4-night trip to Amsterdam from Atlanta - worth it?
Jul 24th, 2006, 01:51 PM
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4-night trip to Amsterdam from Atlanta - worth it?
My husband just found out he's probably going to Amsterdam in October (one week before our Hawaii trip!)
We are going to Hawaii to celebrate our 25th anniversary, but our anniversary actually occurs the week before Hawaii (the week he's going to Amsterdam.)
Now I'm thinking about going with him to Amsterdam. The only flights (with FF miles) I can get from Atlanta are Sunday (arriving Monday morning), and returning Thursday. This is 4 nights away, 3 nights in Amsterdam.
Our childen are older, so that's not an issue, but I'm wondering about the jet leg. We would be flying Atlanta to Amsterdam on Sunday, I would be returning on Thursday from Amsterdam to Atlanta (my husband would be returning to Atlanta on Friday, and then that Sunday we're flying to Hawaii for 10 nights.
We've been to Europe a couple of times but never to Amsterdam. This trip would be just about free for me to go ($57 for Delta ticket plus food for me) so it's a good deal. I don't like the thought of not being with my husband on our actual 25th anniversary, but that might be a little silly, I know.
So, what do you think?
We are going to Hawaii to celebrate our 25th anniversary, but our anniversary actually occurs the week before Hawaii (the week he's going to Amsterdam.)
Now I'm thinking about going with him to Amsterdam. The only flights (with FF miles) I can get from Atlanta are Sunday (arriving Monday morning), and returning Thursday. This is 4 nights away, 3 nights in Amsterdam.
Our childen are older, so that's not an issue, but I'm wondering about the jet leg. We would be flying Atlanta to Amsterdam on Sunday, I would be returning on Thursday from Amsterdam to Atlanta (my husband would be returning to Atlanta on Friday, and then that Sunday we're flying to Hawaii for 10 nights.
We've been to Europe a couple of times but never to Amsterdam. This trip would be just about free for me to go ($57 for Delta ticket plus food for me) so it's a good deal. I don't like the thought of not being with my husband on our actual 25th anniversary, but that might be a little silly, I know.
So, what do you think?
Jul 24th, 2006, 01:54 PM
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I think if you want to be there and can get it on miles you should go for it.
OK..you may be jetlagged that first day but at least you'll BE there.
Are you at all able to sleep on planes? Used anything to help such as Melatonin?
OK..you may be jetlagged that first day but at least you'll BE there.
Are you at all able to sleep on planes? Used anything to help such as Melatonin?
Jul 24th, 2006, 02:04 PM
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Well, I don't usually sleep very well on planes, but since my husband is flying with me on the outbound leg, I would probably take a couple of Benadryl tablets and, hopefully, be able to sleep a little. He, on the other hand, is able to go to sleep before we leave the Atlanta airport!
Jul 24th, 2006, 02:22 PM
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Samsaf,
I'll just throw in here that I found Amsterdam to be a uniquely romantic city. It does not have the grandeur and monumental glamour of, say, Paris or Rome. However, the Dutch excel in a kind of low-key luxury that feels intimate and cozy. Walking along the canals at dusk, when the little lights come on to illuminate the bridges, seeing the sky glow orange behind the Golden Age facades of the ancient houses, hearing the bells of the Westerkerk....all these memories and more strike me as the kind of thing that would be delightful shared with the one you love, especially on such a significant anniversary. Stay someplace nice, like the Ambassade, the Seven Bridges, or t'Hotel B&B. The Ambassade especially would probably go out of their way to give you a nice room if you inform them of your anniversary.
I'd do it .... in half a heartbeat.
I'll just throw in here that I found Amsterdam to be a uniquely romantic city. It does not have the grandeur and monumental glamour of, say, Paris or Rome. However, the Dutch excel in a kind of low-key luxury that feels intimate and cozy. Walking along the canals at dusk, when the little lights come on to illuminate the bridges, seeing the sky glow orange behind the Golden Age facades of the ancient houses, hearing the bells of the Westerkerk....all these memories and more strike me as the kind of thing that would be delightful shared with the one you love, especially on such a significant anniversary. Stay someplace nice, like the Ambassade, the Seven Bridges, or t'Hotel B&B. The Ambassade especially would probably go out of their way to give you a nice room if you inform them of your anniversary.
I'd do it .... in half a heartbeat.
Jul 24th, 2006, 04:14 PM
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Hi, S! Wish you had been able to come to the last GTG also.
