Netherlands/Belgium bike vacation - rent there or bring our own?

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 9, 2014 at 9:56am

I lived in the Netherlands for nearly 30 years before moving to the US. Visited most cities in Belgium worth visiting (altough I haven't been back to Brugge in 10 years or so). My verdict: If your time is limited, don't bother with anything besides Brugge.

But then again, food, art, and history  (specifically the Northern Renaissance and Dutch Masters) are my favorite topics, more so than bike-related sights.

To OP: before you go, see 'In Bruges'. An enjoyable movie that showcases some of the "dank and medieval" sides of Brugge.

Anne said:

A good basic list, have you gone to Belgium yet Duppie, or just dreaming of it? Depending on the time of year you visit, Bruges can be crazy-touristy or dank and medieval. You may prefer one over the other! But for a multi-day visit, don't limit yourself to just this city, as the best of Flanders is always 100k or less away.

Outside of the usual art/culture musuems, as a cycling enthusiast you have more than one option for cycling themed museums nearby. Just south of Bruges is Roeselare, where the Wielermuseum offers you an entirely Belgian-centered history of the bicycle. Further south and East in Oudenaarde you have the museum for the Ronde Van Vlaanderen; the only museum in the world dedicated to a single day sporting event (except for the Indy 500).

Agree about the food in the main square, I'd follow a local or take advice from a shopkeeper.

Duppie said:

Anne's recommendation made me think about my own. I've had some many coworkers visit Amsterdam/Brugge that I made a standard list with things to see/do/eat. Here goes:

Amsterdam:

Van Gogh Museum

http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp

Best collection of van Gogh’s in the world. Suggest you get the guided audio tour. It’s worth it

Rijksmuseum (National Gallery)

http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/?lang=en

Rembrandt’s and Vermeer’s. Best selection of Dutch Masters. After 10 years of renovations it is now open again in it's full glory. The Honor Gallery is absolutely stunning. You can easily spend half a day here.

And since I love food in all its aspects, here are a few food things that are typically Dutch:

Febo

http://www.febodelekkerste.nl/eng/

Quintessential Dutch fast food. Not healthy, not haute cuisine, but it reminds me of my childhood. Lots of locations in A’dam, so it will be hard not to run into one. Almost everything is deep-fried. My personal favorite is a “frikandel speciaal”. Think a deep fried hotdog (but more seasoned), covered in mayo, spiced ketchup and raw onion. You may have to order that at the counter.

 

Indonesische rijsttafel.

I picked this one from google, since it has good reviews. Or you can ask the concierge at the hotel you’re staying. It's somewhat like Korean barbeque, lots of small dishes

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:offi...

 

Pannekoekenhuis (pancakehouse)

Ask the concierge in your hotel for a recommendation. There are lots of them around. Get a savory one (bacon, cheese), since those are uniquely Dutch. Have them for lunch or dinner (not breakfast).

 

Café Welling

http://www.cafewelling.nl/ I would be amiss without mentioning Café Welling. This is the archetypical Amsterdam neighborhood bar. Whenever Mrs. Duppie and I visit Amsterdam we have to go there. It’s few minutes walking from the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum. The bar cat might even come and sit on your lap.

 

 

Brugge

(Notice the correct Dutch spelling, not the incorrect French one we use in the US)

 

Hospitaal museum

http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/musea/Hospitaalmuseum/index.htm

Housed in a medieval hospital, this museum houses a great collection of Northern Renaissance paintings (earlier than the Dutch masters). I was particularly impressed by the St John Altarpiece which is at the end of the collection.

 

Groeninge museum

http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/musea/Groeningemuseum-Arentshuis/G...

Another great collection of Northern Renaissance paintings

 

Begijnhof

http://www.trabel.com/brugge/bruges-beguinage.htm

Generally open to the public, you can walk through this and enjoy the peace and quiet of it all. If you’re lucky you might even see some ‘begijnen’ on their way to church.

 

Belfort

http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/musea/bruggemuseum/belfort/index.htm

The main historical tower in town. You can climb it to the top and get a good view of the city. Wait around for the bells to ring.

Food.

I remember having some great food, but I do not remember the specifics. There are many choices, but I would stay away from the main square, as it’s a place where the tourists go to fill up. Anne's recommendation sounds like a great choice.

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Permalink Reply by Alex on January 9, 2014 at 12:56pm

I don't have anywhere near the necessary funds to take on an adventure like this one right now, but damn, I love reading this forum. Getting me excited!

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Permalink Reply by Jon Cunningham on January 22, 2014 at 6:45pm

When my wife and I visited Amsterdam and Bruges, we rented bikes in both places. In Amsterdam, our hotel, itself, rented bikes to it's guests. The doorman took care of it. In Bruges, we rented from a local bike shop, rode to Damme for lunch, and then returned to tour Bruges. We rent anywhere that we fly to, taking our own bikes only on domestic driving vacations. We too are preparing for a bike and barge tour, out of Paris, along the Seine and some canals. The barge tour company provides the bikes. When we ride on vacation, it isn't about the bike. We are happy to leave our nice bikes safely at home, and put up with heavier, slower, comfort bikes, that are easy to enjoy the view from. They seem light enough when you are having a good time.

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