Amsterdam
 

We will be traveling from Boston to Sevilla mid-March with a three hour stop over in Amsterdam. Can anyone offer any suggestions as to how to spend that time? Is there anything real close to the airport to see or purchase or some suggestions right in the airport. I know it is not much time but even a brief encounter might be fun. Thank you.

Hi <BR>The train ride from Schipol to the central station is only about 20 minutes, and the trains run quite frequently. If you manage your time right you could go into Amsterdam and wander the streets for an hour or so, and then hop back on the train to the airport. <BR>You could also hang out at the airport and purchase lots of goodies(candy, souviners, etc.).

Though Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities, I would say that a 3-hour layover is not enough time to go into the city. <BR> <BR>The airport is actually pretty nice, with good shops and even a casino. Just stick it out at Schipol.

I once was waiting to get into this pancake shop near the west church in Amsterdam and met up with a pair of US backpackers. The guy thought he could get served quickly and still make his flight (he asked me how to get to the airport) which was taking off for the states in less than an hour! <BR>If you have 3 hours from landing to take-off you realy only have 1 to play with (1 hour of customs type stuff and navigating the airport and 1 hour before your flight departs). In that 1 hour you could run like a maniac into Amsterdam and snap 2 photos before taking the train back to Schipohl or you could do the following: <BR>In the airport there are fantastic shops with traditional stuff, but also a super market that has food from all over the world (this is where I get my chocolate chips from when I'm feeling a bit homesick). Take the opportunity to buy some Belgian chocolate/beer, Indian spices and real Chinese tea. Sit down at the juice bar outside of haal 2 for a fresh fruit blend and try to strike up a quick conversation with a Dutch person; they are quite friendly and always looking for a little excitement. Offer to trade a story -- what the heck, you'll never see them again, odds are they'll say yes. <BR>When you are safely on your way, consider how nervous you would have felt getting directions from me outside of a pancake shop 1 hour before your flight with this added piece of advice as you walked off,"You'd better run, changing a flight costs about 200$."

The airport shops have an assortment of cheese, large and small, single, by the bag or in gift packs (all the cheeses I got there were very nice) and cheese knives and speaders with Dutch-design handles, and chocolates. <BR>