hi!

i'll be traveling to amsterdam the first week of march for about 5 days. i've read that it could get cold and very wet. what are some suggestions of clothing articles to pack? also, what are people wearing this time of year? could i wear bright colored rainboots or uggs? or is that going to make me look too out of place? thanx!

Bring an umbella!
Wear any kind of boots you like.
People in Amsterdam are very casual

You can keep an eye on what people in Amsterdam are wearing at:

http://www.terena.org/webcam/

Was there a few years ago beg. of March. Cold, windy and VERY wet. Sopping wet. Kind of made our stay miserable.

Bring a scarf, waterproof shoes and a coat for rainy weather. We brought umbrellas but the wind sometimes made it impossible for us to use them.

The weather was so bad that we couldn't even tour the old ship at the museum. Too windy.

When the sun finally came out, we realized it was still cold and went to the horticulture museum to warm up. Did the job too.

I sincerely hope you'll have better weather than we did.

Sweater, umbrella, windbreaker.
Bright coloured rainboots might be handy too.

The weather has been so weird, and so many weather records have been broken in the past year, that it's really anyone's guess. Check the weather reports the week before you go. The only thing that I can say is that it is highly likely that it will rain! Bright coloured rainboots or uggs are absolutely fine in Amsterdam. It's not dressy, jeans and boots are fine.
And when it's too cold; Dutch pea soup will warm you up.

Hi blue

Our daughter is living in Maastricht right now, in the very south of NL. It snowed about 5 inches a few days ago, but was immediately followed by rain which washed it away. Prior to this, it was in the high 40's. Right now it is low 40's.

I've been to AMS in May and it has been in the low 40's to low 50's, wet and windy. Ugg or Ugg type boots are popular. Don't know about bright colors, but I'd wear what is comfortable for you.

I'd bring a parka-type jacket with hood if possible, umbrella, gloves (my hands were soooo cold when I was there and I couldn't find any gloves in the stores). If you have a Polartech or other fleece light jacket I'd bring that to layer under the parka or wear alone if it is warmer.

Dress in layers. Pack light. Read the packing tips on Fodor's or be eternally miserable on your second and subsequent days in Europe.

I would worry more about your outer layers than fashion. As locals are telling you, Amsterdam is casual that way. I'd be sure to have several pair of good footwear to switch off. Something with a hood is handy and easier sometimes than toting an umbrella or if you get caught by surprise.

Hi!
I'll be arriving in Frankfurt on the 17th of October, spending one night there and then on to Amsterdam, booked for five nights, then I thought Reims, France for a while. My trip ends back in Frankfurt on the 5th of November.
My questions are; what type of clothing, I live in Florida and I've not been in cooler temps for a long time, so is a swede coat or a light jacket better?
Also, any suggestions for trips that may be interesting within a 4-5-hour travel time back to Frankfurt? I have between 7 & 10 days depending on how long I decide to stay in Reims & Amsterdam, where I could do 2 maybe 3 more trips. I like cities, villages, countrysides, all not-to-touristy adventures. My only draw back now is I want to pace myself so as not to do too much walking, because I just got back from Washington D.C. on Saturday, after a week, and my feet are still mad at me! Also, while I'm in Reims, I'm going into Paris for day trip(s) Should I bring a dress and heels?
And lastley, any input on which public transport would be best for comfort and economics. I can't understand the Eurorail schedule, so far, it's in Dutch, I only know that public trans is available.
Thanks in advance.

Bring a *hat* and also long underwear ('Cuddl-duds' are for ladies)...

* you lose a lot of heat from your head; a knit cap made all the difference when we went one March.
The temp never climbed above 49*F that week.