I am planning on a day trip from Amsetrdam to Volendam (heard many positive things about it). And I can not find out how to get there? Does anyone know? Thanks.

John, <BR>At the Centraal train station, look for buses serving routes 110 or 112; both go direct to Volendam. (There is no train service.) It's about a 20 minute ride. Buses leave from the platforms to the right of the station as you face it. You can visit both Marken and Volendam by taking the 111 bus from the same location. <BR> <BR>Having said that, I'd recommend instead that you take the train from Centraal station to Enkhuisen. Trains leave every twenty minutes or so and the ride takes an hour or less. Enkhuisen is a beautiful town with many 15th century mansions and a superb museum complex. The indoor museum, housed in former warehouses of the East Indies Company, displays fishing boats, home furnishings and local costumes of the area. The outdoor museum has a collection of 130 or so buildings situated in small villages. You'll find mills, farmhouses and shops all typical of the area and craftsmen demonstrating their skills. It's quite reminiscent of Williamsburg and far more interesting than either Marken or Volendam.

Wes, Thanks for all the helpful info. We are two families traveling traveling together with children, and I know the girls in the group are very much looking forward to buying wooden shoes for/with each other. I will do some research on Enkhuisen, and leave it up to them. Thanks again. Any other input would be appreciated!

John, <BR>If you're trveling with youngsters, you might want to consider a visit to Madurodam in Den Haag. Designed by Maduro in commemoration of his son who died in Dachau in WWII, Madurodam is the Netherlands in miniature. One can walk through farming villages, past Amsterdam's canalside mansions, the port of Rotterdam and even Schiphol airport. Trains, boats, autos and trucks move throughout. The miniature city replicates many of the important or interesting buildings of the Netherlands and is a delightful experience, not solely for children!

Wes, <BR>Thanks, but we will be in Mini Europe in Brussels right before our three days in Amsterdam. But thanks for the advice. The children are ages 7-9, all girls, so shopping for wooden shoes is their "cool thing". As I understand it, Volendam has a shoe factory. IS this correct?