When talking about Tulip Gardens or Countryside Windmills, the first thing that comes to mind is the beautiful Netherlands. To see the gorgeous countryside of Holland is everyone’s dream. Nothing is like walking alongside the vibrant Tulip Gardens or watching windmills at the horizon touching the sky. But there are more from this dutch country.
Do you know that the Netherlands is also famous for its cheese markets, wooden shoes, the Canals of Amsterdam, millions of bicycles and its eye-captivating delft blue pottery?
The Netherlands is a tiny but beautiful country.
How about travel across this beautiful country on a train?
Train journeys are the most relaxing and enjoyable mode of travelling. You can sit and relax by the window and watch the changing vista. You can stretch your legs, make new friends, and enjoy the scenery. You see more and know more about a new country you travel to. You can take frequent breaks and hop on to many cities if you want to travel and see more places. Train journeys are also an environment-friendly mode of travelling.
Here is how Susmita spent her time in The Netherlands and how she travelled across the country on the train.
Itinerary
Day
1:
Arrival in Amsterdam
Arrival at Amsterdam. Pick-up from the Airport and transfer to the hotel.
Day
2:
Amsterdam to Hellevoetsluis
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and head to Amsterdam Central Railway Station. The NS Railway will take you to Rotterdam in 40 minutes. From Rotterdam, make your way to Metro Railway station and start for Hellevoetsluis.
Arrive at Hellevoetsluis and check in at the hotel. Spend the day as per your desire.
Day
3:
Hellevoetsluis City Exploration
On this day, explore Hellevoetsluis. A beautiful and a little less touristy town is Hellevoetsluis. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy slow travelling by visiting Hellevoetsluis Lighthouse, Lightship 12 Noord Hinder, Fortress Church, and Kinderboerderij De Kerkestee. Or you can rent a bike to take advantage of your time in this beautiful town.
Day
4:
Hellovutious to Rotterdam
After breakfast, check out from the Hotel. You can spend your time in this city till evening and then depart for Rotterdam.
Arrive in Rotterdam and check in at the Hotel.
Day
5:
Rotterdam City Exploration
On this day, explore Rotterdam. Mesmerising Rotterdam has many things to offer to its visitors. There are plenty of places that you can visit. Possible sightings that you can take up are visiting Cube Houses, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, and Market Hall. You can take a Waterbus Ride to visit Rotterdam’s Harbour.
Visit The Euromast and get an excellent view of Rotterdam.
Fancy some luxurious moments at 100 meters above the grounds? Reserve your table at Euromast. No matter what your preference is, brunch, lunch, high tea, dinner and wine, this place has to offer great food with the best view.
The metropolitan city of Rotterdam has a vibrant nightlife, and enthralling walking routes of the town will leave you in awe and visiting this city is truly for everyone.
Day
6:
Rotterdam to Gauda
On this day, take a day tour to Gauda. After breakfast, start your tour. Reach Rotterdam Central Station by 9:00 AM and catch your train to Gauda. It will take 45 minutes to reach Gauda Centrum, and you will have plenty of time till evening to explore Gauda.
Visit the world-famous Gauda Cheese Market. 60% of Dutch Cheese is produced at Gauda and its surrounding areas. That is why Gauda is also known as Cheese Valley. Gauda cheese market will give you a vibe of a historical time and a perfect place to immerse yourself in history. Gauda Cheese Market dates back to 1395, and it’s worth a visit. Taste local cheese, talk to the local vendors and enjoy the local trade in the market.
After the Cheese Market, you can visit the place Kinderjik. Kinderjic is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its 19 world-famous windmills. This place is nearby to the centrally located Gauda Cheese Market. Hence, anyone can finish the day excursion to Gauda by evening. You can complete your tour by 6 PM and then head back to Rotterdam.
Day
7:
Rotterdam to Utrecht
On this day, take a day tour to Utrecht. After breakfast, start your tour. Reach Rotterdam Central Station by 9:00 AM and catch your train to Utrecht. It will take 45 minutes to reach Utrecht Station, and you will have plenty of time till evening to explore Utrecht.
Utrecht is the fourth largest city in Holland. Utrecht is famous for its restaurants, cafes, historical castles, and architecture. Utrecht City Center itself is worth visiting.
Take your time and explore the city as you wish, or spend leisurely sitting on a park bench, hopping to various cafes and grabbing a sumptuous lunch wherever you want.
By 6 PM, reach Utrecht Train station and head to Rotterdam.
Day
8:
Rotterdam to The Hague
After breakfast, check out from the Hotel. From Rotterdam Central Station, board your train to The Hague. Check-in to the Hotel as per the scheduled time.
Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing in Den Hague.
