People who have not been to Amsterdam before should visit the Anne Frank House. Many people don't want to go for fear it will be depressing, but it really is uplifting.

You also might want to read The Girl with the Pearl Earing before your trip and then, as indicated above, visit the Rijksmuseum. I also recommend the Van Gogh Museum, although I would assume several masterpieces will be in Chicago at the Art Institute for the Studio of the South exhibition (Van Gogh and Cezanne), which will then travel to Amsterdam early next year.

As for evening entertainment, the two of you may want to take a walk through the Red Light District (very close to the Centraal Station). It is perfectly safe and and what you see in the windows is quite interesting. Your stories will amuse your friends when you return home.

You really should have Indonsian food. There are several good restaurants. My recommendation would be Sama Sebo - order the rice table (don't want to risk butchering the Indosesian word at the moment).


[This message has been edited by ILuvParis (edited 08-19-2001).]