Hello! I am an adult traveling with my active parents. We will have 4 days and 3 nights to enjoy in Amsterdam. I have made a reservation at the Krasnapolsky Hotel on Dam Square. How is it? I have heard everything from great to totally over-rated. We would like to have comfortable accomodations with European elegance. Has anyone stayed at this hotel - would they recommend it? How does this compare with others in its vicinity (The Grand Westin or The Pulitzer?) I would appreciate a recommendation for a "day trip" outside of the city (cheese production, windmills?). We also have 2 days and 1 night scheduled for Brussels. Current reservations are for the Hotel Charlemagne - ever heard of it? I would like to stay at a deluxe or 1st class hotel with the charm of a B&B. I would appreciate recommendations on wonderful places to stay - and things to do in Brussels - on a limited time scheudle. Thanks!

Krasnapolsky is very nice. The company I work for has guests staying there all the time and I never heard a complaint. Have lunch in the Winter Garden, or dinner in one of the Japanese restaurants: great! <BR>When are going to be here? <BR>If in April or early May, make sure you visit the Keukenhof flower gardens. <BR>There are many organized day-trips outside of the city: this is an efficient way to get to know the country. <BR>

Brussels is quite nice, especially the center. Don't miss "La grand place", "La petite rue des bouches". If you want special food, go to "Leon", right next to "La grand place". Please don't forget to drink specail beers... <BR>

Glad to hear positive comments about the Krasnopolsky. The term "over-rated" seems to relate to how big a "grain of salt" you use when you hear a place is wonderful. It simply varies a lot from one person to the next - - as to what is wonderful. <BR> <BR>Having said that, I rate the Pulitzer as "wonderful". Maybe you will hear from someone who knows both places and can make the comparison for you! <BR> <BR>As for Brussels, I would personally choose Bruges over Brussels for a day visit. But that doesn't mean you will be unhappy with Brussels. Unless you have been told that Mannikin Pis (sp?) is "wonderful" - - now, THERE's overrated! <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

Hi Simi- <BR>We did not stay at those hotels, but they looked very nice.We like to stay in Dam Square area too. May I Suggest a great restaurant-(on the edge of Jordaan area De Lewte- Leilegracht 26-28 <BR>ph# 020-625848 <BR>You need resrevations or eat by 5 <BR> or 5:30. As for day trips-this depends upon what you like best- I loved the pottery factory tour in Makkum- and then we drove to Workum to a great little art museum for Jopie Huisman (this town was charming!) and we did both in one day. We did another day trip by taking the train to Rotterdam-this is a very modern city (rebuilt after WWII)and it has one famous windmill in old Delftshaven, where you can eat lunch. We also loved driving to Apeldoorn to ride free bicycles in DE Hoge Veluwe park to the incredible Kroller-Muller art museum and outdoor sculpture park. There is so much to enjoy- you will have a hard time choosing. But no matter what advice you get from us, pick what seems most interesting to you. Have fun.

Simi,Here's some thoughts regarding day trips. If you're interested in windmills, take a trip to Zaanse Schans, just north of Amsterdam. This is a recreated village with a large collection of working mills developed as a result of a conservation project. You can walk through the village at no cost but there is an admission charge to the mills. Check with the Amsterdam Central Station tourist office (VVV) for discount train and admission tickets. If you're an early riser (if not, make an effort), consider Aalsmeer about 8 miles from Amsterdam via bus 16 from the Central Station. Each morning, (early!) cut flowers and potted plants are auctioned off in the world's largest commercial building. Millions of flowers are warehoused each day in a building over 40 acres in size. You can tour the entire operation, watch the auctions take place in what looks like a surgical amphitheatre and be overwhelmed by the perfumes and colors that abound. All of the action takes place prior to 9:30AM so that flowers can be flown all over Europe for sale in street markets the same day. Finally, consider a visit to Haarlem only fifteen minutes from Amsterdam by train. Visit St. Bavo's cathedral with its mideaval shops built into its base. Check out the organ on which Handel and Mozart are reputed to have played. Check out the Franz Hals museum as well, a lovely building with an impressive collection of his works.

Simi, <BR>Me again, with another thought or two. Volendam and Maarken are two popular towns north of Amsterdam. They're popular because the residents have bent over backwards in an attempt to recreate an "authentic" historic village. Why? Because they were former fishing villages now no longer with access to the sea and have been forced to create a tourists' haven to sustain the villages' livelihood. Skip them both - if you want authenticity, visit Spakenberg but don't bring your camera. Residents thre, in traditional costume, take offense at being photographed. <BR> <BR>In Brussels, look into the Toone Theatre, a puppet theatre just off the Grand Place. It's an extraordinary little theatre that puts on fascinating performances of opera, drama and comedies with ornate costumery and sets. Well worth a visit.