Amsterdam and beyond
Jul 26th, 2015, 01:45 PM
#21
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http://www.zuiderzeemuseum.nl/en/10/home/
Yes Enkhuizen is a neat small town or city and has a wonderful indoor and outdoor open-air museum - you can take a boat there from the train station or of course walk.
Enkhuizen near the top of my list too.
Yes Enkhuizen is a neat small town or city and has a wonderful indoor and outdoor open-air museum - you can take a boat there from the train station or of course walk.
Enkhuizen near the top of my list too.
Jul 26th, 2015, 09:20 PM
#23
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For me it would be Leiden and Delft. Yes, I know Delft is in all the tour packages, but it is mainly because of the Vermeer connection (though most paintings are in The Hague and in Rijksmuseum) and The Girl With The Pearl Earring.
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by Enkhuizen and as far as destinations for US tourists go, it's of the beaten track (although many Dutch and German tourists visit it)
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by Enkhuizen and as far as destinations for US tourists go, it's of the beaten track (although many Dutch and German tourists visit it)
Jul 31st, 2015, 07:25 AM
#24
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Here is my updated itinerary thanks to everyone here. My son really wants to do a bike ride somewhere. What do you think of renting a bike in one of the towns we visit? Maybe Enhuizen? Is day 3 too packed? Oh I know - I'm missing the park - Vondelpark.
Comments on what to adjust/leave out? (Remember Day 1 we arrive at 8 am so I don't want to add much to that day, but perhaps the park? Our hotel is in the Jordaan. Definitely want to wander that area too. Rick Steeves has a walking tour there too.
Day 1 Wednesday
Canal tour Wander our area outside our hotel Jordaan
Day 2 Thursday
Ann Frank House/Coffee house tour 3 pm
Day 3 Friday
Rick Steeves Walking Tour Amsterdam (Or Sanderman) lunch in Spui neighborhood/Harleem
Day 4 Saturday
Utrecht (East)
Day 5 Sunday
Amsterdam Rembrandt Museum. Red Light District
Day 6 Monday
Leiden and Delft (South)
Day 7 Tuesday
Amsterdam Nine Little Streets Shopping/ North Amsterdam – Enkhizen/Hoorn
Day 8 Wednesday
Home
Comments on what to adjust/leave out? (Remember Day 1 we arrive at 8 am so I don't want to add much to that day, but perhaps the park? Our hotel is in the Jordaan. Definitely want to wander that area too. Rick Steeves has a walking tour there too.
Day 1 Wednesday
Canal tour Wander our area outside our hotel Jordaan
Day 2 Thursday
Ann Frank House/Coffee house tour 3 pm
Day 3 Friday
Rick Steeves Walking Tour Amsterdam (Or Sanderman) lunch in Spui neighborhood/Harleem
Day 4 Saturday
Utrecht (East)
Day 5 Sunday
Amsterdam Rembrandt Museum. Red Light District
Day 6 Monday
Leiden and Delft (South)
Day 7 Tuesday
Amsterdam Nine Little Streets Shopping/ North Amsterdam – Enkhizen/Hoorn
Day 8 Wednesday
Home
Jul 31st, 2015, 09:49 AM
#26
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Ann Frank House/Coffee house tour 3 pm>
coffeshop as in cannabis shop? Good you have not planned anything after that if a coffeeshop - now coffee house where they serve that strong Dutch coffee then you will have beaucoups energy!
coffeshop as in cannabis shop? Good you have not planned anything after that if a coffeeshop - now coffee house where they serve that strong Dutch coffee then you will have beaucoups energy!
Jul 31st, 2015, 11:55 AM
#27
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I agree with Michael. Enkhuizen is a day outside the city.
Day 3 lunch around Spui: Try having it at Luxembourg. Excellent location and the tramstop to the station is right at Spui (#2 and #5 to Amsterdam CS)
I'd swap the Amsterdam activities you have for day 7 with those in the morning for day 4 (Utrecht). Nine streets is not too far from the station, so you can stroll around there, then get to the station to go to Utrecht (half an hour), have an afternoon in Utrecht and have dinner, perhaps go to a bar or nice cafe there and head back in the evening.
What do you mean by Rembrandt Museum? If it's the Rembrandt House, you'll only need an hour to see it. If it's the Rijksmuseum (more than Rembrandt), take a morning.
