I finally booked what could be called a Mileage Run. Have 3 nights in Amsterdam early December. So now that I'm going what do I do when I get there.

[This message has been edited by PineyBob (edited Nov 12, 2003).]

Amsterdam is a great city...wonderful walking tours, museums (Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum), Anne Frank house, Dam Square, bars, cafes, restaurants...beware the Red Light District though... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif)!

Plenty to do..I'm sure you'll have fun.

I visit Amsterdam once or twice a year. Always a great time. Check out this link.

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/Forum33/HTML/000294.html

There is a sex museum. One of my friends just returned from Amsterdam and she went through it. She said she never considered herself to be a prude until she went through it. She spent about 20 minutes there.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Alysia:
There is a sex museum. One of my friends just returned from Amsterdam and she went through it. She said she never considered herself to be a prude until she went through it. She spent about 20 minutes there.</font>

And I find this out 4 days after I book a quick trip to London. Er, I mean its good that I am going to London since I forgot tickets to Amsterdam were on sale. Er, oh, never mind. Maybe next time.

Be wary of anybody offering you brownies with powdered sugar. The powder may not be "sugar," but something a bit more mind-altering.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tdnmd:
.beware the Red Light District though... </font>

Oh the red light district can be fun :-)
Last time I was there... with my wife... :-) we taking the daughter to see the "Hash Mueseum" (we had to make sure she didn't visit the 'museum shop' :-), we saw one of the funniest things I had seen in a long time. In one of the (empty) windows was a a sign that would never find anywhere else, it said;

"Windows for Let"

Come on out to the Schipol area or a bit further (Hengelo) and have a drink with me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Failing that, you can do the Maritime Museum, Anne Frank house, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt House, the aforementioned Hash and Sex Museums, or the old Heineken Brewery tour. Play some cards at the casino. Don't forget to have a drink at the Night Watch Bar in the American Hotel (Crown Plaza on the Leidseplein).

Have a steak fried in butter, and enjoy some fries with mayo.

If you are into that sort of thing, you can take a canal boat cruise. Heck, you can rent one out instead of a hotel room. Enjoy the extremely green parks (although some of that will probably be lost in December).

The RLD is worth a walk-thru, if for no other reason that to take in the sheer audacity of the whole setup. If you do, be sure to drop into the Old Sailor and have a drink and enjoy the audacity of it.

Watch yourself in the area immediately around Centraal Station. While the area around there, the RLD, and that part of the Dam are generally safe, you can end up losing your wallet or getting jumped if you are not paying attention (or under the influence of whatever you happened to consume in the bar and/or coffeeshop).

I await further input from geo100x and/or Chexfan. That said, the Dutch are perhaps the friendliest group of people I've ever come across, and Amsterdam is a great city.

------------------
Don't feed the trolls.

[This message has been edited by ClueByFour (edited Nov 12, 2003).]

Depending on what you generally like, my votes... Anne Frank House and The Rijksmuseum are musts in my book.

Anne Frank Huis and Rijksmuseeum both musts. Allow 4 hrs or more for Rijksmuseeum.

Definitely take in a Rijstafel (20 course Indonesian meal).

Live sex show at Casa Rosso if that's your bag.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gardener:
Anne Frank Huis and Rijksmuseeum both musts. Allow 4 hrs or more for Rijksmuseeum.

Definitely take in a Rijstafel (20 course Indonesian meal).

Live sex show at Casa Rosso if that's your bag.</font>

Thanks but I prefer my own sex show with "sweet thing" who can't get off of work on short notice. That kinda stuff is the least of my interest in Amsterdam.

I go to Amsterdam about 2 x's per year. It's my favorite European city &lt; the Dutch people make it that way.

If you haven't already booked a room try booking an apartment through citymundo.com It is really the way to stay in Amsterdam.

My personal picks for Amsterdam

1.) Anne Frank House
2.) The Museumplein - all the majors are there.
3.) Flower Market @ the Muntplein
4.) Resistance Museum
5.) A walk through the RLD
6.) Cafe 420 - for a brief revisit to my younger college days - you can enjoy a cold Amstel too

Too bad the service to AMS is still 767-2 service. I do enjoy Envoy on the 767-2 as much as on the A330. Like the seats more.

I'm going in 1/31/04 through 2/4/04 if anyone else is going to be there then drop me a note and we can meet for a coffe or beer!

Toot Ziens

For information on current exhibits/events the days you're there, try www.visitamsterdam.nl (http://www.visitamsterdam.nl) (Dutch Tourism Board)

AMS is a wonderful city filled with friendly people. Have fun!

AMS!

