Amsterdam, Germany
Jul 30th, 2016, 10:25 AM
#1
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Amsterdam, Germany
Hi all-
I will be going to Amsterdam for two nights, then meeting my husband in Dusseldorf. After he works for a few days, we are planning on traveling around Germany for several days.
I will be alone in Amsterdam. I am in my 50's and was in Amsterdam 25 years ago. I would like to stay in a safe, central location, close to museums and restaurants. I know Amsterdam is expensive, but safety and location are the most important things. I was planning on taking a train to Dusseldorf to meet him the third day. Is the train a good idea?
When we leave Dusseldorf, we will have a car and were thinking about traveling down to Cologne, then maybe the Rheingau region? After that, not sure where to go or what to do.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
I will be going to Amsterdam for two nights, then meeting my husband in Dusseldorf. After he works for a few days, we are planning on traveling around Germany for several days.
I will be alone in Amsterdam. I am in my 50's and was in Amsterdam 25 years ago. I would like to stay in a safe, central location, close to museums and restaurants. I know Amsterdam is expensive, but safety and location are the most important things. I was planning on taking a train to Dusseldorf to meet him the third day. Is the train a good idea?
When we leave Dusseldorf, we will have a car and were thinking about traveling down to Cologne, then maybe the Rheingau region? After that, not sure where to go or what to do.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Jul 30th, 2016, 12:18 PM
#2
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Questions about safety in somewhere like Amsterdam are quite strange.
If you look at statistics, as a whole, it is in the USA that you are more than likely to be shot or mugged. But those statistics will be lower in some areas of the USA than others.
It you are worried about terrorism then France at the moment is the place which is of the most concern behind is Germany.
Having said that nowhere is 100% safe.
You have not given us a budget so look at Booking.com to find your idea accommodation based upon price, location and facilities. Most things of tourist interest are within easy each of each other.
What time of year are you going and for how long? What is several days?
What method of transport in Germany are you using?
Train is perhaps your best bet to get from The Netherlands to Germany if you do not want to hire a car and return it to the same country.
https://www.nsinternational.nl/en/ge...national-train
If you look at statistics, as a whole, it is in the USA that you are more than likely to be shot or mugged. But those statistics will be lower in some areas of the USA than others.
It you are worried about terrorism then France at the moment is the place which is of the most concern behind is Germany.
Having said that nowhere is 100% safe.
You have not given us a budget so look at Booking.com to find your idea accommodation based upon price, location and facilities. Most things of tourist interest are within easy each of each other.
What time of year are you going and for how long? What is several days?
What method of transport in Germany are you using?
Train is perhaps your best bet to get from The Netherlands to Germany if you do not want to hire a car and return it to the same country.
https://www.nsinternational.nl/en/ge...national-train
Jul 30th, 2016, 12:40 PM
#3
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Thank you for your reply.
To clarify:
I was just referring to general safety for a woman traveling alone. I know Amsterdam is a very safe city. I was hoping to stay around for around 250 Euros per night in Amsterdam. Could perhaps go higher.
I will arrive in Amsterdam August 29th, leaving the 31st. I was hoping to then take a train to Dusseldorf.
There I will meet my husband. I will visit around Dusseldorf while he works during the day until Friday Sept. 2nd. (We will be going to Andernach one night during that time.) Then we will be on our own until the following Wednesday. We will have a car and would like to go to Cologne first stop. After that we are not sure where to go. South of Dusseldorf? East towards Berlin? That is why I mentioned the wine region.
We would like to visit museums, castles, villages, regional cuisine,etc...- enjoying the country of Germany.
To clarify:
I was just referring to general safety for a woman traveling alone. I know Amsterdam is a very safe city. I was hoping to stay around for around 250 Euros per night in Amsterdam. Could perhaps go higher.
I will arrive in Amsterdam August 29th, leaving the 31st. I was hoping to then take a train to Dusseldorf.
