Amsterdam Bound!
Mar 7, 2003 | 2:05 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 6,445
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by VixenLady88:
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2. Time? We were told that a week in Amsterdam is going to leave us with too much time in one place. Suggestions were to take a day trip to either Germany or Paris - with little research we found that this was going to cost about $200. Any suggestions on doing something affordable? You know bang for the buck?
</font>
I
2. Time? We were told that a week in Amsterdam is going to leave us with too much time in one place. Suggestions were to take a day trip to either Germany or Paris - with little research we found that this was going to cost about $200. Any suggestions on doing something affordable? You know bang for the buck?
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http://www.applefares.com/v3/index.php
http://www.europebyair.com/eba/English_us/default.jsp
Also check out Easyjet (www.easyjet.com). Another no frills airline with numerous flights out of Amsterdam.
Mar 7, 2003 | 6:08 pm
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
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One other European tip, not just related to Amsterdam. When you arrive you'll be tired. Don't go to sleep! Force yourself to stay awake until early/mid evening. It will help w/ jetlag. You take a nap, it takes longer to get over it. Take a shower, unpack & go on a canal tour or go to one of the museums.
Mar 7, 2003 | 6:13 pm
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 153
Typical American, what language do they speak, do they take US dollars ( like its the only currency in the world )have they invented ATM's there.
Get a life, you will be asking what kind of air they breathe next.
Get a life, you will be asking what kind of air they breathe next.
Mar 7, 2003 | 6:28 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 6,445
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Ewan Mebabe:
Typical American, what language do they speak, do they take US dollars ( like its the only currency in the world )have they invented ATM's there.
Get a life, you will be asking what kind of air they breathe next.</font>
Typical American, what language do they speak, do they take US dollars ( like its the only currency in the world )have they invented ATM's there.
Get a life, you will be asking what kind of air they breathe next.</font>
And learn to read. They DID NOT ASK what language do they speak or do they take dollars.
Another poster mentioned many people in Amsterdam speak English. An observation and one worth noting.
And the original poster simply asked about the best way to carry cash, i.e., in traveller's checks or using credit cards. Totally reasonable question.
VixenLady: I hope you and your friend enjoy your first trip abroad. I recently spent a day touring Amsterdam and am eagerly awaiting the chance to return!
[This message has been edited by StudentExplorer (edited 03-07-2003).]
[This message has been edited by StudentExplorer (edited 03-07-2003).]
Mar 7, 2003 | 7:11 pm
#20
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StudentExplorer, your response to Ewan MeBabe is 100% accurate, right on. This is the first poster's trip to Europe & the questions were quite reasonable. Who better to ask than other ff'ers who have traveled there.
Ewan, your response was quite disappointing & not of the graciousness I've come to expect from the Scottish. My recommendation would be in future to answer the question(s) asked & follow the silence is golden mantra when it comes to rude, biased comments.
VixenLady, have a FABULOUS time in Amsterdam! Cheers.
Ewan, your response was quite disappointing & not of the graciousness I've come to expect from the Scottish. My recommendation would be in future to answer the question(s) asked & follow the silence is golden mantra when it comes to rude, biased comments.
VixenLady, have a FABULOUS time in Amsterdam! Cheers.
Mar 7, 2003 | 10:33 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 592
Ah, Amsterdam... My favorite European city. Amsterdam was my first trip to Europe too and even now, having been to many other places from Iceland to Italy, I can think of no better place than Amsterdam to acquaint oneself with the wonders of this fine continent.