What a wonderful and easy destination. All that has been written above is true. It is a great cafe city and people watching is as good a pastime as any other activity. Four days is perfect - you will have enough time to see the museums (world class) and enjoy many many many wonderful meals. AMS is the one city where I like to stay in non-chain (for me that is non-SPG) hotels since the city is covered with unique homes converted to bouique hotels. I stayed at a very inexpensive place the last time I was there and will add a link as soon as I get home and pull the info.

Also, the drug and sex scene of AMS is overhyped as far as its "danger factor" You can walk thru the Red Light District and see what's going on with no trouble at all. And as for the drug scene, it is not like people are pushing drugs everywhere you go. If a smoke is your thing, than you will have no trouble finding a smokeshop and telling the bartend that it's your first visit and you want something mild. They have heard it before and will be happy to assist. Do not however, buy off the street - a BIG no no which is far more likely to get you in trouble with the law (and also suspect quality).

Have fun. You would have to try hard not to!

http://www.miketown.com/pictures/ams/

[This message has been edited by geo1005 (edited Nov 13, 2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PineyBob:
I finally booked what could be called a Mileage Run. Have 3 nights in Amsterdam early December. So now that I'm going what do I do when I get there.

[This message has been edited by PineyBob (edited Nov 12, 2003).]</font>

One word... INHALE!!

Seriously, its alot of fun to go to a hash bar and have a couple of pints of Hieneken and smoke a big fatty.

The Rijksmuseum is currently closed for a MAJOR renovation -- parts are still open, but the bulk of it will be off limits for the next few years http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I generally agree with much of what other people of said. The Red Light District is nothing to worry about, nor for that matter almost anywhere in Amsterdam.. just keep your wits about you and an eye on your valuables.

Other ideas
1) The DePijp area (South of the Centre) -- Heineken brewery, Albert Cuyp market, and less touristy
2) Walk through the Jordaan (West of the center) -- beautiful old neighbourhood
3) Get out of town and take a day trip to Haarlem, The Hague, and/or Utrecht
4) Rent a bike and get around this way -- the best way to see Amsterdam (and feel like a local if the bike wasn't bright red!)
5) Enjoy a coffeeshop but not the Bulldog or other touristy places...

Is there any lounge or club access through Star Alliance at AMS? Or Envoy or Gold Preferred access to an arrivals lounge?

Yes - Envoy passengers are given a pass to use the arrival facilities at the Hotel Mercure at Schipol. The JAL lounge is used for Envoy departures. US gold & silver can't use these facilities unless traveling Envoy. There is no LH lounge at Schipol, so I'm not sure which lounge Star Alliance preferred folks would use.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dwsnc:
Yes - Envoy passengers are given a pass to use the arrival facilities at the Hotel Mercure at Schipol. The JAL lounge is used for Envoy departures. US gold & silver can't use these facilities unless traveling Envoy. There is no LH lounge at Schipol, so I'm not sure which lounge Star Alliance preferred folks would use. </font>

As well as the Mercure, arriving passengers can use the "lounge" (really the spa) of the Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel, which is connected to the parking garage ramp (an indoors walk). It's quite nice and I'd choose the Sheraton over the Mercure any day. (Must be truthful: I'm basing that on other Mercures - never been to the one at AMS.)

You'll have a great trip! Rijstafel.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dwsnc:
Yes - Envoy passengers are given a pass to use the arrival facilities at the Hotel Mercure at Schipol. The JAL lounge is used for Envoy departures. US gold & silver can't use these facilities unless traveling Envoy. There is no LH lounge at Schipol, so I'm not sure which lounge Star Alliance preferred folks would use. </font>

What about a lowly Cockroach Preferred? If I have a note from BBB can I use a lounge?

Oh how threads like these make me miss my days of Dutch dwelling... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

For Indonesian Rijstafel, which I highly recommend, try Indrapura Indonesian Restaurant. Be sure to book at table at +31 (0) 20 623 7329. The restaurant is located at Rembrandtplein 42. Just take any tram to Rembrandtplein and walk straight across the square. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Yum!

I'd also recommend a day trip to Utrecht--one of my favourite cities in the Netherlands. It's about 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam Centraal station. Whilst there, try eating at the Pancake Bakery, which is on one of the main canals. From Utrecht station, walk through the shopping centre to the exit, cross the market square, and follow the street to the canal. The restaurant will be just over the canal bridge, on the right, actually down some stairs to the canal bank. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Yum!

I'd also recommend the bell tower climb in Utrecht. The guided tour will give you some interesting perspective on the unique "Dom" or cathedral there, which is mostly collapsed, and you'll be rewarded with a nice view from the top, and a pleasurable walk getting there.

Have fun!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PineyBob:
What about a lowly Cockroach Preferred? If I have a note from BBB can I use a lounge?</font>

Until US officially enters Star and your CP status counts as Star Gold, you will have no lounge access (arrival or departing) as a CP flying in coach. Envoy Class will of course get you in both ways.

