Trophywife007

We’re planning a trip to the Netherlands during the last half of May 2023 and will be there 17 nights. My thought was that we’d begin by spending about 6 nights in Amsterdam. After Amsterdam we’re interested in Helene Kroller-Muller art museum inside Hoge Veluwe National Park due to the Van Gogh paintings. Is Utrecht the best place from which to visit there for a day trip? I was thinking perhaps 3 nights in Utrecht… please advise.

Additionally, I was wondering if it was a good idea to base in one place from which to make trips covering The Hague, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk and Delft… 5 or 6 nights? Which out of The Hague, Rotterdam or Delft would be best for a base?

Then Haarlem for 2 or 3 nights and leave from there back to Schiphol.

These are just the broad strokes for now – we’d definitely be open to other suggestions such as interesting towns/places to see. We visited the Netherlands a very long time ago and it was pretty rushed so we’re hoping to have a more in-depth visit this time.

We like slow travel and are interested in mainly art for this trip, but obviously be including other things. I know we’re leaving out lots of other areas (such as the area that was the Zuiderzee?) but I think we’ll need reserve them for when we might rent a car.

Thanks in advance.

Michael

You might find my trip report of some interest: Trip Report: Amsterdam and Antwerp, May-June 2014

I would not rule out train travel to Enkhuizen which has an outdoor village and a ship museum as well as a whole fleet of old sailing vessels:

https://flic.kr/p/ofCAdB https://flic.kr/p/oyRA5R
Haarlem is just a day's outing from Amsterdam:

https://flic.kr/p/ofCSXP https://flic.kr/p/ofDKED

bilboburgler

You might find this 15 day Dutch cycling trip 22, post (?) Covid, post Brexit possible food for thought

lavandula

I think Utrecht is not a bad place to base for a few days ... access to the Kroeller-Mueller would be OK from there, others would have trodden that path. When I visited the museum I was staying with relatives and came from Doorwerth, which is the Arnhem side of the museum. I don't recommend Arnhem, it didn't come out of the war well. Utrecht, on the other hand, is very pretty, although quite expensive for accommodation, which is just how things are in the Netherlands. But thoroughly worthwhile, and very central. If you were to stay in Den Haag or Rotterdam, well, much of a muchness in terms of distance to other sights. Menachem comes from Rotterdam, he might be able to give you a few tips there.

Delft is gorgeous but small. It's just a dormitory suburb to Den Haag, though, very quick on the train. Check prices in both Den Haag and Delft and see what is better priced.

Lavandula

hetismij2

I wouldn't stay in Utrecht. It is OK for a day trip but it is having a lot of problems with petty criminals - mostly I am sad to say illegal immigrants with no right to stay in the Netherlands but no way to deport them around the station and in the centre.

For Kroller Muller and Hoge Veluwe if you don't want to stay nearer the park, in Otterlo for instance, then look at Apeldoorn. You can get a bus from there. Maybe visit Paleis 't Loo while in Apeldoorn: https://paleishetloo.nl/en

You seem to be concentrating very much on the well trodden path as far as the Netherlands goes, so at least Apeldoorn gets you a bit away from the Holland provinces.

hetismij2

I should have added that it takes a good couple of hours to get to the Kroller Muller from Utrecht by public transport, another reason not to stay there.
It is not much longer timewise to go from Amsterdam tbh.
If you can ride a bike pick up a couple of free bikes to ride through the park if the weather is nice. Just be aware they are very basic and once you leave them in the racks anyone can take them, so you may not end up with the same bike. You can also hire blue bikes, with a lock or even electric bikes from the centre of the park.
https://www.hogeveluwe.nl/en/plan-yo...ycling/cycling

Also don't forget you have to pay to enter the national park as well as the museum.

mike1728

A quick query shows trains running from Utrecht to Arnhem/Kroller-Muller in 1 hour 13 min which is very doable. Return afternoon trains at 90 minutes. (Those are about my time limits for day trips by rail). if the destination is something you truly desire, those are decent time durations. Utrecht as a base? Spent 5 nights in Utrecht a few years back and absolutely loved it. Yes, there was some riff raff near the train station (we actually saw a large contingent of police arresting an individual who was part of a group of undesirables) but that is unfortunately common in large city train stations although absolutely not a reason to alter your holiday plans. Amersfoort is a short train ride from Utrecht and we loved it.
The Hague is also a great location for day trips you referenced and a beautiful destination itself. You referenced art as a main goal for your trip and the The Maurithuis in The Hague is amongst the finest art museums in all of Europe in my opinion. Basing in The Hague also gives you a break from culture and a good time to enjoy a day walking the beach area of Scheveningen.