There I will meet my husband. I will visit around Dusseldorf while he works during the day until Friday Sept. 2nd. (We will be going to Andernach one night during that time.) Then we will be on our own until the following Wednesday. We will have a car and would like to go to Cologne first stop. After that we are not sure where to go. South of Dusseldorf? East towards Berlin? That is why I mentioned the wine region.
We would like to visit museums, castles, villages, regional cuisine,etc...- enjoying the country of Germany.
Jul 30th, 2016, 12:57 PM
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€250 is a generous budget even in expensive Amsterdam.
I can't recommend hotels, I live too close to ever need one.
Like any city you need to keep your wits about you to a certain extent, but I have never felt unsafe in Amsterdam.
Book the train as soon as you can to get a reasonable priced ticket. I like first class, simply because it has more room, and if you book early enough doesn't cost a lot more. The link ribeirasacra gave will help you book your ticket. Make sure to keep your passport handy - they do occasionally check them on the train, and you need some sort of ID in case the conductor asks.
Have you considered the Mosel for your extra days, maybe with a side trip up to the Eiffel, or combined with the Rhine. A popular hotel with Fodorites (and with good reason!) is Haus Lipmann in Beilstein www.hotel-haus-lipmann.com which would make a good base for visiting many of the villages along the river. It will be busy with the grape harvest then but that adds to the trip.
I can't recommend hotels, I live too close to ever need one.
Like any city you need to keep your wits about you to a certain extent, but I have never felt unsafe in Amsterdam.
Book the train as soon as you can to get a reasonable priced ticket. I like first class, simply because it has more room, and if you book early enough doesn't cost a lot more. The link ribeirasacra gave will help you book your ticket. Make sure to keep your passport handy - they do occasionally check them on the train, and you need some sort of ID in case the conductor asks.
Have you considered the Mosel for your extra days, maybe with a side trip up to the Eiffel, or combined with the Rhine. A popular hotel with Fodorites (and with good reason!) is Haus Lipmann in Beilstein www.hotel-haus-lipmann.com which would make a good base for visiting many of the villages along the river. It will be busy with the grape harvest then but that adds to the trip.
Jul 30th, 2016, 02:32 PM
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Before you pick a hotel in Amsterdam, pick your targets - what will you wish to do and see?
For example, if a museum or two can attract you, then look at the "square" (park) and tram/bus-stop Museumplein - surrounded by the Stedelijk museum ("city"-), the Van Gogh museum, the Rijksmuseum ("Imperial"), and also the concert hall "Concertgebouw".
A few streets to the north is the huge Vondelpark, quite safe even for a single female, good for a lovely stroll. Or rent a bike and do what comes natural to Amsterdamers - bike around the park. Your hotel will help you.
On Google maps, input Museumplein Amsterdam, then zoom in greatly until you see business names appear. You'll find many hotels, I see two now in easy walking distance from the tram stops along Van Baerlestraat (on the western side of Museumplein).
Then google each hotel and see what you think and what others thought (reviews, although a lump of salt is advised here...).
If you'd rather stay close to the Centraal station (a god hub for trams in many directions), zero in on that and investigate what comes up.
Or in the center near the Royal Palace ("Koninklijk Paleis")? That's also not very far from the Anne Frank house. Although the surroundings of the palace are often occupied by "stoners" that, at times, I have found to be a bit too "colorful" for the historic ambience. Ah well, to each his or her own.
Walking or taking trams is the way to go as you'll soon see when you get there. Hint: Since the canals gradually curve around, it's easy to loose the sense of directions. A pocket-sized little compass helps when it's night or overcast and you can't even tell where the sun is. Or a compass app on your phone or camera.
Enjoy!
For example, if a museum or two can attract you, then look at the "square" (park) and tram/bus-stop Museumplein - surrounded by the Stedelijk museum ("city"-), the Van Gogh museum, the Rijksmuseum ("Imperial"), and also the concert hall "Concertgebouw".
A few streets to the north is the huge Vondelpark, quite safe even for a single female, good for a lovely stroll. Or rent a bike and do what comes natural to Amsterdamers - bike around the park. Your hotel will help you.
