Pre-Trip Planning: Dutch Adventure

Before your trip it is important to make lists.

• What do you want to see?

  • To get an idea of what you want to see or do, watch some YouTube videos or search for things to do. – for this trip I looked up quaint Dutch villages that are a change from the bigger area of Amsterdam.

  • Research costs, open/close hours, and other important factors. – are the cheese shops in Gouda open on all days of the week? are there national holidays that fall on our travel plan dates?

  • I like to visit Trip Advisor and type in the place or company and peruse the comments section to get a good idea of what to expect.

  • Take note of how you’ll get there and what time of year you plan to go. Many places are cheaper to visit and less busy if you go during off season months. – finding that we could avoid the crowds in Giethoorn by booking the whisper boats first thing in the morning was beneficial research

• If you plan to rent a car

  • Use Google Maps to find nearby gas stations, villages, or restaurants along your route.

• If you plan to use public transportation

  • Use Google Maps, rail company website, or Eurorail website to find schedules, cost, and distance between destinations – buying cross-country train tickets were cheaper ahead of time but buying short intercity train rides could be done at the station. checking your ticket in before getting on the train was something we consciously had to remember to do.

• If you plan to fly

  • You can certainly look for the cheapest flights 10-8 months prior to your trip and use helpful apps like Sky Scanner and Google Flights find these flight deals. – I find the flight(s) I want and then use the track price tool to generate an email when the price fluctuates.

• Make a list of items to purchase before your trip. – general supplies can be purchased but other things like added travel medical insurance or euros from the bank had to also be done in advance.

• Make a list of things you already have that you might need to bring. – if you have a plug adapter from a previous trip, don't forget to pack it. ibuprofen and pepto bismol are also good things to bring along.

• Make a budget for your trip! You can visit many places on the cheap...or if you want to splurge, you can. – I like to do an estimate of how much I think I’ll spend then save all of my receipts and log how much the whole trip actually cost me. We opted for the middle tier budget estimate and agreed to stay in Airbnb locations, eat and drink at local places, and be able to buy a couple souvenirs. I try to stick to our budget but allow for unexpected spend at the same time.

Just Before Leaving:

• Print off any maps, tickets, reservations, or itineraries you may need and keep them in a folder.

• Check your desired destination sites, Facebook pages, etc. to ensure there aren’t any last minute closings or restrictions.

• Other last minute gems: powdered laundry soap, make space on your phone for more photos/videos, send your itinerary and trip details to a loved one, put all the cards you used to book thing with in your wallet.

Helpful Tips for Visiting the Netherlands:

• Everyone is very friendly and most know how to speak English. In fact, don't be shocked if they just speak to you in English after hearing two or three of your poorly spoken Dutch words.

• They use the Euro but most everywhere takes card. Bring a card with zero foreign transaction fees and you'll be good.

• Cities and villages outside of Amsterdam are lovely and welcoming with great food and things to do. Check out Maastricht and Eindhoven and you won't be disappointed.