Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nightlife
is your guide to Amsterdam's evening fun, includ-
ing music, comedy, movies, and cruises.
Chapters such as
Delft and The Hague, Near Arnhem,
and
Dutch Day Trips
covers small towns and destinations (such as
Dutch open-air folk museums) in the Netherlands.
Transportation Connections
covers how to get to nearby
destinations by train and bus, and includes information on getting
to and from the airports.
he
History
chapter gives you a quick overview of Dutch and
Belgian history and a timeline of major events.
he
appendix
is a traveler's tool kit, with a handy packing
checklist, recommended books and films, instructions on how
to use the telephone, and useful phone numbers. You'll also find
detailed information on driving and public transportation, as well
as a climate chart, festival list, a hotel reservation form, and Dutch
and French survival phrases.
hroughout this topic, when you see a
J
in a listing, it means
that the sight is covered in much more depth in a self-guided walk
or one of my museum tours—a page number will tell you just
where to look to find more information.
Browse through this topic and select your favorite sights.
Then have a great trip! Traveling like a temporary local and taking
advantage of the information here, you'll get the absolute most out
of every mile, minute, and euro. As you visit places I know and
love, I'm happy you'll be meeting some of my favorite Europeans.
PLAnninG
Trip Costs
Five components make up your trip cost: airfare, surface trans-
portation, room and board, sightseeing and entertainment, and
shopping and miscellany.
Airfare:
A basic, round-trip, US-to-Amsterdam flight costs
$750-1,400 (cheaper in winter), depending on where you fly from
and when. While you can often save time in Europe by f lying
“open jaw” (into one city and out of another), if you're sticking to
the Low Countries, you're never more than about three hours from
Amsterdam's or Brussels' international airports.
Surface Transportation:
If you're just touring Amsterdam,
Bruges, Brussels, and nearby day-trip destinations, you're best off
enjoying the region's excellent and affordable train system. Trains
leave at least hourly between each of the cities. It costs about $55
for a ticket from Amsterdam to Brussels or to Bruges. If you plan to
vent ure far ther a ield, you may want a rental l car. Driv ing in the Low
Countries is flat-out easy (figure $750 per person—based on two
people sharing—for a three-week car rental, gas, and insurance).
