Amsterdam Bound!
 

I fly out to Amsterdam on March 17th and return on March 24th. This will be my first time going to Europe and I am traveling with my best friend (it is also her first time there as well). We have a few questions:

1. Money? We have been told not to bring American Traveler Cheques there, as they don't really accept them. If this is the case what do you suggest? Oh and do you know if Mastercard is accepted there?

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?

3. Places? We have the general tourist stuff to do in Amsterdam, but my friend was interested in seeing some castles. Any idea on any that are either in Netherlands or nearby, and how to get to them?

4. Other? General suggestions or information would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Vixie

You'll like Amsterdam. First, and this is horrible to say as we should mix in w/ them, they speak GREAT English (which is good because trying to speak Dutch is not easy).

Don't bother w/ travelers checques. Visa & Mastercard are accepted everywhere (and a lot of places take AmEx & Diners), and bring an ATM card & withdraw cash when you arrive at Schipol. Rate & fee is better using ATMs than credit cards or exchanging cash for euros.

Trams are easy to get around; buy a pass. Cabs are ok, but can get pricey. Tip is included in cab price although most round up a bit as a tip. You can catch a bus from Schipol to your hotel; they're efficient, easy & cost very little, or since it's 2 of you you may decide to just take a cab. Depending on where you're staying cab is $25-35.

Of course you have to go to all the major museums (Van Gogh, Reijks, modern art, Rembrandt, Ann Frank, etc), take the canal tour (yes, it's touristy but worth it).

There are some day trips to the outer part of Netherlands you can do; concierge at your hotel should have info. Can't speak for day runs to other countries, as I didn't have time.

And this sounds very touristy, but I found the Fodor's guide to be quite helpful. I go over every year on bizness, but still take it w/. I've done some of the walking tours from the guide. Recommend you buy it. It also has info on day trips outside of Amsterdam (but w/in the Netherlands I think). As far as I know, no castles floating around; you'd have to go to Germany or France for that.

And like the rest of Europe, quite a few people smoke, so remember to ask for a non-smoking room at your hotel. There is no such thing as non-smoking sections of the restaurants if I recall. There are lots & lots & lots of bicycles. They have the right of way!

Hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by SkiAdcock (edited 03-07-2003).]

I second SkiAdcock on using ATMs. They're everywhere, including one most conveniently located in the bagggage claim area at Schiphol.

Have a wonderful trip in a terrific city!

[This message has been edited by Lokahi (edited 03-07-2003).]

I think you've been told right that 7 days may be a bit too much time for just Amsterdam. You could certainly explore other parts of the Netherlands. Or, Brussels is a relatively quick and painless train ride from Amsterdam. I believe it's about a 3-hour ride, and probably costs about $40-$60. I'm sure someone else can confirm/correct that.

I don't know who told you this, but I disagree. Amsterdam has enough to offer to keep you busy for a week (as almost any major city on a first visit), unless of course you believe those "see Europe in seven days" trips. SkiAdcock has some excellent advice that will keep you busy. Even just sitting on a terrace (not likely this time of year) or in a bar or coffee shop and taking in the atmosphere can be very fun and interesting (beware: most patrons of coffee shops don't go there for the coffee http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif)

Furthermore a trip to Paris or Germany would just cost you valuable time: even though these places are not that far away, travelling to and from them will take time out of the week you have. BTW: hopping over to London from AMS is even a shorter trip than Paris or Germany, and some no frills airlines have some decent rates.

If you decide on trips outside of Amsterdam consider some other sites in NL: much closer and easier to get to. Some suggestions: Zaanse Schans (lots of windmills), Maastricht (nice city in the south of The Netherlands), The Hague (in Dutch: Den Haag - seat of the government and where the queen lives). The Netherlands has some nice castles, but I don't recall their names or location from the top of my head.


[This message has been edited by ql2112 (edited 03-07-2003).]

I took a sidetrip over to The Hague when I was in AMS last month. It's just 45 mins by train, and 15 euros round trip (about $US16.50).

You could also train up to Haarlem, just 10-15 mins away, which has a nice town square with cafes and a shopping area. Rick Steves starts his Europe tours in Haarlem.

