Traveling in Amsterdam
Apr 16th, 2013, 03:41 AM
#1
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Traveling in Amsterdam
Wanted some advice
This will be my first trip to Amsterdam. I will be there for 4 nights. I wanted to visit Brussels and maybe another location not too far from Amsterdam before I go on to Denmark for a business trip
While in Amsterdam I was going to stay by central station. I was wondering if this is a good idea (wanted convience for my side trip and airport transfer)
Is central station a good location to walk the city on the days I am not taking my side trips?
Thank you for your advice
This will be my first trip to Amsterdam. I will be there for 4 nights. I wanted to visit Brussels and maybe another location not too far from Amsterdam before I go on to Denmark for a business trip
While in Amsterdam I was going to stay by central station. I was wondering if this is a good idea (wanted convience for my side trip and airport transfer)
Is central station a good location to walk the city on the days I am not taking my side trips?
Thank you for your advice
Apr 16th, 2013, 04:08 AM
#2
In my experience I think you'll find people recommending various other areas of the city to stay in such as the Jordaan (just one example).
I have almost always stayed in the area near the Centraal Station. For one thing this is a hub for the local tram network and there is also a tourist office which faces the station. You can also get one of the canal cruises from that location.
It is about a five-block walk to the Dam Square. It is certainly easy for airport transfer.
Again a lot depends on one's sensibility. I';m sure others will comment.
I have almost always stayed in the area near the Centraal Station. For one thing this is a hub for the local tram network and there is also a tourist office which faces the station. You can also get one of the canal cruises from that location.
It is about a five-block walk to the Dam Square. It is certainly easy for airport transfer.
Again a lot depends on one's sensibility. I';m sure others will comment.
Apr 16th, 2013, 04:14 AM
#3
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With 4 nights in Amsterdam that only gives you 3 full days - if you do 2 day trips you will only get 1 full day in Amsterdam. Seems like shortchanging it to me.
I wasnt overwhelmed with Brussels - the Grand Square is nice, but other than that...meh. Just my opinion of course. We found Bruges much nicer, but its farther away and may not be feasible as a day trip.
I wasnt overwhelmed with Brussels - the Grand Square is nice, but other than that...meh. Just my opinion of course. We found Bruges much nicer, but its farther away and may not be feasible as a day trip.
Apr 16th, 2013, 04:46 AM
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With your short time in Amsterdam I agree... stay in Amsterdam. Go to the Netherlands forum at TripAdvisor.com and look for the threads called "Bidding on a 4 star..." and "Bidding on a 5 star..." Start at the ends as the threads are very long. Recent reports have the Barbizon Palace, a 5 star opposite the station,
going for as little as $100 US using Priceline's NYOP. Sister in law stayed there last year for 140. Amsterdam is one of the best cities for PL NYOP deals.
going for as little as $100 US using Priceline's NYOP. Sister in law stayed there last year for 140. Amsterdam is one of the best cities for PL NYOP deals.
Apr 16th, 2013, 05:45 AM
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IME it depends on what side of central station you are in - the area to the east is sleazy - the red-light district with many flop house grungy youth hostels and hotels - but the area on the west side is quiet, sedate and a really nice place to stay.
Anyway here are some of my thoughts on Amsterdam based on annual visits for many many years now.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment
Anyway here are some of my thoughts on Amsterdam based on annual visits for many many years now.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment
Apr 17th, 2013, 02:30 AM
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Thank you all for the advice
I am beginning to think it will be best to get a lovely hotel in a central location and stay in Amsterdam for the four days I am there. Plenty to do and I may be short changing my visit to this country since I have never been to this area of the world before
I am beginning to think it will be best to get a lovely hotel in a central location and stay in Amsterdam for the four days I am there. Plenty to do and I may be short changing my visit to this country since I have never been to this area of the world before
Apr 17th, 2013, 03:23 AM
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<i>Scando on Apr 17, 13 at 6:30am
I am beginning to think it will be best to get a lovely hotel in a central location </i>
Have a look at the hotel Ambassade on Herengracht.