Here's a little walking tour for you. I call it the "Best of Pedestrian Shopping in Amsterdam." Start at hopping hangout area Leidseplein, and proceed toward the city center on Leidsestraat. Continue straight (the street may change names) until you reach Koningsplein. Then follow the short Heiligeweg (Holy Way; a good Amsterdam research project is to find out how the street got that name) to Kalverstraat, one of Amsterdam's premier pedestrian shopping streets. Go left on Kalverstraat and follow the street up to the Dam square, where you will find the Koningklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) and Niewe Kerk (New Church). "New" is a relative term in Europe; the New Church dates from 17-something. From the Dam square you have two choices: Continue up the main road Damrak, home of the Sexmuseum, to Centraal Station, or walk on the pedestrian street Niewendijk until you reach the Niewezijds Voorburgwal, where you can make a right and get to Cetnraal Station that way. Whenver I'm in Amsterdam I make this trip on foot several times and never, ever tire of it. Word of caution for the first-timer: Be careful as part of the time you will be sharing the narrow right-of-way with a tram line! Total time: without stopping 20-30 minutes.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention: On this walking tour do be sure to make a pit stop at the Begijnhof (follow the little signs with the arrows). This former convent may sound like just a square lined with houses, but if you've never seen a European residential courtyard designed this way, you will be impressed how far removed it seems from the surrounding hustle and bustle.
Naturally no trip to Amsterdam is complete without at least a brief tour of the Red Light District. If you're afraid of this place just go in the morning; before noon it's mostly tourists milling about. If you're embarrassed you can do a little self-deception and convince yourself you're really just passing through on the way to the Oude Kerk (Old Church). Quite honestly my most lasting impression of the Red Light District is the historical air about the place. As you walk up the surprisingly narrow Warmoesstraat, it's hard not to imagine hordes of debauched 17th-century sailors and the wild nights out that must have been had way back when.
Castles? None that I know of around here, I'm afraid. The flat Dutch countryside doesn't lend itself to the hilltop fortifications of medieval lore. Don't worry, though. You'll have enough to see that you won't miss the castles.
A week too much time? Well, for those whose ideas about European travel come from package tour brochures anything more than 24 hours in one city sounds like a lot; I don't thing a week in Amsterdam is overdoing it at all. Remember, the slower you travel the more you learn. On a first trip to Europe it's tempting to cover as much ground as you can, but you will thank yourself later for taking the time to soak up the atmosphere.
That said, during a 7-day stay I would plan one day trip, just for a change of pace, to a destination of your choice. A number of other spots in the Netherlands have already been mentioned; Belgium is another popular choice (and has the best chocolate and the best fries you ever will find):
Antwerp - 2 hours
Brussels - 3 hours
Brugge - 4 hours
I've just gotten out my train tickets and here's what I paid for these kinds of trips a month ago:
Brussels -> Antwerp EUR 5.40
Antwerp -> Amsterdam EUR 26.40
Brussels -> Brugge EUR 10.30
Keep in mind there are usually discounts for inter-city train travel on weekends. Under no circumstances should you buy European train tickets in the USA; the markup is huge. When buying train tickets in Europe you will get second class unless you ask for first, which really isn't necessary. (Been there, done that, not worth the premium on these short journeys.)
For your remaining 6 days I would play it by ear. If you like museums you can easily spend 3 days just touring those. Use your time to explore and get to know the place. If you do feel like going somewhere else it's easy enough to pop into Centraal Station and get on a train.
Finally a word about the Anne Frankhuis: This place has long lines (even early in the morning on a weekday during the off-season I waited over half an hour) and on the inside is, well, a house. If you go here because you desire to see this spot of such historical importance, that's fine. If you're going just to get the feeling of crossing a required sightseeing item off your list, you may want to reconsider. If your only motivation for visiting is because it's something you're "supposed to see" while in Amsterdam, you could do with skipping it. Just my two cents.
Sorry for the length, but Amsterdam has so much to offer the first-time visitor to Europe that it's hard not to go on and on. I hope I've provided you with information you can use, and that you enjoy your trip.
