Amsterdam Itinerary Advice - Sept/Oct
Aug 15th, 2013, 08:29 PM
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Amsterdam Itinerary Advice - Sept/Oct
Hi all,
Wanting some advice and recommendations for the following rough itinerary I have made for our 3 nights in Amsterdam. We are staying at Best Western Dam Square Inn, which includes breakfast. This is our last stop on our one month adventure. We are in our early twenties, not interested in art, not interested in drinking/smoking.
I have a lot of free time, to just walk, explore, eat and soak up the atmosphere.
If anyone has any recommendations to add, please let me know!
Monday - 30 September
-Arrive from Bruges at Amsterdam Central at 3:45PM
-Walk to hotel (9 minutes)
-Walk to Dam Square, explore local area
Tuesday – 1 October
-10:20 Anne Frank House (pre purchased tickets)
-Explore the Jordaan area and have lunch **Any particular streets to explore or just walk aimlessly?
-Canal Cruise *Any that leave from the Jordaan area?
-Back to hotel to refresh
-Dinner
-Red light district tour *Recommendations for tour company?
Wednesday – 2 October
-Albert Cuyp Market (Ferdinand Bolstraat 44, Amsterdam)
-Rent a bike and ride through Vondel Park
-Rest of the day is free
-15 Bridges (corner of Reguliersgracht/Herengracht) (night)
Thursday – 3 October
-Free day
-Catch train from Central at 4:30pm to be at Schiphol airport for flight home at 7:10PM. *Allowing enough time?!
Wanting some advice and recommendations for the following rough itinerary I have made for our 3 nights in Amsterdam. We are staying at Best Western Dam Square Inn, which includes breakfast. This is our last stop on our one month adventure. We are in our early twenties, not interested in art, not interested in drinking/smoking.
I have a lot of free time, to just walk, explore, eat and soak up the atmosphere.
If anyone has any recommendations to add, please let me know!
Monday - 30 September
-Arrive from Bruges at Amsterdam Central at 3:45PM
-Walk to hotel (9 minutes)
-Walk to Dam Square, explore local area
Tuesday – 1 October
-10:20 Anne Frank House (pre purchased tickets)
-Explore the Jordaan area and have lunch **Any particular streets to explore or just walk aimlessly?
-Canal Cruise *Any that leave from the Jordaan area?
-Back to hotel to refresh
-Dinner
-Red light district tour *Recommendations for tour company?
Wednesday – 2 October
-Albert Cuyp Market (Ferdinand Bolstraat 44, Amsterdam)
-Rent a bike and ride through Vondel Park
-Rest of the day is free
-15 Bridges (corner of Reguliersgracht/Herengracht) (night)
Thursday – 3 October
-Free day
-Catch train from Central at 4:30pm to be at Schiphol airport for flight home at 7:10PM. *Allowing enough time?!
Aug 15th, 2013, 10:05 PM
#2
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Have a look at the thread, Amsterdam, my favourite things, lots of good ideas there. If you are there on a Saturday go to the Farmers market, it is near Winkel Cafe which you must go to for their delicious
Apple cake and coffee.
Apple cake and coffee.
Aug 15th, 2013, 10:55 PM
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You need to leave for Schiphol earlier. Assuming you are flying back to the US you need to allow at least 3 hours for checking in, and the extensive security check, which is done at the gate. The gate closes early to allow for that.
I also would question the red light district visit. You wouldn't visit the RLD in your home town would you? Why do you want to witness the exploitation of fellow human beings? If you want to see it for the historical buildings go in the morning.
I also would question the red light district visit. You wouldn't visit the RLD in your home town would you? Why do you want to witness the exploitation of fellow human beings? If you want to see it for the historical buildings go in the morning.
Aug 16th, 2013, 03:22 AM
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why oh why oh why must you visit the red light district? to see the exploitation of women in action?
oh i see hetismij has written something similar. well, I agree.
jordaan: de kat in de wijngaard for lunch and a drink
and toscanini (book a table!) for dinner.
albert cuyp... not my favorite thing. if you want the amsterdam market experience, go to dappermarkt en visit the tropenmuseum, and nearby oosterpark.
perhaps an idea would be to either bike or take the tram to KNSM eiland, walk around there (interesting architecture and a couple of nice shops) and enjoy the view at Kanis en Meijland. If the weather is nice, check out the beach at Blijburg.
oh i see hetismij has written something similar. well, I agree.
jordaan: de kat in de wijngaard for lunch and a drink
and toscanini (book a table!) for dinner.
albert cuyp... not my favorite thing. if you want the amsterdam market experience, go to dappermarkt en visit the tropenmuseum, and nearby oosterpark.
perhaps an idea would be to either bike or take the tram to KNSM eiland, walk around there (interesting architecture and a couple of nice shops) and enjoy the view at Kanis en Meijland. If the weather is nice, check out the beach at Blijburg.
