Berlin or Amsterdam
 

I will have a few days in after some business in Frankfurt this Sept. Which would be better Berlin or Amsterdam? I have never been to either and will only have 2 1/2 days to site see. Thanks for any recommendations.

Keith, it depends very much on what you're looking for. Both cities have their own, separate attractions. Amsterdam is a compact city, great to stroll around and take in the cafes and sights. It's a relaxed city with fabulous museums. Most of the major sights can be taken in, in a couple of days.<BR>Berlin on the other hand, is massive. What you have, is the feeling that you are right in the middle of history. You can spend days wandering around sites that you've read about in European history books. Fabulous city.<BR>Both are roughly 3-4 hours from Frankfurt by super efficient German ICE train....I live close to Amsterdam, but my preference is for Berlin.<BR>However, if 20th century European history doesn't ring your bell, and the Bulldog coffee shop in Amsterdam does, you won't be dissapointed.<BR>Good luck !<BR><BR>P.S. Closer to Frankfurt, the Mosel valley and Trier are well worth a couple of days, as is the Romantische Strasse with a day or so in Rothenburg.<BR>Munich as well is a great place to visit.<BR>Just depends how much of Europe you've already seen, or want to see.

So . . . what are your interests? Amsterdam certainly has appeal to those who might seek some of the more extreme -- if not downright illegal in other countries -- forms of entertainment. But that aside, I think Amsterdam is a more interesting city and I think there's more to see and do there.<BR><BR>Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag were interesting to me (Look then leave) and Unter den Linden is a beatiful street . . . at least in the summer.<BR><BR>Im sure there are folks on this forum who would say Berlin is more interesting.<BR><BR>Good luck.

Keith, do you like history or are you looking for a wild, wild time?? Are you a scholar or a man's man?<BR><BR>Berlin gives you a sense of history. Amsterdam gives you girls nightlife, red light districts and a very liberal drug law.<BR><BR>The rest is up to you.

Hans with A'dam you also get friendly people that speak english, the Anna Frank house, Van Gogh and a whole lot more. Hans or is it Franklin, some people don't care for drugs or the red light district!

Keith - almost a flip of the coin, though I would personally choose Berlin. It is an extremely cosmopolitan city with lots to see and do with an extremely vibrant nightlife. I agree with Conde-Nast Traveller that it is the most vibrant and alive city in Europe.

Having lived in Amsterdam without doing drugs I can tell you there is a lot more there than the &quot;illegal activities&quot;.<BR>The drive or train from Frankfurt to Amsterdam is nice. <BR>As has been stated, the Dutch are friendly and in for the most part are able to speak English. Amsterdam is an eay and safe city to get around via foot or public transportation. <BR>You can guess my choice for you.