Here's a little walking tour for you. I call it the "Best of Pedestrian Shopping in Amsterdam." Start at hopping hangout area Leidseplein, and proceed toward the city center on Leidsestraat. Continue straight (the street may change names) until you reach Koningsplein. Then follow the short Heiligeweg (Holy Way; a good Amsterdam research project is to find out how the street got that name) to Kalverstraat, one of Amsterdam's premier pedestrian shopping streets. Go left on Kalverstraat and follow the street up to the Dam square, where you will find the Koningklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) and Niewe Kerk (New Church). "New" is a relative term in Europe; the New Church dates from 17-something. From the Dam square you have two choices: Continue up the main road Damrak, home of the Sexmuseum, to Centraal Station, or walk on the pedestrian street Niewendijk until you reach the Niewezijds Voorburgwal, where you can make a right and get to Cetnraal Station that way. Whenver I'm in Amsterdam I make this trip on foot several times and never, ever tire of it. Word of caution for the first-timer: Be careful as part of the time you will be sharing the narrow right-of-way with a tram line! Total time: without stopping 20-30 minutes.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention: On this walking tour do be sure to make a pit stop at the Begijnhof (follow the little signs with the arrows). This former convent may sound like just a square lined with houses, but if you've never seen a European residential courtyard designed this way, you will be impressed how far removed it seems from the surrounding hustle and bustle.
Naturally no trip to Amsterdam is complete without at least a brief tour of the Red Light District. If you're afraid of this place just go in the morning; before noon it's mostly tourists milling about. If you're embarrassed you can do a little self-deception and convince yourself you're really just passing through on the way to the Oude Kerk (Old Church). Quite honestly my most lasting impression of the Red Light District is the historical air about the place. As you walk up the surprisingly narrow Warmoesstraat, it's hard not to imagine hordes of debauched 17th-century sailors and the wild nights out that must have been had way back when.
Castles? None that I know of around here, I'm afraid. The flat Dutch countryside doesn't lend itself to the hilltop fortifications of medieval lore. Don't worry, though. You'll have enough to see that you won't miss the castles.
A week too much time? Well, for those whose ideas about European travel come from package tour brochures anything more than 24 hours in one city sounds like a lot; I don't thing a week in Amsterdam is overdoing it at all. Remember, the slower you travel the more you learn. On a first trip to Europe it's tempting to cover as much ground as you can, but you will thank yourself later for taking the time to soak up the atmosphere.
That said, during a 7-day stay I would plan one day trip, just for a change of pace, to a destination of your choice. A number of other spots in the Netherlands have already been mentioned; Belgium is another popular choice (and has the best chocolate and the best fries you ever will find):
Antwerp - 2 hours
Brussels - 3 hours
Brugge - 4 hours
I've just gotten out my train tickets and here's what I paid for these kinds of trips a month ago:
Brussels -> Antwerp EUR 5.40
Antwerp -> Amsterdam EUR 26.40
Brussels -> Brugge EUR 10.30
Keep in mind there are usually discounts for inter-city train travel on weekends. Under no circumstances should you buy European train tickets in the USA; the markup is huge. When buying train tickets in Europe you will get second class unless you ask for first, which really isn't necessary. (Been there, done that, not worth the premium on these short journeys.)
For your remaining 6 days I would play it by ear. If you like museums you can easily spend 3 days just touring those. Use your time to explore and get to know the place. If you do feel like going somewhere else it's easy enough to pop into Centraal Station and get on a train.
Finally a word about the Anne Frankhuis: This place has long lines (even early in the morning on a weekday during the off-season I waited over half an hour) and on the inside is, well, a house. If you go here because you desire to see this spot of such historical importance, that's fine. If you're going just to get the feeling of crossing a required sightseeing item off your list, you may want to reconsider. If your only motivation for visiting is because it's something you're "supposed to see" while in Amsterdam, you could do with skipping it. Just my two cents.
Sorry for the length, but Amsterdam has so much to offer the first-time visitor to Europe that it's hard not to go on and on. I hope I've provided you with information you can use, and that you enjoy your trip.
Mar 8, 2003 | 1:03 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Boondocks of SE CO, USA
Posts: 247
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DeltaMM:
I highly recommend Keukenhof Gardens. You're in luck--they open on March 21. Info here.
You can take a train from Centraal Station.</font>
I highly recommend Keukenhof Gardens. You're in luck--they open on March 21. Info here.
You can take a train from Centraal Station.</font>
Mar 8, 2003 | 2:59 pm
#25
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Ewan Mebabe:
Typical American, what language do they speak, do they take US dollars ( like its the only currency in the world )have they invented ATM's there.