Aug 16th, 2013, 03:54 AM
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Enjoy the Red Light District - it is fascinating because of the approach that has been taking with the practice. There is no need to defer to others ideas of what constitutes socially or morally acceptable touring.
Aug 16th, 2013, 04:08 AM
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the approach that's being taken now is to shut it down, effectively, because there is so much human trafficking going on.
more and more houses are being closed down, also because of connections with organized crime.
if you find crime morally acceptable, fine.
more and more houses are being closed down, also because of connections with organized crime.
if you find crime morally acceptable, fine.
Aug 16th, 2013, 04:42 AM
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Two highlights of our triip you haven't mentioned.
The historical museum. Small but very good displays in historical order and right on to the top of the museum for the 20th century. One of the best of such kind of museum as I have seen in any city. http://www.amsterdammuseum.nl/en
And the museum of Dutch resistance. Opposite side of town from Anne Frank house but a good complement. http://www.verzetsmuseum.org/museum/en/museum
The historical museum. Small but very good displays in historical order and right on to the top of the museum for the 20th century. One of the best of such kind of museum as I have seen in any city. http://www.amsterdammuseum.nl/en
And the museum of Dutch resistance. Opposite side of town from Anne Frank house but a good complement. http://www.verzetsmuseum.org/museum/en/museum
Aug 16th, 2013, 04:53 AM
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The red light area can be visited by joining Randy Roys red light tours. Their website tells you where to meet and when. This is not just about the girls, but the history of this colourful area which has existed for hundreds of years.
Yes there is a new problem with trafficking, but the large percentage of workers chose to be there. It is a different mentality and the apartments within the area are highly sought after. It is well patrolled, clean, full of tourists and very much a part of the city as a whole. If you go to Amsterdam remember they have a different attitude to bodies and sex and it's not like any other city in the world.
Yes there is a new problem with trafficking, but the large percentage of workers chose to be there. It is a different mentality and the apartments within the area are highly sought after. It is well patrolled, clean, full of tourists and very much a part of the city as a whole. If you go to Amsterdam remember they have a different attitude to bodies and sex and it's not like any other city in the world.
Aug 16th, 2013, 05:07 AM
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We just returned last week from Amsterdam. Took the train to Haarlem, about 20 minutes away, and rented bikes there. Much quieter and less hectic. At "Rent a Bike" they give you a map and a few suggestions. We choose a short 30 minute ride to the beach (North Sea) called Bloemendaal Alan Zee. Great afternoon. Haarlem itself is a wonderful place to walk around. Lots of cafes and history.
Aug 16th, 2013, 07:41 AM
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As a Dutch person I agree with Menachem and Hetismij on the subject of the RLD.
I,d be curious to know where Burnie gets his ideas about Amsterdam's attitude to bodies and sex, and the assertion that the majority of prostitutes are quite happy to be working in the RLD.
I,d be curious to know where Burnie gets his ideas about Amsterdam's attitude to bodies and sex, and the assertion that the majority of prostitutes are quite happy to be working in the RLD.
Aug 16th, 2013, 07:55 AM
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We did a Dutch Cheese and wine tasting at Replenar's. It was alot of fun (1 hour, 6 cheeses, 3 wines) and is only a couple of blocks from the Anne Frank House Try a Indonesian Restaurant for the "Rice Table". Visit one of the open flower markets
Aug 16th, 2013, 03:07 PM
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Yes, I find crime morally acceptable - that is exactly the kind of twisted logic that leads to attempts to inflict one morals on another.
If we want to get factual, prostitution remains legal in the Netherlands, and Amsterdam officials are attempting to reduce the number of 'window' brothels in an effort to be able to monitor the area more closely. Of course there are some criminal elements involved even in legalized prostitution. They are involved in the sanitation business, too, but I am still going to put my garbage out.
It's not your place to plead with someone not to patronize an area of interest just because you find it personally offensive.
If we want to get factual, prostitution remains legal in the Netherlands, and Amsterdam officials are attempting to reduce the number of 'window' brothels in an effort to be able to monitor the area more closely. Of course there are some criminal elements involved even in legalized prostitution. They are involved in the sanitation business, too, but I am still going to put my garbage out.