Day 3 lunch around Spui: Try having it at Luxembourg. Excellent location and the tramstop to the station is right at Spui (#2 and #5 to Amsterdam CS)
I'd swap the Amsterdam activities you have for day 7 with those in the morning for day 4 (Utrecht). Nine streets is not too far from the station, so you can stroll around there, then get to the station to go to Utrecht (half an hour), have an afternoon in Utrecht and have dinner, perhaps go to a bar or nice cafe there and head back in the evening.
What do you mean by Rembrandt Museum? If it's the Rembrandt House, you'll only need an hour to see it. If it's the Rijksmuseum (more than Rembrandt), take a morning.
Jul 31st, 2015, 01:49 PM
#28
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Rick Steeves has a walking tour there too.>
probably good but the Amsterdam VVV - tourist office - has several detailed walking tours of various areas like the Jordaan and architecturally themed ones - buy them at the office opposite central station or probably online by now.
When you look at all those lovely ancient stone facades keep in mind that they are mainly facades - I've for years seen buildings gutted except for the facades and built all new- especially on the Singel and closer in canals.
Old on the outside and high-tech modern on the inside - kind of a metaphor for an Amsterdam with an old-looking core but one of the most modern ringing it.
probably good but the Amsterdam VVV - tourist office - has several detailed walking tours of various areas like the Jordaan and architecturally themed ones - buy them at the office opposite central station or probably online by now.
When you look at all those lovely ancient stone facades keep in mind that they are mainly facades - I've for years seen buildings gutted except for the facades and built all new- especially on the Singel and closer in canals.
Old on the outside and high-tech modern on the inside - kind of a metaphor for an Amsterdam with an old-looking core but one of the most modern ringing it.
Jul 31st, 2015, 01:50 PM
#29
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I like your original idea of the walking tour on day 1. We typically do this upon arrival in larger European cities, and it is a great way to get oriented initially, learn some fun facts, and keep moving too. I would ask the guide at the end for a leisurely lunch recommendation and after that, you can reassess for how jet lagged you feel.
And by all means, ask your hotel if they'll store your luggage when you arrive in the early morning so you don't have to stash it at the train station or elsewhere. I would be very surprised if the hotel cannot easily accommodate such a request, and who knows -- your room might even be ready for you early.
And by all means, ask your hotel if they'll store your luggage when you arrive in the early morning so you don't have to stash it at the train station or elsewhere. I would be very surprised if the hotel cannot easily accommodate such a request, and who knows -- your room might even be ready for you early.
Aug 1st, 2015, 08:20 AM
#30
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In Amsterdam the first thing I would do is to take a canal boat tour that is a great orientation to the city - tours are ubiquitous - several companies - just show up. commentary in English en route of course.
Aug 1st, 2015, 08:56 AM
#31
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We all approach things differently and you likely have a sense of what works for you. If I took a canal boat tour on day 1 after a redeye, I am sure I'd fall asleep; hence, I'd save something that enjoyable for another afternoon or evening.
Aug 1st, 2015, 12:50 PM
#32
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One way to put off jet lag is to go to one of Amsterdam's many energy shops where you have the usual pick me ups and the not so usual - magic mushrooms!
One of the most famous ones is:
http://www.thebulldog.com/bulldog-energy
One of the most famous ones is:
http://www.thebulldog.com/bulldog-energy
Aug 1st, 2015, 03:08 PM
#33
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Yes I meant Rijksmuseum - sorry! And no shrooms LOL. My son would love that idea but I'm not telling, PalenQ! 
Okay I hear you about walking vs. canal tour. Maybe base that on the weather?
Okay Little street shopping and Utrecht - thank you for that suggestion.
Enkhuizen all day okay!
Oh I love you guys!
Ellen
Okay I hear you about walking vs. canal tour. Maybe base that on the weather?
Okay Little street shopping and Utrecht - thank you for that suggestion.
Enkhuizen all day okay!
Oh I love you guys!
Ellen
Aug 1st, 2015, 03:11 PM
#34
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Ah another question. So Rick Steeves suggests I buy my train tickets at the airport. He says lines are shorter. He also says there's some kind of pass that you load up. He says it's worth it if we're riding the train at least 10 times. Suggestions on this? I assume we will take trains in Amsterdam to get to the Central station to visit the cities outside Amsterdam.