For a very convenient day trip go to Haarlem.
I am beginning to think it will be best to get a lovely hotel in a central location </i>
Have a look at the hotel Ambassade on Herengracht.
For a very convenient day trip go to Haarlem.
Apr 17th, 2013, 03:27 AM
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I can recommend the Avenue Hotel. Nice place and a very easy walk from the Central Station. Lots of shops and restaurants nearby.
On the whole I find Amsterdam to be an exceptionally "walkable" city, you can reach nearly everything by foot.
On the whole I find Amsterdam to be an exceptionally "walkable" city, you can reach nearly everything by foot.
Apr 17th, 2013, 04:23 PM
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Thank you all so much. I am getting the feeling that it is very walkable and small, not at all like Paris, more on the level of Prague.
Am I correct?
If that is the case I will start to plan a museum and walking tour with the information on the web site and my guide book, need to start looking
I have heard The Hague and Delft are worth the trip, so maybe a shoter trip would work well
Thanks for the Hotel advice too. I have a lot of reading to do
Am I correct?
If that is the case I will start to plan a museum and walking tour with the information on the web site and my guide book, need to start looking
I have heard The Hague and Delft are worth the trip, so maybe a shoter trip would work well
Thanks for the Hotel advice too. I have a lot of reading to do
Apr 17th, 2013, 05:16 PM
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You might look at our trip to Amsterdam with side trips. It's pretty wordy but you might find somethings that you like. www.rimerson.com
Apr 18th, 2013, 04:11 PM
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PalenQ-- my head is swimming from your post
Will be staying and exploring Amsterdam for the entire time
What do you think about the Grand Hotel Amroth Amsterdam or the Barbizon Palace as a base location for walking and exploring. I will be traveling by myself so this is certainly a consideration
Will be staying and exploring Amsterdam for the entire time
What do you think about the Grand Hotel Amroth Amsterdam or the Barbizon Palace as a base location for walking and exploring. I will be traveling by myself so this is certainly a consideration
Apr 19th, 2013, 10:54 AM
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<i>
Scando on Apr 18, 13 at 8:11pm
What do you think about the Grand Hotel Amroth Amsterdam or the Barbizon Palace as a base location for walking and exploring. I will be traveling by myself so this is certainly a consideration</i>
Those hotels are convenient to the Centraal Station and the RLD but not much else. Try the Kraz if you don't like the Ambassade, though the Ambassade is unique. Hang out around the Spui and you won't be traveling by yourself for long. Do the Hoppe and the Cafe Luxembourg after office hours.
Scando on Apr 18, 13 at 8:11pm
What do you think about the Grand Hotel Amroth Amsterdam or the Barbizon Palace as a base location for walking and exploring. I will be traveling by myself so this is certainly a consideration</i>
Those hotels are convenient to the Centraal Station and the RLD but not much else. Try the Kraz if you don't like the Ambassade, though the Ambassade is unique. Hang out around the Spui and you won't be traveling by yourself for long. Do the Hoppe and the Cafe Luxembourg after office hours.
Apr 20th, 2013, 03:03 PM
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It's Kras, for Krasnapolsky. Sorry to have to point that out. Barbizon is at the start of Zeedijk. It's further from the RLD than is Kras, which is back to back with it, and located on Dam, not the most interesting part of town. If money is no object, go for the Grand. Hoppe is full of old, nostalgic "intellectuals", Luxembourg for would be movers and shakers. If you want simple airport transfer, consider South and travel from Amsterdam South Station, not Centraal. Much better area too, more genteel, and you'll have the Big Three (Stedelijk, Rijks, Van Gogh) at hand. Try out Vertigo in Vondelpark, and Blauwe Theehuis also in Vondelpark. Lots of really good restaurants, and that venerable institurion, Keijzer, on Van Baerlestraat.
