Talking above about the Amsterdam branch of St Petersburg's vaunted Hermitage Museum, in a lovely old town house on one of those impossibly cute canals, check out the web site to see which of the rotating collection is one view in the Dutch branch - www.hermitage.nl

THE MILKY WAY (MELKWEG)

Ah with older travelers who came to Amsterdam as younger folk in the 70s and 80s the Milky Way is very very famous as this was a great place to spend the night - not only were there live concerts but the tea house where hash (no pot then just hash) was sold like in today's coffeeshops - from a house dealer who sat in the tea house - all quite above the board though technically illegal - but was a regular feature of a visit to the Milky Way,

The Melkweg was and is a city-sponsored youth club with in it cinemas, a nice restaurant with wholesome food and still as its marquee attraction the concert hall which hosts many famous acts from all over the world.

The building itself is novel - it an old warehouse of some kind whose front door is accessed by an old drawbiridge - ironically the Milky Way is located smack opposite one of Amsterdam's main police stations - ironic in the 70s at least when sales of cannabis where not as open as they are now.

So for a look inside a cultural icon check out the Milky Way - free entry most days to the restaurant and coffee shops - at night can be a daunting entry fee if there are popular concerts.

And still today for younger folk a great place to hang out at night and mingle with local youths who still flock here in large numbers as do folks of older ages!

http://www.melkweg.nl/artikelpagina....binfoid=196213

Never had that opportunity. But our first trip to Europe was to Amsterdam. After finding our hotel, we then walked into Dam Square. In process on stage was the musical, Cabaret. What a welcome for our first trip, with many more trips to come.

http://www.paradiso.nl/web/English-Agenda.htm

THE PARADISO is similar to the Milky Way in its history from the 70s as a wild youth cultural center now become mainstream - it has a constant selection of really good groups - mainly a concert hall and not multi-media emporium like the Milky Way is. Indeed some really top groups - again in 70s was one place folk went to buy hashish, sold in the upstairs landing by a house dealer.

In an old church - for years an illuminated cross on top rocked back and forth - but now gone as the venue has become more yes mainstream.

http://www.febodelekkerste.nl/catalog/

FEBO!

Whilst strolling in Amsterdam I am fond of stopping by the icon FEBO snackbar chain of fast-food tasty treats - my favorite being Frites Royal - french fried potatoes smothered by mayo, ketsup, onions and relish. but there are so so many other treats as well - such as the ones from the automats - you put in a euro coin and out pops some warm treat - anyway click on the link to see what savory delights await in Amsterdam and any Dutch town.

FEBO BTW gets its name from Ferdinand Bols Straat, according to Wikipedia - it was started by a guy who was an apprentice in a bakery on Fredinand Bols Straat - which runs by the famous Albert Cuyp Straat street market at its west end.

FEBO! FEBO! FEBO!

http://www.dutchamsterdam.nl/147-amsterdams-brown-cafes

AH AMSTERDAM'S LEGENDARY 'BROWN CAFES'

You hear so so much about these intimate cozy pubs with their local clientele and having changed little for centuries it seems - so be sure to check out some Brown Cafes - such as in the Joordan, which is especially known for them (area west and south of the Singel - an area with some incredibly q

incredibly quaint and gorgeous canals.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...travelogue.cfm

For a view of what some Fodorites found in their Amsterdam trip read this Trip Report - like OP said on thread ain't for the sky or up tight! The Black Crows BTW are a known cannabis band - songs celebrating that noxious stuff and no doubt a big hit in Amsterdamned!

Amsterdam in world war 2 walk. We had the guide all to our selves one cold november and it was excellent, really inspired me to take more interest in history as i really enjoyed this walk and was sad when it ended even though it was ice cold and near snowing!!

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attract...d_Holland.html

the guy that does it, Peter has a totally genuine interest in what he teaches, even on booking i was sent a really interesting long article about the difference between how holland and other countries-reacted to war events,

If anyone interested...

Peter's email address

historywalks.eu <[email protected]>

We LOVED our 5 night stay in Amsterdam, a few years ago. What a refreshingly pleasant artitude we met every time we spoke with residents there. Beautiful little canals, fantastic restaurants, safe streets. It is heaven for people who enjoy just walking and wandering through.

AMSTERDAMAGES!

A local one told me what locals often call the many posts put up along narrow streets like those lining the canals to keep folks from parking everywhere, I guess, "amsterdamages" because they often are hit by cars that often it seems roar along these tiny lanes.

I've seen a number count in the many thousands of how many such posts - with a bulbous top - there are in Amsterdam but I forget how many but it is many many many.

And a popular postcard in shops in this gay mecca invariable has a young stud guy with his rear plopped right on top of an Amsterdamage - also a phallic symbol for some!

I heard that Amsterdam has the best Argentinian Steak house - opinions???

On this I admittedly know diddly - restaurants in general so I would advise posting this question on a separate thread and you will attract someone who knows something about it.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...d_Holland.html

No don't know much about Amsterdam restaurants but have gone to one that is really famous with locals - Keuken van 1870 - a one-of-a-kind place serving was is billed as authentic Dutch food and at a super low, for Amsterdam, fixed price - down-home Dutch cooking and located right in the heart of Amsterdam.

Roz, I've been to THE Argentinian Steak House in Amsterdam a few times, but years ago. It seemed to have closed or moved the last time I was there (near the flower market.) There are several other steakhouses I believe.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...eak-houses.cfm

though from 2009 this Fodor's discussion may help?

THE RIJSTAFFEL

One traditional Dutch food treat I do know a bit about however is the Chinese-Indonesian Rice Table - Rijstaffel in Dutch that was brought to Holland from the Dutch colony of Indonesia long ago and remains a favorite with Dutch today.

You will see Chinese-Indonesian restaurants all over Holland - even in smallish towns and the most popular thing for tourists is to sample the famous Rice Table - a Rijstaffel where you get a heaping mound of rice on which you put zillions of things from zillions of dishes - exotic fare and no so exotic fare - along with various meats.

So for something unique to Holland try a Rijstaffel - there are several restaurants in Amsterdam's centrum serving up this unique and very filling meal!

http://www.amsterdamtravelguide.net/...the-rijsttafel

ttt

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