Settle travel guide and discussion

Canals, bikes, world-class art and windmills just a train ride away. A full week in Amsterdam lets you slow down, see the city like a local and still fit in the best day trips in the Netherlands. Getting around Amsterdam is small and walkable. Trams and the metro cover the rest, and renting a bike for a day or two is a must. Trains from Amsterdam Centraal make day trips quick and easy 🚲 Easy 7-Day Itinerary Day 1: Canal Ring + Jordaan Settle in with a canal cruise to get your bearings, then wander the Jordaan’s narrow streets, boutiques and brown cafés. Dinner along the canals at sunset. Day 2: Museum Day Rijksmuseum in the morning for Rembrandt and Vermeer, then the Van Gogh Museum after lunch. Picnic in Vondelpark in between. Day 3: History + Old Centre Anne Frank House (book tickets in advance), then the Nine Streets for shopping and the flower market (Bloemenmarkt). Evening walk through the old centre. Day 4: Day Trip to Zaanse Schans + Volendam Wooden windmills, cheese tastings and clog-making at Zaanse Schans, then the fishing village of Volendam for fresh herring by the harbour. Day 5: Day Trip to Haarlem Just 15 minutes by train. A charming, calmer version of Amsterdam with a grand market square, cosy cafés and the Frans Hals Museum. In spring, add Keukenhof’s tulip gardens nearby 🌷 Day 6: Amsterdam Noord + De Pijp Take the free ferry behind Centraal Station to Noord for the A’DAM Lookout and the creative NDSM area. Back in De Pijp, browse the Albert Cuyp Market and try fresh stroopwafels. Day 7: Slow Local Day Rent a bike and ride along the Amstel River into the countryside, then spend your last evening at a canal-side café with bitterballen and a local beer. What it’ll cost (approx., per person) Hotels: $150 to $300 a night for a mid-range stay, plus Amsterdam’s tourist tax added on top. Food: $45 to $80 a day. Street snacks like fries and stroopwafels are $5 to $8, dinners $25 to $40. Museums: about $20 to $28 each for the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. Canal cruise: $20 to $35. Public transport: a multi-day GVB pass is around $10 to $12 per day. Bike rental: $15 to $20 a day. Day trips: $20 to $50 each including train fare and entry. All in for 7 days: roughly $1,800 to $3,200, not counting flights. What to expect Bikes everywhere. Never stand in the red bike lanes Weather changes fast, so expect a bit of rain any time of year Popular museums sell timed tickets that sell out, especially weekends The city is busy in the centre but surprisingly calm a few streets away Planning tips Best time: April to May for tulips, or September for fewer crowds Book Anne Frank House tickets as soon as they’re released Stay in Jordaan, De Pijp or Oud-West for a local feel Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and some places don’t take cash at all Pack a light rain jacket and comfortable shoes Use trains for day trips, they’re fast and frequent 💬 Your turn: Windmills in Zaanse Schans or slow canal days in the Jordaan? Which would you pick first? 👇 #Amsterdam #VisitAmsterdam #Netherlands #Holland #AmsterdamCanals #ZaanseSchans #Haarlem #Keukenhof #EuropeTravel #CityBreak #SlowTravel #TravelGuide

#worthitornot Everyone does Malham village → Malham Cove → Janet's Foss → Gordale Scar as a 5-mile loop. I reversed it and started at Malham Tarn, the upland lake 1.5 miles north of the cove, because the RAF decoy pond ruins are easier to find from that side. Malham Tarn is National Trust land, free parking at the nature reserve car park (honesty box £3 when staffed, card at the visitor centre 9–5). From the tarn I took the moorland path south past the old boathouse, then cut east on a faint quad-track to the decoy complex: a rectangular excavated pond, a watchman's concrete hut, and a scatter of brick footings where decoy fires once mimicked Leeds. No plaque—just soggy ground and a weird rectangular clarity in the heather. Then I pushed on to Gordale Scar, 1 mile further, arriving before the Malham-village day-trippers. The scar is a 100 m limestone amphitheatre with two waterfalls; the left-hand scramble up is grade 1 but exposes you to rockfall, so helmet or patience. From Gordale it's 1 mile down to Malham village for the bus back to Skipton (bus 210, £3.50, contactless). Mistake: I did this in a wet March and the moor between tarn and decoy pond was knee-deep in brackish water—gaiters saved me, trail runners alone would've been miserable. The decoy site is best in dry autumn when the rectangular cuts read clearly. Question: is a ruined wartime decoy pond in the middle of a national park "worth the detour," or are people right to skip it for the cove and scar alone?

The historic rail line from Carlisle to Settle in North Yorks is a most wonderful route. It travels across stunning scenery, through the North Yorkshire National Park. Past picturesque villages, through quant stations alongside green sheep pastures on wild dales, and streams and clear rivers with hills and Mountain views in all directions. The route travels over the amazing Ribblehead viaduct, a must see for any train enthusiast on into Settle. The journey is iconic, even for non train buffs like me. In Settle it is a short walk to town centre, gorgeous shops with tasty treat cafes await you. The ice creams at the shop on the market place are divine - the strawberry and custard is just so yum! Try ‘Ye Old Naked Man’ cafe and bakery for lunch, it won’t disappoint When we visited we enjoyed following the flower pot trail around the town, a map can be purchased online to follow various trails around the town centre and surrounds Needless to say we are planning a return visit #Settle #carlisle #travel2026