Get a life, you will be asking what kind of air they breathe next.</font>
Typical American, what language do they speak, do they take US dollars ( like its the only currency in the world )have they invented ATM's there.
Get a life, you will be asking what kind of air they breathe next.</font>
OK, ignoring the rude person.
Amsterdam is a great city, and I easily think you can spend a full week there.
You may be a bit early, but check to see if the Tulips are blooming early and get out to see them if they are.
We didn't have much trouble getting money from ATM's over there, there was a period of time from Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning that working ones were very hard to find, but I'm guessing there was some kind of network glitch then.
Other little stuff - Don't pass up a pastry shop, get something covered in chocolate every time you can. There will be little boxes of shaved chocolate next to the toast everyplace for breakfast, spread that over some buttered toast, the chocolate melts, and then you will be buying the boxes to bring home.
Dutch pancakes are wonderful, find some of those too.
The canal tour through the city is a great way to rest your feet
Amsterdam is very compact, depending on where you are staying, it's fairly walkable to most tourist places.
You have to at least visit and walk through the Red Light District, It's a totally amazing sight.
You have to validate your train ticket before getting on the trains, though we were never asked to show them even though we didn't realize that until the last day.
There is an incredible amount of very diverse and excellent restaurants, so ask at the front desk or whatever for good places to eat.
And while it's been hinted at nobody said it specificailly, Amsterdam uses the Euro for it's currency.
Don't pack too much into each day, and there will be plenty to do there for a week.
----------------
lastly, it's quite possible the world will become a totally different place during your trip. Make sure you have the local contacts for your airline and the rest (not the toll free numbers in the united states) should there be changes in scheduling and the rest because of the possible military actions. Make sure you have a copy of your passport's information page separate from the passport, and you leave a copy of that and your flight and hotel information with somebody home you can get hold of.
All of that is always good travel advice, it just may be needed this time.
Mar 8, 2003 | 6:34 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: boston,ma
Programs: JetBlue Mosiac, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 215
My fiance lives in Holland (born in Amsterdam) so I'm there about every third month or so. You've been given great advice so far, you don't need to bring Euros, just us an ATM at Schipol.
Since I'm american, and don't get the 54 vacation days off a year that my fiance does, I try to get the most bang for my buck on any trip. I'd recommend going (by train): to Brugges or Antwerp in Belgium, in Holland: Utrect for shopping, Den Hague, and of course I'm partial to where my fiance lives which is Gouda (yes like the cheese but pronounced How-da)which is a great little city. When you're in Holland, make sure you try Poffitjes - little tiny pancakes covered in powdered sugar and butter, YUM! and Stroofwafels-little wafels with syrup in them baked fresh, you buy them off the street.
Enjoy your trip!
Since I'm american, and don't get the 54 vacation days off a year that my fiance does, I try to get the most bang for my buck on any trip. I'd recommend going (by train): to Brugges or Antwerp in Belgium, in Holland: Utrect for shopping, Den Hague, and of course I'm partial to where my fiance lives which is Gouda (yes like the cheese but pronounced How-da)which is a great little city. When you're in Holland, make sure you try Poffitjes - little tiny pancakes covered in powdered sugar and butter, YUM! and Stroofwafels-little wafels with syrup in them baked fresh, you buy them off the street.
Enjoy your trip!
Mar 8, 2003 | 8:24 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 34,914
I don't know if they still do it but I thoroughly enjoyed my tour of the Hieniken brewery 
.
Also we took a day trip to some seaside town & also to Gouda---both were fun. The best day trip by far was out to Keukenhof Gardens-they are spectacular.
Don't forget to have some yummy french fries served in a big paper cone with mayonaise to dip.
Amsterdam is a beautiful city but we got lost about a thousand times. The names of the streets are going to make you want to buy a vowel. Good luck & Bon Voyage!!
.Also we took a day trip to some seaside town & also to Gouda---both were fun. The best day trip by far was out to Keukenhof Gardens-they are spectacular.
Don't forget to have some yummy french fries served in a big paper cone with mayonaise to dip.
