We have train tickets from Amsterdam to Munich (June 25) and a flight out of Munich to London (July 1) -- around $1000 combined for four. The kids (who were too busy with school to offer an opinion when I was throwing this trip together) are disappointed that we aren't visiting Berlin.

"Book transportation in haste, repent at leisure" seems to be my motto this journey.

Owing to the hotel costs for 3 nights each(two rooms) at the Hotel Torbrau = $1600 and Hotel Roter Hahn (GP) $900, this leg is costing much more than others.

It is possible to cancel my train tickets (for a fee of 15 euro per person) and it seems that I may be able to cancel the flight (on hold with BA at the moment; getting conflicting information from the website.)

Tell the kids that Berlin can wait until they are old enough for it. In the meantime assign them the task of writing/photographing a blog for this trip, joint or individual. They will love you for it later. For example see my daughter's blog of her month in Paris a few years ago at http://inaplace.wordpress.com/.

Are you able to get bunks on the CityNightLine train from Amsterdam to Munich? It's probably too late but would have been an excellent way to cover the ground, save a day, and save a night of hotel bills. If you sleep in a chair on this train you may feel sorry for yourself for a day. How tough is your tribe? Departure 20:31 arrival 07:10. Excellent.

If you are locked in to Munich that is not all that bad. You could go over to Salzburg and maybe to the Tyrol. If you like history go to Graz for the Armory. It is a fascinating place.

Not Leidseplein, but on Lindengracht there are two great places, actually three come to think of it:

Papeneiland

Thijssen

De Kat in de Wijngaard

Leidseplein is touristy with a nasty vibe sometimes.

Haarlemmerstraat is somewhat of a culinary hotspot:

http://goamsterdam.about.com/od/wher...lemmerdijk.htm

You have a great trip ahead of you, enjoy!

You have plenty of advice for Amsterdam, here are 2 for Garmisch (which my kids loved when we went 2 years back).

Partnach Gorge- Great walking trail through a narrow gorge w/ water racing by, beautiful.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...s_Bavaria.html

The second thing is the Kletterwald 'ropes' course. You are up in the trees, clipped in to harnesses to make it safe, and you have to climb/crawl/whatever from tree to tree. I know that isn't a great description, but check out the link, w/ pics. If interested, google for more info. My kids and I had a blast.
http://keeleysblog.com/Kletterwald.htm

Thank you for the suggestion of the ropes course! Sounds like just what we all will need after several weeks in cities!

"It's a bit late to be asking, but what to those of you "in the know" think about our accommodations?"

I think it looks wonderful, and am almost tempted to book it myself.

We spent a few days not far from where the houseboat is moored, and thought it a great area - we never felt unsafe.

http://www.inyourpocket.com/Netherla...vo-Park_96313v

Flevo Park, where there once was a large Jewish cemetery, is now a lovely park on the harbor - of interest to teens because of its huge open-air swimming pool - something different they may like?

There still is a large jewish cemetery. Historical, but nonetheless

I was wondering when the site I looked at said 'there was a large Jewish cemetery" - what happened to the cemetery - could not fathom it being destroyed unless it was during the brutal occupation. Thanks for the correcto!

Coming to the thread a bit late, but that houseboat is in a fine location. Don't worry about the generalised reputation of Amsterdam that you've heard about: the rough/rowdy area is the other side of Damrak, to the east of the Central Station and most of that is more noisy than dangerous, and then only at night.

It's a short walk from the Noordermarkt:
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/Ndtrc/Noordermarkt

There are headstones even now, and it was recently carefully preserved. Burials stopped there in the early nineteenth century I believe.