Hello,<BR>My wife and I are spending two days in Amsterdam, having wangled a stop over on our trip back from Italy to US on KLM. We need suggestions on where to stay in the city and must see's like the Anne Frank House, etc. Also would appreciate hints on best way into the city from the airport. Thanks for any help.<BR>Marty

forgot on my original post...we will be there in late May.

Princen Hotel (3-star)<BR>Vondel Hotel (4-star)<BR>These are near the Leidesplein and within easy walking distance of the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum. There are lots of restaurants nearby and lots of public transportation. <BR>Some people prefer to stay in the Jordaan, which is more charming but a bit less central - not that it makes much difference in Amsterdam, as the city center is very compact.<BR>Take the train from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central station. There are lots of trains at all hours. If you have a KLM ticket, you DON'T need to buy a train ticket. You should buy a tram/bus ticket, though, a 'strippenkaart' at the train ticket office at the airport, so you can use it as soon as you arrive in Amsterdam. I suggest buying it at the airport rather than at Amsterdam Central station, as there are pickpockets hanging around the central station and it's wise to avoid standing in line there if you can.<BR>What to see? Take a canal boat tour, maybe at night when houses and bridges are lit up. Go to a concert or the opera. See the Rijksmuseum &amp; the van Gogh museum, and maybe Rembrant's house (mostly drawings). Check out the flower market on the Singel and if you're very early risers, go to the world's largest flower auction in Aalsmeer (near the airport). Want some exercise? Rent a bike or join one of Mike's Bike Tours. Go to the flea market on the Waterlooplein for junk &amp; unusual souvenirs, or see if there is are auction preview days going on at Sothby's or Christie's. Dine on Indonesian Rijstafel or Paling in't Groen (eel). Most of all, sit outside for a coffee or beer and watch the world go by! Rembrantplein or anywhere in the Jordaan is great. There, I've filled a few days for you...

Thanks so much jenviolin for your post. Terrific usefull info. We'll follow up.

With luggage, I wouldn't take the tram. Take the train to Central Station and then a taxi to your hotel. Two hotels I have stayed at that were very nice were the Radisson SAS and the Ambassade. Agree with the previous poster about watching the world go by at the Rembrantsplein or the Leidseplein. It's quite a parade.

Another hotel is the Park hotel, it too I think is right there on the Leid. square. We stayed there, larger hotel, great buffet breakfast. It was easier to get a reservation through a booking service on the interenet, and cheaper than it was direct. Great view of the canal, casino, and cafes from our room. <BR>Regarding Anne Frank, go very early. Of course we were there in August and the lines got long. Do a canal tour, great information. Heineken brewery also has tours that in 1997 were about $1.50. They donate the money to charity. If you go, go early to get tickets. Try to be in the first group, when through you wait for all the other groups and have free beer (at least that was the way it was then). There are also diamond tours, all of these were in walking distance of the Park. Riks museum near there too.<BR>Have fun, it is a great city. Oh and then they were charging to go into the casino. Our hotel did give us either a pass or a discount pass.

Martync and Jenviolin, only KLM tickets *bought and issued in the Netherlands* qualify for free trains from/to Schiphol. And this deal will end on June 1st.

I very much liked the neighborhoods of Leidseplein and the area around Vondelpark. Convenient but much prettier than the central area around the Dam, Red Light, train station.<BR><BR>For less hassle then the train and cheaper than a taxi... take the &quot;Connexxion Airport Hotel Shuttle&quot; which serves a long list of hotels and leaves from right outside the airport terminal for a cost of 10euro 1-way or 18 euro round-trip (info current as of summer 2002).

Another very nice hotel is the Ethereal. Great suggestions have already been made, and yes, go early to the Anne Frank house. You can also visit the jewish quarter and tour the very old and very large (I beleive the largest in the world) Portuguese Synagogue (still without electicity).

Hi, i finally got through..I have tried several times but this forum is too busy..Anyhow, my husband and I have been to Amsterdam several times (from Canada)and it is a great city...2 days doesn't give you alot of time, but at least you get to see it...Therefore, i would stay somewhere more central..The Estheria Hotel is a great place but is very expensive..On the same street and right on the Singel Canal is also the Tulip Inn...You can take the Connexion Shuttle Bus and it stops right in front of the Tulip Inn, which is down the road from the Estheria Hotel...It is a quick and easy way to get from Schiphol to Amsterdam...If you are on a budget, the Hoksbergen Hotel is also on the same street...You can walk to the Anne Frank House from any of these hotels..As well, one of the main shopping streets is near, the Flower Market is just around the corner, there are great Restaurants in the area, and you can walk to the Leidseplein area if you would like to see some entertainment, or walk to the Dam Square...A canal boat tour would be your best bet just to get a feel for this great city...<BR>Have a great time, and if you choose that Connextion Bus to get into Amsterdam, there is a desk at the airport upon arrival and it leaves regularily...The train is great, but you have to haul your luggage on and off...It makes life alot easier to get dropped of right by the hotel, especially if you only have 2 days, every moment is precious...Make sure you try the Fries and Mayo and Herring...<BR>We have stayed at the Estheria, the breakfasts are great, try and get a canal view.. The Tulip Inn is also very nice...When we go back this September, we are going to try the Hoksbergen(budget) so we have more money to enjoy the other fine things in Amsterdam!!

Thank you, Sjoerd, I had no idea that the KLM train deal was only for NL-issued tickets - or that it was going to end June 1. It was nice while it lasted...