It's not your place to plead with someone not to patronize an area of interest just because you find it personally offensive.
Aug 16th, 2013, 06:17 PM
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"if you find crime morally acceptable, fine."
Who are you to judge me, and assume I support this?
As a foreigner, who has never encounted such a thing in my own country, I am intrigued to learn more about this part of Amsterdam. I am not going there to be serviced by a prostitute, I am taking a TOUR to learn about the industry as many many many other people do. This is not a crime. Nor is it degrading of my morals.
Thank you to everyone who did offer advice for my itinerary. I am getting so excited to leave now!!
Who are you to judge me, and assume I support this?
As a foreigner, who has never encounted such a thing in my own country, I am intrigued to learn more about this part of Amsterdam. I am not going there to be serviced by a prostitute, I am taking a TOUR to learn about the industry as many many many other people do. This is not a crime. Nor is it degrading of my morals.
Thank you to everyone who did offer advice for my itinerary. I am getting so excited to leave now!!
Aug 18th, 2013, 11:49 AM
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We spent a long weekend in Amsterdam a few years back - check out my trip report. Be sure to see the Rijksmuseum and VanGogh museum. Less known spots we really liked were: Our Lord in the Attic church, Gin Factory/Museum/Tasting room just off Dam Square and both the old/new church.
Aug 19th, 2013, 08:48 AM
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burnie, that sex workers "choose" their profession is a myth.
i still find it morally objectionable that people choose to gawk at the women doing their work as if they are animals in a zoo. secondly, people going on tours of that kind choose to ignore the ugly reality that the sex industry actually is.
I do not think women who earn there living that way are morally reprehensible, but I think you are, aamclean. if that is judgement you are uncomfortable with, so be it.
i had to be in amsterdam this weekend. indeed, the people who think it's all sex and weed seem to have the upper hand, and the city caters to them. such a shame. I was glad I was able to leave the city on sunday night.
i still find it morally objectionable that people choose to gawk at the women doing their work as if they are animals in a zoo. secondly, people going on tours of that kind choose to ignore the ugly reality that the sex industry actually is.
I do not think women who earn there living that way are morally reprehensible, but I think you are, aamclean. if that is judgement you are uncomfortable with, so be it.
i had to be in amsterdam this weekend. indeed, the people who think it's all sex and weed seem to have the upper hand, and the city caters to them. such a shame. I was glad I was able to leave the city on sunday night.
Aug 19th, 2013, 09:06 AM
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I have a lot of free time, to just walk, explore, eat and soak up the atmosphere.
If anyone has any recommendations to add, please let me know!
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ite-things.cfm
If anyone has any recommendations to add, please let me know!
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ite-things.cfm
Aug 19th, 2013, 12:05 PM
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Warts and all nevertheless Amsterdam's LEGAL and officially tolerated Redlight District is said to be amongst the city's very top tourist site/sight and I would like to see some proof behind the fact that many sex workers there do not chose their profession - a profession on view here but which is the tip of the iceberg now with online sites that negate any public show.
I too am appalled at such things but to say the women are forced to do it I'm not sure - yeh you hear lots of things about women from eastern Europe being forced to do it - if so shame on Dutch and Amsterdamned authorities for allowing it to so brazenly happening.
Actually I though the Mayor of Amsterdamned had made it his Bloomberg thing to do away with the visible Redlight district and turn it into offices and condos and facny hotels that most canal areas in Amsterdam have been converted to - prime prime real estate now going to sleaze, which I guess must make tons of money to be so tolerated.
Don't throw the baby out with the bath water, no matter how filthy that water may be.
As long as the Redlight District is officially tolerated I will go there to see what it is all about - even if it disgusts me - like the reason I went to one bullfight once long long ago.
I too am appalled at such things but to say the women are forced to do it I'm not sure - yeh you hear lots of things about women from eastern Europe being forced to do it - if so shame on Dutch and Amsterdamned authorities for allowing it to so brazenly happening.
Actually I though the Mayor of Amsterdamned had made it his Bloomberg thing to do away with the visible Redlight district and turn it into offices and condos and facny hotels that most canal areas in Amsterdam have been converted to - prime prime real estate now going to sleaze, which I guess must make tons of money to be so tolerated.
Don't throw the baby out with the bath water, no matter how filthy that water may be.
As long as the Redlight District is officially tolerated I will go there to see what it is all about - even if it disgusts me - like the reason I went to one bullfight once long long ago.
