Amsterdam
 

We are considering booking a Transatlantic cruise in late April of '09, that ends in Amsterdam in the first week of May. Thinking of extending in Amsterdam for about four nights. Would this be enough time to see most of the major sights? Could anyone recommend a moderate priced small hotel/B and B, in an area that is safe and walkable to most sights, that would be in a fairly quiet area for two young (early 60's) seniors.
Thanks in advance for your replies

3 or 4 nights seems reasonable as you will not be there in the heavy tourist season.

I stayed in a lovely B&B called the Zandbergen. It is very close to the tram so it's easy get to Centraal Station. It is in a quiet residential area walkable to Vondel Park and the Van Gogh museum. It is just on outskirts of the "city" but being so close to the tram worked well for me.

Just got back- look at Estheria Hotel on Trip Advisor. Smaller, safe, well located- we loved it. We saw all the sights in less time then u have. Get reservations to Anne Frank Huis prior to going. Riks and Van Gogh are close to each other. Be sure and go to Leideplein and Rembrandtplein for people watching and good cafes. Watch out for the Dutch on bikes and their cellphones.

Hello, Amsterdam is a great city, you can easely spent 4 day`s there. If you want a good impression wat`s amsterdam like, check out the website http://www.go2c-amsterdam.tv . my amsterdam video is also on this site. You can find there photo`s, video`s and a traven guide.

Thanks fo r the site, go2c. We'll be in Amsterdam in Nov and I've booked the Hestia , near Vondelpark.

Is it necessary to get tickets to the Anne Frank museum ahead of time?

We also are interested in the Van Gogh museum and the Rjiks.

Yes better to book Ann Frank in advance. Lines can be very long. For people with reservations, there is a special entrance.
You can book van Gogh also in advance, but lines are usually not that long.
Rijksmuseum is still under renovation, I think no advance reservations possible.

Everybody says it's important to get Anne Frank tickets in advance, but I've been twice now (once in September, and once in April) and not found it necessary. In each instance there was no line whatsoever---we walked directly up to the cashier, paid, and walked in.

Both visits were in the early evening, and I purposely chose this time because most museums in Amsterdam close early, and this was a way to squeeze one more into the day. The Pancake Bakery at Prinsengracht 191 is a convenient place to eat before or after your visit.

Thenh you have been lucky. People living around Ann Frank recently complained about the lines (and the talking of people, dropping their litter etc.) that were around their places.

I was in Amsterdam 4 days at the start of one of my trips, that seemed a perfect amount to me.