Amsterdam is a beautiful city but we got lost about a thousand times. The names of the streets are going to make you want to buy a vowel. Good luck & Bon Voyage!!
Mar 9, 2003 | 9:44 am
#29
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 58,133
Just a general travel tip. I almost had my backpack stolen in AMS. A biker was passing from the opposite direction and he grabbed the handle on top. I had been warned about pick pockets and such so I had one hand on the strap of my pack so he didn't get it, and to boot he almost fell off his bike. Don't keep all your money in one spot. I carried about 40 euro and one credit card in my front pocket and the rest of my credit cards in my pack. This way if someone was looking at where my money was all they saw was me going into my front pocket.
Mar 9, 2003 | 11:58 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Posts: 53
Welcome to Amsterdam!
Amsterdam is my home town, but reading what the others wrote you already had some excellent advise, there is little I can add! So I looked somewhat deeper into your question about castles. There are several castles in the direct neighbourhood of the city, and I wanted to advise you the Muiderslot (anno 1280) in the cozy old village of Muiden (12 km east of Amsterdam), but that castle turns out to be only open for the public April - October.
Then I realized that I, along with everybody else on this thread, forgot the obvious: The Royal Palace on Dam Square, in the hart of Amsterdam, on a walking distance from the Centraal Station. Thanks to the fact that Queen Beatrix only uses this palace a couple of times a year for royal banquets, (she works in Palace Noordeinde and lives in Palace Huis ten Bosch, both in The Hague) it is open to the public almost year round.
More info on:
http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/UK/palaces/palaces.html
and:
http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/uk/groot/paleis.html
Welcome in Amsterdam, hope you have a great time!
Crime: Though Amsterdam's crime rate is dropping, it is still not one of the safest cities in the EU. Crime rates in the EU are usually lower than in the US, but please look well after your belongings and beware of pickpockets.
Tipping: The Netherlands have a reasonable minimum wage. Tipping is appreciated, but not obligational. The waiter won't starve if you don't give a tip. If the service is good, you give a tip, usually about 10 %, if the service is not OK you're not rude when you don't give a tip. Be relaxed.
Amsterdam is an international city, completely used to having foreign tourists around. Including Americans. Most Amsterdammers are friendlier to Americans than to people who won't speak English. The Dutch have learned school-British English at school and know American English mostly from films or through friends. Sometimes there are small misunderstandings. On most people, a friendly smile helps.
Again, have a great time!
Amsterdam is my home town, but reading what the others wrote you already had some excellent advise, there is little I can add! So I looked somewhat deeper into your question about castles. There are several castles in the direct neighbourhood of the city, and I wanted to advise you the Muiderslot (anno 1280) in the cozy old village of Muiden (12 km east of Amsterdam), but that castle turns out to be only open for the public April - October.
Then I realized that I, along with everybody else on this thread, forgot the obvious: The Royal Palace on Dam Square, in the hart of Amsterdam, on a walking distance from the Centraal Station. Thanks to the fact that Queen Beatrix only uses this palace a couple of times a year for royal banquets, (she works in Palace Noordeinde and lives in Palace Huis ten Bosch, both in The Hague) it is open to the public almost year round.
More info on:
http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/UK/palaces/palaces.html
and:
http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/uk/groot/paleis.html
Welcome in Amsterdam, hope you have a great time!
Crime: Though Amsterdam's crime rate is dropping, it is still not one of the safest cities in the EU. Crime rates in the EU are usually lower than in the US, but please look well after your belongings and beware of pickpockets.
Tipping: The Netherlands have a reasonable minimum wage. Tipping is appreciated, but not obligational. The waiter won't starve if you don't give a tip. If the service is good, you give a tip, usually about 10 %, if the service is not OK you're not rude when you don't give a tip. Be relaxed.
Amsterdam is an international city, completely used to having foreign tourists around. Including Americans. Most Amsterdammers are friendlier to Americans than to people who won't speak English. The Dutch have learned school-British English at school and know American English mostly from films or through friends. Sometimes there are small misunderstandings. On most people, a friendly smile helps.
Again, have a great time!