I will be attending a trade-show in Rotterdam soon, and will have an extra day in Amsterdam to see the sites.


What tourist type thing do you recommend I see (first time in Amsterdam)? I know of the re-light district :cool:, but I am happily married and would like to remain that way :D I do enjoy seeing old architecture/buildings as an option. I would be using cabs, walking or train as needed I guess (not renting a car).


What hotel do you recommend? I am looking at these options:

Golden Tulip Apollo...120EUR first night, 170EUR second night
http://www.goldentulipapolloamsterdam.com/

Ibis Hotel Central-129EUR first night, 119EUR second night
http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-1556-ibis-amsterdam-centre/index.shtml

Mercure Arthure Frommer-119EUR first night, 109EUR second night
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-1032-mercure-amsterdam-arthur-frommer/index.shtml

Novotel Amsterdam city-129EUR first night, 119EUR second night
http://www.accorhotels.com/nl/hotel-0515-novotel-amsterdam-city/index.shtml

Any tips appreciated!!
:thumbsup:

Strangely I'm in Amsterdam right now---- The Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. Both totally astounding.:thumbsup:

Strangely I'm in Amsterdam right now---- The Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. Both totally astounding.:thumbsup:

Thanks, where are you staying?

Hilton Amsterdam- It's nice, but I'm here working so I don't even see the hotel bill. Not even sure as to the cost. Don't have any info as to the hotels you listed, but I'm sure they're fine. See which location you'd like best.:beers:

Ron,
I've always been pleased staying at any Novotel throughout Europe.

Amsterdam is very bicycle friendly. I liked Amsterdam but there were other cities I liked more, which had a lot more charm. The good thing about Amsterdam is most everyone speaks english.

The old buildings are really cool to look at. I've got a ton of photos from when I was there, someday I should scan them.

They also have boat tours, the city has lots of miles of canals in it.

we have ben to amsterdam a few times, go and check out the Anne Frank house, Rijksmuseum, flower market. Dam Square,you wont need a car in amsterdam cos you can get everywhere on foot or by tram.....

I've been to Amsterdam a few times. A great place to stay is in the barges that dock at Oosterdok which is walking distance from the main train station (Amsterdam Centraal ) which is also walking distance to many of the sights described above (Rembrandt, Ann Frank, Red Light district etc).
The barges are used for Bike & Barge type excursions so they've been modified with rooms for sleeping. When not on a trip, they dock at the Oosterdok which is right in front of the Nemo and function as bed & breakfast places. We (wife & I) stayed in a couple different barges - bed & breakfast for 2 for about 50 Euros or less if I recall (it was just a couple years ago).
The bad part is I am not sure if you can arrange in advance - but you might be able to if you check on-line looking for Bike & Barges out of Amsterdam. We just walked down the piers and asked if they had a room, how much, then had a look around before saying yes. The rooms were clean, the food was good, the people were great.
Most of the Dutch speak English so if you need help, they are usually very willing to help.
The Red Light District could be interesting I guess. I've walked through a few times - usually on my way to somewhere else. It's not really that big an area and if you're not really paying attention, you could walk right through it and not really know (unless you were doing some "window shopping"). There's no one on the street soliciting.

I enjoyed the Rembrandt museum. You'll need to take a train to see the van Gogh museum.

Beware that "coffee shops" aren't really Starbucks type things. I've been warned that that's where you go to smoke dope.

I enjoyed just walking around downtown looking at all the old houses, churches, canals etc.

I just checked Google Earth and the barges can be clearly seen at:
52°22'23"N
4°54'38"E

Have fun!

Wes

BEWARE THE COFFEE SHOPS, Starbucks they aint ,ha ha. i believe they smoke some funny weed there....

Yeah, there's weed on the streets..... (I am in Amsterdam right now on Business)

I just left the Van Gogh Museum a couple of hours ago and saw this GORGEOUS '69 Chevelle. Looked great, sounded great. The friend who was with me had no idea why I seemed so excited! :beers:

I will be attending a trade-show in Rotterdam soon, and will have an extra day in Amsterdam to see the sites.


What tourist type thing do you recommend I see (first time in Amsterdam)? I know of the re-light district :cool:, but I am happily married and would like to remain that way :D I do enjoy seeing old architecture/buildings as an option. I would be using cabs, walking or train as needed I guess (not renting a car).


What hotel do you recommend? I am looking at these options:

Golden Tulip Apollo...120EUR first night, 170EUR second night
http://www.goldentulipapolloamsterdam.com/

Ibis Hotel Central-129EUR first night, 119EUR second night
http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-1556-ibis-amsterdam-centre/index.shtml

Mercure Arthure Frommer-119EUR first night, 109EUR second night
http://www.anrdoezrs.net/image-3497329-10438468http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-1032-mercure-amsterdam-arthur-frommer/index.shtml (http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3497329-10438468?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.accorhotels.com%2Fgb %2Fhotel-1032-mercure-amsterdam-arthur-frommer%2Findex.shtml)

Novotel Amsterdam city-129EUR first night, 119EUR second night
http://www.anrdoezrs.net/image-3497329-10438468http://www.accorhotels.com/nl/hotel-0515-novotel-amsterdam-city/index.shtml (http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3497329-10438468?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.accorhotels.com%2Fnl %2Fhotel-0515-novotel-amsterdam-city%2Findex.shtml)

Any tips appreciated!!
:thumbsup:

Found this post a little late......sorry....but maybe I can be some sort of help :), still attending or already attended?