I would definitely go - but I really want to see Amsterdam. If it were my anniversary as well, then for me it would be a no-brainer. Dovina describes a wonderful place to be with hubby on a milestone anniversay (or on ANY anniversary
)
While he is working, I would go see the Anne Frank museum. I also would spend a day with Mike's Bike Tour. That was the original name of the tours in Paris and everyone I've heard from (including me) have raved about the tour. Here's a link to the Amsterdam tour -
http://www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.c....aspx?tabid=24
So, even if it meant:
Travel Day
Anne Frank Day and romantic night
Bike tour and romantic night
Travel day
I'd STILL do it in a heartbeat!
I would definitely go - but I really want to see Amsterdam. If it were my anniversary as well, then for me it would be a no-brainer. Dovina describes a wonderful place to be with hubby on a milestone anniversay (or on ANY anniversary
)While he is working, I would go see the Anne Frank museum. I also would spend a day with Mike's Bike Tour. That was the original name of the tours in Paris and everyone I've heard from (including me) have raved about the tour. Here's a link to the Amsterdam tour -
http://www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.c....aspx?tabid=24
So, even if it meant:
Travel Day
Anne Frank Day and romantic night
Bike tour and romantic night
Travel day
I'd STILL do it in a heartbeat!
Jul 24th, 2006, 04:37 PM
#10
Normally I'd say no way for such a short trip... but given all you told us I say GO! Heck, it's so short the jet lag won't even have time to catch up to you!! It's your 25th and Amsterdam is incredibly atmospheric.
Jul 24th, 2006, 05:53 PM
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I regularly go on Thursday-Monday trips to Europe, which is the same length of time -- three nights on the ground. It's definitely worth it so don't give it a second thought. Dovima describes Amsterdam nicely and you will have a wonderful experience.
Jul 24th, 2006, 06:24 PM
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Oh, you MUST go. IMO, anyway. It's your 25th!
I take a sleeping pill on the way over. I particularly like a new one my doc gave me. It is called Rozerem and the sleep feels natural. I don't have a hangover in the morning.
I wish you a great trip and a very happy anniversary. Today is our anniversary, by the way.
I take a sleeping pill on the way over. I particularly like a new one my doc gave me. It is called Rozerem and the sleep feels natural. I don't have a hangover in the morning.
I wish you a great trip and a very happy anniversary. Today is our anniversary, by the way.
Jul 24th, 2006, 06:37 PM
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Oh, gosh, definitely, GO! It will make your wonderful 25th anniversary even more memorable, and romantic. And then...on to Hawaii. Wow...you lucky girl. Add me to the group who would go "in a heartbeat."
Have fun!
Belinda
Add me to the group who would go "in a heartbeat."Have fun!
Belinda
Jul 24th, 2006, 07:29 PM
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What do we have to do, drag you to the plane? Go girl.
For an easy jet lag cure it is best to fly east at your normal sleeping time. Have a pasta dinner and a couple glasses of wine and sleep away. Curses come in the form of crying babies within 5 rows.
I second the motion for the Hotel Ambassade. Get a top floor with timbers. You won't feel silly.
On about the 3rd day of Hawaii you will wish you had stayed in Amsterdam.
Jul 24th, 2006, 10:40 PM
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Only if you can live with maybe unstable weather... check: www.wunderground.com
It can be nice, but also chances of rain, chilly etc.
It can be nice, but also chances of rain, chilly etc.
Jul 25th, 2006, 04:08 AM
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I was showing all these replies to my husband this morning. He was laughing and saying, "You asked FODORITES if you should take a trip? You knew what they all would say!!!" Which is true, but I guess I needed confirmation.
My just-graduated-from-college daughter (who has moved back home for a year for her first year as a second-grade teacher) said, "Go, Mom! This is a great opportunity." She will be here with our high school senior.
I'm leaning toward going. My husband will, hopefully, find out all the details in the next day or so. The hotel will be decided by his business, but we usually stay in nice hotels when we go on business.
I will keep you updated. Thanks so much for your posts.
My just-graduated-from-college daughter (who has moved back home for a year for her first year as a second-grade teacher) said, "Go, Mom! This is a great opportunity." She will be here with our high school senior.
I'm leaning toward going. My husband will, hopefully, find out all the details in the next day or so. The hotel will be decided by his business, but we usually stay in nice hotels when we go on business.
I will keep you updated. Thanks so much for your posts.
