I have heard mixed reviews on Amsterdam. Some say "kinda seedy" in the red-light district. We are thinking of going with some friends (age 25-31). If you have any input on hotels- places to stay away from- overall views... please let me know! <BR>Thanks!

This question can not be answered if we don't know a lot more about you and your interests. To each his/her own, of course, so I don't know if you would love, like or hate Amsterdam. I live in Amsterdam and love the city, the sights and the people. Amsterdam is the #4 tourist city in Europe (after Paris, London and Rome), so I guess many people like it. <BR>Amsterdam has: <BR>1. great, world-class museums (Rijksmuseum (old art), Van Gogh Museum, Stdelijk Museum (modern art), Tropen Museum (about life and culture of tropical countries) , Scheepvaart Museum (Nautical museum), Anne Frank House, Jewish Historic Museum <BR>2. a well-preserved, 17-th century city centre <BR>3. a very cosmopolitan population (45% is non-Dutch) <BR>4. one of the best "nightlifes" in the world, with excellent bars, discotheques, and a great music scene <BR>5. one of the free-est societies in the world, where cannabis (marihuana) is freely and legally available; prostitution is legalised, controlled and safe; gay people have exactly the same rights (including the right to marry) as straight people, etc. <BR>6. Amsterdam is very safe, there are no "places to stay away from". Just beware of pickpockets. <BR>7. If you have time, there are zillions of places less than an hour from Amsterdam by frequent public transport that are worth seeing.

As usual, Sjoerd is right on. We (my wife and I - early 30's) love Amsterdam. If you can answer a few of the following with yes, then go: <BR> <BR>1. Do you like to wander? I've not been to a better place to just wander and look around (yet). <BR>2. Do you like interesting architecture? The canal houses are unique and beautiful. <BR>3. Do you like art? While we're not big museum people, the Rijksmuseum was impressive. And as Sjoerd mentioned there are many more. <BR>4. Do you like to drink? From cozy tiny little pubs to cocktail bars to rough and tumble bars near the central station, this is the place. <BR>5. Would you like to indulge in a little pot or mushrooms? This is about the only place in the world to do it without feeling guilty. <BR>6. Want the feeling that you can do any thing you damn well please as long as you aren't hurting anyone else? This place exudes personal freedom. <BR>7. Are restaurants not the main focus of your trip? It seemed to us that better food can be had in other parts of Europe, but then we should have asked Sjoerd for recommendations. <BR>8. Do you feel safe walking in the "safe" areas of large cities in the US? If you've never been to a big city or the idea of seeing down and out people scares you, then you may not enjoy some parts of Amsterdam. We felt perfectly safe everywhere we went, however. <BR> <BR>Like all things, you'll never really know what it's like until you go. So just do it. On recommendation - don't go in summer high season. It's much more magical without the crowds. Good luck.

Sjoerd and Brian said it all, so I'll keep it brief. Amsterdam is the best city in the world, as far as I'm concerned. Small enough to walk just about anyplace (but a great public transport system if you aren't a hiker). The most warm, intelligent, and accepting people you will ever meet (and they all speak English!). And if the RLD is as seedy as it gets... try to think of any other city in the world that doesn't have much seedier areas! Actually the RLD is just naughty fun - not "seedy". There are some beautiful old buildings there!

Susan. , <BR>Amsterdam is great fun, you do't have to go the redlight district. It's one of those cities that when you are there, you "know" you are there. Many cities look alike, and feel alike. Amsterdam is only Amsterdam. IMHO The same is true of San Francisco, New York, Copenhagen, Berlin among others.

hiya! <BR>just got back from a quicky trip to amsterdam..it was the first time i had been. i went to the RLD and to lots of the pubs.. i didnt find anything to be seedy. the city was lovely..very differnt from anywhere i had been. <BR>i would reccomend it to anyone.

<BR>i forgot to add that i stayed at the amstel botel...nothing fancy..but it was clean and centrally located.

Sjoerd! Brian is right-on...how about some dining suggestions? Spouse and I are headed to A'dam 3/1 for four nites....would appreciate your input. I've heard there are quite a few Indonesian restaurants, tho I haven't a clue what that cuisine would be...what else, please?

arjay <BR>If you look in the amsterdam section you should find some threads on ristaffel (rice table) a bowl of rice and a WHOLE bunch of stuff to have it with, different meats, veggies, hot and cold, ... ALOT I can't give you the name of the restaurant we went to, forgot it, but the threads should give you ideas!

If I went to your nearest city & spent my time hanging about it's redlight district (yes it has one) I would certainly find it more seedy than A'dam's. <BR> I spoke with two women who said they wouldn't go back to A'dam as it was a bit seedy.When I asked further it became obvious that they had spent all their time in the RLD & hadn't seen any of the rest of the city. <BR> Many casual visitors do the same - there are big parties of visitors touring the redlight every evening because its a tourist sight - like the Eiffel tower. <BR>(they themselves are now a tourist sight-like the changing of the guard, its the ogling of the tourists.Nothing wrong with that) <BR>Next morning they are off to their next city with a decidedly skewed view of A'dam. <BR> I suspect that the poor reviews you hear are from those. <BR> Its like going to Wales, spending all the time in a coal mine then reporting that Wales is a kinda dark place...