Faina needs a push... to Amsterdam!
Sep 27th, 2006, 03:46 PM
#21
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Hi Faina, congratulations! This will be a fun trip for you to plan.
You know that the train station at the Amsterdam Airport is right downstairs in the Airport right? It will take you right into Amsterdam in something like 20 minutes. You will have fun dear one.
You know that the train station at the Amsterdam Airport is right downstairs in the Airport right? It will take you right into Amsterdam in something like 20 minutes. You will have fun dear one.
Sep 27th, 2006, 04:41 PM
#23
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Sep 27th, 2006, 05:21 PM
#24
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No Mr. Again in Amsterdam?
You're feeling wild already?
Well listen up missy...just make sure you don't stay in the Red Light District!!
I am so green with envy! Loved Amsterdam...loved Den Haag (was there for North Sea)...lost all my pictures...even the ones of Madurodam.
You're feeling wild already?
Well listen up missy...just make sure you don't stay in the Red Light District!!
I am so green with envy! Loved Amsterdam...loved Den Haag (was there for North Sea)...lost all my pictures...even the ones of Madurodam.
Sep 27th, 2006, 05:38 PM
#25
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I thought that you had mentioned a while back that you had hoped to go to Paris ....GOT SOMETHING AGAINST PARIS???? 
If you do decide to go to Belgium, IMO, I would suggest Brugge. It small enough to be do-able in a few days and is one of our favorite little cities.
It is about an hour from Brussels. It is like a fairytale city, canals, swans, wonderful buildings, nice reasonably priced hotels, and good restaurants.
Personally, I would rather stay in the city that I am visiting. I know a lot of people stay in small towns nearby and take the train, REH etc.. in to the city each day ie: Venice/ Mestre, Amsterdam -I forgot where they stay, but it is a short commute. I think they do it because hotels are cheaper and the areas are usually quieter. IMHO I think that the expense of the daily commute and the hassle of not being able to drop by your hotel for a rest or change of clothes isn't worth it.
Faina .... we'll do lunch at the Mona Lisa and talk girl to girl!
Nina
If you do decide to go to Belgium, IMO, I would suggest Brugge. It small enough to be do-able in a few days and is one of our favorite little cities.
It is about an hour from Brussels. It is like a fairytale city, canals, swans, wonderful buildings, nice reasonably priced hotels, and good restaurants.
Personally, I would rather stay in the city that I am visiting. I know a lot of people stay in small towns nearby and take the train, REH etc.. in to the city each day ie: Venice/ Mestre, Amsterdam -I forgot where they stay, but it is a short commute. I think they do it because hotels are cheaper and the areas are usually quieter. IMHO I think that the expense of the daily commute and the hassle of not being able to drop by your hotel for a rest or change of clothes isn't worth it.
Faina .... we'll do lunch at the Mona Lisa and talk girl to girl!
Nina
Sep 28th, 2006, 08:22 AM
#26
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Nina, no! With me it won't be a "girl to girl" It will be complaining mother to mother
Oh, Jayne, I'll be anxiously waiting for your report!
Flyboy was this the highlight of your trip?
JaGirl, you know the rules: never take on a trip what you can't afford to lose. This is why Mr Again stays at home
I am concidering Brugge and Haarlem already. As soon as I know how many days... Am I losing or gaining a day going there LOL
Oh, Jayne, I'll be anxiously waiting for your report!
Flyboy was this the highlight of your trip?
JaGirl, you know the rules: never take on a trip what you can't afford to lose. This is why Mr Again stays at home
I am concidering Brugge and Haarlem already. As soon as I know how many days... Am I losing or gaining a day going there LOL
Sep 28th, 2006, 08:52 AM
#27
Hi Faina - we had dinner in haarlem [not brunch] and liked the p[alce a lot. the atmosphere was like we imagine amsterdam was 100 years ago.
as you are travelling alone, you might like the idea of a cycling holday. I can't remember the name of any particular company, but I was surfing some time ago and there are a number that do that sort of thing; you cycle during the day, and meet up with the barge at night.
Good luck!
PS I just googled " cycling in Holland" and got quite a lot of different companies who do that sort of thing.
as you are travelling alone, you might like the idea of a cycling holday. I can't remember the name of any particular company, but I was surfing some time ago and there are a number that do that sort of thing; you cycle during the day, and meet up with the barge at night.
Good luck!
PS I just googled " cycling in Holland" and got quite a lot of different companies who do that sort of thing.