Thanks, but I have been and back already. :)

what did you think off the place,???? did you visit any coffee shops:D:D

what did you think off the place,???? did you visit any coffee shops:D:D


Didn't visit any "coffee shops" on purpose... went looking for a beer and found a place and went in... got up to the bar - no bar taps, fridges, mugs ...hhhmmm..... what are those canisters on the bar with leaves and seeds-oh!!! About-face, out we go! :D

Crazy place, never seen so many bikes!!! Some bikes had even mated with wheel barrows. If the bikes on the bike path didn't run you over, there were the 2 stroke Vespa style scooters everywhere trying.

Redlight area was...interesting. Didn't sample any "services" but I overheard 40Euro went a fair ways. ;) There were at least Swedish and Swiss chapter members of the Hell's Angels there. A lot of interesting windows. The crowd on the street was quite diverse.


We had a blast!!
Random pics: http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t199/Bow_Tied/Amsterdam/?albumview=slideshow
:thumbsup:

Ron,
Any specific hotel recommendations? Did you use the train from airport to town center?

Ron,
Any specific hotel recommendations? Did you use the train from airport to town center?

I don't remember seeing an airport, or a plane, for that matter, while I was there. Came from England by boat to what they call the "Hook of Holland", then train to town.

If I remember correctly, standard "red light" action was equal to $40 U.S., draft beer, between 2-3$ and 7$ to get into "The Milky Weg". The Milky Weg is so bizarre that I don't even know where to begin. It has maybe 30 different interlinking rooms on two levels, some as large as gymnasiums, others not much bigger than a walk in closet. The latter with nothing but bean bag chairs and a movie screen. Oh, and it is the home of the "Space Cake".

Back then they still had Gilders (no Euro yet). It seemed like I was always at an ATM or exchanging money :D

The street performers were a trip, but nothing compared to the solicitors for the live sex shows. Some, of which, encourage audience participation. Even I was uncomfortable in those places.... not enough to leave, just uncomfortable ;).

Every night I found myself in the one place that "Let's Go" said to avoid after midnight, Dam Square, where the freaks come out... But, also the only late nite munchables. Shoarma (sp) or whatever they call sliced beef, lamb etc.. Gyros.

Love that place.

PS- How come nobody suggested Heineken Brewery tour? A little strategic loitering in the tasting area (last stop), and it becomes the best deal in town. We went at 7am, it didn't open until 9 or 10, but we rotated back to the next group foru or five times. Left there a total mess, sun starting to set and no idea what direction to start walking.

Ron,
Any specific hotel recommendations? Did you use the train from airport to town center?

Bill, here is the long version: we arrived at Schipol airport and from there we took the train to Rotterdam. While we were waiting for the train, I noticed all the train cars had a big "2" on the side. I thought it was weird, but maybe some advertisement or something and didn't really think anything of it and got on our train. THe ticket lady then tells us we are in the first class coach (didn't really seem anything special, we didn;t know) and we had to move. No big deal. Getting off the train I noticed the car were in had a "1" on it. I guess this is the designation for 1st class. :confused: THere were no other signs, dumb system, but I guess it is one of things everyone knows except the dumb tourists. For a city that gets 3.5 million tourists a year, I presume I can't be the first one to do that.

We stayed at the NH Atlanta in Rotterdam. Old building, one of few not bombed in WWII. The one bed rooms were a bit small, but the bathrooms were large. The two bed rooms one of colleagues had was a better size. The rooms were clean but nothing special though. The breakfast wasn't cheap but was good, decent selection (I love eating breakfast at the hotels there for some reason).

We planned to take the train back to Amsterdam. The cab driver taking us to the station inquired we were headed and suggested he would take the 4 of us direct to our hotel for a discount - normally 150, would do for 100. Sounded like a lot, but when you add 4 train tickets plus 4 tickets for the tram to go downtown, then maybe a cab to the hotel, it seemed like a good idea considering the time savings so we did that.

We stayed at the Golden Tulip Apollo which was a nicer hotel, I would recommend it if the budget fits. The breakfast was more expensive again, but decent selection and had a lovely river view. We all didn't mind walking a piece and so didn't need a cab much. There is a French restaurant near by, can't recall the name but the concierge will know as he told us about it, that was excellent! Shoulder of roast lamb with Cous-cous. :thumbsup:

Both hotels charge out the ying-yang for internet, but that is common in a lot of Europe I am told. Both of these hotel were on the same pay network though so unused time at one transfered.

We had a great time but sounds like no where near as good a time as Rowdy had. ;)

if you ever seen the movie hostel you wouldnt wanna visit anywhere out of the normal 50 states and maybe canada lol

if you ever seen the movie hostel you wouldnt wanna visit anywhere out of the normal 50 states and maybe canada lol

:confused:
OMG, why would you want to restrict yourself just to this country??? Europe and the rest of this world is awesome!!
So many sites to see, peoples & cultures to experience.
I generally find myself heading for Europe a couple times a year. Spent a week in Spain/France just a few weeks ago and hope to take a trip to Ireland in Dec. just for a Xmas party. :beers:

Thanks Ron for the info. :thumbsup: