The wife and I are taking a Rhine River cruise in May from Zurich/Basel to Amsterdam and want to extend an extra day or two on each end. I'd appreciate anyone's suggestions on hotel, restaurants and must see/do while we are there. Do your thing Ags…

I was just about to post this, but we are on the exact opposite route. Going to have a couple of days in Amsterdam before the cruise, need some suggestions.

We have stayed in Amsterdam at the Dylan, Hotel d'Europe and the Sofitel Grand. I like them all, but think the Sofitel Grand is the best bang for the buck.

I highly recommend booking a rice table or rijkstaffel for dinner. In my opinion it is the best reason for going to Amsterdam. Lots of options for rice tables, and I have yet to find a bad one.

Also a huge fan of the Van Gogh museum.

we stayed at the Hotel City Zurich. Close to the train station and walking distance to main drag, opera house, museum, etc.

Rooms were ok - get a suite.

http://www.hotelcity.ch/

Stayed at The Kimpton Amsterdam in late 2023. Convenient location to Amsterdam Central if that makes a difference to you.

Lived/worked in Zug for about 5 years; never a fan of Zurich. If you have half day head down to Lucerne; will be fantastic that time of year.

mosesrab90 said:

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Lived/worked in Zug for about 5 years; never a fan of Zurich. If you have half day head down to Lucerne; will be fantastic that time of year.

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Agreed. We did a day trip to Lucerne. Zurich is mostly just a place to fly out of.

I did like the Swiss history museum in Zurich. Crazy how they've been mercenaries, or killing each other for being catholic vs Protestants, for a long, long time.

I agree about Luzern being better than Zurich. If you are flying out of Zurich, maybe you consider staying overnight there, but the trains are so reliable, I'd consider staying in Luzern the night before departure as long as my flight was not too early in the morning.

We went to Amsterdam a few years ago. It was great.

Heineken rooftop bar.
Bols.

https://upstairspannenkoeken.nl/
Pancake

https://thotel.nl/
Nice hotel. Fairly central. Good breakfast.

https://www.brouwerijhetij.nl/windmill-tap-room/?lang=en
Brewery

https://www.papeneiland.nl/
Apple pie

The Amsterdam tulip festival runs until May 11th this year from what I saw on the website. It is well worth the time to go see it if that fits your schedule.

If you are into the jewish holocaust history, take the 20 minute train ride to Haarlem & take a tour of Corrie ten Boom House, "The Hiding Place". You can also tour the Church there. Those cathedrals are beautiful. I also recommend a gondola tour in Amsterdam.

We're doing the same trip (Amsterdam to Zurich) and have a few days on the end. We've been to Lucerne. Is Geneva worth it?

goodbull92 said:

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If you are into the jewish holocaust history, take the 20 minute train ride to Haarlem & take a tour of Corrie ten Boom House, "The Hiding Place". You can also tour the Church there. Those cathedrals are beautiful. I also recommend a gondola tour in Amsterdam.

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We visited Anne Frank House. Corrie ten Boom.perhaps another time.

Also recommend a river cruise. Fun to see all the houses along the canals.