haugue and pretty uniquely setup .
I can't believe I forgot about Delft with its trademark Delftware, and connection to Williem Van Oranje - William the Silent. Definitely, a must see. Thanks.Roker wrote:You'd love Delft...you can even visit the place Willem van Oranje is buried in the Oude Kerk and you can learn all about him...you can buy a pass that entitles entry to the three main churches, and you can go right to the top and get a great view...
I've never been to one of those. That sounds great, especially the wild boar.bleak wrote:There is a medieval restaurant there called 'De Mol', worth looking up for dinner if you're with a few people. Its placed in a very old stone building and they serve some delicious roast meats there, like rabbit, chicken, wild boar, ribs etc. They also have non-meat options, and desserts.
Wow. Definitely something I would be up for.Willjay wrote:An answer to your question, Muiderslot Castle.
I saw some pictures online of Middelburg, definitely has the character I want to see. Thanks for the suggestion.Epsilon wrote: Middelburg - in Zeeland - Unfortunately , no CSes open at the moment .Probably the most beautiful centrum we've come across.
