I have several questions about going from Amsterdam to Aalsmeer. I know that the flower auctions take place from 7:30-11 Monday thru Friday. I read that Bus 172 from Central Station will take you to Aalsmeer. Can anyone tell me how long the bus ride is? Is there a "best" time to be at the auction? <BR>How long should I plan on our being in Aalsmeer before returning to Amsterdam? Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.

Hi, Did the "Best of Holland" Trafalgar tour in May. We went with the tour, so can't tell you about the bus, but we got there quite early--before 9 AM, I believe. You have to be there early and I think they open at 7 AM, because by about 11 the Auction is over. The way that it is set up, you walk along above the flower area, which is huge. You do this at your own pace. Since we were on a tour, we were there about 1 1/2 hours and had time to watch the bidders in the auction rooms, as well as see acres of flowers from all over the area. It was mind-boggling, really, to see so many types of flowers, plants, and greenery. They have a gift shop (of course) and the prices were comparable with others at other tourist sites. If you have time, you might also enjoy going to Aalkmaar to see the Cheese Auction, which is on Fridays, until the middle of Sept. We took the train there--they can tell you how to do it at the Centraal Station.

The auction itself, though interesting, won't mean much unless you are really knowledgeable about what is going on. But the entire complex, which is incredibly large, is truly a wondrous sight to behold if you love flowers. The entire place is fascinating.

Wendy, <BR>The distance from Amsterdam to Aalsmeer is about 8 miles. The "best" time is as early as possible. By 9:30 things have slowed down appreciably with trucks already being loaded with auctioned flowers. I would try for as close to 8AM as possible; you'll also beat the tour buses at that hour. Be sure and spend time watching the auction process, it's quite fascinating. I would expect to spend between an hour and a half and two hours, after which you might stop in the village of Aalsmeer which has some interesting shops and restaurants. Be sure and investigate the display windows of C. Spaargaren, a confectioner. You'll accumulate calories just gazing in his shop window. <BR> <BR>What about the auction itself? The auction rooms are reminiscent of surgical amphitheatres with rows of ascending desks with phones and PCs. Directly opposite on the wall is a huge clock like device. Flowers or potted plants to be auctioned are brought in on two tiered wheeled carts and set beneath the "clock". The auction begins as the clock starts moving backwards from 60 to 59 to 58, etc. The numbers correspond to the presumed value of the lot of flowers. A bidder stops the clock by pressing a button on his desk when he feels the number reflected on the clock equates to the value of the lot. The carts are then wheeled out of the room to the loading dock to be loaded on the buyer's truck. Fascinating process and quickly done!

Thanks so much Wes, Bob, and Hmh for your responses. The information is exactly what I needed to know. Aalsmeer sounds facinating. Now if I can get my crew out of bed early enough, we will be all set!

<BR>We were at the flower auction about a month ago and found it one of the highlights of 2 weeks in Holland. The above info is good but I would suggest even earlier, probably 7:30. There are several sign boards, in English, around the walkway. They tell details about what is happening. When we got our tickets we were also give a brochure with pictures and very good info. Of course you can also buy regular guides. We had a car so don't know about the bus from Amsterdam but it can't be much of a problem. Since almost everyone in Holland knows English it is very easy to ask questions. Enjoy.