#itinerarycheck Started at Malham village car park (BD23 4DA, £5.50 all day, card at the machine, toilets at the National Park centre). The loop I ran was Malham → Janet's Foss → Gordale Scar → scramble out of the gorge → Malham Tarn side → limestone pavement above Malham Cove → down the cliff steps → village. Total 10.5 km, 3h40 moving, 390 m climb. Janet's Foss is a 10-minute woodland detour and worth it for the pool alone. Gordale Scar is the meat: a 100 m limestone amphitheatre with a waterfall and a 5 m polished scramble straight up the gully. If it has rained in the last 48 hours, skip the scramble — the alternate Dales High Way line goes left before the campsite, up a field to the road, adds 20 minutes but saves you a dislocated ankle. I did the scramble dry and it was moderate; my mate did it after rain and slid two metres before catching a hold. The limestone pavement on top of Malham Cove is the part that wrecks people's knees — clints and grikes, uneven as a broken floor, and the cliff-edge steps down are steep with a rope handrail on one side only. Harry Potterfans will recognise the cove from Deathly Hallows but the real reward is standing on the pavement at 17:00 when the sun rakes sideways and every grike throws a shadow. Bus 210/211 from Skipton works weekdays, seasonal 75 on weekends. Bring £10–15 for the Lister Arms pint and a pie after. OS Explorer OL21is the map; phone signal dies in the gorge. Would you classify Gordale Scar as a scramble or a climb? I say scramble-with-consequences. Where do you draw the line?

We had an amazing morning with our guide Cai, trying canyoning for the first time at Ingleton Waterfalls Trail. The three hours passed in no time. It was a blast from getting into our wetsuits to the final leap into the water. Cai was fantastic with our group of five friends, offering great support to those of us who were a bit anxious about heights and water. We’d highly recommend it as a unique experience, and we’d gladly consider trying another activity in the future.

If you've ever felt the urge to “get out there,” think beyond the usual. Sometimes it's not grass—it's a rocky handhold on an exhilarating climb, the rush of a waterfall current, or the peak of a mountain you once thought was out of reach. The team at Lost Earth Adventures are the kindest, most professional, and safety-focused people you'll ever meet—exactly who you'd want organizing and leading a once-in-a-lifetime journey. I had the privilege of trying my first rock climb at Twistleton Scar with Lost Earth Adventures. Knowing you're completely safe and supported, even as your mind is screaming “YOU CAN’T DO THIS,” is a truly transformative experience. You’ll test limits you didn’t think you could, and once you’ve reached the top, the world looks completely different. Anything feels possible (with proper gear and a skilled guide 😅). The world often feels heavy these days, and it’s more important than ever to reconnect with nature’s beauty and your own inner strength, even if you didn’t know it was there. Thank you, Lost Earth Adventures. It’s been the adventure of a lifetime—but I know I’ll be back for more. xx

We had the pleasure of exploring Alum Pot with Ian and his wife, Lynn. They transformed what was already a good outing into a truly memorable experience. Their extensive expertise and knowledge were evident as they adjusted the activities to suit the ages and abilities of everyone involved, ensuring a challenging, thrilling, and enjoyable adventure. Highly recommend!

What an incredible experience my friend Jacqui and I had with abseiling and a touch of rock climbing at Stanage Edge in the Peak District. Our wonderful instructor, whose name is Maciek (hopefully spelling it right), was devoted just to us. As a plus-size girl who is ready to try anything, I felt incredibly supported. He assisted in every way — even when I had to climb down because the carabiner was too tightly closed. Maciek was patient, provided clear instructions, never hurried us, and no question seemed trivial. Feeling relaxed, we managed to abseil five times each. When I mentioned trying a mountain climb, he found an easy route for me since it was my first time—being a big girl can be challenging, but it was truly enjoyable. We loved the day; although the weather was windy, the atmosphere was charming, with friendly people around doing similar activities. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone 😀 The scenery was breathtaking.

We had a wonderful time. Reece was an amazing guide, entertaining the kids with jokes and providing comfort when they were frightened. Although it initially took some time, both kids eventually conquered their fears of the small caving tunnel due to his support. Reece was prompt in picking us up at the meeting spot and was extremely knowledgeable about the geography of Giants Cave. I highly recommend this company.

Wow, what an arduous day on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge! The weather was terrible, but our guide Paul was outstanding and helped us navigate some truly difficult conditions. His expertise and encouragement were crucial in getting us through safely. He ensured everyone made it off the mountains unharmed and offered excellent tips on tackling the challenge. Huge thanks to Lost Earth and an especially big thank you to Paul for guiding us through three very demanding climbs. 👍

📅 Itinerary Day1: Day2: Day3: 🏨 Accommodation 🍴 Food Recommendations 📌 Tips #Settle

Our final leg of the Journey Day1:The train from Fort William to Glasgow from the wildness and beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Glasgow to Carlisle on a super fast modern train. Next leg, Carlisle to Settle again with spectacular scenery, but unfortunately, I was unable to get a photo of the Ribblehead viaduct. Day2: Our journey home this time on two trains starting from Giggleswick via Carnforth (location for the movie Brief Encounter). 🏨 Accommodation Falcon Manor, Settle - highly recommended. 🍴 Food Recommendations: Falcon Manor restaurant excellent. 📌 Tips

#staycation Sir Nigel Gresley 60007 Steams Through

The North Yorkshire market town of Settle is worth a visit for its delightful town centre, but venture just a few minutes away from its centre and you will be welcomed by a panoramic view over it and across the Yorkshire dales national park. The walk up Castleberg Rock is short but steep leading to those views in addition to an interesting geological formation and the possibility to catch some rock climbers on your walk. #celebrateit #views #yorkshire #rockclimbing

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 💡 Tips

The beautiful town of Settle is the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales and the famous three peaks. With fantastic restaurants showcasing a wide range of local and international cuisine, bars and high quality gift and art shops it’s a must visit next time you’re in the area. Drive 10 minutes up the road to the station inn to get spectacular views of the famous ribblehead viaduct.

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 💡 Tips

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 💡 Tips

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 💡 Tips

A beautiful February morning in Settle