My husband has a business trip from April 23-26 and I am invited to attend. What is there to see and do that you can recommend and do you have an opinion on the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel. Most of the days my husband will be in seminars and I will have a lot of free time w/ other wives. Also, aside from the obvious, are there any safety issues I should be concerned about - I am a little leary of traveling abroad. Thank you.

Hi T,

Look up Amsterdam under "Destinations".

>I am a little leary of traveling abroad. <

No less safe than traveling at home.

April is a great time to visit Amsterdam.

It is one of the safer European cities, IMO and certainly far safer than any major US city.

During spouses free time, I suggest you take a canal boat tour to familiarize your self with the area.

April is also the height of tulip season in the Netherlands. An absolute must for you and some of the other spouses has to be a day trip to the gorgeous Kuukenhof tulip gardens. From the Amsterdam train station (less than a 5 minute walk from your hotel) it's a cheap 30 minute train ride followed by a short shuttle bus. There are probably also packaged bus tours that leave from Amsterdam. Here's more info: http://www.keukenhof.nl/

Another must is a walking tour of the canals - either just grab a map and go or try the one listed in the Fodor's miniguide here: http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...n=amsterdam@10

BTW, EVERYONE in Amsterdam speaks English.

Travelcat,

We stayed in the Renaissance in Amsterdam and generally had a good experience. The lift to our room was very small and awkward. The room was up in the attic and seemed squatty and stuffy. The back entrance opened onto a somewhat sleazy street. Couple of porn and weed shops. Seemed to be more panhandlers than I expected.

The Hotel is very close to Centraal Station and is easy to walk to. The VVV (tourism office) is nearby and is a good place to get current info. It is also close to Dam Square. Not the nicest part of town, but convenient. I felt completely safe in Amsterdam, but you would want to use caution if you wanted to stroll through the RLD alone at night, or hang around Centraal Station. Take a train to Harleem and Delft one day. You might be getting there after the tulips have reached their peak - if not then plan on a lengthy stroll through the Kukenhof (sp?) gardens, or better yet, rent a bike and ride through the country side.

Have fun - you'll love Amsterdam.

The Renaissance as was mentioned above is within very easy walking distance of Centraal Station; many of the tram lines start out there. The VVV tourist office is located in the "plaza" directly in front of the station.

I agree re the safety of the city and even though the Damrak area is not the most picturesque and "pleasant" seeming to some it is part of the city.

Pickpockets are probably the biggest danger when you are in any croded situation, especially in rail stations.

In my many trips to A-dam I have yet to be accosted by any sort of "panhandler" but women may get a different reception.

I'm sure you'll end up feeling quite safe especially if you are in a group of folks. I'd do some research on my own which will put you legs up above the other group members who may very well be bogged down with sterotypical visions of this wonderful city.

Just get the heck outta there before 'Queen's Day' April 30, when the town becomes a massive sea of humanity..

I stayed at the Renaissance Amsterdam in 2003. I went in May but I think that the weather should be good. Our room faced the alley and we didn't get much sleep due to the commotion going on there almost nightly. The last night we stayed in a crowne Plaza that was great but can't remember where it was. As a woman I felt pretty safe. we mostly walked there. My companion was a gay male and we felt pretty safe.There were no problems communicating with the locals either. We bought some two and three day Amsterdam Passes which is a book that gives you discounts on restaurants, free entrance or discounts to museums and transportation. We went to the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank house and Madame Tussauds was museum. Amsterdam was great. They tell you everywhere to watch out for pick pockets. We had these little bags that can carry money and passports etc that you can put inside your shirt. There is a bit of a problem getting the money out without looking obvious. I have done some solo trips and found that Europe hasn't been too bad.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Have you checked on the Netherlands web site at http://www.goholland.com/ or any of the Amsterdam sites?

As mentioned, Keukenhof is a must. Also visit Zaanse Schans for a climb through a windmill. Go to The Hague and see Madurodam, Holland in miniature. Visit Den Haag, Delft, Haarlem, Zandvoort, and many other parts of Holland.

Get a Michelin Green Guide to The Netherlands. You could spend six months there seeing the sights.

The major safety issue is pickpockets and baggage thieves in Amsterdam, and on the trains in and out of Amsterdam, and on trams all over Amsterdam. The vermin are not native but are usually imports from southern and eastern countries. It is a shame on Amsterdam. The native Dutchies are amongst the most friendly, honest, and helpful people on the planet, and they all speak fluent English.

Having said that, watch out for bicycles. Bicycle paths are all over the city and the country. They are the equivalent of streets but they look like sidewalks. You will be advised sharply by a loud ring of the bell if you step into the path of a Dutch <i>fietsrijder</i>, &quot;cyclist.&quot;

Your regret will be that you are leaving on April 26. The greatest city party on the planet earth takes place every year on Queen's Day, April 30, in Amsterdam. This year it is on April 29 because April 30 is a Sunday and the doings do offend some of the more religious folks.