I've also taken the train out to the coast (Zandvoort) and walked on the beach. Just something different to do if the weather if OK (30 mins by train).

I get the train schedule off the German rail English language site:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/e

There are also shops along the main road outside the central train station that sell day tours. Pick up some brochures when you first arrive and look them over. I've done a half day tour before.

Does anyone know if the tulip show at Keukenhof is open yet? I've done that before..more tulips than you would ever want to see http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif You can get there by train/bus.

Dusseldorf is about 3 hours by train. I last did that 2-3 years ago and it was $45 one way, though likely more now. I just walked up to the ticket window and bought a ticket.

This last trip was the first time I ever took a local bus to the airport (2 euros or so) from Leidesplein. It worked out fine. There is a schedule posted in the bus shelter near the American Bar. In the past I had always used the train (just over 3 euros one way), but the bus was actually more convenient.

Photos from my trip last month to AMS and The Hague:
http://photos.yahoo.com/[email protected]

edited for spelling


[This message has been edited by tom911 (edited 03-07-2003).]

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[This message has been edited by tom911 (edited 03-07-2003).]

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[This message has been edited by tom911 (edited 03-07-2003).]

I would agree with the idea of a train to Brussels and a couple of days there. And in particular a 1-dau side trip to Brugges.

One other suggestion, while in Amsterdam eat in a good Indonesian restaurant.

I like the idea of spending a week in Amsterdam. But it depends on what you like to do:

If you are single and available you might enjoy spending time at various hangouts for the nightlife.

Amsterdam has a lot to offer to those who like to "party". Or for families for that matter.

My family went last year and spent 4 days and wished we could have spent longer.

There was plenty to do including museums, Ann Frank, canal ride, flower market, and so much more. The food is quite good so you can spend a lot of time just figuring out breakfast, lunch and dinner (at least you can if you love food as I do.)

There are also things to do outside of the city but still in Holland. Gouda is touristy but worthwhile. Antwerp is a thought.

You guys are SO helpfull!! Keep them coming ... I am printing this thread and putting it in our travel folder to take with us!!

Thanks a ton,
Vixie

You should definitely go to Bruges, it's a highlight of that part of Europe (rent a bicycle and go out along the canal towpath). And if you like architecture then you could do a tour of some of the Art Nouveau structures in Brussels, which has many interesting sites (such as the comic book museum [Tintin]).

Dutch castles
Address:http://www.absolutefacts.com/data/castles.htm

Atm are the way to go. They get busy around 4pm to 7pm, and the lines can be long for a wait.

The atms are bit different so be patient and take your time learning them. They are easy.

Travel checks, take a few hundred dollars worth with you for safe keeping. Just in case you loose your cards or machine is empty or you have account problems. Other wise do not use them.

This city is a walkable city and is a window shopping city. The night life is fun, the happy hours are happy and most go after work. They are for one hour.

Feel free to get lost and not know where you are. You will see why when you get there. The major canals flow like a horse shoe.

I also agree with the Bruges suggestion (which I should have mentioned when I suggested Brussels above). It really is a charming town. If memory serves, it's about a 2.5-3 hour journey, and I'm pretty sure we stopped in Antwerp (another place you could hang out for a few hours).

Also, since this is your first trip to Europe, figure out which credit cards you're taking & call their 800#s & let them know which countries you'll be in & the dates. They'll then put a note in your record & your charges will go through rather than being denied because it's outside your normal spending pattern.

Also, write down in a secure spot your credit card # and a regular phone # for the credit card co (not 800 - 800's don't work outside of US) so that if your card was lost or stolen, you could report it & get a replacement.

And don't forget to make a copy of your passport & take w/ for similar reasons.

You can take travelers checques as a back-up, but use the ATMs first.

Personally I think between Amsterdam & the outer regions of the Netherlands for daytrips you have enough to do for a week w/o ever going anywhere else, but I've heard the Brussels/Brugue/whatever it is is a pretty good trip as well.

No one has mentioned it here, but a stroll throug the Red Light District has to be part of the Amsterdam thing as well. Doubt if you'd stay in the area, but it will be one of the first things friends back home ask you about (brown cafes being the 2nd).