Just got back from Netherlands, Belgium, Germany. Loved Amsterdam in spite of the drizzle every day. Never saw sun. Just like CT. The people were super! Friendly, helpful, delightful. We stayed at the Radisson SAS, a 5 minute walk from Dam Square. The best part of the walk was a stop every morning at Rene's Pastry on Damstratt a block from the square. Their pastry is to die for! No complaints about the Radisson and the location was ideal. It was also a 10 minute walk from the Grayline tours which we took a couple of days.
The Grand Holland tour was very pretty and interesting. Took us to Aalsmeer, the flower auction, to Delft to visit a factory and see the pottery being painted. Delft is such a cute town. Had the famous pancakes for lunch there. One would be enough for 2 people. We made the mistake of getting 2 w/ham and cheese. Yummy! This tour also drove us around Rotterdam, The Hague and the highlight was a visit to the miniature town of Madurodam.So much more fantastic than I had pictured. We had never seen anything like it. We also went to the sea resort of Scheveningen. By far, the best tour from Amsterdam. 8 hours. Another day we went to Marken and Volendam and stopped at a cheese farm. Very interesting country side that day.
I'll be glad to answer any questions because I learned so much from this message board before we left.
I'm mentioning Amsterdam only because that's this board. Belgium and Germany was also great!

Hi Peggy. Just got back from Europe myself. Loved Amsterdam too. We were there for 5 days without much sun but now I see that it is in the 70's! We were bummed that the Rijks museum was closed but enjoyed the Van Gogh and also the Hague museum (can't remember the name)We got soaked in the Hague but managed to see Madurodam before it poured. Did you get to the Kuekenhof gardens. We were there the last day it was open for the season and were amazed at how many tulips were still blooming. In fact, we ordered 100 bulbs as a great memory of our trip. We stayed at the Canal House, about 2 blockes from the Anne Frank HOuse and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our room faced the canal and was very charming. We had wonderful food all within a few blocks of our hotel. I would go back again. From Amsterdam we drove to a small town not far from brussels - Brugge, Belgium. A lovely small town - lace center of Belgium. Great hotel there as well. The Pand hotel. We finished our trip in Paris in a great apartment that faced the Eiffel tour and we finally found the sun for 5 days. Now it is back to the real world! Shar

Is the Rijks museum closed for some time? I will be in Amsterdam to start a river cruise in late July.

Thanks

Lori

Redsd: The Rijks museum is closed indefinately. They found asbestos when they were doing some remodeling and do not have a time frame for when it can be repaired or reopened. You might try on line to see if their is any further information. Shar

Author: Peggy
Date: 06/07/2003, 01:44 pm
Message: Shar, it was fun to read our letter and reminisce! Unfortunately we didn't have time to get to Kuekenhof. We had heard it was great and were disappointed but there was just so much to see. At least we got Aalasmeer, the flower auction and that was unimaginable. After our 3 days in Amsterdam, we took the train to Brussels and also Brugge. Bought some lace there! What a pretty town! I was putting my pictures in an album today and wishing I were back there. It was fun planning the trip and it'll be fun for years remembering!
The Anne Frank House brought me back to the reality of the world. Very emotional. We went aroun 4PM and only had about a 15 minute wait. The line was long but moved very quickly. What struck me was that inside the house w/so many people, it was more quiet than in church. It was just so heartbreaking to imagin what they went through.

I am going to Amsterdam in a few weeks and was interested in the great restaurants near The Canal House that Shar referred to. Thanks.

Another suggestion, if you got to the Anne Frank house you must eat at the Pancake bakery - facing the AF House it's a couple of blocks to the left. Food is outstanding!!

Correction: the Rijksmuseum is NOT closed indefinitely. The 'Night Watch' and the 'Hall of Honor' (lots of famous paintings) are open; these are usually top on most visitors' lists. More of the museum is scheduled to open in early July 2003. There is currently reduced admission. For updates, check
www.rijksmuseum.nl (in 6 languages).

Glad to hear that the Rijks museum is not closed indefinately. We were there 10 days ago and were told there was no date for reopen and there were no paintings from the museum available but there was a special exhibit showing in a newer portion but none of the old dutch masters. RESTAURANTS near the Canal House: Sorry don't have the addresses but your hotel should be able to provide. Restaurant DeLuwte (Continental Italian) De Twee Griekans (?)-The Two Greeks) Christophe, Restaurant 5. None were cheap (The two Greeks being the most reasonable) but all very good. Shar

Seconding the previous poster's recommendation of De Luwte restaurant. Had a prix fixe dinner there recently for a very reasonable 23E or so. It included a raspberry dessert so decadent and delicious it lingers in memory....

Thanks for the restaurant names.

Ticket help please....did u buy tickets to the Van Gogh on site, at ticket broker etc
leaving soon and anxious....
but your report made me really happy!
.b

If I was worried about Van Gogh tickets I'd show up 15 minutes before opening (10 AM) not on Saturday or Sunday.