On Google maps, input Museumplein Amsterdam, then zoom in greatly until you see business names appear. You'll find many hotels, I see two now in easy walking distance from the tram stops along Van Baerlestraat (on the western side of Museumplein).
Then google each hotel and see what you think and what others thought (reviews, although a lump of salt is advised here...).
If you'd rather stay close to the Centraal station (a god hub for trams in many directions), zero in on that and investigate what comes up.
Or in the center near the Royal Palace ("Koninklijk Paleis")? That's also not very far from the Anne Frank house. Although the surroundings of the palace are often occupied by "stoners" that, at times, I have found to be a bit too "colorful" for the historic ambience. Ah well, to each his or her own.
Walking or taking trams is the way to go as you'll soon see when you get there. Hint: Since the canals gradually curve around, it's easy to loose the sense of directions. A pocket-sized little compass helps when it's night or overcast and you can't even tell where the sun is. Or a compass app on your phone or camera.
Enjoy!
Jul 30th, 2016, 02:53 PM
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The area around the southern part of Vondel Park on its west side and between it and the main museums is rife with hotels and it is an area that fits all your requirements.
One hotel that has been inthis area for ages and gets good reviews is the Hotel Memphis:
https://www.hotels.com/ho122903/memp...20czo18692.d.c
One hotel that has been inthis area for ages and gets good reviews is the Hotel Memphis:
https://www.hotels.com/ho122903/memp...20czo18692.d.c
Jul 30th, 2016, 06:16 PM
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Formerly called The Zandbergen. It was sold and renamed, a B & B type hotel. Very near Vondel Park and steps from the tram line #2.
http://www.magnoliahotelamsterdam.com/en/index.html
http://www.magnoliahotelamsterdam.com/en/index.html
Jul 30th, 2016, 07:20 PM
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My husband and I stayed at The Toren in Amsterdam in October 2015. It was really lovely. I felt very safe in the surrounding area. It is in the Jordaan neighborhood and right on the Keizergracht. It is under your budget. I would feel very comfortable staying there alone.
http://www.thetoren.nl/en
http://www.thetoren.nl/en
Jul 31st, 2016, 07:28 AM
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Thank you all so much! This is very helpful!!
While my husband is working in Dusseldorf, I will be on my own during the days (4 days here). We were thinking of staying in Old Town. Can anyone recommend hotels in this area?
While my husband is working in Dusseldorf, I will be on my own during the days (4 days here). We were thinking of staying in Old Town. Can anyone recommend hotels in this area?
Jul 31st, 2016, 02:36 PM
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There are some nice easy day trips from Dusseldorf should you get bored with 4 days there alone in the day - most would- Cologne and its great cathedral just down the rail line - Aachen and its famous church and Arnhem, just over the border in Netherlands also easy ones.
Aug 1st, 2016, 10:57 AM
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www.bahn.de/en for discounted tickets Amsterdam to Du'dorf - maybe 29-39 euros vs much much more on a walk up ticket. Train is the only sensible way to go between the two - quicker than flying.
Aug 1st, 2016, 11:18 AM
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They are the same price on the NSInternational site linked to upthread. The earlier the ticket is urchased the cheaper it will be. €39 first class for OP's travel date, only €5 more than second class
Aug 1st, 2016, 02:11 PM
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Id check both sights anyway even though they are supposed to carry the same fares - can't hurt - www.bahn.de/en is so easy to use - not familiar if ns.nl is too - you can print your ticket at home on bahn.de and assume so too on the Dutch site.
Aug 1st, 2016, 02:38 PM
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My husband and I stayed at The Banks Mansion in Amsterdam and, since we walked every single place except for one restaurant we found the location to be ideal...close to the Rijksmuseum as well as the Van Gogh and some great restaurants plus it is right on the canal. The staff is beyond perfection as is the breakfast which is included and we loved the 'Happy Hour' which included appetizers. After dinner I always stopped in the lobby for my caramel macchiato which capped off a perfect dinner.