Day
9:
The Hague City Exploration
Take a complete day tour to explore this city with many exciting things to offer and boast. The Hague is famous as an international city of peace and justice and a platform for multicultural hubs. It has a powerful bus and tramline network in the town, which is most helpful for any city-dwellers. So take advantage of your time. You can visit the outdoor markets or the farmers’ markets. You can have fun at Scheveningen beach. You can enjoy the variety of restaurants or chill at the beach and get some sun.
If you are an art lover or an artist, you can spend your day spotting street art. The Hague Street Art and Graffiti will brighten your day as the city looks bright and vibrant with its colourful murals.
No matter what you do, you will only end your day with good vibes and happiness.
Day
10:
The Hague to Groningen
After breakfast, check out from the Hotel. From Den Hague Central Station, board your train to Groningen. Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing in Groningen.
Day
11:
Groningen City Exploration
Groningen is a city in the northern Netherlands. Today you will explore this charming city, which only receives a few tourists compare to Rotterdam or Amsterdam. The main attraction in this city is that you can visit the local markets and enjoy picking up local delicacies or trying some cafes to soak yourself in the city vibes. The University of Groningen is one of the most reputed universities in the whole world. Visiting the university campus is also an excellent way to spend time in this city. University museums devoted to science & nature are one of the best places to visit. Apart from this, you can also tour places like Prinsentuin Garden, Northern Maritime Museum, and Martinikerk – A landmark church dating back to 800 A.D.
Spend the whole day exploring Groningen, mingle with the lovely locals, have some coffee and Dutch food in the local markets and have a nice dinner in any of the restaurants.
Day
12:
Groningen to Amsterdam
After breakfast, check out from the Hotel. Board your train from Groningen to Amsterdam. Check-in to the Hotel as per the scheduled time.
Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing in Amsterdam.
Day
13:
The Amsterdam City Exploration
Today is the day you have waited for a long time. Exploring the city of Amsterdam is on the dream bucket list of everyone. Visit Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Vondelpark, Amsterdam Centraal, and Royal Palace Amsterdam.
Or, you can take a boat ride through Amsterdam’s iconic Canals and see the picture postcard city as your boat passes through the city’s canals.
Day
14:
Amsterdam
Today is your rest day before leaving the country. Spend the day as you wish.
Day
15:
Departure
After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Your self-guided train tour in Holland ends here. Departure to the next destination or return to your home country.
Two Weeks in the Netherlands By Train – The Land of Tulips, Windmills, and Say Cheese
5.0
(
6)
Country
Netherlands
Tour length
15 days
Travellers Details
Couple, Small Group, Solo Traveller, Senior Citizen, Family with Kids, Women Only Group
Tour Categories
Cultural Trips, Train Journeys
Travel Style
Independent, Susmita’s Itinerary
Journey Start & End Points
Amsterdam International Airport to Airport.
Are you interested in this trip?
Inclusions
Pick-up and drop from Airport.
Accommodation
Food: 14 Breakfast
Transportation in an Air-conditioned van.
Exclusions
Train Tickets.
Flight Tickets.
Required VISA.
Travel Insurance.
Your toiletries and medicines.
Personal beverages. (Alcoholic & Non-alcoholic)
Personal entertainment equipment. (music system, etc.)
Personal guide fees if you are hiring during the trip for any activities.
Trip costs do not ensure the supply of local SIM cards and paying bills for your usage.
The cost does not include any recreational activities or tours before and after the scheduled trip as per the itinerary.
Entrance fees for national parks, museums, historic places, and other places that require entrance fees or additional ticket fees.
The cost does not include international airport departure taxes, transportation or ticket costs (airfare or train fare) before and after the scheduled trip as per the itinerary.
Trip cost is non-inclusive of any extracurricular activities mentioned or not mentioned in the itinerary.
Service on request: (extra cost applicable)
Air-tickets Purchase. (for Indian Citizens)
Travel Insurance. (for Indian Citizens)
VISA application. (for Indian Citizens)
Fitness Level
A Moderate fitness level is required.
What to wear and bring for this trip
Passport.
Travel Insurance Copy.
Medicines, Painkillers, Insect Repellent.
Raincoat for unpredictable weather changes.
Scarf, Sunhat, Sunglasses, Sunscreen lotion for hot sunny days.
Woolen Caps, Balaclava, Woolen Socks. Gloves or Mittens - for winter days.
Cool cotton clothes, a light jacket, soft trousers, leggings, and cotton socks for cities and towns for summertime travelling.
Inner thermals, fleece jackets, woollen hoodies, or down jackets for cold nights and wintertime travel.
Comfortable walking shoes, flip-flops for rooms and beach sandals for the beach areas.
Water bottle, Universal adapter, Camera and Extra Batteries for your camera.
Code of Ethics
Be a Responsible Traveller.
Walking off roads in protected areas is prohibited.
Be respectful to the locals and their cultures and religious belief.
Collecting, handling, or keeping specimens/any wildlife matter is strictly prohibited.
Tourists must obey all rules and regulations The Netherlands government and related authorities enforce.