I am planning a trip to Amsterdam for me and my OH's anniversary. She usually deals with all our holidays so I am not sure where to start. Can anyone who has been there on a short trip give me any advice please. We are travelling from Telford and would prefer a package i.e.coach, ferry etc. TIA
The quickest way is to fly KLM from Birmingham and book a hotel separately, travelling by coach will take at leat 15 hrs each way. If you fly to Schipol the railway station is in the airport and will take you into the city centre, fare is about £6 each each way.If you are planning to go after 31 Oct take out travel insurance as we will no longer be in the EU and the E111 card will no longer be valid.
Yes quickist way is to fly, the train is in the airport straight into Amsterdam. Book hotel through someone like booking.com we were there 2 years ago over new year now that's worth seeing.
Lots to do they dam square the museums the biggest waste of time the red light district full of tourists all push and shove.
It's a long journey by coach and they often use hotels outside of the city you would be better staying right in so you can walk around the city then go back have a break and go back out again. Eating is simple lots of restaurants. You will possibly find the smell of the cannabis overpowering we did its everywhere.
Plus one for flying, no point mucking about. We were there this spring, Amsterdam is great. But watch out for the bikes! They have right of way and move fast.
Highlights: AnnaFrankhuis and Rijksmuseum (prebook both before you go). Wynant Focking for jenever tasting. Guided canal trip was informative. The rest was three days of strolling about.
Centraal Station, where you arrive from Schiphol, is well named, and a useful reference point. The city is compact and well organised.
Fly - it's the only sensible way to get there. There are plenty of airlines that fly there regularly. I was based there for 3 years, working for a large Dutch Bank. A strange situation - not a local, but not a tourist, and you could spot a tourist a mile off!
I haven't been back recently as I found accommodation comparatively expensive, but there are hundreds of hotels to choose from. Personally, I wouldn't bother with the Anne Frankhuis and in the Rijksmuseum, you can easily overdose on art. The Van Gogh museum is nearby and much more manageable. I would also recommend the Maritime museum and if you are there on Sunday, the art markets at 't Spui and Rembrantsplein.
Eating requires a bit of local knowledge. There are hundreds of restaurants, many cheap and convenient, but pretty poor. You need to avoid eating in touristy areas, and seek places on the fringe - ones where locals eat, but are happy to serve visitors.
We had a dozen or so places where we ate regularly. I'll only recommend two - Kastel on Lijnbaansgracht near Leidseplein. You sit on big comfy leather sofas and eat from a tray on your lap with a BIG knife. Hope you like meat!
For the best ribs in town, Carrels 3 on Voetbooogstraat near Singel.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
A little out of town, but fairly easy to get to from the Airport is the quaint fishing village of Volendam, it's the place where time stood still, very quaint and typically Dutch, with a good Best Western hotel Spaander.
We have stayed there three times in the past, and prefare it much better than the big bustling city of Amsterdam. Theres plenty to see and do, including some magnificent art works within the museum wing of the hotel itself.
Very easy to walk around too, and without the high crime rate and bustle of the city itself.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
I used to like getting out of the city and the Netherlands has a great railway system. As well as Volendam, I also recommend Enkhuizen - a picture postcard village on the Ijsselmeer with a great outdoor museum. Don't forget Alkmaar with it's open air cheese market.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Eurostar would be good if you can afford first class you get champagne and a bit spoilt and arrive in center of Amsterdam. The netherlands is a really interest country so much to do and friendly peopl
Sennen
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Trip to Amsterdam
via mobile 31/8/2019 at 10:16pm
