Lowlands Travel Asessment
The Netherlands | Apr 9 - Apr 17, 2025

V
victor a.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on May 01, 2025

Overall, the trip was good. We found Mieke very responsive during the planning stage and when on the trip there was 1 hotel issue on a Sunday Kim Kim's 24 hour hotline worked well. I think the error was more on the hotel's side and was resolved reasonable quickly. We found Amsterdam extremely crowded due to its overall destination desirability, Tulip season and travel right before Easter. In hindsight would have spent 1 less day in Amsterdam and another in Belgium.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel des Arts
Amsterdam-Centrum

Overall good. Location is nice being on a canal, however that comes with a lot more noise. Staff at the hotel were very accommodating, breakfast was good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel FranQ
Antwerp

Had an issue checking in which I believe was the hotel's system issue as reservations were booked around 9 months prior. Along with responsive communication with Kim Kim's team we were able to resolve the issue without wasting too much time. Nice location, lovely hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Pand Hotel
Bruges

Excellent location, friendly staff, nice breakfast,

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel des Galeries
Brussels

Only stayed for 1 night but was very nice. Excellent location but very poor signage meant it was difficult to find the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right next to the Galeries, hence the name and just a couple blocks from the main square.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Ghent - Gravensteen - Castle of the Counts
Ghent - Gravensteen - Castle of the Counts
The Netherlands
Bruges - Hans Memling Collection at Sint-Janshospitaal
Bruges - Hans Memling Collection at Sint-Janshospitaal
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Very convenient, worked as expected.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)
Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
About a 25 minute walk from the hotel.
Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum
Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum
The Netherlands
Ghent - Adoration of the Mystic Lamb
Ghent - Adoration of the Mystic Lamb
The Netherlands

This was perhaps the best experience of our trip. We had the high tech experience which was simply mind blowing, it was like having a personal art expert with you.

Quality of Experience
Amsterdam - Day trip to Haarlem
Amsterdam - Day trip to Haarlem
Amsterdam

Enjoyed the city much less crowded than Amsterdam. The flower garden was massively crowded, made Disneyland feel empty by comparison. Go early!

Quality of Experience
Transport
Better signage for the bike route.
Bruges - Halve Maan brewery visit
Bruges - Halve Maan brewery visit
The Netherlands

Excellent quality beer.

Quality of Experience
Haarlem - self-guided cycling route to Keukenhof & through tulip fields
Haarlem - self-guided cycling route to Keukenhof & through tulip fields
The Netherlands

Signage was poor.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Better signage.
Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Transport
Close to the tram line.
Amsterdam - Walking Dinner private guided tour
Amsterdam - Walking Dinner private guided tour
The Netherlands

Excellent experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was great we enjoyed this experience a lot.
Amsterdam - Daytrip to Marken, Volendam, Edam and Zaanse Schans
Amsterdam - Daytrip to Marken, Volendam, Edam and Zaanse Schans
Amsterdam

Enjoyed the drive and ferry crossing. Zaanse Schans was extremely crowded and felt like a tourist trap. Did enjoy the museum however.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bruges - Private guided walking tour
Bruges - Private guided walking tour
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was overly focused on architecture, did not show us some of the churches.
Antwerp - Chocolate Nation
Antwerp - Chocolate Nation
The Netherlands

Pretty much as expected, nice chocolate samples. Good experience.

Quality of Experience
Antwerp - Private guided walking tour
Antwerp - Private guided walking tour
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was 15 minutes late.
Brussels card 48h
The Netherlands

Did not fully utilize. Actually converting the voucher to a card was somewhat difficult.

Quality of Experience
Brussels - Private guided walking tour:  food
Brussels - Private guided walking tour: food
Belgium

Expected to hit more places for beer.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 05, 2025

Hi Victor
Thanks for taking the time to provide us with feedback and thoughts on the itinerary and program. It has been a pleasure organizing the trip for you and it's very valuable. Glad to hear you have enjoyed your experience at the Mystic Lamb so much!
All the best to you,
Mieke