Sep 28th, 2006, 10:26 AM
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Faina - OK 'complaining mother to mother' it is .... Maybe LoveItaly will join us for a real mini GTG. I come with references too
By the way, I didn't mean to insult Harlem with a possible reference to it as merely a bedroom stop. I haven't been te myself, only to A'dam, but have heard nice things about it from friends.
Nina
By the way, I didn't mean to insult Harlem with a possible reference to it as merely a bedroom stop. I haven't been te myself, only to A'dam, but have heard nice things about it from friends.
Nina
Sep 28th, 2006, 10:51 AM
#29
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I'm still trying to figure out how many days I have... you know, flying to Europe losing one day and coming back gaining one... all these time changes are confusing
I've heard of Haarlem first searching Elderhostel, they stay there. I may take a day trip.
And if anybody wants to drop a line, it's [email protected]
I've heard of Haarlem first searching Elderhostel, they stay there. I may take a day trip.
And if anybody wants to drop a line, it's [email protected]
Sep 28th, 2006, 12:28 PM
#30
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Flying from the USA to Europe usually is an overnighter. Departing in the evening you arrive the next day. Coming back you usually arrive a few clock hours after you leave Europe.
I am an advocate of staying in Haarlem for visiting Amsterdam. Of course I am prejudiced because I used to live in Haarlem.
From Schiphol Plaza at the airport take bus #300 direct to the Haarlem train station. For this bus you use eight strips from a Nationale Strippenkaart. Buy a 15 strip card from the tourist office in Schiphol for euro 6.70. The strips are valid on buses and trams throughout Holland.
There are a half dozen trains hourly both ways between Haarlem and Amsterdam for visiting the big city. Be careful of "helpful" people in Amsterdam Centraal Station. It is a den of pickpockets.
Not only Easter Monday but also Good Friday is a holiday in NL.
In 2007 both western and Orthodox Easter fall on April 8.
I recommend Queen's Day in Amsterdam at the Spui. I park myself in front of the Hoppe when I am there and I am shooting for a repeat in 2007.
The annual flower parade takes place on April 21. It ends in Haarlem and the floats are on display the following day, Sunday, near the V+D department store. This is a small small version of the Rose Parade but very well done.
Here is another recent Fodor's thread that should be of interest.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34860744
Sep 28th, 2006, 04:27 PM
#31
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Faina, search for RufusTFirefly's (unfinished?) report on his trip to Benelux this past summer. Lots of good ideas; I bookmarked it for future reference as in the next year or 2 I hope to go to Brugge, Amsterdam and...?
I'm jealous!
I'm jealous!
Sep 28th, 2006, 04:31 PM
#32
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Here is the link to Rufus's report. Aside from being an utterly charming writer, he appears to have the inside track on moderately priced, charming accommodations.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34831310
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34831310
Sep 29th, 2006, 09:51 AM
#33
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Thank you, guys, I printed all reports mentioned here and found by a search, now I have my "bedtime stories" to read for a loooong, looong time
I will fly in and out of Amsterdam, 12 days 11 nights, the rest is TBD.
RUFUS: where is Amsterdam report? I'll be watching you
I will fly in and out of Amsterdam, 12 days 11 nights, the rest is TBD.
RUFUS: where is Amsterdam report? I'll be watching you
Oct 10th, 2006, 10:42 PM
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Well, I am still on vacation but spent five nights in Amsterdam (Sept. 30 through Oct.5). Loved it! I would stay there and take side trips because it's such a neat place and so easy to get around, whether you want to walk, or take the trams. As far as biking, it's a serious mode of transportation in Amsterdam and I'd sure want to practice up on my riding skills before hitting the streets. We walked almost everywhere just because it's so enjoyable.
We stayed at Hotel Keizerhoff, which was very nice and kind of like staying with some Dutch relatives. The only drawbacks were the corkscrew staircase and no Internet.
Amsterdam is a very clean city and we felt safe although we did take precautions to avoid attracting pickpockets.
We did take a side trip to Den Haag and also to Haarlem, which were both nice. Stopped in Delft to see the pottery factory, too.
I think you will love Amsterdam! More after I get home if you are interested.
We stayed at Hotel Keizerhoff, which was very nice and kind of like staying with some Dutch relatives. The only drawbacks were the corkscrew staircase and no Internet.
Amsterdam is a very clean city and we felt safe although we did take precautions to avoid attracting pickpockets.
We did take a side trip to Den Haag and also to Haarlem, which were both nice. Stopped in Delft to see the pottery factory, too.
I think you will love Amsterdam! More after I get home if you are interested.
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