HappyTrvlr

We found Leiden to be a great base for day trips.

hetismij2

Utrecht today is very different to Utrecht 5 years ago. These people are violent, not "riff raff" but violent packs, with nothing to lose. The police do their best but it is a really difficult situation.

Apeldoorn offers 't Loo as I said, in addition to bus access to Hoge Veluwe. It is a nice town and has a good museum too.
Utrecht is an easy day trip from anywhere as it is the centre of the railway system if you want the museums, but honestly i wouldn't stay there.

menachem

I'm in Utrecht often, also evenings, for meetings. I don't recognize at all what you are writing here. I also don't like the "it's the illegal immigrants" angle.

That being said, I agree that Apeldoorn is not the best place to visit Kröller-Müller from. Usually when we go we take the train to Ede Wageningen and get on the bus there, but Apeldoorn is just as valid. Its train station is closer to the town, and Het Loo (the palace, beautiful gardens and a forest park with springs) is also a good place to visit.

If I had to choose where to base myself to visit The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam, it would be Delft. The centre is nearly car free, it has a number of small hotels, usually on a canal and you have a good choice of restaurants and cafes because it's a student town. Delft - The Hague is 15 minutes by frequent train, or half an hour by the tram that connects Delft and The Hague along the Vliet. Delft - Rotterdam is 15 minutes by train too. From there you have easy access to the city for a visit, including the waterbus to Kinderdijk and its array of mills.

Amsterdam is a fantastic base for excursions into North Holland. Enkhuizen has been mentioned already, but Hoorn too is beautifully preserved. Bonus suggestion: the village of De Rijp. https://dutchreview.com/culture/hist...ce-of-holland/
Amsterdam central is also a public transport hub with great bus options, to the island of Marken for instance. A walk around the island, visiting the "wharfs" and its lighthouse The Horse, is a great day out.

lavandula

Oh, what a shame about Utrecht, it is / was such a lovely city. I am sorry, I had no idea. Just goes to show places can change very quickly. I have not been there for about 5 years myself. Good that we have local knowledge here!

Lavandula

Trophywife007

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I'm still processing all the information, reading trip reports, etc.

Re. the Kröller-Muller visit: in checking around for places to stay, I stumbled across Amersfoort. It looks like it would be a good place to do a day trip to the K-M plus there are things to see there. Thoughts?

Checking out Het Loo, as well.

Thanks

VANAARLE

ValkenburgThe issue with petty criminals is all over the Netherlands. Not just Utrecht. Look up in Dutch with ruzie met een steekwapen or Aanhouding na schietincident.
The Police website is just one illustration
https://www.politie.nl/nieuws
You just have to be aware of your surroundings, like any other European city.
The advice about getting to Kroller Muller, from Utrecht is not correct. This official public travel planner says it is only
https://9292.nl/en/journeyadvice/sta...xAddress=False
I would recommend this travel planner to every vacationer.
https://9292.nl/
I would also suggest you have a look at less traveled locations like Valkenburg https://www.holland.com/global/touri...an-de-geul.htm and Maastricht https://www.holland.com/global/touri...maastricht.htm
Maybe Eindhoven https://www.holland.com/global/touri.../eindhoven.htm It is just that bit different to those same old same old suggestions.

Trophywife007

Once again thank you to all responders.

Michael, your photography is always inspiring and I appreciated your assessments of the museums in Amsterdam. We have quite a list going and I know we’ll have to prioritize.

Bilbo, you included a lot of smaller places that are worth looking into and we will do so. I will say that the picture of the cheese in Gouda stands out!

Lavendula: You always have good advice and I appreciate your take on the logistics and your advice on Arnhem.

Hetismij2: Thank you for the points on Utrecht and I’m looking at Otterlo for lodging.

Mike1728: I appreciate your comments re. train connections from Den Haag and the Maurithuis.

HappyTrvlr: We’re looking into Leiden, thank you.

Menachem: I always appreciate an alternative viewpoint and of course, Delft looks charming. The train connections are valuable to know.

Vanaarle: Thanks for the link – I’ve been using it to find connection times and I’ll be checking out your other suggestions, too.

If there are other thoughts or suggestions, I'm happy to hear about them. Thanks for your contributions!