Will be arriving from Paris to Amsterdam by train at 1700 in February and staying at the Ambassadade for one night.I know Amsterdam is small, but is that hotel within short walking distance in the winter from Centraal Station? Should we take the tram? Also,will we need that day pass to the tram the next day to sightsee or will be able to walk? We only have time to see a few things and I know they are all fairly close together. Do the canals usually freeze over in February, and if not, are you able to take a canal ride?

I'm at work - think the hotel is Ambassade or something like that.

The hotel is probably the Ambassade Hotel Amsterdam. You could walk to the hotel from the station but either take a taxi or the tram (1,3,5)(have a good map handy because you will need to walk part of the way).

If Europe has a serious could snap anything is possible, but the canal boats run regularly.

I do not know how much time you will have or your preferences for sightseeing so I am not sure what to recommend.

Our site, www.ThereArePlaces has a destination guide for Amdsterdam (look under Destination Guides and then, for the Netherlands). I suggest that you try to see the Ann Frank House and the Van Gogh museum; however they are not close together but you can take a tram from one to the other. You might be interested in the Red Light district - just for its shock value.

Since you have little time in town, find a good guidebook that reflects your taste and maximize the time you have to tour.

I hope you have a great trip.

If you want a lot of bang for museum buck you might also consider the Rijksmuseum which has a LOT of well-known works in a relatively small space now that the renovation is underway; about 450 works on display in the Phillips Wing.

blondiepopo,

<i>Message: Will be arriving from Paris to Amsterdam by train at 1700 in February and staying at the Ambassadade for one night.I know Amsterdam is small, but is that hotel within short walking distance in the winter from Centraal Station?</i>
The Hotel Ambassade (great choice) is on Herengracht near Het Spui. It is probably a 15 minute walk from Centraal Station. I had a top floor room overlooking the canal.

<i>Should we take the tram?</i>
If you only have a carryon bag the tram would be OK. With more than that I would take a taxi. Be careful of pickpockets on the trams, in Centraal, and on the trains from Schiphol.

<i>Also,will we need that day pass to the tram the next day to sightsee or will be able to walk?</i>
I would buy a <i>Strippenkaart</i> at the Bus, Tram, Metro office in front of Centraal. Get their little map of the tram lines, also.

<i>We only have time to see a few things and I know they are all fairly close together.</i>
I would visit the Rijksmuseum for sure. Ask the hotel for tram numbers. Get a guidebook and decide what else to do.

<i>Do the canals usually freeze over in February,</i>
depends on Old Man Winter
<i> and if not, are you able to take a canal ride? </i>
Yes, but I wouldn't waste my time. Amsterdam has plenty of canals and is a fine walking city. If you are down on the water stuffed into a boat with a load of tourists you will miss the charm of the City.

Since you must eat and have a Dutch beer while you are there, visit a couple of my favorite hangouts at the Spui. The Hoppe is good for a brew or a jonge (Dutch gin) and chat with the locals, after about 18h00 weekdays. That would be a good place to introduce yourselves to Amsterdam! The Cafe Luxembourg is good for lunch or a snack any day plus people watching from the glassed in patio. The Luden restis up Spuistraat a little bit and serves a good meal at a good price with very good service.

Everybody speaks English. You'll have a miserable time because you have to leave so soon. ;-)

&quot;The Luden restis up Spuistraat a little bit&quot;

should say

The Luden restaurant is up Spuistraat a little bit