irishdame, actually, I have a map of Amsterdam. It is called a Streetwise map. It is small, laminated, shows the tram lines, and indicates the major hotels and points of interest. Hopefully it is accurate...

Leely, I see we posted at the same time. Fancy meeting you here, in the Europe forum!! Yes, my layover in September will be on my way to Africa. When is your trip?

I'll be in Amsterdam this spring, and am really looking forward to the Rembrandt-Caravaggio exhibit among other things. Obviously, from the posts here, I'm looking forward to some fun meals as well!

Happy travels.

Nevermind,

I'm off to E. Africa in, yikes!, 10 weeks. Second trip but still many details to iron out.

These posts about how difficult it is to get one's bearings in Amsterdam do give me pause...However, I'm looking forward to seeing a little bit of what sounds like a beautiful, interesting city while on the way to safari.

If you are going to E. Africa...I wouldn't pause and worry about finding your bearings in Amsterdam; you seem like an adventurous traveller who wont mind getting a bit lost.

Amsterdam only gets confusing once you get out of the "tourist" rings.

Leely, I love the Streetwise maps. They are lightweight, compact, and durable. (I know there are those that will scoff at my mentioning lightweight, but that is such a consideration if you'll be taking it with you on safari). You can find them here: http://www.streetwisemaps.com

See you back on the Africa forum, and I'll watch for your trip report this summer!!

I found A'dam SO easy to navigate- and that is not one of my skills. I guess once you get into the neighborhoods, it could be tough, but the city as a whole was VERY simple to me. We walked all over!

I'm surprised that anyone could find Amsterdam hard to navigate, I found it very simple and I have a terrible sense of direction.

nevermind,
To create <b>bold</b> text, you need to put a small b in between &lt;&gt; before the text you want bold. To end the bold function, put /b between &lt;&gt; after the last word you want to be bold. Am I explaining this clearly?
To those concerned with navigation, bring a small compass (mine was $4 at REI) with you. Mine is on a keyring which we attached to our daybag. It helps when you are disoriented.
Liz

<b>Thanks for the tip!</b>

Liz...I have that exact little bad boy compass...and it is a dream (add that to a Suunto watch...you can never get lost). I also have that cool little whistle, red light, compass combo from RPI...key ring size.

As for navigation, outside the first four rings of amsterdam's half crecsent..it is extremely difficult. Good friends that live there (since they were born) still get confused on the outerrings.

I am pretty savvy navigating (years as a hunter, hiker, seafearing junkie) and amsterdam is very similar to boston...it takes a few days to get accustomed to streets that just end...when they look like they dont.

I did Amsterdam in December 2005 on my own, and i found alot of small bistro's and pasta places where i ate for under 15 euro's

try Le Zinc - great food, reasonable prices and nice atmosphere.

Hi leely and nevermind:
We'll have to stop meeting like this

bat, I take it a trip to Amsterdam is in your future.

Hi bat. Hi Leely. Small world!

Bat, are you going to Amsterdam?

bookmarking

leely and nevermind:
hopefully as part of a june 07 return to you know where.