Maybe to increase the peace in the Flyertalk universe you could meet Quiet Lion in Amsterdam and smoke the peace pipe for an evening?

Amsterdam... what a nice city, very human scale.

I'd recommend the Van Gogh Museum. See if you can buy the tickets from the hotel concierge. It'll help you avoid the lines.

To the other attractions, I'd add aimless meandering through the Jordaan. You can go around Amsterdam easily on foot. Yes, the trams are good, but distances are really not that far and you’ll see a lot more by just walking in the non-tourist areas; away from the Leidestraat and Dam square areas.

Restaurants: Based on previous Flyertalk suggestions, I wanted to go the Sama Sebo Indonesian restaurant for lunch, but the concierge said that they are closed on Sundays. He said many restaurants are closed for lunch on Sundays. He also suggested reservations for Sama Sebo.

Amsterdam has great Indonesian food. Don’t miss it. One suggestion. Avoid the Chinese-Indonesian restaurants; they are more Chinese than Indonesian.

A small coffee-shop called “Coffee & Jazz” (113 Utrechsestraat) that also serves Indonesian food. The spicy chicken curry with rice is highly recommended along with the fine coffee.

Enjoy yourself!! I celebrated my 39th birthday in July with friends that I took along to AMS. We had a blast. They of course took full advantage of the smoking options. And I finally found some beer I could actually drink and enjoy.

I can't wait to go back. Have fun.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Idowrite:
Maybe to increase the peace in the Flyertalk universe you could meet Quiet Lion in Amsterdam and smoke the peace pipe for an evening?</font>

Frankly no peace pipe will be smoked! I have NEVER spoken out and engaged in a "Flame War" against ANY individual poster on Flyer Talk except "Quiet Lion".

And as of this post, this one ends with the following. I bear him no ill will now or in the future. End of "flame & end of rant"



[This message has been edited by ClueByFour (edited Nov 15, 2003).]

Piney, I think if you ever met QL you would find him a very different person than you descibe. The dangers of online communication are that sometimes much is lost in electronic translation. Enough said.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by noah:
The Rijksmuseum is currently closed for a MAJOR renovation -- parts are still open, but the bulk of it will be off limits for the next few years http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif</font>

It's asbestos.

Still, the rest of the Museumplein (Van Gogh, Steidlijk, currently closed American Consulate, and just the surrounding area) is cool to go walk through. Go to the most convenient tourist info center (with the three "W" in a triangle) and get a EUR2 street map so you can just wander around. They'll also have a lot of information about various other places.

I went with a few friends in May and we had a lot of fun -- just make sure you're talking clothing for the proper weather conditions.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by StSebastian:
Go to the most convenient tourist info center (with the three "W" in a triangle) and get a EUR2 street map so you can just wander around.</font>


I never wait until getting to a city to get a map. I have a collection of Lonley Planet and Streetwise maps for major cities all over the world. They are laminated and pre-folded and fit in any pocket. They are waterproof and you can even mark them with a felt pen (wipes right off with a paper towel when you get home). I rarely buy guidebooks as I find lots of city info available online and on FT. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
But as you say, AMS is one of the best walking cities in the world. And even though it gets rainy it rarely get very cold - as you'd find in the NE USA in winter. Now that I think about it, maybe I need to go back sometime soon! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

- The RLD is a riot...the most major threat I've ever seen there is avoiding tripping over drunken Brits enjoying bachelor parties.
- If want to 'smoke' avoid the Bulldog - it's a tourist trap - and be sure to ask for novice materials - college was a long time ago.
- Renting a bike is a must - It is the best way to see the city and burn off a little of the Heineken at the same time.
- Indonesian food is a must - I try to have every night I'm there - but it is a little hot...oops need more beer.
- The Dutch people are great - a genuinely friendly city.
- Remember "Dank-U-Vel" - even though it might as well be an English speaking city/country. Pick up a Dutch phrase book, and learn a little Dutch...it only makes your stay a little more fun.

Re *A lounge.

The *A lounge is near the B pier, which is used by LH, SK, etc. on the Schengen side. It's labelled as #20. Even when US joins *A then I wouldn't make the effort of going all the way over there. It's on the opposite side of the airport and a really long walk. I am curious what UA uses for departure. I arrived there on UA a few days ago at the G gates and suspect that UA also departs from there.

It's a contract lounge -- not very nice, especially the decor with these hideous bright blue leather chairs, but that's typical for Holland.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gnaget:
I am curious what UA uses for departure. I arrived there on UA a few days ago at the G gates and suspect that UA also departs from there.</font>
CO, DL, SQ, UA, and US use G gates for their transatlantic flights. NW/KL use E and F.