And one more thing - my son really wants to ride bikes. I do not want to ride a bike in the city of Amsterdam. It sounds terrifying (even not high). But I would love to rent one and ride out to the countryside or rent one in one of the towns we're visiting. Thoughts? Sanderman has a bike tour but I think that's in town....
And one more thing - my son really wants to ride bikes. I do not want to ride a bike in the city of Amsterdam. It sounds terrifying (even not high). But I would love to rent one and ride out to the countryside or rent one in one of the towns we're visiting. Thoughts? Sanderman has a bike tour but I think that's in town....
Aug 1st, 2015, 11:40 PM
#35
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The train pass is not worth it except on public transportation within cities because a minimum is required to purchase a train ticket. In other words, if your last ride back to the airport costs 8€ and the minimum on the card required to buy a ticket is 20€, you are out of the difference.
However, the card is worthwhile for public transportation within cities as the minimum required is much less and can be spent down to almost zero on buses and trams. There are booths in the Amsterdam train station where it can be reloaded (chip card required) or it can be done in the transportation office next to the tourist office for a .50€ charge.
The card is worth it for the convenience as it can be used in any urban transportation system within the Netherlands and reduces costs, as the charges are on a per mile basis rather than a higher flat fee.
I think that I wrote about this at length in my trip report; click on my name to find it.
However, the card is worthwhile for public transportation within cities as the minimum required is much less and can be spent down to almost zero on buses and trams. There are booths in the Amsterdam train station where it can be reloaded (chip card required) or it can be done in the transportation office next to the tourist office for a .50€ charge.
The card is worth it for the convenience as it can be used in any urban transportation system within the Netherlands and reduces costs, as the charges are on a per mile basis rather than a higher flat fee.
I think that I wrote about this at length in my trip report; click on my name to find it.
Aug 2nd, 2015, 05:37 AM
#36
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Again I agree with Michael, but note that to buy your Chipcard you'll have to pay 7.50. For your outings, I'd suggest loading it up (ie an amount over 20 euros for your trip to Enkhuizen, use the remainder for tram trips and such and buy a separate ticket for Utrecht.
Bike tours outside Amsterdam: I'd think a tour through Waterland might suit (both of) you just fine. Waterland is the rural pasture and polder area to the north of Amsterdam, stretching all the way to Monnickendam. To the north of Amsterdam are beautiful villages, the roads are quiet, you'll cycle a stretch of IJsselmeer coast. There are numerous tours through Waterland, most start at the ferry across IJ, and north of IJ the roads are much more quiet.
http://amsterdamcitytours.rezgo.com/...206.1438522335
Bike tours outside Amsterdam: I'd think a tour through Waterland might suit (both of) you just fine. Waterland is the rural pasture and polder area to the north of Amsterdam, stretching all the way to Monnickendam. To the north of Amsterdam are beautiful villages, the roads are quiet, you'll cycle a stretch of IJsselmeer coast. There are numerous tours through Waterland, most start at the ferry across IJ, and north of IJ the roads are much more quiet.
http://amsterdamcitytours.rezgo.com/...206.1438522335
Aug 2nd, 2015, 05:43 AM
#37
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I read your trip report, Michael. THANKS! Actually we plan on taking the shuttle to the hotel. I know it's a little more expensive, but I think it'll be easier. We are only using trains within Amsterdam and out to the places outside of town we will visit. Perhaps we should pay each time. It sounds complicated and when I travel without my husband I like it to be super simple even if it costs a little more (but not if it's a big savings)
Ellen
Ellen
Aug 2nd, 2015, 08:59 AM
#39
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Ellen, the NS ticket machines can be daunting. Here's a simulator so you can practice with it before leaving home. No English version, so you'll have to google translate the app.
http://www.ns.nl/kaartautomaatdemo/
http://www.ns.nl/kaartautomaatdemo/
Aug 2nd, 2015, 09:03 AM
#40
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Buy an anonymous chipcard with 20 euros balance on it
http://www.ns.nl/kaartautomaatdemo/E...tautomaat.html
http://www.ns.nl/kaartautomaatdemo/E...tautomaat.html
